Key information for Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Business Information Systems (BIS)

Code: SE413 | Level: 8 | Duration: 4 years | Delivery: Fulltime | Credits: 240

Location for Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Business Information Systems (BIS)

Location: Waterford | Campus: Cork Road

Application Information for Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Business Information Systems (BIS)

Next Intake: Rolling Intake | Application Status: Open | Fee Information Link: /current-students/fees-and-grants/fees/undergraduate-fees

Study Options for Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Business Information Systems (BIS)

Work placement options: Available (View details at https://www.setu.ie/engage/access-our-talent) | Study abroad options: Available (View details at https://www.setu.ie/global/global-mobility)

International Applicants information for Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Business Information Systems (BIS)

International Application Status: Open | Application Information Link: https://www.setu.ie/global/study-at-setu/applying-to-setu | International Fees Link: https://www.setu.ie/current-students/fees-and-grants/fees/global-fees

What modules are taught in Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Business Information Systems (BIS)?

Year 1: Sem 1: Introduction to Financial Accounting 1 | Sem 2: Business and Financial Maths, Sem 1: Introduction to Management | Sem 2: Enterprise, Sem 1: Introduction to Statistics | Sem 2: Introduction to Financial Accounting 2, Sem 1: Programming for BIS Professionals 1 | Sem 2: Programming for BIS Professionals 2, Sem 1: Business Information Systems | Sem 2: Introduction to Web Design, Sem 1: Business Research and Communication Skills | Sem 2: Business Systems Analysis | Year 2: Sem 3: Introduction to Marketing | Sem 4: Career Development Skills, Sem 3: Introduction to Business Law | Sem 4: Probability and Operations Management, Sem 3: Macroeconomics 1 | Sem 4: Database Management & Design, Sem 3: Data Modelling | Sem 4: Security, Privacy, and Ethics, Sem 3: Business Information Systems and Business Processes | Sem 4: Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies 1, Sem 3: Web Design for eCommerce | Sem 4: Choose one of the following electives:, Sem 3: | Sem 4: *Macroeconomics 2, Sem 3: | Sem 4: *Contemporary Issues in Management | Year 3: Sem 5: Applied Quantitative Analysis | Sem 6: Choose one of the following:, Sem 5: Big Data Analytics 1 | Sem 6: Start-Up Lab, Sem 5: Computer Network Fundamentals | Sem 6: International Placement, Sem 5: Managing Information Systems Projects | Sem 6: Work Placement 1, Sem 5: Choose two of the following electives: | Sem 6: , Sem 5: *Blockchain & Distributed Ledger Technologies 2 | Sem 6: , Sem 5: *ERP System Skills | Sem 6: , Sem 5: *New Business Creation | Sem 6: , Sem 5: *Organisational Psychology | Sem 6: , Sem 5: *Practical Public Relations | Sem 6: | Year 4: Sem 7: Business Strategy | Sem 8: International Corporate Strategy, Sem 7: Information Security Management System | Sem 8: BIS Practitioner Forum, Sem 7: Big Data Analytics 2 | Sem 8: Business Intelligence and Data Visualisation, Sem 7: The Internet of Things | Sem 8: Social Intelligence Analytics, Sem 7: Choose two of the following electives: | Sem 8: Choose one of the following electives:, Sem 7: *Lean Practice | Sem 8: *Sustainable Development, Sem 7: *Managing Teams and Diversity | Sem 8: *Small Business Management, Sem 7: *Social Psychology of Organisation | Sem 8: *Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Deep Learning, Sem 7: *Sponsorship and Event Marketing | Sem 8: , Sem 7: *Supply Chain Management | Sem 8:

SE413 Waterford

Bachelor of Business (Honours)

Business Information Systems

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Programme Overview

The Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Business Information Systems (BIS) is designed to train hybrid professionals who bridge the gap between information technology and business strategy. As organizations globally undergo digital transformation—leveraging emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, IoT, and Blockchain—this programme equips students with high-level technical expertise alongside essential business acumen, teamwork, and strategic problem-solving skills.

