Diploma in Business Studies (IPA/UCD)

Course details

Programme Aims:

This is a four year programme that provides a comprehensive examination and analysis of the subjects critical to contemporary business life. Four elective streams are offered within the programme in Accounting, Marketing, Human Resource Management and Information Systems Management.

Entry Requirement

Leaving Certificate with minimum of grade C in two Higher Level (Honours) papers and grade D (Higher or Ordinary) in four other subjects. Subjects passed must include Irish, English, Mathematics and a Third Language. Learners of mature years, that is learners who are 21 years of age on the 1st January of the calendar year of entry, may be matriculated by the IPA for the purpose of entering a degree programme of study. Learners attending lectures at LIT should apply to the IPA and then register with LIT.

Examinations

Learners are assessed by means of assignments given through the year and final examinations. Examinations are held twice yearly in April and August (Supplementary).

Examining Body

The Institute of Public Administration (I.P.A.), 57-61 Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4. The BBS (Hons) is accredited by UCD. It is positioned at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications. Learners who successfully complete Year One of the programme will receive an interim award of a UCD Certificate in Business Studies, those who successfully complete Year Two will receive an interim award of a UCD Diploma in Business Studies and those who successfully complete Year Three and Four will receive an Honours UCD Degree.

Course Content

Year One

• Financial Accounting
• Quantitative Methods
• Managing Human Resources/Managing IT
• Business Administration & Marketing

Year Two – Core Subjects

• Cost Accounting
• Economics
• Business and Company Law

Year Two – Streams

• Accounting Stream – Financial Accounting
• Marketing Stream – Marketing Information Analysis
• Human Resource Management Stream – Organisational Behaviour (Subject to viable numbers minimum 12 learners)
• Information Systems Management Stream – Information Systems Design & Development (By distance education only)

Year Three – Core Subjects

• Management Accounting
• Financial Management

Year Three – Streams

• Accounting Stream – Financial Accounting, Enterprise and Project Management
• Marketing Stream – Marketing Communications, Enterprise and Project Management
• Human Resource Management Stream (Subject to viable numbers minimum 12 learners) - Human Resource Management, Employee Resourcing, Development and Performance Management
• Information Systems Management Stream (Distance Education only) - Managing the Software/Data Infrastructure, Managing the Hardware Infrastructure

Year Four – Core Subjects

• Business Policy

Year Four – Streams

• Accounting Stream - Auditing, Management Accounting Applications & Control, Taxation
• Marketing Stream - Strategic Marketing & Planning, Management Accounting Applications & Control, Taxation
• Human Resource Management Stream (Subject to viable numbers minimum 12 learners) - Employee Relations and Law, Human Resource Leadership and Strategy, Management Accounting Applications and Control
• Information Systems Management Stream (Distance Education only) - Human Factors in Information Systems, Organisation & Design of Information Systems, Information Systems Planning

The Degree programme is available at honours level and takes four years to complete. After first year there are four elective streams: Accounting, Marketing, Human Resource Management and Information Systems Management. In 2014/2015 the Core Subjects for all streams will be available in the Department of Business Management at Limerick Institute of Technology. The Elective Subjects in the Accounting Stream and the Marketing Stream will also be available. The Elective Subject in the Human Resource Management stream for year Two will be available subject to viable class numbers. The Elective Subjects in the Information Systems Management stream will not be provided. Where lectures are not provided in any given stream learners can pursue their elective subjects through Distance Education directly with the Institute of Public Administration.

Exemptions

Graduates of the Accounting Stream can apply for substantial exemptions from the professional examinations of the: Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA). Graduates of the Marketing Stream may apply for substantial exemptions from the examinations of the Marketing Institute of Ireland.