Certificate in Communication Skills
NOW ENROLLING FOR AUTUMN 2025
The closing date for applications is Monday 1st September or until all places are taken, whichever comes first.
Course Overview
The Certificate in Communication Skills aims to introduce learners to the role of effective professional communication in business. This course provides insights into communication in business contexts informed by recent research, allowing learners to develop a range of professional communication skills. It also provides students with the opportunity to practice a range of professional communication skills including oral and written presentation, teamwork in diverse groups and negotiation.
Students of this course will develop general understanding, awareness and communicative effectiveness, as well as critical thinking and research skills. The programme will also help develop in students an understanding of current thinking on best professional practice in professional communication skills in business contexts. On successful completion of this course students should be able to:
- Establish and manage a basic research project, including the design and administration of primary data gathering and the collection and evaluation of research articles in an ethical context.
- Write an academic report using professional structures, layout and referencing schemes.
- Apply theories of communication and best practice in a variety of business interactions, both verbal and non-verbal.
- Develop and deliver effective business presentations, individually and in groups, with appropriate use of visual and verbal supports.
- Develop and deliver a range of professional communication skills including assertiveness and negotiation, listening and reflecting, explaining and questioning in the business context.
What makes this course different
Enhance Your Communication Skills
You will have the opportunity to practice a range of professional communication skills including oral and written presentation, teamwork in diverse groups and negotiation.
Explore Communication in a Business Context
Graduates will develop an understanding of current thinking on best professional practice in professional communication skills in business contexts
Course Delivery and Modules
The mode of delivery is part-time evening classes (Wednesdays, 6.30pm-9.30pm, subject to change) for one semester with some blended via DkIT Moodle. Assessment of this Certificate will comprise 100% continuous assessment course work.
Induction for new students will run Monday 15th September from 6.30pm.
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Modules
- Business Correspondence: Students will learn how to conduct formal correspondence, mindful of appropriate tone, language, content & style.
- Research Methods: Tuition in designing, implementing and managing a research project for any subject - Primary & Secondary research - Qualitative vs quantitative research - Developing a hypothesis - Writing the proposal - Literature review - Interview design & etiquette - Questionnaire design & administration - Analysing and selecting data - Ethical considerations.
- Reports: Typical short report format for presenting research findings in an academic context - Basic structure - Language & style - Selecting & editing data - Proofreading - Presentation.
- Study Skills: Practical tutorials designed to introduce new students to third-level education practice and standards, and introduce tools for effective learning.
- Harvard Referencing: Tuition to equip students to protect the academic integrity of their work throughout the programme and avoid plagiarism - Understanding plagiarism - Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarising - Referencing different types of sources using the Harvard Referencing System. - Resources for referencing (DkIT resources, useful websites) - Checking work for plagiarism using detection software.
- Language & Style: Structure and Etiquette
Education Progression
Graduates of this Certificate in Communications Skills may be eligible for exemptions on other similar programmes within DkIT and with other providers.
Learners who successfully complete this Certificate will be offered the relevant module exemption from the DkIT BBS part-time degree.
Learners completing this may also apply to the full-time BB in Business & Management programme and, provided they meet entry criteria for that programme, will be offered exemptions for the relevant module that they have successfully completed.
Fees and Funding
Total course fee: €500, payable as follows:
- €200 Accept Offer fee (non refundable)
- Balance of €300 payable by 31st October
Fees
€500
Entry Requirements
All applicants will normally hold a relevant level 5 qualification (or equivalent) or higher.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum education requirements but are 23 years or older and have relevant work experience may still apply for consideration by the Institute. If you are applying as a mature student be sure to submit your CV and any letters of reference you have from employers.
International students must have English level of IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent).
How To Apply
Apply Directly to DkIT
Apply directly to DkIT using our online applications system. Please remember to upload the required documentation (copies of your existing qualification(s), your CV, any other support documents etc) with your online application to expedite your application. To avoid disappointment early registration is recommended.
Ask us a Question
If you have a question about the Certificate in Communication Skills please ask it below and we will get back to you.
Nuala Rispin
Email: nuala.rispin@dkit.ieDisclaimer: All module titles are subject to change and for indicative purposes only. All courses are delivered subject to demand and timetables are subject to change. Elective Module options will only run subject to student numbers. The relevant Department will determine the viability of each elective module option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose that option. Students will be offered alternative elective modules on their programme should their preferred elective option not be proceeding. Award Options for Common Entry Programmes: The relevant Department will determine the viability of each award option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose either option. If the numbers for one of the Award options exceed available places, students for this option will be selected based on Academic Merit (highest grades).
