BA (Hons) Business Studies

The BA (Hons) in Business Studies programme is designed to give a clearly structured business education that provides a solid foundation for success in a business career. The course provides a strong grounding in fundamental business concepts, ideas, practices and methodologies. It features a rich learning environment that involves students in comprehensive and critical analysis of business organisations, functions, processes and management techniques. This course not only provides students with a good understanding of general business theory and practice; it also provides the critical knowledge and skills that will enable an effective contribution to the resolution of business problems and will prepare students for the challenges posed by the dynamic nature of the modern business environment.

Year 1

Six mandatory subjects provide foundation knowledge in core business areas and disciplines.

Year 2

Three core subjects further develop student knowledge and understanding of the key business disciplines. Students are also introduced to critical analysis of business situations and issues. In addition to the three core subjects, students choose two further subjects from a range of four options.


Year 3

The core focus is on three mandatory subjects, one of which (Business Strategy) has been designed to provide a strong integrative influence on final year studies. Students choose a further two subjects from a range of four options. This allows students the opportunity to focus their final year studies on preferred business areas and disciplines.


Structure and Content

This honours degree course offers students considerable flexibility in their choice of second and third year subjects. This allows students to orientate their studies towards preferred subjects or to choose disciplines in which they have demonstrated strength in years one and two. As the course progresses, the emphasis shifts from foundation knowledge to in-depth study of particular areas of the major disciplines with a greater emphasis on independent work and on the development of a critical and analytical approach to the subject matter which gives students the confidence to critically evaluate information, ideas and opinions.


Transfer Students

Students holding a relevant certificate, ordinary degree or other relevant qualifications may qualify for entry to the second or third year of the degree programme.


Career Opportunities

Because of the broad spectrum of subjects studied, career opportunities for business studies students are numerous. The wide-ranging nature of knowledge and skills gained by business graduates makes them an attractive proposition for any prospective employer. A range of employment opportunities is possible in areas such as marketing, sales, operations, information technology, finance and general management. Graduating students wishing to pursue further qualifications can proceed to postgraduate programmes up to masters level or to programmes leading to professional qualifications.


Teaching and Assessment

The BA (Hons) Business Studies is taught mainly through lectures and tutorials, with students taking responsibility for a significant amount of study outside scheduled class contact times. Assessment takes a variety of forms, including essays and reports, individual and group assignments and formal examinations. The majority of subjects are assessed through a combination of coursework and examination.


Programme Content

Learner protection for this programme is provided in accordance with Section 43 of the Qualifications (Education and Training ) Act 1999.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for entry to the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Studies are six passes at Leaving Certificate or equivalent – two at Higher Level C3 and including at least an Ordinary Level D3 in Maths and English or another language.

Applicants with any FETAC (NCVA level 5/6 award) with three distinctions from eight modules.

Mature applicants (over 21 on 1st January of year of entry to programme) do not have to compete with school leavers in terms of academic achievement, provided they can demonstrate from their work/life experiences that they are able to pursue and benefit from their chosen programme.

Non-EU applicants should apply directly to the college for this course. The acceptability of their qualifications will be determined by the International Office in conjunction with the Head of the Business School.

All applicants are expected to be competent in both written and spoken english. For more information on admission click here.