Business Studies Course

Higher National Diploma in Business

Introduction

This course leads to a 3 year Honours Degree in Business. Application is outside the CAO system and is made directly to the College.

This internationally recognised two year BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND), with a one year progression to an Honours Degree, is designed to provide the knowledge, skills and understanding required in business and management environments. It also provides graduates with key business skills and knowledge for direct entry to employment. Graduates are prepared for the challenges posed by the dynamic nature
of the workplace.

 

Career opportunities

Business subjects, coupled with expertise in Information Technology, prepare students for a wide range of career opportunities at middle and senior management levels in:

 

• Finance
• Human Resource Management
• General Administration and Management
• Insurance
• Banking
• Self-employment
• Marketing
• Public Sector
   

 

Course Structure

Learners study 16 key business subjects over two years. The first year provides broad coverage of all business disciplines. The second year is designed to allow learners to study specific business areas namely Finance, Marketing, Management, and Human Resource Management.

 

Core elements

 

Year 1

 

• Marketing*
• Advertising and Promotion
• Organisations and Behaviour*
• Managing Professional Development
• Management Financial Resources*
• Human Resource Management*
• Business Environment*

Year 2
 

• Common Law*
• Business Strategy*  
• Financial Reporting
• Information Systems*
• Sales Planning and Operations
• European Business*
• Employee Relations
• Research Project
• Business Decision Making*
  
  * Students who successfully complete the 10 subjects marked with an asterisk will achieve a BTEC Higher National Certificate in Business.

 

Course Code	BUS1 (first year), BUS2 (second year)
Duration	2 years – full time September to May
Number of places	60 each year
Number of contact hours per week	25
Timetable contact	5 days

Support Elements

• Applied Information Technology – Year 1:Spreadsheets, Word Processing, Presentation Software (MS Office 2007)

• Study Skills

• Career Advice and CV Preparation

• Enterprise Workshop
   

Assessment and Certification

• This course is certified by BTEC/EDEXCEL. Learners must pass all 16 subjects to be awarded the BTEC Higher National Diploma in Business.
• Learners who pass 10 specific subjects are awarded the BTEC Higher National Certificate in Business.
• Applied Information Technology is certified by FETAC.
• This course is assessed by coursework, final examinations, case studies, class presentations and role play.

 

Progression
 

Education/Training

Learners may progress to the:

• Final year of the 3 year BA (Hons) Business Degree at Swansea Metropolitan University.
• Third year of the Bachelor of Business in Enterprise (Ordinary Degree) at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology Dún Laoghaire (IADT). Learners have the option of completing a second year at IADT (provided certain grades are achieved) to obtain a Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Enterprise.
• Second year of the 3 year BA (Hons) in Business or the BA (Hons) in Human Resource Management at the National College of Ireland.

Career

Graduates are well placed with a wide choice of employment

 

Entry Requirements

• Leaving Certificate

Applicants should have achieved five passes at ordinary level (grade D or better), which must include English. Foundation Maths is acceptable.

• Leaving Certificate Applied and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme

Applicants should submit details of achievements.

• Mature Students (including VTOS and BTEA)

Applicants without these entry requirements will be considered on the basis of age, experience and overall demonstrable ability.

• Other Applicants

Other equivalent qualifications will be considered. Learners wishing to transfer from similar courses should contact the College to determine suitability.

• FETAC Awards

Applications will be accepted from learners who have achieved a FETAC Level 5 Business Award.

• Other Requirements 

All applicants will have an advisory meeting to offer guidance and to ensure course suitability
 

Fees

There are no tuition fees for EU students. At course commencement, students are required to pay for books, exams, a College registration fee and where applicable professional body registration fees.