Leaving Certificate Business
Leaving Certificate Business is a practical and engaging subject that helps students understand how the world of business works in real life. Students develop key skills in decision-making, communication, teamwork and financial literacy while exploring enterprise, management, marketing, human resources and business finance. It is available at both Higher Level and Ordinary Level.
Subject overview
Leaving Certificate Business supports students to understand how organisations operate and how business decisions are made in a real-world context. Students develop practical skills that are useful for everyday life and for future study, including planning, analysing information, presenting ideas and making informed financial decisions.
The subject encourages active learning and critical thinking through discussion, case studies and applied tasks. Students explore how enterprises start and grow, how products are marketed, how people are managed in workplaces, and how businesses make financial decisions.
Assessment
From 2026, the Business curriculum includes a Research Project demonstrating 40% of the overall grade, allowing students to apply their learning to a real business-based investigation. This updated approach places a strong focus on active learning, critical thinking and preparing students for further study and future careers.
How students are assessed
- Research Project (40%) – a real-world business investigation that draws on course learning
- Written examination (60%) – assesses understanding and application of key concepts and skills
Key areas of study
Enterprise
Exploring entrepreneurship, business ideas, and how organisations start and develop.
Management
Understanding planning, organising, leading and controlling in different types of organisations.
Marketing
Analysing markets and consumers, and learning how products and services are promoted and sold.
Human Resources
Learning about recruitment, motivation, teamwork, and how people are managed in the workplace.
Business Finance
Developing financial literacy through budgeting, costs, revenues, accounts and decision-making.
Research and Investigation
Applying learning through a business-based research project, using real data and evidence.
Learning beyond the classroom
Sixth-Year Business: Learning from Real Enterprises
Learning in Leaving Certificate Business extends beyond the classroom through real-world experiences that connect theory to practice.
Students have opportunities to engage with successful Irish enterprises, exploring how organisations operate in practice. Through visits to working businesses, students examine key areas such as production processes, quality control, branding, and the development and growth of businesses over time.
Hands-on activities form an important part of these experiences, allowing students to apply their learning to areas such as product design, customer experience, and value creation.
Learning beyond the classroom supports the updated Business curriculum by promoting active learning, critical thinking, and real-world investigation - all essential skills for the Research Project component and for further study and future careers.
Curriculum update (from 2026)
The updated Business specification introduces a stronger focus on active learning, critical thinking and real-world application, including a Research Project worth 40% of the final grade.
Further information
For the full specification, assessment information and learning outcomes, visit Curriculum Online:
Curriculum Online – Leaving Certificate Business
Interested in Leaving Certificate Business?
If you would like more information about studying Business at ETSS Wicklow, please contact the school office or speak with the Business teaching team.
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