Overview
Developing Business Managers of the Future
Important notice – campus change
Students will complete the next academic year (2020/21) on the Jordanstown campus *
Thereafter, from 2021, they may transition campuses.
Precise timings will be communicated as we progress through the final stages of the build of the enhanced Belfast campus.
*subject to COVID-19 restrictions and on-line learning provision
Find out about the campus transition
The University regularly ‘refreshes’ courses to make sure they are as up-to-date as possible.
In addition it undertakes formal periodic review of courses in a process called 'revalidation’ to ensure that they continue to meet standards and are current and relevant.
This course will be revalidated in the near future and it is possible that there will be some changes to the course as described in this prospectus.
Summary
This degree prepares you for a career in business management in industry, commerce or the public sector. It focuses on the acquisition and application of knowledge relevant to the role of the manager in the rapidly changing modern business world. The course also provides you with opportunities to develop and enhance your range of personal and interpersonal transferable skills which are vital to success in the workplace.
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About this course
About
The course is designed to equip you with knowledge of a broad range of business and management subjects. These include the core business functions of: Human Resources, Marketing, Finance and Accountancy, Operations and Management. The programme comprises of a total of 19 modules, 15 of which are compulsory for all students. Additionally students may elect to tailor the programme to their individual career aspirations, or interests, through the selection of optional modules.
This programme is subject to revalidation in 2020/21. The modules are currently offered but will be subject to amendment from entry year 2021/22 onwards.
Students normally complete six modules per academic year (i.e. three modules per semester).
Year 1
BMG130 Management Skills
BMG162 Introduction to Management
MKT122 Business Awareness and Analysis
ACF106 Intro to Accounting for Business
MKT104 Principles of Marketing
ECO109 Business and the Economy
Year 2
ACF327 Career Entrepreneurship
BMG354 Operations Management
ACF321 Accounting for Business Decisions
BMG402 Managing People
Plus two options from
- MKT317 Marketing Communications
- BMG403 Digital Enterprise
- BMG449 Behavioural Sciences
- ACF360 Assurance and Risk Management
- BMG317 Organisation Design
- MKT356 Marketing Management
Year 3: Optional Placement
Year 4
ACF528 Governance, Risk & Ethics
BMG350 Enterprise Development & Entrepreneurship
BMG527 Business Strategy
BMG563 Leadership and Change
Plus two options from
- MKT535 Global Marketing
- ACF545 Public Sector Accounting
- ACF544 Management of Business Finance
- ACF569 Personal & Business Taxation
- BMG502 Occupational Psychology
- BMG552 Total Quality Management
- BMG531 Effective Organisations & the Consultancy Process
- BMG555 Supply Chain Management
- BMG611 Strategic HRM
Associate awards
Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS
Find out more about placement awards
Attendance
Duration and Mode of Attendance -The programme can be completed in three or four years dependent on whether you elect to undertake a one year work experience or a one year academic study abroad. This is normally undertaken during the third year of the programme.
During each academic year full time students will complete 120 credit points. If you are joining the programme at level 4 (year 1), you will complete 19 modules (360 credit points) on the programme.
Weekly Attendance - Class-based modules include one three hour session per week (per module) across each 12 week semester.
Start dates
Content
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
Attendance and Independent Study
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10- or 20-credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate course typically 15- or 30-credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessment. The precise assessment will depend on the module and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification and the assessment timetable. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised.
Calculation of the Final Award
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study. In Master’s degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Academic profile
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (18%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2019-2020.
Belfast campus
A globally recognised hub of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Important notice – campus change
Students will complete the next academic year (2020/21) on the Jordanstown campus *
Thereafter, from 2021, they may transition campuses.
Precise timings will be communicated as we progress through the final stages of the build of the enhanced Belfast campus.
*subject to COVID-19 restrictions and on-line learning provision
Find out about the campus transition
Accommodation
High quality apartment living in Belfast city centre adjacent to the university campus.
Find out more - information about accommodation
Student support
At Student Support we provide many services to help students through their time at Ulster University.
Find out more - information about student support
Address
Ulster University
York Street
Belfast
County Antrim
BT15 1ED
T: 028 7012 3456
Standard entry conditions
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
A level
The A Level requirement for this course is BBC
Applied General Qualifications
*** To note that only qualifications defined as “Applied General” will be accepted for entry onto any undergraduate course at Ulster University.***
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (inc. course if appropriate)/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma(inc. course if appropriate)(2012 Suite)
Award profile of DDD
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (inc. course if appropriate)/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma(inc. course if appropriate)(2016 Suite)
Award profile of DMM
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma (inc. course if appropriate) / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma(inc. course if appropriate) (2012 Suite)
Award profile of DM plus A Level Grade B
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (inc. course if appropriate)/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma(inc. course if appropriate) (2016 Suite)
Award profile of DM plus A Level Grade C
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma (inc. course if appropriate) / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Introductory Diploma(inc. course if appropriate) (2012 Suite)
Award profile of M plus A Level Grades BB
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (inc. course if appropriate)/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Certificate(inc. course if appropriate)(2016 Suite)
Award profile of M plus A Level Grades BB
Irish Leaving Certificate
112 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 4 subjects at Higher Level and 1 at Ordinary Level, including English and Maths at O4/H6 or above.
Irish Leaving Certificate UCAS Equivalency
Tariff point chart
Scottish Highers
The Scottish Highers requirement for this course is BBCCC.
Scottish Advanced Highers
The Scottish Advanced Highers requirement for this course is CCD
International Baccalaureate
Overall International Baccalaureate profile minimum 26 - 28 points (13 - 14 points at higher level).