Practical Learning & Flexible Semester

A major highlight of the programme is the Flexible Semester in Year 3 (Semester 6), designed to build core soft skills, commercial awareness, and creative flexibility. Students choose one of three distinct experiential pathways:

Work Placement: Gaining direct professional experience within an IT department or business organization relevant to the BIS discipline.
Start-Up Lab: Establishing and managing a real commercial, social, or non-profit enterprise for the duration of the semester.
International Placement: Studying abroad at one of SETU's partner universities across Europe, the Americas, Asia, or Australia.

Coursework

The curriculum integrates modern information technology tools with essential business and management principles:

Emerging Digital Technologies: Understanding and leveraging AI, Big Data Analytics, Data Visualization, Cloud Computing, IoT, and Distributed Ledger Technologies (Blockchain).
Business Strategy & Management: Developing core business acumen, project management capabilities, and organizational decision-making skills.
Information Systems & Digital Transformation: Designing, implementing, and managing systems that optimize client engagement and transform business models.
Professional & Soft Skills Development: Training in communication, teamwork, cognitive flexibility, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving.

Career Opportunities

Graduates earn a Level 8 honours degree that positions them in high demand across national and international industries driving digital innovation:

Business Systems Analyst & Digital Transformation Consultant
IT Project Manager & Scrum Master
Data Analyst & Business Intelligence Specialist
Cloud Systems & Enterprise Solutions Specialist
Tech Entrepreneur & Innovation Specialist
Postgraduate Study & Advanced Business Analytics Research

Upon completion of the degree, graduates possess the rare hybrid combination of technical mastery and corporate strategy, leaving them fully prepared to lead digital transformation initiatives or pursue postgraduate research in business information systems.

Year 1

Semester 1	Semester 2
Introduction to Financial Accounting 1	Business and Financial Maths
Introduction to Management	Enterprise
Introduction to Statistics	Introduction to Financial Accounting 2
Programming for BIS Professionals 1	Programming for BIS Professionals 2
Business Information Systems	Introduction to Web Design
Business Research and Communication Skills	Business Systems Analysis

Year 2

Semester 3	Semester 4
Introduction to Marketing	Career Development Skills
Introduction to Business Law	Probability and Operations Management
Macroeconomics 1	Database Management & Design
Data Modelling	Security, Privacy, and Ethics
Business Information Systems and Business Processes	Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies 1
Web Design for eCommerce	Choose one of the following electives:
	*Macroeconomics 2
	*Contemporary Issues in Management

Year 3

Semester 5	Semester 6
Applied Quantitative Analysis	Choose one of the following:
Big Data Analytics 1	Start-Up Lab
Computer Network Fundamentals	International Placement
Managing Information Systems Projects	Work Placement 1
Choose two of the following electives:
*Blockchain & Distributed Ledger Technologies 2
*ERP System Skills
*New Business Creation
*Organisational Psychology
*Practical Public Relations

Year 4

Semester 7	Semester 8
Business Strategy	International Corporate Strategy
Information Security Management System	BIS Practitioner Forum
Big Data Analytics 2	Business Intelligence and Data Visualisation
The Internet of Things	Social Intelligence Analytics
Choose two of the following electives:	Choose one of the following electives:
*Lean Practice	*Sustainable Development
*Managing Teams and Diversity	*Small Business Management
*Social Psychology of Organisation	*Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Deep Learning
*Sponsorship and Event Marketing
*Supply Chain Management

Leaving Cert: Minimum entry requirements for the Business Information Systems degree

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

Advanced and Equivalent Entry for the Business Information Systems degree

Career Opportunities

Graduate career paths applicable across all industries include the following areas: Business Analyst, Systems Analyst, Programmer, Project Manager, Big Data Analytics, Financial Analytics, Web Development, Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies, IT Support and Administration, Disruptive Business Modelling, and Business IT/Management Consultant.

However, graduates may wish to pursue careers in other business-related areas such as Accounting, Finance, Economics, Logistics and Transport, Operations Management, Business Development Management, Sales, Teaching, and Public Service.

From a long-term graduate career development perspective, digital transformation sets new demands on the leadership of organisations. There has been a wave of new senior positions with titles such as Chief Digital Officer, Digital Evangelist, Innovation Officer and Chief Digital Innovation Officer. These experienced roles demand real hybrid skills in science, technology and business capabilities and this trend is likely to continue as technology is increasingly embedded in business functions and processes across companies and sectors. Graduates with an entrepreneurial desire are also empowered to pursue their ambitions to start up their own company.

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