If you are looking to build a career as an influencer in Ireland — whether full-time, part-time or as a side hustle — it is a smart move to invest first in targeted education. The good news? There’s no shortage of courses tailored to developing your skills in digital marketing, social media, and content creation. Below is a guide to some of the best programmes in Ireland and how they can help you launch and sustain an influencing career.
Why take a course?
Being an influencer today isn’t just about posting pretty pictures or funny videos. Behind the scenes there’s a combination of branding, content strategy, audience building, analytics, production skills, sponsorship negotiation and business awareness. By enrolling in a relevant course you will
Develop technical skills in social media platforms, analytics, paid advertising and content production.
Define your niche and learn how to build a brand identity and engage an audience meaningfully.
Understand the business side — sponsorships, partnerships, ROI, disclosure & legal aspects of influencer marketing.
Build a portfolio of work (videos, blogs, posts ) that’s credible for brands, agencies or your own channel.
With the right training, you are more likely to stand out in a crowded online space and build a sustainable career rather than relying purely on chance or virality.
Top Courses in Ireland for Influencing
Here are three standout options—ranging from shorter certificates to full degrees:
1. Certificate / Short Courses in Social Media & Digital Marketing
Courses like the one from The Career Academy offer Industry-accredited certificates in digital marketing and social media (about 80 hours, entirely online ) that cover campaign planning, content creation and social ad skills. The Career Academy IE+1
Likewise, the UCD Professional Academy offers live online modules in social media marketing with a focus on strategy and tools. ucd.ie+1 These shorter, flexible courses are great if you want to upskill quickly, test the waters or start while working.
2. Diploma / Level 5/6 Qualifications in Multimedia & Influencer Skills
For a more hands-on, media-production orientation, you could consider programmes like the Level 5 QQI Award in Multimedia Production (Influencer focus ) at Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education — “Social Media Influencer – QQI Level 5” tackles Instagram, YouTube, sponsorships, short-video creation, web authoring etc. CDCFE+1
Another is the Digital Marketing with Business Level 5 course at Moate Business College which explicitly lists a career as “Influencer or Blogger” among its outcomes. PLC Courses Ireland
These are excellent if you want structured, college-based training with production practice, good if you’re serious and perhaps just leaving secondary education.
3. Full Degree: Bachelor in Content Creation & Social Media
If you’re looking for a full-on, three or four-year investment and want to treat influencing as a professional career path, check out the new degree at South East Technological University (SETU ) in Carlow — Bachelor of Arts in Content Creation and Social Media. SETU+1
This programme is notable because it is described as the first of its kind in Ireland targeting influencer-style skills such as video editing, brand collaborations, content strategy, business fundamentals. www.ndtv.com For someone serious about a long-term career, this may provide the deep learning, industry links and professional credibility you’ll need.
How to pick the right one for you
Here are some things to consider when selecting a course:
Content mix: Look for courses that balance creation (video, photo, story-telling, editing ) and strategy (platforms, analytics, business, sponsorships ).
Credentials and progression: Some courses offer QQI level certification (commonly recognized in Ireland ) which may help if you want to move on to further study or formal employment. For example, the Level 5 influencer course at Coláiste Dhúlaigh is QQI-certified. Lovin Dublin
Industry connection: If the course offers live projects, internships, or brand collaborations, you’ll gain real experience that looks good when seeking sponsorships or working as an influencer. The SETU degree emphasises business skills and work placements. www.ndtv.com+1 Budget: Costs vary—from a few hundred euros for short online courses to several thousand for longer diploma/degree programmes. Make sure you check payment plans and value for money.
A career in influencing is not just about having a large following anymore — brands, agencies and audiences expect authenticity, quality content and business acumen.
Taking a well-designed course in Ireland can give you the edge by helping you craft a niche, produce strong content, understand analytics, and monetise your online presence effectively.
Whether you start with a quick online certificate to dip your toes in the water, enrol in a one-year multimedia forming programme, or commit to a full bachelor’s degree, what matters is that you start building skills now, test your content and strategy in the real world, and treat influencing as a serious profession rather than a hobby.
