Office Administration

Take the first step toward a rewarding career in office and business administration with our one-year QQI Level 5 Office Administrative Specialist course. This nationally recognised qualification is designed to give you the confidence, skills, and professionalism needed to excel in today’s dynamic business world.

Throughout the year, you will gain hands-on experience in modern office systems, professional communication, business administration, customer services, payroll, and essential IT applications. This course also offers specialist training in office administration and customer service, ensuring you are fully prepared for a variety of roles in both the public and private sectors.

Whether you are aiming to start your career immediately or progress to further or higher education, this qualification opens the door to exciting opportunities in administration, clerical officer work, and office management. On completion, graduates are ready to enter employment immediately or progress to further and higher education.

What Makes This Course Special

  • Get ‘hands-on’ experience.

  • Learn with expert staff.
  • Practical projects, problem solving and solutions in the real business world.
  • Step-up to a wide range of Higher Education courses, SETU, DCU, UCD, UL.
  • Teach you the new skills of Office Administration, while acquiring a recognised QQI Level 5 Qualification
  • Visits and trips, opportunity to participate in Erasmus+ activities.
  • Enhance your career prospects in securing an office administrator, customer service, front line personnel business settings.
  • Develop your confidence and accuracy within document production with the assistance of AI and business administration skills.
  • Gives you the skills and knowledge to multitask at any given time.

Course Content

  • Word Processing
  • Information and Administration
  • Text Production
  • Customer Service
  • Work Experience
  • Business Administration
  • Spreadsheets
  • Payroll Manual and Computerised

Progression
Progress to further study and careers including:

  • Government Clerical Officer
  • General Office Administrator
  • Customer Service and Frontline Office Roles

Testimonial

After completing my Leaving Certificate in 2015, I went straight into employment. In 2023/24, I returned to Carlow Institute to study Business with Digital Marketing, graduating with Distinction and receiving the Student of the Year Award. In 2024, I completed a Customer Service and Office Administration course at the Institute. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and would highly recommend it to both school leavers and mature students. I progressed to SETU in September 2025, with the goal of qualifying to teach in Further Education and hopefully returning to Carlow Institute as a teacher.
Daryl

Entry Requirements

Certification

  • QQI Level 5 Certificate in Office Administration 5M1997

Costs

  • You are required to pay the application and registration charges, but your tuition, examination and awarding body costs are free
    (see costs, fees and finance)

Garda Vetting
See the Garda Vetting details on the Entry Requirements Page

PLSS Code: 510262

Coordinator: Miriam Monahan

 
Course is subject to minimum enrolment. The programme content shown is indicative and is subject to change according to Awarding Body requirements as well as enrolment and resources.