Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Project Management (Built Environment)
Course Overview
This course addresses a specific need for professionals within the built environment to develop project management and entrepreneurial skills.
The programme is designed for those in the middle of their career looking to progress to senior management or become self-employed but is equally applicable to those who are looking to upskill and keep abreast of the needs of industry.
This course is designed to introduce and explore the basic concepts and practices of project management and business planning specifically relating to the Built Environment. When combined with the focus on entrepreneurship, which is unique to the course at Griffith College, this enables learners to consider, create and grow entrepreneurial ventures, both within existing organisations and in start-ups.
Why study Entrepreneurship and Project Management with Griffith College?
In today’s fast-paced business economy of getting ahead and staying ahead, project management is a highly sought-after skill. New projects are often expensive and high-risk, so clients will pay more for the assurance of deliverables. From project planning to leading to monitoring to managing and delivering, this course will give you the vital skills and techniques you need to secure the success of high performing projects. These skills are particularly useful if you are an aspiring entrepreneur, looking to upskill or are returning to the workplace.
The programme is delivered through a mixture of online lectures and on campus workshops which take place in the evenings/ at weekends to allow for minimal disruption to the working day. Other reasons to consider this course include:
- With the average salary for a Project Manager in Ireland sitting around €53,000, and higher salaries for specialisation in project types or industries, evidence of professional project management skills will help learners stand out to potential employers, increase their earning potential and further progress their career.
- Students will receive extensive training in both construction management and project management, essential managerial aspects to carrying out large, complex projects in industry. You will develop an entrepreneurial mind-set which will increase your value to potential employers or help you plan ventures of your own.
- Graduates possess directly applicable skills in project execution and project control across all of the complex elements of a project so that it can be successfully and professionally managed to its conclusion.
- Unique to Griffith College, this course provides awareness and a basic understanding of the legal issues frequently encountered by entrepreneurs, such as issues around financing, operations of a company, ownership structuring, the raising of capital, federal securities requirements and exemptions, determining valuation, intellectual property, board formation, human resources, and exit strategies.
- The course is managed by Griffith’s long-standing Design Faculty and is delivered by experts from the industry.
- The combination of a mixture of online and on-campus lecture allows for minimal disruption to the normal working day.
- Full access to Student Adobe Creative Cloud - All Apps plan, which gives you 20+ cutting-edge creative tools for desktop, mobile, and web
This programme is an embedded special purpose award in the Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Project Management (Built Environment) programme. Graduates of the certificate can progress directly to the diploma on completion, or within five years of their graduation.
Course Highlights
- Designed to meet the skills required by industry;
- Provides a solid foundation for those in the middle of their career, aspiring entrepreneurs, those looking to upskill or who are returning to the workplace, to allow them to progress in the workplace.
- Understands the demands of a project manager role and tasks within the context of the building industry
- Develop an understanding of the legal and professional environment and associated requirements relevant to the built environment
- Explore entre/intrapreneurial aspirations and abilities by examining entrepreneurial theory, research and process.
- Friendly, approachable staff (who are experts in their fields), provide a supportive learning environment
Intake Dates
- Dublin - Part-Time - September 2025
What industry professionals say
Although you may work for a large company, Designers need to have the essential skills that this course offers - being a team player is vital but being able to make educated decisions independently is also paramount. There is a complex set of roles that are required for a project to run smoothly where each party needs to ensure smooth communication and transparency – a greater understanding of Project Management can only be beneficial to support this.
Interior Designer, The Fumbally Exchange
Course Details
Course Modules
The module enables learners to explore their entre/intrapreneurial aspirations and abilities by examining entrepreneurial theory, research and process. It introduces the learner to each of the variables that have to be considered when exploring entre/intrapreneurship as an owner/manager of a business or as an employee. Learners also develop an awareness of finance and possible sources of investment available to entrepreneurs. The module also introduces the learner to Design Thinking.
This module provides learners with the means to understand the role and various tasks of a project manager within the building industry. The module also develops learners' awareness of the skills and competencies required within the project team. Skills developed through the module bring leadership and direction to projects allowing learners to fully appreciate the challenges organisations face in dynamic and changing built environments. Project management creates and enables motivated teams who know their work is valued, so as to optimise their performance. Project management enables teams to ensure the deliverables are correct and there is a real return on investment.
This module provides learners with an overview of the legal and statutory and associated requirements relevant to the built environment. While Irish law is the main context for the module, many aspects of European law are highlighted and discussed throughout, as relevant to the sector. Thus learners are provided with a comprehensive overview of the important aspects of law that affect building industry businesses in operation in Ireland and the European Union.
Course Contacts
Britt Berentzen
- Dublin Main Campus
Timetables
This course is scheduled to commence in February 2025 at Griffith College Dublin's Main Campus and Online via Zoom.
This part-time programme runs two evenings, Tuesday and Thursday, per week from 6.30 pm - 9.45 pm and 5 Saturdays from 10.00 am - 5.00 pm, over 10 weeks.
Year 2025
Timetables are to be confirmed closer to the start date.
Contact professionalacademy@griffith.ie for further information.
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
- Applicants to the programme must meet normal QQI requirements, Level 7 or equivalent, award on the National Framework of Qualifications.
- The applicants require a background from building design and construction-related programmes. CV showing relevant experience within this field is required.
- If English is not your native language, you must show that your English level is of a suitable standard.
Each potential learner will be required to attend a virtual meeting with the Programme Director to establish suitability.
How to Apply
Applicants should apply directly to Griffith College.
Fees
For purposes of fee calculation, residence is counted from the time of application.
Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.
Tuition Fees
General Fee Information
Study Mode: Part-Time
Dublin Total Fee: €2268.50 (Inclusive of Tuition Fee EUR2050.00, Academic Administration Fee EUR125.00, 2% Learner Protection Charge (EUR 43.50) and EUR50.00 QQI Award fee)
An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00, a 2% Learner Protection Charge and EUR50.00 QQI Award fee is applicable each academic year.
An Academic Administration Fee of €250 is payable each September at the start of term. For students starting in the January/February term, €125 is payable in February, and then €250 will be payable each September from then onwards.
Direct Debit Scheme
Students wishing to pay for their fees monthly may avail of our direct debit scheme. Please view our Fees information page to review the payment plan schedule and how to apply.
Sponsorship
Is your company paying for your course?
They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form and send this to the Student Fees Office:
- Post: Student Fees, Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8
- Email: accounts@griffith.ie
2% Learner Protection Charge
All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of the provider ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded.
QQI Award Fee
Please note that a QQI Award Fee applies in the final year of all QQI courses. To find the relevant fee for your course level, please see the Fees page.
Progression
This course provides a pathway to Construction Management-related programmes.
Graduates of this certificate can progress directly to the Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Project Management (Built Environment) on completion, or within five years of their graduation.