CourseCompass

Sample Course Compass Results

Real student example — assessment completed 14 October 2025

Based on a comprehensive assessment analysing 830+ Irish CAO courses, the following personalised matches were generated considering interests, aptitudes, personality traits, and career values.

Top 5 Premium Course Matches

Each top match includes in-depth career guidance analysis covering psychological profile fit, values alignment, career pathways with Irish salary data, and growth opportunities.

🏆 #1 Top Match — 95%

Business Studies — University of Limerick (LM050)

📍 Limerick · 4 years · NFQ Level 8 · 390 Points

Match Reasons

⭐ Exceptional logical reasoning ⭐ Strong enterprising drive ⭐ High numerical aptitude ⭐ Leadership orientation ⭐ Technical problem-solving

🧠 Psychological Profile Fit

Holland Code profile shows a dominant Enterprising trait (18/20), the strongest predictor of success in business programmes. Natural gravitation toward leadership, persuasion, and strategic decision-making — all core to this degree. Aptitude profile: 100% in both Logical and Technical reasoning, placing in the top tier for analytical business modules like Financial Analysis, Operations Management, and Business Analytics. Numerical aptitude (80%) further supports quantitative modules.

❤️ Values & Motivation Alignment

Career values centre on Achievement, Financial Stability, and Leadership — all directly served by this programme. UL's co-operative education (co-op) programme, the largest in Ireland, gives 8 months of paid industry placement. Interest in entrepreneurship well-served by UL's Nexus Innovation Centre and Enterprise Ireland partnerships.

💼 Career Pathway & Earnings

Graduate roles: Business Analyst (€32–38k), Management Consultant (€35–45k), Financial Analyst (€34–40k). Mid-career (5–8 years): Senior Manager (€55–75k), Strategy Consultant (€65–90k), Head of Operations (€70–95k). Senior level (10+ years): Director of Strategy (€90–130k), CFO (€120–180k), Managing Director (€100–160k). UL Business graduates have a 94% employment rate within 9 months.

📈 Growth & Development Opportunities

This programme will challenge development of verbal communication (currently 50%) through presentations, group projects, and the co-op placement. The social and collaborative aspects of business — client management, team leadership, and negotiation — will stretch interpersonal skills. Breadth of programme includes Marketing and HR for well-rounded business perspective.

🥈 #2 Excellent Match — 92%

Business - International Business — University of Limerick (LM056)

📍 Limerick · 4 years · NFQ Level 8 · 400 Points

Match Reasons

⭐ Strong analytical capability ⭐ Enterprising personality ⭐ Global perspective interest ⭐ Numerical reasoning ⭐ Adaptability

🧠 Psychological Profile Fit

Enterprising (18) and Social (14) Holland traits combine perfectly for international business, where cross-cultural relationship management is key. Technical aptitude (100%) and logical reasoning (100%) equip for the quantitative rigour of international finance and trade analytics. Mandatory semester abroad and language modules leverage social awareness.

❤️ Values & Motivation Alignment

Values of Achievement and Financial Stability served through focus on multinational business operations. International placement year exposes to global markets, accelerating career trajectory. Graduates with international experience command a 15–20% salary premium over domestic-only business graduates.

💼 Career Pathway & Earnings

Graduate roles: International Business Analyst (€34–40k), Export Executive (€30–36k), Global Operations Coordinator (€32–38k). Mid-career: International Account Manager (€50–70k), Global Strategy Manager (€65–85k). Senior: VP International Operations (€95–140k), Global Business Development Director (€100–150k).

📈 Growth Opportunities

International placement will develop cultural intelligence and adaptability. Language acquisition (French, German, Spanish, or Japanese) expands communication skills and opens doors to markets where English alone isn't sufficient.

🥉 #3 Strong Match — 89%

Business Studies - Enterprise & Innovation — TUS (US852)

📍 Limerick · 4 years · NFQ Level 8 · 280 Points

Match Reasons

⭐ Entrepreneurial drive ⭐ Technical innovation aptitude ⭐ Logical problem-solving ⭐ Risk-taking confidence ⭐ Creative thinking

🧠 Psychological Profile Fit

Dominant Enterprising trait (18) and perfect Technical aptitude (100%) are the ideal combination for this enterprise-focused programme. Designed for creators and builders — matching personality profile perfectly. Logical reasoning (100%) supports feasibility analysis, financial modelling, and strategic planning modules.

