Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Business

Course Summary

This degree is designed to ensure our graduates have the capabilities and skills for the current dynamic and challenging business environment. Students study core business areas throughout their studies before choosing their specialist stream in Year 4. Students choose between Finance, Marketing or Human Resource Management in their final year. This offers students the flexibility to explore various aspects of business before committing to a specialism.

It is no longer enough to provide goods and services to the market. Businesses today must ensure they provide top-class customer service, work within an increasingly regulated environment and within a socially responsible framework. This degree enables graduates to meet these challenges head-on.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

This programme looks at the broader business world and is perfect for a student looking to obtain a diverse range of skills and learn what area of business is for them. Guest speakers often join our passionate academics in the classroom to help provide our students with an understanding of business practice in a variety of organisational settings and tackle the most up-to-date trends and challenges facing businesses today. 

An attractive feature of this programme is a five-month work placement in the Year 3 (April–August). This placement gives our students the opportunity to experience the world of business and allows them to develop practical skills they will be able to use in their future careers. Students also have the option to undertake this work placement or period of study abroad, as part of the Erasmus+ programme.

Communication is an extremely important aspect of any business, and with our marketing and computer applications modules, students will learn how to effectively promote their business and engage with their community. Individual and group projects are also an integral part of the programme which develop skills required for business, such as analysis, teamwork, presentation and professional business skills.

YEAR 1

The first year focuses on providing the student with foundation knowledge in core business areas, including Accounting Principles, Business Management, Marketing Strategy, Business Mathematics, Information Technology Skills and Understanding the Dynamics of an Organisation.

YEAR 2

Student knowledge and understanding of key business elements is broadened with the introduction of Business Law, Economics, Management Accounting and Enterprise Development.

YEAR 3

Students study Enterprise Development, Introduction to Financial Management, Marketing, HRM and Economic topics. Students also have the option of either undertaking a work placement or a semester abroad.

YEAR 4

In the final year, students take one of the specialist streams in Finance, Marketing or HRM. Students’ analytical and research skills are enhanced by completing a research dissertation, which allows a valuable opportunity to explore an area of interest in more detail.

Students can choose from a number of different electives each year depending on where their interests lie. Visit the course format tab to view the subjects on offer. Subjects marked with an [E] are elective options. Students also have the option to study French, German or Spanish as part of their elective choices.

Please note that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on student demand and course updates.

This programme also has an exit/embedded award after two years.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for CAO courses at ATU Sligo are available for download below:

• Download Entry requirements for just Level 8 programmes
• Download Entry requirements for all programmes

Career Opportunities

Graduates enjoy a wide variety of career choices in a broad range of businesses. Many graduates have established highly successful businesses, while others have joined graduate training programmes in multinational companies and have enjoyed success in senior management roles.

The job opportunities are endless from this excellent business degree within all industries and sectors of employment across the world.

Further Study

Graduates may advance to postgraduate study within Atlantic Technological University or other Higher Education Institutions. They may also choose to pursue a Professional Master of Education (PME) in teacher training for second level Business teaching, or study for professional qualifications in accounting or marketing. 

Graduates may progress to a range of Level 9 and Level 10 postgraduate studies in ATU Sligo or in other third level institutions.

Postgraduate options in ATU Sligo

Successful graduates from this programme are eligible to sit the Marketing Institute Graduate entry examination to acquire a professional marketing accreditation (MMII Grad).

Testimonials

"I decided to study Business as throughout secondary school, business was one of my favourite subjects, I understood it. It just came naturally to me. I knew my future was in the business world - I just didn’t know whether that was in Finance, HR or Marketing. Therefore, this course was the right fit for me. I got to study all of them and find out for myself which area suited me best."

Sinead Malaniff, Bachelor of Business (Hons) graduate and HR & Recruitment Specialist at ICE Group

“I picked this business course because it would not confine me to one particular role. I loved the variety of modules and opportunities it gave me. Put your name forward for a class rep - it’s a great way to get to know your class and get involved. Student life is great in Sligo.”

Leanne Moran, Bachelor of Business (Hons) graduate and Digital Marketing Coordinator at Collins McNicholas

Did you know?

In Year 4, students take one of the specialist streams - choosing between Finance, Marketing or HRM.

A final year research dissertation, allows students a valuable opportunity to explore an area of interest in more detail.

Students on this business programme can study or take work placement abroad. This allows students to gain first-hand experience in an international environment, working with different cultures and languages whilst exploring a new way of life.

Guest speakers often join our passionate academics in the classroom to help provide students with an understanding of business practice in a variety of organisational settings.

Business insight trips to regional and national companies are a key part of this degree.

Individual and group projects are also an integral part of the programme which develop skills required for business, such as analysis, teamwork, presentation and professional business skills.

Level 8 graduates are eligible to sit the Marketing Institute Graduate entry examination to acquire a professional marketing accreditation (MMII Grad).

Students have the option to study French, German or Spanish as part of their elective choices.

We also offer this programme at Level 7 - AU800 Bachelor of Business and Level 6 - AU700 Higher Certificate in Business. By choosing all three levels on a CAO application, students increase their chances of an offer on these highly sought after programmes.

This programme has an exit award after two years.

Alumni

“I believe the wide range of business modules covered, practical project research, team-work and work experience gained during my time at ATU Sligo gave me an advantage in progressing my career. Work placement allowed me gain extra knowledge that I could apply to my studies, and helped me decide what area of business I wanted to pursue my career in.

I could clearly illustrate my understanding and knowledge of real business challenges coming fresh out the door from this degree."

Emma Gilroy, Bachelor of Business (Hons) graduate and Senior Director, Global Customer Operations at AdRoll & EMEA Site Lead

Course Format

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6

Semester 7

Semester 8