Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan, 
pictured with students at the launch of this year's Retail Management Degree at Dublin Business School, funded by Lidl Ireland.

This undergraduate programme, unique in Ireland, has been running at Dublin Business School (DBS) for the past three years. The first cohort of students is set to graduate in June of this year. 

Course fees at the independent college are paid by discount retailer Lidl Ireland, which also pays students a salary throughout their studies, increasing from €16,000 in year 1 to €20,000 in year 3. In addition, students get 20 days paid leave per year and also enjoy the added benefit of free private healthcare.

On completion of their studies, having attained an internationally recognised third level degree, successful graduates are given the opportunity to join Lidl on a permanent basis, initially in the role of Deputy Store Manager. 

Launching this year’s programme, Tánaiste and Minister for Education & Skills Mary Coughlan said:

"Programmes such as this initiative by Lidl in partnership with Dublin Business School, which involves considerable investment by employers in the education or training of a number of its staff, are to be encouraged and promoted. 

“Through this programme staffs are able to up-skill using a model of work-based experience and formal learning. This model tends to be successful and is particularly appropriate for those who may not otherwise be able to engage in full time third level education."

Each year, 30-40 candidates are recruited onto the course. Fifty per cent of the programme is classroom based at Dublin Business School and 50 per cent is dedicated to the gaining of practical experience in a Lidl store, up to management level.

“I have not looked back since embarking on this course with Lidl and DBS,” said third year student Siobhan Shannon.

“Going to college is often associated with putting earning on hold so it is fantastic to be able to improve my education and job prospects while continuing to support myself financially.

“The course, which is part theory and part practical hands-on retail experience, is very relevant and applicable to the real working environment. I have loved every minute of it,” Siobhan said.

Paul Martin, Career Development Manager for Lidl Ireland GmbH, points out that the course is a ‘win win’ situation for both the successful applicants and for Lidl.

“Students receive a very reputable degree while we get the opportunity to work with motivated and dedicated people who are interested in building a long term career with Lidl. 

“Applications for this programme are on the rise year on year as the awareness of the uniqueness of this opportunity grows amongst prospective students and career guidance counsellors. 

“It is hugely rewarding for us to see the first group of students come to the end of their 3-year programme and graduate this summer. Our attention now turns however to preparing the way for the next group of applicants.”

Dublin Business School chief executive Gerry Muldowney said DBS was delighted to be involved in this “exciting project” with Lidl.

 “Since its launch in 2007, the degree in retail management has been a pioneering and exciting development providing learners with the opportunity to obtain employment combined with an underpinning academic third level education. 

“In the current economic climate it provides a massive opportunity to school leavers and further education graduates.”

Accreditation
The Retail Management Degree is accredited at Level 7 on the National Qualifications Framework by the Higher Education Training Awards Council (HETAC). 

Minimum entry requirements
Five passes at Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level including a C3 in Ordinary Level Mathematics and a D3 in English or another language, plus an overall minimum of 250 points. Applicants can also apply after obtaining a FETAC Level 5 full award or equivalent.

How to apply
Applications should be made, up to June 30, directly to Lidl via the website www.lidl-degree.ie (this programme is not listed on the CAO).

Details of programme
Full details of the programme, course content, entry requirements and online application can be found www.lidl-degree.ie.
For further information, call the Lidl degree helpline on 045-440467.