1. Reputation as Ireland’s Leading Independent College 
DBS is Ireland's largest independent third level college. With over 9,000 students, DBS provides a comprehensive range of full-time and part-time undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and executive education programmes. Established in 1975, the College quickly gained an excellent reputation for teaching quality and standards, offering flexible and innovative learning opportunities that reflect and match the needs of students and employers.  

2. Recognition and Accreditation
Our certificate, degree and postgraduate programmes are awarded by Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI). All of these awards are recognised by the Department of Education, employers and all of the major higher education institutions for postgraduate study. Additionally, for those graduates wishing to seek professional qualifications, DBS relevant degrees are awarded recognition and exemption from professional bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA),the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP).   
3. Commitment to World Class Teaching
Over the last 40 years DBS has built a considerable reputation for the quality of its teaching. As an institution we focus our main research activity on the constant improvement of the learning experience of our students. Evidence of the success we have achieved has come in many different ways. One particular example of this is the success achieved by our students in the examinations of the professional accountancy bodies where over 960 DBS students have achieved worldwide and national individual prizewinner success.  

4. Ladder of Opportunity / Flexibility of Award Progression 
Our certificate, degree and postgraduate programmes have been designed to allow students flexibility in their career choice as we offer a range of Arts, Business and Law programmes at certificate level (level 6), ordinary degree level (level 7), honours degree level (level 8), postgraduate diploma level (level 8) and masters level (level 9) of the National Qualifications Framework. At DBS we have created a ‘ladder of opportunity and progression’ for students who can create their own study pathway to achieve their individual educational goals.   
5. Student Support Services
Feedback from students indicates that they value the student focus that our lecturers and support staff offer. At DBS, this is the key factor in our service delivery. We recognise that you may need different types of support as you progress through your studies, be it academic direction, career advice, mentoring or personal attention. We offer a comprehensive service in these areas to all our students.

6. Dedicated Programme Management 
On all of our full-time and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, the appointed Programme Leader will assist and facilitate student development during their period of academic study.

7. Internationally Recognised Education Experience 
Over the last 40 years DBS has established a considerable international reputation for the quality of its programmes. This recognition has been achieved both at government level and on an individual student basis. The College has created a unique learning environment with students from over 70 countries participating in its programmes.  
8. Career and Personal Development Focused Education 
All our programmes have been designed and developed in collaboration with industry and the professional bodies so that on graduation in addition to your academic qualifications, you will have the skills and knowledge for a successful career.

9. Student Centered Approach
In DBS we take a holistic view to college life. Academia should be integrated with a stimulating social scene. The work/study balance is something we regard at DBS as being important. Accordingly we organise, through our dedicated student services department, a range of social, sports and developmental activities for students.
10. City Centre Location
A mere two minute walk from St. Stephens Green, the Luas and all main bus routes, DBS is truly in the heart of Dublin city. Our educational sites in the prime city centre locations of Aungier Street, George's Street, Balfe Street, and Dame Street are all within a few minutes walking distance of each other and provide students with access to all of the infrastructure capabilities of a vibrant modern capital city. 

Since 1975 DBS has established itself as a leading third-level institution in Ireland. The following milestones in its development have been of immense significance in this recognition.

Recognised as a Designated Institution under the NCEA Act in 1992

Became an institution with accredited provision status of Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) in 1995

Recognised as an Associate College of Henley in 1996

Courses approved for tax purposes by the Department of Education in 1997

Approved for inclusion on the CAO listing in 1998

QQI & the National Framework of Qualifications
DBS Degree, Postgraduate Higher Diploma and Masters programmes are accredited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). QQI was established on 6 November 2012 under the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012. The new Authority was created by an amalgamation of four bodies that have both awarding and quality assurance responsibilities: the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC), the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC), the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) and the Irish Universities Quality Board (IUQB). The new Authority has assumed all the functions of the four legacy bodies while also having responsibility for new or newly-statutory responsibilities in particular areas.

Ten Level System
The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is a ten-level system (1–10) giving an academic or vocational value to qualifications obtained in Ireland. NFQ levels help indicate how an award can be used for training, education and employment opportunities (see fan diagram). Each level is based on nationally agreed standards of what a learner is expected to know and be able to do after receiving an award.

QQI is Ireland's guardian of the NFQ system. They are responsible for the quality assurance of providers of education and training. They also have responsibility for the validation of qualifications and also make some awards themselves.

NFQ serves several purposes:

- It ensures awards obtained in Ireland are quality-assured and recognised internationally
- It is part of a system for comparing Irish and international awards
- It supports lifelong learning by recognising knowledge and skills within a comparative framework even if they are not recognised by a formal award
- It provides a system of establishing eligibility in learning processes for access, transfer and progression
- It recognises awards made by professional bodies 

International
NFQ is linked to similar frameworks in Europe. This helps people considering employment or study opportunities outside Ireland.

There are two qualifications frameworks at European level:

1. The Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area also known as the 'Bologna Framework'. This deals with higher education awards (NFQ 6-10). 
2. The European Qualifications Framework (EQF), which deals with all NFQ levels including schools, Further Education and Training, and Higher Education.