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What is the Bachelor of Business (Hons)?

This four-year full-time course offers you a broad range of business skills combined with a thorough knowledge of the financial and economic environment in which firms operate. On graduation, you will have developed personal and professional skills which will give you the confidence to start a successful business career, in Ireland or overseas.

Specialisations

  • Economics and Finance
  • Human Resource Management (HRM)
  • Management
  • Accounting
  • Marketing

Language Options

While undertaking the Bachelor of Business (Hons) you are encouraged to study one of five languages, although this is not a requirement.  Languages offered:

  • Chinese
  • French
  • German
  • Irish
  • Spanish

CAO: Choosing your options

You can choose from lots of combinations of options on the Bachelor of Business (Hons) - as you can see from the image below (taken directly from the CAO handbook). However, the most important thing to remember is that it does not matter which combination you choose through the CAO. Once you start in SETU in Waterford in September, you can change both your specialisation and your language options. In fact, you only have to finalise your specialisation option at the end of Year 2. This will give you extra time to figure out which area you are really interested and choose the specialism that is right for you.

CodeDescription
BUSBusiness (Common entry with stream options: Accounting, Economics and Finance, Human Resource Management, Management,
Marketing)
BWLBusiness with a Language (Common entry with stream options: Accounting, Economics and Finance, Human Resource
Management, Management, Marketing).

You can apply for SE400 only ONCE on the CAO.  Applicants who select one specific degree option are guaranteed a place in that programme (e.g. SE400 BWL), subject to meeting the entry requirements and points. Applicants who select Business with a Language (BWL) select one of the following language options in year 1: Chinese, French, German, Irish, or Spanish subject to meeting the language recommendations. 

Year 1

In Year 1 of the Bachelor of Business (Hons) you will start “from the beginning” where it is assumed you have no previous knowledge of any business subject. Year 1 modules are intended to provide you with an introduction to core business subjects such as Economics, Accounting, Statistics and Mathematics, Information Technology and Management. During your first year you will get an opportunity to work in groups, make presentations, write reports and develop important personal and professional skills.

 

Semester 1Semester 2
Introduction to Financial Accounting 1Introduction to Financial Accounting 2
Microeconomics 1Microeconomics 2
Introduction to Statistics Business & Financial Maths
Organisational Behaviour Introduction Human Resource Management 
Introduction to ManagementEnterprise

Choose one of the following electives:

  • IT and Communication Skills 1
  • Chinese Language & Culture A1
  • Irish Intermediate 1 B1.1
  • French Intermediate 1 B1.1
  • German Intermediate 1 B1.1
  • Spanish Beginners 1 A1.1
  • Spanish Intermediate 1 B1.1 

 

Choose one of the following electives:

  • Data Analysis for Business
  • Chinese Language & Culture A2.1
  • Irish Intermediate 2 B1.2
  • French Intermediate 2 B1.2
  • German Intermediate 2 B1.2
  • Spanish Beginners 2 A1.2
  • Spanish Intermediate 2 B1.2

 

 

 

Year 2

In Year 2 you will expand your knowledge of Economics, Accounting and develop your mathematical skills. You will be introduced to Marketing, Human Resource Management (HRM) and Business Law.  You will also have the opportunity to choose an elective module. 

Semester 3Semester 4 
CostingProbability & Operations Management(m)
Human Resource MgtCareer Development Skills(m)
Introduction to Business LawIntegrated Marketing Communications
Introduction to Marketing Management Accounting Techniques
Macroeconomics 1Macroeconomics 2  

Choose one elective:

  • International Business Environment
  • Chinese Language & Culture A2.2
  • Irish Upper Intermediate 1 B2.1a
  • French Upper Intermediate 1 B2.1a
  • German Upper Intermediate 1 B2.1a
  • Spanish Beginners 3 A2.1
  • Spanish Upper Intermediate 1 B2.1a

Choose one elective:

  • Business Law         
  • Contemporary Issues in Management
  • Chinese Language + Culture B1.1
  • Irish Upper Intermediate 2 B2.1b
  • French Upper Intermediate 2 B2.1b
  • German Upper Intermediate 2 B2.1b
  • Spanish Beginners 4 A2.2
  • Spanish Upper Intermediate 2 B2.1b

Year 3

Prior to commencing the first semester of Year 3, you will have decided and finalised on your specialisation. During this semester, you will study one core module plus modules from your specialised stream plus an elective module.

