About You

If you are interested in gaining expertise in a specific business discipline, the BBS (Hons) degree offers you a broad choice of options which will enhance your employability upon graduation.

Why Study Business Studies at UL?

If you are interested in gaining expertise in a specific business discipline, the Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) (Hons) degree offers you a broad choice of options which will enhance your employability on graduation. The BBS degree at UL is among the most popular business courses in Ireland and is accredited by both national and international bodies including EPAS which is the prestigious programme approval standard for the European Foundation for Management Development and is a globally recognised accreditation body for high-quality, international management education programmes.

The Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) programme will provide you with a broad business education. You will study the core business principles of accounting, economics, risk management and insurance, human resource management and marketing - specialising in one area as your “major” in the second semester of Year 2. Theory will be brought to life through work on practical business projects in addition to an eight month work placement in industry.

The BBS suite of programmes also includes;

1. Bachelor of Business Studies

This option does not include the study of a language. 

Upon entry, students who meet additional language requirements could elect to study one BBS with Modern Language programmes. They are;

2. Bachelor of Business Studies with French
Students taking BBS with French will study the French language stream throughout the four years of the programme, along with their regular Business subjects. Find out more,

3. Bachelor of Business Studies with German
Students taking BBS with German will study the German language stream throughout the four years of the programme, along with their regular Business subjects. Find out more  

4. Bachelor of Business Studies with Japanese
Students taking BBS with Japanese will study the Japanese language stream throughout the four years of the programme, along with their regular Business subjects. Find out more 

5. Bachelor of Business Studies with Spanish (Beginners or Advanced)

Students taking BBS with Spanish (Beginners or Advanced) will study the Spanish language stream throughout the four years of the programme, along with their regular Business subjects. Find out more

What you will study

A blend of core business disciplines and management functions is integrated into the innovative design of the BBS, allowing insights to be reached early in the programme. The programme provides a strong foundation in Accounting, Economics, Finance, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing, Risk Management and Business Mathematics, which run throughout the first three semesters. You will choose your major option in the second semester of year 2. This consists of 2 modules per semester from second through to the fourth year, with an intervening cooperative education placement.

A choice of five “major” options is available, of which you will choose one;

(1) Accounting and Finance;

The Accounting and Finance major option consists of four main areas: financial accounting and auditing, management accounting, finance and taxation. You will learn about the theory and practice of current accounting standards and their implications for financial reporting, along with practical skills in advanced accounts preparation, financial statement analysis, decision making, investment analysis, performance measurement, costing and cost management systems, portfolio selection, personal and corporate taxation. Graduates of this major option pursue accountancy and/or taxation careers in professional practice or industry.

All of the main accountancy accrediting bodies in Ireland may give some exemptions to UL students who hold an Honours BBS Degree. For further information click here.

(2) Economics and Finance;

The modules contained in the Economics and Finance major option follow a logical and progressive sequence that emphasise three inter-related components: a strong monetary and financial component Corporate Finance, Applied Economic Analysis, and Monetary Economics; an international dimension International Economics, Economics of Integration; and an applied dimension Managerial Economics, Industrial Economics and Public Finance. Extensive use of quantitative techniques and an emphasis on the importance of analytical thinking instills transferable skills in Economics & Finance students that they can use and develop in a wide range of careers.

(3) Marketing;

The suite of modules that comprise the Marketing major has been designed to explore marketing theory and practice, whilst simultaneously developing a diverse skills-set that will be immediately transferable to the workplace. Subject include - Consumption and Consumer Culture, Marketing Communications, Marketing Research, Digital Marketing; Marketing Intelligence; Strategic Brand Management; Marketing Leadership and Marketing Relationships and Networks. Graduates are likely to pursue careers in product and brand management, marketing research, advertising, sales and general marketing.

(4) Human Resource Management

A number of key practice-based modules are integral to this major option which include Human Resource Practice, Employment Relations Practice and Management Consulting. Overall, there is a balance between theoretical and practical modules in this option. Graduates of the HRM major option will have acquired a comprehensive set of work-related skills in the areas of organisational behaviour analysis, interviewing, conflict management, consulting and performance management and will be ideally placed to pursue careers in human resource management, training and development, management consultancy, employment relations, industrial relations, recruitment and selection and academic research.

