Ireland · NCCA Curriculum Specifications
1st Year Business Studies.
This First Year Junior Cycle Business Studies curriculum introduces students to the interconnected strands of Personal Finance, Enterprise, and Our Economy. It empowers students to make informed financial decisions, develop an entrepreneurial mindset, and understand the economic environment in Ireland.
01Introduction to Personal Finance
Students explore the fundamentals of managing personal resources, distinguishing between needs and wants, and understanding income and expenditure.
Differentiating between essential needs and optional wants while identifying personal resources. Students analyse how these factors influence daily decision-making.
Understanding various sources of personal income and learning how to track daily expenditures. Students categorise spending into regular, irregular, and discretionary outgoings.
Creating a personal budget to manage finances effectively and understanding the importance of saving. Students learn how to handle a budget deficit and plan for future goals.
02Consumer Awareness
Students investigate their rights and responsibilities as consumers in Ireland, exploring consumer protection laws and the impact of advertising.
Exploring consumer rights, responsibilities, and how to make informed, ethical purchasing decisions. Students discuss the balance between price, quality, and sustainability.
Investigating the agencies and laws that protect consumers in Ireland, such as the CCPC. Students learn the practical steps of seeking redress and writing a letter of complaint.
Analyzing how marketing and advertising influence consumer choices and lifestyle. Students evaluate different advertising mediums and identify misleading claims.
03Introduction to Enterprise
Students are introduced to the concept of enterprise, exploring the skills of an entrepreneur and the process of generating and researching business ideas.
Defining enterprise and identifying the characteristics and skills of a successful entrepreneur. Students examine local examples of enterprise and their community impact.
Brainstorming potential business ideas and conducting basic market research to test viability. Students differentiate between field and desk research methods.
Understanding the components of a simple business plan and its purpose for securing investment. Students outline a basic plan for a hypothetical mini-company.
04Our Economy and Society
Students explore basic economic concepts, the role of the Irish government in the economy, and the importance of sustainable development.
Introducing foundational economic concepts such as scarcity, opportunity cost, and the forces of supply and demand. Students explore how these concepts dictate market prices.
Exploring the role of the Irish government in managing the economy, raising revenue through taxation, and providing public services.
Examining the economic, social, and environmental impacts of business decisions. Students evaluate how businesses can transition to more sustainable practices.
05Financial Record Keeping
Students learn the basics of bookkeeping, preparing analysed cash books, and understanding how digital technology is transforming finance.
Learning the basics of recording financial transactions for individuals and local clubs. Students identify key financial documents like receipts and invoices.
Preparing and interpreting an Analysed Cash Book for simple accounts. Students practice recording income and expenditure and balancing the book at month-end.
Exploring how digital technologies and fintech are changing personal banking and business finance. Students discuss the benefits and risks of online transactions.