Bachelor of Business Studies

Programme choice

If you are accepted into LM050 you must first choose which programme you would like to study. This will influence the modules and pathways available to you throughout your time studying. The available programmes are:

• Bachelor of Business Studies
• Bachelor of Business Studies with French (advanced)
• Bachelor of Business Studies with German (advanced)
• Bachelor of Business Studies with Japanese (beginners)
• Bachelor of Business Studies with Spanish (beginners)
• Bachelor of Business Studies with Spanish (advanced)

Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS)

A blend of core business disciplines and management functions are 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 from one of the following areas – Accounting and Finance, Economics and Finance, Human Resource Management Marketing and Risk Management and Insurance. In year 3, you will also take a minor option (selecting from a list of 10 options) which consists of one module per semester over the final two years. Students also have the opportunity to go on Erasmus/International Exchange, work placement and pursue a Dual Degree.

Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) with French (advanced)

Students taking BBS with French will study a French language stream throughout the four years of the programme, along with their regular Business subjects. A blend of core business disciplines and management functions are integrated into the innovative design of the BBS with French, 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 from one of the following areas – Accounting and Finance, Economics and Finance, Human Resource Management Marketing and Risk Management and Insurance. Students taking BBS with French do not take a minor option; instead, they continue their language studies over the final two years of the programme. The 4-year programme in French focuses on the study of the language for business purposes as well as on giving a deep insight into French / Francophone culture and society to fully prepare students for work in a French speaking environment. Students also have the opportunity to go on Erasmus/International Exchange, work placement and pursue a Dual Degree.

Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) with German (advanced)

Students taking BBS with German will study a German language stream throughout the four years of the programme, along with their regular Business subjects. A blend of core business disciplines and management functions are integrated into the innovative design of the BBS with German, 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 from one of the following areas – Accounting and Finance, Economics and Finance, Human Resource Management Marketing and Risk Management and Insurance. Students taking BBS with German do not take a minor option; instead, they continue their language studies over the final two years of the programme. Students also have the opportunity to go on Erasmus/International Exchange, work placement and pursue a Dual Degree.

Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) with Japanese (beginners)

Students taking BBS with Japanese will study a Japanese language stream throughout the four years of the programme, along with their regular Business subjects. A blend of core business disciplines and management functions are integrated into the innovative design of the BBS with Japanese, 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 from one of the following areas – Accounting and Finance, Economics and Finance, Human Resource Management Marketing and Risk Management and Insurance. Students taking BBS with Japanese do not take a minor option; instead, they continue their language studies over the final two years of the programme. Students also have the opportunity to go on Erasmus/International Exchange, work placement and pursue a Dual Degree.

Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) with Spanish (beginners or advanced)

Students taking BBS with Spanish will study a Spanish language stream throughout the four years of the programme, along with their regular Business subjects. A blend of core business disciplines and management functions are integrated into the innovative design of the BBS with Spanish, 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 from one of the following areas – Accounting and Finance, Economics and Finance, Human Resource Management Marketing and Risk Management and Insurance. Students taking BBS with Spanish do not take a minor option; instead, they continue their language studies over the final two years of the programme. Students also have the opportunity to go on Erasmus/International Exchange, work placement and pursue a Dual Degree.

Students wishing to take a language option must have a H4 in that language, with the exception of Japanese and Beginners Spanish where a H4 in a language other than English is required. 

Year 2 pathways within Business Studies

Regardless of whether you have chosen to study with or without a language, you will build a foundation of knowledge in Accounting, Economics, Finance, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing, Risk Management, and Business Mathematics. 

In 2nd year, you will be asked to choose your major option (or pathway) that you will study for the remainder of your degree. You will choose one of the following: 

(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. 

(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
• Globalisation – An Economic Perspective
• Entrepreneurship
• Financial Services
• Law
• Management
• Organisational Psychology
• Sociology

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 offers students the opportunity of employment in an appropriate business environment for an eight-month period in 3rd year. You will earn a current standard salary 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.

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.

General Degree Structure

Degree major options