The second semester in Year 3 is the Placement Semester. This is an exciting feature of the Bachelor of Business (Hons) degree programme where you will be given an opportunity to study abroad, undertake work placement, create a new venture initiative or gain experience in teaching for a semester. 

This placement semester facilitates the development of skills beneficial to your future career endeavours.

Semester 5Semester 6

Mandatory Module for ALL Streams:

  •  Applied Quantitative Analysis

Economics & Finance:

  • Business Finance 
  • Applied Finance 
  • International Economics
  • Managerial Economics

Human Resource Management (HRM):

  • Financial Management
  • Design & Deliver Training 
  • Principles of Employment Law
  • Resources & Talent Planning

Management:

  • ​Financial Management 
  • Leadership & Problem Solving 
  • Managing Quality & Continuous Improvement
  • Supply Chain Management 

Accounting:

  • Business Finance 
  • Company Law 1
  • ERP System Skills 
  • Intermediate Financial Reporting 1

Marketing:

  • Financial Management 
  • Digital Marketing Planning
  • Marketing Research & Analytics
  • The Changing Consumer

Placement Semester Options:

 

  • International Placement
  • Work Placement
  • Start Up Lab
  • Teaching Placement

 

See Placement section for more information

Electives for Semester 5 - choose one module

  • Chinese Language & Culture B1.2
  • Irish B2.3
  • French B2.3
  • German B2.3
  • Spanish Language: Texts and Contexts
  • Auditing 1
  • Career Management 
  • Development Economics 
  • New Business Creation
  • Enviromental Economics 
  • Environmental Economics 
  • European Union Policy & Process 
  • Fund Accounting 
  • International Placement 
  • Labour Economics 
  • Newfoundland & Labrador socio-economic studies
  • Organisational Psychology
  • Practical Public Relations
  • Sports Marketing 

Placement Semester Options:

 

  • International Placement
  • Work Placement
  • Start Up Lab
  • Teaching Placement

 

See Placement section for more information

Year 4

In Year 4 you will address many of the more strategic issues facing business through the core modules of Business Strategy and Digital Economy. At this stage you will further develop your specialist knowledge through the stream modules. You will also study one elective module in each semester.

Semester 7Semester 8

Mandatory Modules All Streams:

  • Digital Economy
  • Business Strategy  

Mandatory Modules All Streams:

  • International Corporate Strategy

Economics & Finance:

  • Financial Markets & Institutions 
  • Economic Policy Issues
  • Financial Economics

 

Economics & Finance:

  • Open Economy Macroeconomics
  • Investments
  • International Risk Management 
  • Financial Data Analysis 
  • Economics/Finance Research Project

Human Resource Management (HRM):

  • Project - minor dissertation (1)
  • Employee Relations
  • Employment Law in Practise

Human Resource Management (HRM):

  • Project - minor dissertation (2)
  • Employee Relations Skills
  • Performance Management
  • Strategic HRM

Management:

  • Lean Practise
  • Managing Teams & Diversity
  • Organisational Design

Management:

  • Business & Society
  • Developing Leadership Skills
  • Managing Change and Conflict
  • Managing Innovation

Accounting:

  • Intermediate Financial Reporting 2
  • Decision Making
  • Income Tax

Accounting:

  • Performance Measurement
  • Advanced Financial Reporting
  • Applied Finance
  • Taxation

Marketing:

  • Project - minor dissertation (1)
  • Services Marketing
  • International Marketing

Marketing:

  • Project - minor dissertation (2)
  • Brand Management & Virtual Communities 
  • Customer Relationship Marketing
  • Contemporary Advertising 

Electives for Semester 7 - choose one module

  • An Ghaeilge B2.4
  • French B2.4
  • German B2.4
  • Spanish B1.3
  • Spanish B2.3
  • Behavioural Marketing
  • Company Law 2
  • Direct & Database Marketing
  • Financial Regulation
  • International Political Economy
  • Introductory Econometrics
  • Professional Ethics for Accountants
  • Project - minor dissertation (1)
  • Social Psychology of Organisation
  • Sponsorship & Event Marketing

