BA (Hons) in Business Studies

THE FIRST YEAR OF STUDY

First Year – The Common Core Programme

All first year students study a common core modular programme. The teaching in the two semesters of the first year provides students with a comprehensive introduction to business studies and is designed to enable each student to have the understanding and knowledge necessary to operate effectively in all modern business environments. The first year common core programme subjects and module titles are indicated below.

Stage 1

Core Subjects:

*Accounting

*Economics

*Business Law

*Data Analysis and Statistics

*Marketing

* Management

*HRM

*Business Communications and ICT

*Corporate Culture

SECOND YEAR OF STUDY

Stage 2

Core Subjects

*Strategic HRM

*Supply and Value Chain Management

* Knowledge Management

*Management Accounting

* Business Research Methods

*Financial Accounting

*Corporate Finance

*Strategic Marketing Management

*Market Research

*Organisational Behaviour

*Applied Economics

*Contemporary Issues in Management

THIRD YEAR OF STUDY

In addition to Common Core Modules final year students also agree with their tutors the specialist subjects that they wish to study for their degree. These are studied in the final year

Stage 3

Core Subjects

*Business Policy

*Change Management

*Business Project

Accounting Stream

*Advanced Management Accounting

*Financial Reporting

*Audit & Assurance

Marketing Stream

*Services Marketing

*Brand Management

*Direct Marketing

Management/HR Stream

*Operations Management

*Managing HR & IT

Entrepreneurship

Assessment Details

Assessment is based on a balance of continuous assessment(s) and an end of module examination.

Continuous assessment typically requires the student to submit one or two essay type assignments. The mark for assignments contributes to the end of module final mark. Assignments constitute a specific proportion of the module marks and this is typically 50% in the first year but may increase in years two and three of the programme.

Each module is assessed at the end of the semester in which the module is studied. This is to ensure that the learning which has been experienced is fresh in the mind of the student and that if re-sits are required these may be adequately supported and prepared for by the student.

Written feedback is provided to students on their performance in assessments, and tutorial guidance is available to support academic performance.

Re-sit opportunities may be scheduled at the end of the academic year or following the first semester in each year of the programme, depending upon individual circumstances and Faculty policy.

Choice of Study

The BA (Hons) Business Studies programme allows each student to develop their business study areas of interest and expertise as they develop their business knowledge at each stage of the course.

Each student receives regular and detailed academic tutorial guidance on each of the subjects which they choose to study as they progress through the course:-

Students receive particular advice on:

• Their choice of subjects

• Preparation for a future career

• The development of particular areas of interest and business expertise

• Individual academic performance and development

Your choice of Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Business Studies

Students may study for a general Business Studies degree or one in which they are able to develop their specialist areas of interest. The following pathways of general or specialist study are able to be taken by the student:

• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Business Studies – (specialising in Accounting and Finance)

• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Business Studies – (specialising in Marketing)

• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Business Studies – (specialising in Management and HR)

The design of the course ensures that students may match their developing interests and abilities to the general and specialist subjects which are offered within the third year of study.

The Accounting and Finance Pathway- This pathway prepares students for a career in Accounting and Finance. The programme provides a comprehensive education in the quantitative and analytical skills required in business and in a range of accounting practices. The role of the accountant is placed within the broader business context that is delivered through a range of business-relevant electives. Exemptions are being pursued as appropriate with the relevant professional Accountancy bodies.

The Marketing Pathway- This pathway provides the knowledge and skills that provide a solid foundation in Marketing within the broader business function and as a specialist Marketer within the international, regional, and local environments. The skills and thinking required to operate as a successful marketer are integrated within a practice focused programme aimed at developing professional excellence in addition to academic know how. The programme aims to introduce students to the key foundations of Marketing as a professional career as well as providing a firm understanding of the economic, psychological and strategic principles of marketing.