💼 Career Pathway & Earnings

Graduate roles: Startup Founder, Business Development Executive (€30–36k), Innovation Coordinator (€32–38k). Mid-career: Entrepreneur/Business Owner, Innovation Manager (€50–65k), Product Development Lead (€55–70k). The entrepreneurial pathway has unlimited earning potential. Lower CAO points requirement (280) makes this strategically accessible.

#4 Great Match — 88%

Enterprise & Community Engagement — University of Limerick

📍 Limerick · 4 years · NFQ Level 8

Match Reasons

🧠 Psychological Profile Fit

Enterprising (18) and Social (14) Holland traits create the perfect profile for this unique programme bridging business creation with community development. Recognises that the most successful modern entrepreneurs create businesses that serve communities — aligned with emerging trends in social enterprise and impact investing.

💼 Career Pathway

Graduate roles: Social Enterprise Manager (€30–36k), Community Development Officer (€32–38k). Mid-career: Social Enterprise Director (€50–65k). Senior: CEO of Social Enterprise (€70–100k+). The social enterprise sector in Ireland is growing rapidly with increasing government and EU funding.

#5 Great Match — 87%

Education Business Studies & Religious Studies — Mary Immaculate College (MI017)

📍 Limerick · 4 years · NFQ Level 8 · 420 Points

Match Reasons

🧠 Psychological Profile Fit

Social trait (14) and Enterprising personality (18) create an excellent profile for business education. The best business teachers bring real-world enterprise thinking into the classroom. Logical and technical aptitudes suited to teaching business concepts, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.

💼 Career Pathway

Graduate roles: Secondary School Business Teacher (€37–42k starting). Mid-career: Senior Teacher (€55–65k), Year Head (€60–70k). Senior: Deputy Principal (€75–90k), Principal (€85–105k). Teaching provides summers free for entrepreneurial ventures. Shortage of qualified Business Studies teachers in Ireland.

Other Strong Matches

#6 — Education Mathematics & Business Studies — Mary Immaculate College (MI021) — 87%

📍 Limerick · 4 years · NFQ Level 8 · 450 Points

#7 — Business Studies with Event Management — TUS (US941) — 86%

📍 Limerick · 4 years · NFQ Level 8 · 280 Points

#8 — Technology Management — University of Limerick (LM063) — 85%

📍 Limerick · 4 years · NFQ Level 8 · 420 Points

#9 — Education Gaeilge & Business Studies — Mary Immaculate College (MI019) — 85%

📍 Limerick · 4 years · NFQ Level 8 · 390 Points

#10 — Business Studies with Sports Management — TUS (US953) — 84%

📍 Limerick · 4 years · NFQ Level 8 · 270 Points

#11 — Business — TUS (US841) — 84%

📍 Limerick · 4 years · NFQ Level 7 · 250 Points

How These Results Were Generated

CourseCompass analyses each student across six psychological dimensions: Holland RIASEC interests, Big Five personality traits, career values, aptitude profile (verbal, numerical, logical, spatial, technical), learning style preferences, and emotional intelligence. These are matched against 830+ verified Irish CAO courses using AI-powered analysis.

Premium career guidance analysis (included for the top 5 matches) provides in-depth psychological profile fit, values alignment, career pathway narratives with Irish salary data, and personalised growth opportunities.

About This Assessment

The Course Compass is CourseCompass's flagship assessment. It takes approximately 50 minutes and generates personalised CAO course matches based on validated psychological frameworks including Holland's RIASEC model, the Big Five personality traits, and Super's career values theory.

Learn more: Course Compass · Our Scientific Methodology · How Assessments Work

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Disclaimer: All assessments and recommendations provided by CourseCompass are intended for informational and educational purposes only. Results are generated using AI and psychometric analysis, and should not be taken as definitive or professional advice. Course Compass accepts no liability for educational or career decisions made based on these results.