Electives for Semester 8 - choose one module

  • An Ghaeilge C1.
  • French C1.1
  • German C1.
  • Spanish B1.4
  • Spanish C1.1
  • Auditing Practice
  • Behavioural Economics
  • Career Planning Management 
  • Forensic Accounting & Fraud Audit
  • Global Business Ethics
  • Governance & Control
  • International Human Resource Management
  • International Management
  • Project - minor dissertation (2)
  • Public Sector Economics
  • Social & Ethical Marketing
  • Strategic Public Relations
  • Sustainable Development

Leaving Cert:

Minimum entry requirements for Bachelor of Business (Hons)

2 subjects: H5 
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7

Language recommendations for Bachelor of Business (Hons)

Irish: H5 in Irish
French:  O3/H6 in French
German: O3/H6 in German
Spanish: O3/H6 in in Spanish
Spanish Ab Initio: For those starting Spanish as a beginner there are no special requirements
Chinese: No special requirements

Applying for Bachelor of Business (Hons) on the CAO

You can apply for SE400 only ONCE. When you apply to the CAO you basically choose either Business common entry (BUS code on the CAO) or Business common entry with a language (BWL code on the CAO). However, the most important thing to remember is that it does not matter which combination you choose through the CAO - once you start in SETU in Waterford in September, you can change both your specialisation and your language options. In fact, you only have to finalise your specialisation option at the end of Year 2. This will give you extra time to figure out which area you are really interested in and choose the specialism that is right for you.

Code

Description

BUS

Business (Common entry with stream options: Accounting, Economics and Finance, Human Resource Management, Management,
Marketing)

BWL

Business with a Language (Common entry with stream options: Accounting, Economics and Finance, Human Resource
Management, Management, Marketing).

NOTE: Applicants who select one specific degree option are guaranteed a place in that programme (e.g. SE400 BWL), subject to meeting the entry requirements and points. Applicants who select Business with a Language (BWL) select one of the following language options in year 1: Chinese, French, German, Irish, or Spanish subject to meeting the language recommendations. 

Advanced and Equivalent Entry for Bachelor of Business (Hons):

Career opportunities will be subject to your choice of specialist exit pathways and at the end of second year you will be asked to select one of the streams to study

Bachelor of Business (Hons) Career Opportunities

Graduates from this Programme have gone on to pursue a wide variety of careers, including careers in marketing, human resource management, accounting, consulting and banking and finance.  A graduate of this degree will be suitable to take up a position at a junior/middle management level in many types of business organisations ranging from small family businesses to multi-national corporations.  Graduates of this degree will be very well-positioned to pursue a career in many business-related areas such as:

  • Accounting
  • Finance (including Banking and Insurance)
  • Management Consultancy
  • Taxation
  • Economic Policy Advisory Services
  • Marketing
  • Event Management
  • Human Resource Management
  • Information Systems Management
  • Logistics and Transport
  • Business Development Management
  • Sales
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Public Relations
  • Teaching

Bachelor of Business (Hons) Scholarships & Awards

The Bachelor of Business (Hons) has a number of competitive awards and scholarships available to students including:

  • John Hume Scholarship (awarded by the combined Waterford Credit Unions)
  • CPA prize for financial accounting
  • Irish Tax Institute for Taxation award
  • Granville Hotel marketing student of the year award
  • Annual Dean's list excellence awards

Bachelor of Business (Hons) Professional Body Exemptions

Graduates with a Bachelor of Business (Hons) award are also entitled to exemptions from many of the leading professional accountancy and management bodies including:

  • ACA (Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland)
  • ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
  • CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants)
  • MII (The Marketing Institute of Ireland)
  • CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development)

Bachelor of Business (Hons) Follow on Study

Numerous follow on study options at SETU Waterford are available to gradudates of the Bachelor of Business (Hons) including a Master of Business and a Master by Reserach.