The Management and HR Pathway- This pathway provides the knowledge and understanding necessary to operate in both a strategic and operational management and HR environment in the private and public sectors in the Irish and wider international environments. Programme content covers the study of the theoretical and practical aspects of HRM and management within the contexts of business, finance and government.

Learning about Business Studies and Business Careers

The teaching team understands that students who are choosing to study Business Studies programmes are often unsure as to which business subjects and career areas they intend to develop until they are experiencing a degree level programme.

We also know that the skills and expertise required for an individual to be successful and to gain employment in the modern business environment and in the professional world can be highly challenging and that students gain a detailed understanding of these during the time which is spent studying on an undergraduate course.

The design of the BA (Hons) Business Studies programme therefore ensures that each student is taught:

• the core business skills and knowledge needed to establish a career pathway

• specialist areas of business studies which ensure that students are able to be flexible and competitive in the employment market or in their application to enter post graduate study.

• business subjects which are able to be carefully matched to the future needs and future requirements of each student as they successfully progress through each year of the course.

Teaching and Learning

Our teaching and learning focuses upon:

• Delivering a sound and firm foundation in business studies subjects to all of our students

• The individual educational development and professional career aspirations of each student

• Providing teaching excellence and academic support which meets the needs of each individual undergraduate

• Providing students with the ability to make an informed and knowledgeable choice in the development of their general or specialist business skills

Conference Weeks

The excellence of our academic teaching team and their professional business experience is supported by a regular series of Conference Weeks which are included in our teaching year. In the first week of the second semester each year, all students attend a Conference Week which is comprised of a series of teaching presentations which are delivered by nationally and internationally recognised business professionals, writers, teachers from other institutions, designers, journalists and others who have a commitment to the education of our students and their career development.

The themes of our Conference weeks are related to the teaching which takes place in the remainder of the semester. Students are able to make valuable contacts with professionals for career development, research and project development purposes.

Visiting lecturers

There is a regular programme of nationally and internationally recognised visiting lecturers and specialist visits are organised to local, regional and international businesses and organisations.

Class Sizes, Lectures and Tutorials

Students are taught in small classes and each student is supported throughout the course by a named academic tutor. Academic tutors meet with students on a regular timetabled basis and provide individual academic support and advice.

The main content of the programme is taught through lectures and each lecture includes time for questions and answers to ensure that students are able to provide feedback on the lecture, ask questions, and confirm their understanding of the points raised.

Lectures are supported by individual and group tutorials and seminar based group discussions. These provide opportunity for more detailed discussion and for individual guidance and support to be given on academic programme content.

In the third year of study each student is allocated a tutor who provides guidance on the planning, undertaking and completion of their Dissertation. The Dissertation is undertaken by each student as an individual research project which is able to be related to their career intensions, a business case study, or a theoretical study.

In the third year students also undertake a student team project which includes a full Business Enterprise simulation. This also may be related to the developing business expertise of each student and is designed to provide them with the experience of working together in a business environment solving real-life business problems.

Teaching and Learning and Information Technology Support – Moodle, Information Technology and Library Facilities

The teaching and learning which takes place in formal formal classes is supported by an interactive information technology based Moodle platform offering comprehensive support for students.

The programme facilities include first class and extensive availability of computing labs/workshops and first class library collections, and access to library and IT support.

Employment opportunities for our B.A.  (Hons) Business studies graduates are excellent as our programme provides a general business education as well as an opportunity to develop specialist expertise. Graduates may choose from a wide range of careers in the public and private sectors both Nationally and Internationally. Graduates from our B.A. (Hons) will be fully equipped to pursue a wide range of taught and research postgraduate programmes.

Applicants must hold a minimum of 2 Higher C3s and 4 Ordinary Level D3s (to include Maths) or equivalent.

Students under the age of 23 on January 1 of the year of entry must apply through the CAO for IC004 Bachelor of Arts (Business Studies)

All other applications should be made directly to the Admissions office.

Mature Student Applicants who are over 23 years of age by January 1st of the year of entry are eligible for entry onto the programme as mature students.