Access to Higher Education (HE)
Overall profile of 63% (120 credit Access Course) (NI Access Course)
Overall profile of 15 credits at distinction and 30 at merit (60 credit Access Course) (GB Access Course)
GCSE
GCSE Profile to include Mathematics with a minimum Grade C or above.
GCSE Profile to include English Language with a minimum Grade C or above.
English Language Requirements
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
Additional Entry Requirements
Current students at Ulster University are welcome to apply for transfers into BSc Hons Business Studies Full-time. If you are currently studying part-time Business Studies, you will need to have completed 240 credits (120 at Level 4 and 120 at Level 5) before being considered for entry to final year on the full-time version.
Any other student on any other programme at Ulster will only be eligible to join Year 1. Students wishing to transfer must have:
i) met the initial entry requirements for the course as part of their Level 3 studies (i.e. A Level, BTEC, Irish Leaving etc) and
ii) also be in good academic standing on their current programme (i.e. no failed modules or resits etc)
If you would like to be considered for a transfer, you will need to discuss this with your current course director, and with Paul Dickson (Course Director for BSc Hons Business Studies) to assess suitability for the course. Please complete this expression of interest form by 30 April 2021. All requests will be considered after the June examination boards.
Exemptions and transferability
The Course Committee can consider exemption on the basis of recent, relevant study. The programme is fully compliant with the University’s Credit Accumulation and Transfer System (CATS) and students are eligible to transfer to other relevant programmes. If you have studied a substantial proportion of the material included in the compulsory core modules already, you may be eligible for advanced entry. provided that you have attained the high level of achievement required for entry. The number of places available for direct entry is limited.
There is facility for transfer to other undergraduate degree programmes depending upon the nature of the subject matter of the other degrees and academic achievement.
Careers & opportunities
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course are now working for:
- FINTRU
- First Derivatives
- Henderson Group
- Northern Ireland Civil Service
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Fujitsu
- Go Power Energy
Job roles
With this degree you could become:
- Manager
- Sales & Marketing Executive
- Risk Advisory Analyst
- Marketing executive
- Finance Engineer
- HR Officer
Career options
Experience over many years indicates that graduates in Business Studies possess a combination of knowledge and skills which is attractive to a wide range of potential employers. The career opportunities available include management level posts in finance, production, purchasing, personnel and marketing in industry. Previously, students have secured employment locally, nationally and globally. Each year a number of graduates also elect to proceed with postgraduate studies.
Work placement / study abroad
Students may elect to undertake a period of paid work experience or academic study abroad in the third year. Students who have successfully completed years one and two, and who do not wish to complete a work experience year, or a year of academic study abroad, may proceed directly to the final year of the degree.
Apply
Applications to full-time undergraduate degrees at Ulster are made through UCAS.
Start dates
Fees and funding
Fees (per year)
Important notice - fees information
Fees illustrated are based on 21/22 entry and are subject to an annual increase.
Correct at the time of publishing. Terms and conditions apply.
Additional mandatory costs are highlighted where they are known in advance. There are other costs associated with university study.
Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland Fees
£4,530.00
England, Scotland, Wales, the Islands and EU Fees
£9,250.00
International Fees
£14,910.00
Scholarships, awards and prizes
◦ Deans List Award (First Year)
◦ Chartered Accountants Ireland - Ulster Society - awarded to the student with the highest mark in the Business Strategy module (Final Year)
◦ Chartered Institute of Management Accountants CIMA (Ireland) Achievement of Excellence Award in Business Accounting - awarded to the student with the highest mark in the Business Accounting module (First Year)
◦ First Trust Bank - awarded to the final year student with the highest mark in any Accounting and Finance optional module (Final Year).
Additional mandatory costs
Tuition fees and costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges), and normal living are a part of university life.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses we make every effort to highlight them. These may include residential visits, field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering) inoculations, security checks, computer equipment, uniforms, professional memberships etc.
We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free wifi is also available on each of the campuses.
There will be some additional costs to being a student which cannot be itemised and these will be different for each student. You may choose to purchase your own textbooks and course materials or prefer your own computer and software. Printing and binding may also be required. There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines. Additional costs vary from course to course.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs as well as tuition fees.
Please contact the course team for more information.
Disclaimer
- The University endeavours to deliver courses and programmes of study in accordance with the description set out in this prospectus. The University’s prospectus is produced at the earliest possible date in order to provide maximum assistance to individuals considering applying for a course of study offered by the University. The University makes every effort to ensure that the information contained in the prospectus is accurate but it is possible that some changes will occur between the date of printing and the start of the academic year to which it relates. Please note that the University’s website is the most up-to-date source of information regarding courses and facilities and we strongly recommend that you always visit the website before making any commitments.
- Although reasonable steps are taken to provide the programmes and services described, the University cannot guarantee the provision of any course or facility and the University may make variations to the contents or methods of delivery of courses, discontinue, merge or combine courses and introduce new courses if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Such circumstances include (but are not limited to) industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key staff, changes in legislation or government policy including changes, if any, resulting from the UK departing the European Union, withdrawal or reduction of funding or other circumstances beyond the University’s reasonable control.
- If the University discontinues any courses, it will use its best endeavours to provide a suitable alternative course. In addition, courses may change during the course of study and in such circumstances the University will normally undertake a consultation process prior to any such changes being introduced and seek to ensure that no student is unreasonably prejudiced as a consequence of any such change.
- The University does not accept responsibility (other than through the negligence of the University, its staff or agents), for the consequences of any modification or cancellation of any course, or part of a course, offered by the University but will take into consideration the effects on individual students and seek to minimise the impact of such effects where reasonably practicable.
- The University cannot accept any liability for disruption to its provision of educational or other services caused by circumstances beyond its control, but the University will take all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant disruption to such services.
Additional information for students from United Kingdom