Summary: Sixth-year students who enjoy business, travel and working with people do not have to choose a conventional business degree. Courses in events, hospitality and global experience management can offer international placements, practical learning and career flexibility.
Choosing a college course can feel overwhelming, particularly when a student knows what interests them but cannot yet picture a specific career. This education-focused Breaking News guide looks at alternative business degrees available to students in Ireland, including options at TUS, ATU and Shannon College of Hotel Management.
Alternative business degrees for students in Ireland
A traditional business course is not the only route into marketing, management, sales or entrepreneurship. For students who enjoy meeting people, travelling and working in international settings, people-focused programmes may provide a better fit.
These degrees combine business theory with practical areas such as hospitality, events, customer experience, tourism and brand management. That combination can help students develop transferable skills while keeping several career paths open.
Courses at TUS and ATU
Technological University of the Shannon offers business studies programmes linked to events and hospitality management at its Athlone campus. The courses include an international placement, giving students the opportunity to connect classroom learning with professional experience.
Atlantic Technological University provides similar events and hospitality management options at its campuses in Letterkenny and Sligo. These programmes may appeal to students in the west and northwest who want a practical degree without moving to one of Ireland’s largest cities.
Course structures, entry requirements and placement arrangements can change, so prospective students should check the latest information directly with each university before applying.
Students and families can explore more education coverage and college guidance at DailyDigest.ie.
Global Luxury & Experience Management at Shannon College
Another option is the Bachelor of Business Studies in Global Luxury & Experience Management at Shannon College of Hotel Management, University of Galway. The programme is designed for students interested in business, premium brands, customer experience and international careers.
Although the course title includes the word “luxury”, its content extends beyond fashion or expensive products. Students study how organisations create experiences that encourage customer loyalty and strengthen brand value.
What students can study
The programme includes core business subjects such as:
- Marketing and brand management
- Management and finance
- Digital business
- Innovation and entrepreneurship
- Customer experience and commercial strategy
The international emphasis is also central. Students may gain global experience through industry placements or study opportunities abroad, helping them develop professional contacts and practical skills before graduation.
Career options after an experience-focused business degree
A broad degree can be useful for students who have not yet chosen one industry. The skills developed through business, hospitality and experience management can be applied in a range of sectors, including:
- Luxury brands, fashion and premium retail
- Hospitality, tourism and international travel
- Events and experiential marketing
- Real estate and property services
- Customer experience management
- Business development and sales
- Marketing and communications
- Entrepreneurship and start-ups
Employers increasingly look for graduates who can combine commercial understanding with communication, creativity, relationship-building and awareness of international consumers. Practical placements can also help students test their interests before committing to a long-term career direction.
Why customer experience matters to employers
Companies now compete on more than product and price. The way customers interact with a business can influence loyalty, reputation and repeat spending. This has created demand for graduates who understand both the commercial side of an organisation and the human side of the customer journey.
That makes experience-focused study relevant across multiple industries. A graduate may work with a hotel group, a property company, a fashion brand, an events agency, a tourism business or a technology firm that wants to improve its customer relationships.
Shannon College has an international reputation for industry connections and graduate employability. Its professional focus is intended to help students build workplace confidence alongside academic knowledge.
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How students can decide if a course is suitable
Students who are uncertain about their choice should look beyond the course title. A useful comparison should include:
- Modules: Check whether the subjects match the student’s interests in business, people, travel or creativity.
- Work placements: Find out when placements take place, where they may be located and how they are supported.
- International opportunities: Review study-abroad arrangements and overseas industry links.
- Career destinations: Consider the range of sectors entered by recent graduates.
- Campus and location: Think about travel, accommodation and the practical realities of studying away from home.
Open days can be especially valuable. They allow applicants to speak with lecturers and current students, see facilities and ask detailed questions about assessment, placements and graduate opportunities.
Frequently asked questions
Is a luxury management degree only for students interested in fashion?
No. The course covers wider business, customer experience, premium retail, hospitality, tourism, property, marketing and entrepreneurship. The skills can be used across many industries.
Are there international opportunities on these courses?
The programmes described include international placement or study opportunities, although the details depend on the individual course and current university arrangements.
What if a student is unsure about a career?
A broad course with practical experience can help students explore different sectors while building transferable skills. Students should compare modules, placements and career outcomes rather than choosing solely by course name.
What this means for families choosing a degree
Not knowing exactly what to study in sixth year is common. A student’s interests in people, travel and business can point towards modern programmes that combine academic learning with professional experience.
For families in the midwest and beyond, options at TUS in Athlone, ATU in Sligo and Letterkenny, and Shannon College in County Clare offer different routes into international business and people-focused careers. The most important next step is to research each course carefully, attend open days and speak directly with admissions teams.
The key takeaway from this Breaking News education update is simple: students do not need to have one fixed career goal before choosing a degree. The right programme can provide practical experience, global awareness and flexible skills that remain useful as interests develop.