(5) Risk Management and Insurance

The Risk Management and Insurance major option modules are designed to explore risk management theory as well as the practice of risk management. In Insurance Law and Claims students are introduced to the legal system as it relates to the operation of insurance contracts and insurance claims. Many aspects of insurance law are unique to the insurance system and deal effectively with issues such as fraud. In Life Insurance, students learn about the important role of the insurance industry in assessing and pricing risks such as illness and/or death. Risk management functions are directly addressed in modules such as Risk Control and Underwriting and Risk Analysis. An understanding of how decisions are made at management level is provided in Insurance Organisations and Markets. Graduates are well placed to take up opportunities in the insurance industry and the wider financial services sector.

Minor Options

In year 3, you will also take a minor option which consists of one module per semester over the final two years. The following Minor Options are currently offered:

• Business Informatics
• Business Research Methods and Final Year Project
• Globalisation – An Economic Perspective
• Entrepreneurship
• Financial Services
• Law
• Management
• Organisational Psychology
• Sociology
• Supply Change Management

Students taking BBS with a Modern Language do not take a minor option; instead, they continue their language studies over the final two years of the programme. 

Cooperative Education

A distinctive and integral part of the BBS in UL is the innovative Cooperative Education Programme. This programme places you in employment in an appropriate business environment for an eight-month period in 3rd year. You will earn the going rate for the job while on placement and have an opportunity to apply your business education in a real work environment.

The BBS programme offers you the opportunity to study abroad as part of the EU Socrates/ERASMUS programme. The University has links with premier business schools and universities in a wide range of European countries. These exchanges are open to both language and non-language students as many of our partner institutions provide courses in English. Study abroad is an integral part of the programme and you will gain full credit for participation in such placements. To find out more, go to www.ul.ie/courses/ LM050 or www.ul.ie/business or find Kemmy Business School on Facebook.

Erasmus/International Exchange

The BBS programme offers you the opportunity to study abroad for a semester at any of our exchange partners across the world. The Kemmy Business School currently has over 80 highly ranked academic exchange partners in over 35 countries. These exchanges are open to both language and non-language students as the vast majority of our partner institutions provide courses taught through English. An exchange placement provides a unique opportunity for you to study at another international institution and the academic, social, personal and cultural benefits of studying abroad are enormous.

Transfer Opportunities for Institute of Technology Graduates

The University of Limerick operates a streamlined transfer system for Institute of Technology graduates. Currently 100 students are admitted each year to relevant degree programmes. Whether you expect to graduate in the current year at Higher Certificate or Ordinary Bachelor’s level or have already graduated and wish to return to pursue a degree programme at the University, applications are welcome. Transferees should hold at least a Merit (2nd Class honours equivalent) Grade and relevant work experience will be an added advantage.

Accounting & Finance Major Option

Economics & Finance Major Option

Human Resource Management Major Option

Marketing Major Option

Risk Management & Insurance Major Option

Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.

In addition, applicants must hold at least an O4/H7 grade in Mathematics. Students wishing to take a language option must have a H4 in that language, with the exception of Japanese where a H4 in a language other than English is required.

We welcome applications from mature students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February.

QQI Entry

Certain QQI Awards are acceptable in fulfilling admission requirements for this programme. Go to the UL Admissions QQI page for a full list of modules.

Employment opportunities for BBS graduates have been excellent, as the degree provides a general business education as well as an opportunity to combine specialist options.The latest survey of BBS graduates revealed that only two per cent of BBS graduates were seeking employment. Students who complete the BBS may choose from a wide range of careers in the public and private sectors. The precise job titles will depend upon the student's special interests and abilities together with the nature of their employer's business (www.ul.ie/careers)

Typical Careers include:

• Tax Consultant
• Banking, Insurance and Financial Services
• Accountant
• Financial Analyst
• Stockbroker
• Pensions and Insurance
• Administrator
• Risk Analyst
• Economist
• Marketing Brand Manager
• Advertising Account Manager
• PR Manager
• Management Consultant
• HR Manager
• HR Recruitment and Training
• Public Relations Officer
• Social Researcher

Want to find out more about possible careers with this degree? Click Here

Follow-On Study

Related postgraduate options at UL include:

• MSc in Financial Services
• MSc in Computational Finance
• Masters of Taxation
• MSc in Human Resource 
• MA in Business Management
• MSc in Economics & Policy Analysis
• MSc in Internation Management and Global Business
• MSc in Work & Organisational Psychology/Behaviour
• MSc in Marketing, Consumption & Society