Bachelor of Business Studies

A blend of core business disciplines and management functions is integrated into the innovative design of the BBS, allowing insights to be reached early in the programme. The programme provides a strong foundation in Accounting, Economics, Finance, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing, Risk Management and Business Mathematics, which run throughout the first three semesters. You will choose your major option in the second semester of year 2. This consists of 2 modules per semester from second through to the fourth year, with an intervening cooperative education placement.

A choice of five “major” options is available, of which you will choose one;

(1) Accounting and Finance;

The Accounting and Finance major option consists of four main areas: financial accounting and auditing, management accounting, finance and taxation. You will learn about the theory and practice of current accounting standards and their implications for financial reporting, along with practical skills in advanced accounts preparation, financial statement analysis, decision making, investment analysis, performance measurement, costing and cost management systems, portfolio selection, personal and corporate taxation. Graduates of this major option pursue accountancy and/or taxation careers in professional practice or industry.

All of the main accountancy accrediting bodies in Ireland may give some exemptions to UL students who hold an Honours BBS Degree. For further information click here.

(2) Economics and Finance;

The modules contained in the Economics and Finance major option follow a logical and progressive sequence that emphasise three inter-related components: a strong monetary and financial component Corporate Finance, Applied Economic Analysis, and Monetary Economics; an international dimension International Economics, Economics of Integration; and an applied dimension Managerial Economics, Industrial Economics and Public Finance. Extensive use of quantitative techniques and an emphasis on the importance of analytical thinking instills transferable skills in Economics & Finance students that they can use and develop in a wide range of careers.

(3) Marketing;

The suite of modules that comprise the Marketing major has been designed to explore marketing theory and practice, whilst simultaneously developing a diverse skills-set that will be immediately transferable to the workplace. Subject include - Consumption and Consumer Culture, Marketing Communications, Marketing Research, Digital Marketing; Marketing Intelligence; Strategic Brand Management; Marketing Leadership and Marketing Relationships and Networks. Graduates are likely to pursue careers in product and brand management, marketing research, advertising, sales and general marketing.

(4) Human Resource Management

A number of key practice-based modules are integral to this major option which include Human Resource Practice, Employment Relations Practice and Management Consulting. Overall, there is a balance between theoretical and practical modules in this option. Graduates of the HRM major option will have acquired a comprehensive set of work-related skills in the areas of organisational behaviour analysis, interviewing, conflict management, consulting and performance management and will be ideally placed to pursue careers in human resource management, training and development, management consultancy, employment relations, industrial relations, recruitment and selection and academic research.

(5) Risk Management and Insurance

The Risk Management and Insurance major option modules are designed to explore risk management theory as well as the practice of risk management. In Insurance Law and Claims students are introduced to the legal system as it relates to the operation of insurance contracts and insurance claims. Many aspects of insurance law are unique to the insurance system and deal effectively with issues such as fraud. In Life Insurance, students learn about the important role of the insurance industry in assessing and pricing risks such as illness and/or death. Risk management functions are directly addressed in modules such as Risk Control and Underwriting and Risk Analysis. An understanding of how decisions are made at management level is provided in Insurance Organisations and Markets. Graduates are well placed to take up opportunities in the insurance industry and the wider financial services sector.

If you are interested in gaining expertise in a specific business discipline, the Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) (Hons) degree offers you a broad choice of options which will enhance your employability on graduation. The BBS degree at UL is among the most popular business courses in Ireland and is accredited by both national and international bodies including EPAS which is the prestigious programme approval standard for the European Foundation for Management Development and is a globally recognised accreditation body for high-quality, international management education programmes.

The Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) programme will provide you with a broad business education. You will study the core business principles of accounting, economics, risk management and insurance, human resource management and marketing - specialising in one area as your “major” in the second semester of Year 2. Theory will be brought to life through work on practical business projects in addition to an eight month work placement in industry.