Business Studies
The BBS (Hons) is a four-year, part-time degree programme that provides a comprehensive examination of subject critical to contemporary business life. Covering topics in accounting and financial management, human resource management, marketing, project management, and business processes, it aims to equip graduates with skills and competencies that are essential to business and management in all enterprises, public or private.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
Four years of part-time study.
Delivery Method:
The programme is delivered through a blended learning model. Students attend webinars on selected weeknight evenings and classroom seminars at the IPA on selected weekends. They are supported in their studies by extensive online resources and bespoke course material.
Entry Requirements
Applicants Require:
1. Leaving Certificate (examination from 2017 onwards): Candidates must obtain a pass in at least six subjects accepted for NUI matriculation purposes, with at least Grade H5 in two subjects on the Higher Level and at least Grade H7 (Higher Level) or O6 (Ordinary Level) in four subjects. Papers passed must include Irish, English and a third language. Students applying for the BBS (Hons) must have passed the Mathematics paper.
OR
2. Students of mature years (students over 21 on January 1 of the calendar year of entry) may be matriculated by the IPA for the purpose of entering a course of study.
Special Case Applications
Prospective students who do not meet the requirements under paragraphs 1 and 2 above may qualify for admission by meeting other equivalent requirements. A Special Case Application Form can be requested from:
Dr Denis O’Brien
Registrar
Institute of Public Administration
57-61 Lansdowne Road
Dublin 4
Tel: +353 (01) 240 3600
Email: undergrad@ipa.ie
Subject Accumulation
In some programmes, students may enrol for one or more subjects each year until they complete the programme stage.
Exemptions
Graduates and those with other relevant awards, in particular university, QQI and Technological University awards, may apply for an exemption from a subject(s) or entire stages of certain IPA programmes. Only those who have studied relevant disciplines with be considered for exemptions. Exemptions cannot be awarded in a one-year programme or at the award stage of longer programmes.
Application forms for exemptions are available from the IPA. They must be completed and returned no later than early October 2024. Applications must be accompanied by transcripts of results for each year of previous third-level studies.
Careers / Further progression
Progression
Students can progress to the MSc in Business and Management and other graduate programmes.
Further information
Commences: September 2024.
The cost of the programme is €3,600 per annum (includes all matriculation and examination fees), payable in one or two instalments
Application Deadline: September 2024.
How to Apply:
1. Go to www.ipa.ie.
2. Download the programme application form and complete it in full.
3. Email that form, along with all the items below, to undergrad@ipa.ie, with the subject heading: Application for: Name of Programme. The items below should be scanned and included as attachments in this email:
- A passport-type photograph.
- A scan of your passport, driver’s license, or birth certificate.
- The fee for the programme or confirmation, including a PO number, that fees will be pad by an employer.
- A scan of your Leaving Certificate or relevant qualification (only if you are under 21).
APPLICATIONS CANNOT BE PROCESSED UNLESS ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTATION IS INCLUDED.
The Programme
The BBS (Hons) is a four-year, part-time degree programme that provides a comprehensive examination of subject critical to contemporary business life. Covering topics in accounting and financial management, human resource management, marketing, project management, and business processes, it aims to equip graduates with skills and competencies that are essential to business and management in all enterprises, public or private. On completing the first year, students receive a Certificate in Business Studies. On completing the second, a Diploma in Business Studies. They can exit the programme after either of these awards or continue to study and obtain a honours degree.
Is This Programme for You?
This degree attracts students who want to obtain a solid grounding in the areas of business common across the public and private sectors. Its wide range of modules explain and analyse the central roles that, among other areas, finance, marketing, human resource management, technology, and administration play in business strategies and everyday operations.
INTERIM AWARD:
Year One – Certificate in Business Studies.
Year Two – Diploma in Business Studies.
YEAR ONE
The first year is both a stand-alone qualification - Certificate in Business Studies - and part of the four-year degree programme.
Financial Accounting:
This course explains the key principles and techniques of financial accounting. Students will learn about different accounting systems, the purpose of accounting records, the preparation and analysis of profit and loss accounts, balance sheets and income and expenditure accounts.
Quantitative Methods:
All organisations, whether operating commercially or otherwise, must undertake research and analyse relevant data. This course explains the principles of business research and the mathematical techniques used when examining the results of that research. Among the specific topics addressed are the preparation of surveys, population samples and linear regression and correlation.
Managing IT/Managing Human Resources:
This course explores the proper management of two of the most crucial components in an organisation. The first part of the course considers such topics as the role of IT in the workplace and the appraisal of investment in new IT systems. The second part turns to human resources, examining the responsibilities of the HR manager in today’s workplace.
Business Administration and Marketing:
This course describes and assesses the proper organisation and control of a business unit and examines a vital business function: marketing. It covers, among other things, financial and administrative controls, best practice in day-to-day operations and marketing strategies.
YEARS TWO-FOUR
Years two to four of the programme (which include a Diploma in Business Studies qualification in the second year) cover a wide range of business studies topics, including:
- Accounting and financial management
- Business economics
- Project management Enterprise and innovation
- Marketing fundamentals
- Marketing in the online age
- Business and company law
- Consumer and organisational behaviour
- Employee relations and engagement
- Auditing, corporate governance and business ethics
- Business systems analysis
- Strategic management and business plans
- Financial data and statistics
Assessment consists of module assignments and end-of-year exams.
All Correspondence and enquiries should be address to:
Undergraduate Office,
Whitaker School of Government and Management,
Institute of Public Administration,
57-61 Lansdowne Road,
Dublin D04 TC62, Ireland
Telephone: +353 (01) 240 3600
Email: undergrad@ipa.ie
www.ipa.ie