Year One – Certificate in Business Studies
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 one especially vital business function: marketing. It covers, among other things, financial and administrative controls, best-practice in day-to-day operations and marketing strategies.
Year Two – Diploma In Business Studies (HRM)
The second year is both a stand-alone qualification – Diploma in Business Studies – and the second stage of the BBS (Hons) degree.
Organisational Behaviour
Organisations, despite having similar processes and business units, often behave in different ways. A key objective of HRM is to understand and direct organisational behaviour. This course discusses the relevant issues, including communication, organisational culture and group behaviour.
Business and Company Law
All transactions in the State, whether public or private, are governed by commercial law. In this course, students will examine the laws that pertain to the creation, performance and dissolution of contracts, the formation of companies, the acquisition of shares and the liquidation of businesses.
Cost Accounting
Cost accounting helps managers see the cost of business operations and thus make informed decisions. This course explores the main principles and processes of cost accounting, including budgeting, absorption and marginal costing and basic standard costing.
Economics
This introductory-level course explains the main theories and principles of economics. It covers both micro and macroeconomics and addresses such topics as the laws of supply and demand, how market prices are reached, monopolies and competition and monetary policy.
Year Three
Human Resource Management
This course covers several specific topics in the HRM field, including manpower planning, performance management, managing change, health and safety, employment legislation and strategic management.
Employee Resourcing, Development and Performance Management
A key requirement of the HRM function in any organisation is to obtain suitable employees and to develop their skills and knowledge. This course examines the elements of this requirement, including recruitment and selection, selection interviewing and the principles of performance management.
Management Accounting
Management accounting provides vital information to managers within an organisation. This course explores its key components: budgeting, advanced variance analysis, activitybased costing, pricing and divisional performance appraisal.
Financial Management
This course analyses the crucial elements in financial decision-making, including financial mathematics, the sources of organisational finance, financial risk, investment decisions, the proper management of working capital and mergers and acquisitions.
Year Four
Employee Relations and Law
This course addresses the key topic of employee relations, examining how such relations can determine an organisation’s success or otherwise. It considers the main provisions of employment law, participation and partnership in the workforce, health and safety legislation and managerial strategies for healthy employee relations.
Human Resource Leadership and Strategy
The evolving nature of the modern organisation requires clear leadership to determine objectives and a clear HR strategy to secure those objectives. This course examines, among other things, leadership theories, HR strategies in a globalised world, the strategic management of human capital and HR strategy in the public sector.
Business Policy
The primary aim of this course is to explain the pivotal importance of strategic thinking and policy development to modern management. It considers, among other things, the factors that shape an organisation’s strategy, the business environment, the causes of corporate decline and how to choose between strategy alternatives.
Management Accounting Applications and Control
This course applies quantitative methods to accounting principles and processes. It explores, among other topics, the integration of cost data in management, how to establish operational variances, linear programming, and regression analysis.