Graduates from this Programme have gone on to pursue a wide variety of careers, including careers in marketing, human resource management, accounting, consulting and banking and finance.  A graduate of this degree will be suitable to take up a position at a junior/middle management level in many types of business organisations ranging from small family businesses to multi-national corporations.  Graduates of this degree will be very well-positioned to pursue a career in many business related areas such as:

  • Accounting
  • Finance (including Banking and Insurance)
  • Management Consultancy
  • Taxation
  • Economic Policy Advisory Services
  • Marketing
  • Event Management
  • Human Resource Management
  • Information Systems Management
  • Logistics and Transport
  • Business Development Management
  • Sales
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Public Relations
  • Teaching

Bachelor of Business (Hons) Scholarships & Awards

The Bachelor of Business (Hons) has a number of competitive awards and scholarships available to students including:

  • John Hume Scholarship (awarded by the combined Waterford Credit Unions)
  • CPA prize for financial accounting
  • Irish Tax Institute for Taxation award
  • Granville Hotel marketing student of the year award
  • Annual Dean's list excellence awards

Bachelor of Business (Hons) Professional Body Exemptions

Graduates with a Bachelor of Business (Hons) award are also entitled to exemptions from many of the leading professional accountancy and management bodies including:

  • ACA (Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland)
  • ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
  • CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants)
  • MII (The Marketing Institute of Ireland)
  • CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development)

All honours degree programmes in the School of Business have relevant taught postgraduate study options which are featured here.
The school also has postgraduate research options including Master by Research and PhD opportunities. 

Bachelor of Business (Hons) Placement Semester

This facilitates the development of skills in the areas of communication, customer service awareness, decision making, problem solving, teamwork, commercial awareness, creativity, confidence and reflection. In Semester 6 students will be given an opportunity to participate in one of the following:

  • Work Placement
  • International Placement
  • Start Up Lab
  • Teaching Skills

Bachelor of Business (Hons) Work Placement

Students spend the semester in appropriate work placement, representative of many business sectors.  The Work Placement Office is responsible for work placement and places over 85 students annually with employers. Work placement is a major opportunity for students to put their academic knowledge into practice in the "real world of work" and develop new professional and business skills. 

It also improves students' prospects of future employment and helps students decide on their career path.  It is important that students' skills and competencies meet employer requirements, so employers select students for interview, and the employers decide to whom to offer a work placement. The School of Business facilitate the process through matching student CVs with employer specifications and setting up interviews.

Bachelor of Business (Hons) International Placement

Students spend the semester abroad studying in one of our partner colleges in Australia, Canada, China, Europe, India, Mexico, South America, Turkey and the USA. The study abroad elective provides students with an opportunity to spend time in a different country, experience different styles or modes of teaching and live in a different cultural environment. The learning outcomes for the exchange are designed to ensure that the student will:

  • Be confident, self-aware and communicate effectively
  • Exercise personal autonomy and take responsibility for his/her own work and behaviour
  • Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of self-directed and reflective learning
  • Act effectively under guidance in a peer relationship with individuals and teams
  • Demonstrate a high level of competences and interpersonal skills
  • Engage in the process of lifelong learning

Bachelor of Business (Hons) Start Up Lab

Students set up and run their own business during the semester. They are provided with professional mentoring from the experienced business community in the areas of business planning, marketing and selling, finance and IT.  The Start Up Lab Initiative (NVI) is designed to encourage students to establish and manage a commercial, social or not-for-profit enterprise for the duration of the flexible semester.

The module provides an opportunity for students to spend time acquiring the knowledge, networks, skills and attitudes required to set up and run their own business. Students can work individually or in groups of up to four.

Bachelor of Business (Hons) Teaching Skills Placement

Students who wish to gain experience of teaching for a semester will spend two days a week in college taking classes related to the practice of teaching.  The remaining three days are spent in a school setting (Primary or Secondary) teaching students and assisting teachers in the delivery of curriculum.

The success of the programme can be attributed to the relationships developed with the educational establishments in the region. The continued success of our student’s performance in these placements has established the programs reputation. Trainee teachers’ modules include a Teaching Practice Module and a Professional Individual Module and Contemporary Debates in Education.

Contact

Course Leader

Dr Corinne Power-O'Mahony

Lecturer in Management -

Call: +35351834029

Email: [email protected]

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