BA (Hons) in Business (Blended)

BA (Hons) in Business blended learning degree
Type
Undergraduate
Duration
3 Years
Validated by
QQI
Mode
Blended Learning
Campus
Dublin Main Campus
NFQ Level
8
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Course Overview

Looking for a flexible study mode to achieve your qualification in business? Our award winning blended Business degree is the perfect option to enhance your career opportunities, while balancing other commitments.

The BA (Hons) in Business (Blended) is delivered primarily online, with supporting campus classes one Saturday a month. Upon completion, learners will fully appreciate the vital business roles played by finance, digital technology, sales, consumer behaviour, entrepreneurship, marketing, human resource management, and information technology. This broad introduction to many business functions can lead to a diverse range of career opportunities.

Why Study Business at Griffith College?

This course is validated by QQI at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications. The purpose of the course is to give students the business skills that are in demand by companies in a complex and dynamic environment.

  • Students will learn about the ever-changing business environment and how it is influenced by political, legal, economic, social and technological factors on both a national and international scale.
  • Students will learn to recognise the key characteristics governing a particular company and then identify the factors that are critical to its success in preparation for the business world.
  • Students will be encouraged to flex their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit through challenging and dynamic classes.
  • Students will fully appreciate the effects of digital technologies in modern business and how best to navigate this environment.
  • Students will be invited to work on business problems with real-life clients.
  • Students will create a real-life business plan and pitch in a dragons den style environment
  • Students will receive lecturing from vastly experienced professionals from a wide range of industries.
  • Students will experience group work within a diverse student body, making them ready for the needs of multinational employers
  • Students will secure their degree while maintaining their busy or unpredictable schedules or who may have trouble commuting to the campus

Course Highlights

  • Suit your work/life balance, study in your own time at your own pace.
  • Dedicated e-learning tutor support and lecturer contact to ensure all your questions are answered.
  • Recognised Level 8 degree programme by the Teaching Council of Ireland.
  • Winner for Best Online Learning Experience at the 2019 Education Awards.
  • Up to 6 ACCA exemptions and the option to switch to the blended BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance after Year 1. 

What can Blended Learning Students Expect?

Students can now fit their studies around a busy schedule with the blended delivery mode bringing the classroom to them.

  • Blended learning consists of weekly video lectures, monthly live webinars, and one Saturday class per month.
  • Students are recommended to commit at least 10 hours per week to ensure they receive the same experience as students attending other study modes. 
  • Exams are held in person in January and May each year with the full-time and part-time students.
  • Take part in our Access programme if you cannot commit to the required time per week. Take as few modules as you need to fit your schedule. Achieve your degree over a flexible duration.

Intake Dates

We run two intakes for this course, commencing as follows:

 

  • Autumn: September*
  • Spring: February*

 

*subject to sufficient numbers

What our students say

Nicola Hutchinson

I’ve found the blended nature of the course gave me the best of both worlds. The flexibility of the online material allowed me to balance my studies with working and raising a family, while the small class size in on-campus tutorials fostered a real sense of familiarity with my fellow students and lecturers. This ensured I was always fully supported with my studies. I would recommend this course to anybody looking to further their education but hesitant to pursue a degree through the traditional route.

Nicola Hutchinson
BA (Hons) in Business

Course Details

The programme is delivered through a combination of online and classroom-based learning. The blended mode of delivery offers students a more flexible learning environment and provides an opportunity for those living outside the commutable area to study at Griffith College.

Students will study a broad range of business subjects in Year One and Two of the course. This acts as the perfect introduction to enable them to select their final year electives. Students have four core modules in Year Three and can choose four electives to tailor their learning in the final year (electives offered subject to demand).

 

Additional Information

Exams: Blended, Part-time and full-time students sit exams together in January and May each year. You will be expected to book time off work to attend your exams as these take place during the day

Facilities and Activities: Students only visit the campus once a month for classes, however, they have access to all facilities provided to full-time and part-time students throughout the academic year, as well as the option to participate in the wide range of extracurricular activities undertaken by students at Griffith College.

If you have any questions in relation to this please contact the Admissions Office, [email protected].

Year 1

On completion of this module, learners are able to apply the knowledge and understanding of the context, scope, principles and concepts that underpin management accounting. It highlights the importance of costs and the drivers of costs in the production, analysis and use of information for decision-making in organisations. It provides competencies on how to analyse information on costs, volumes and prices and how to take short-term decisions on products and services.

The module aims to provide a balanced approach to both the theory and application of economic concepts. It introduces learners to the fundamentals of microeconomics and exposes them to the principle theories and models used in microeconomics. It also demonstrates how economics can be used by individuals and businesses alike to assess problems and develop solutions. The learners are encouraged to become more astute participants in the economy by employing economic principles and recognising the role of their behaviour, and that of others, on the world around them. In particular, the module introduces economic concepts, an analysis of demand and supply, theories of the firm, competition, elasticity, and behavioural economics.

The principal objective of this module is to outline the role of technology in business and how information technology enables business processes so that an organisation can function and strive in a competitive environment: in other words, how technology is used to benefit business. This is achieved through the acquisition of practical information technology skills but also through an awareness and understanding of the overall role of technology. For all information technology skills that are developed the learners understand the role that these skills play in the overall business function.

This module aims to develop an awareness and understanding of the core functions, skills and challenges of management in a dynamic global business environment. Learners apply management theories and concepts to current business situations, both in Ireland and internationally. Contemporary business management issues are explored using practical examples, case studies and lectures.

Research has shown that the transition from school to college can be a very difficult time for young adults. The initial weeks at college where deadlines are explained, VLEs are demonstrated and college classes begin, can be overwhelming. This module seeks to facilitate this transition to third-level education by providing academic support, personal development skills and a time for reflection in a non-threatening environment.

Learners on first-year business courses often present with a fear of mathematics which they have held since secondary school. This module aims to dispel this fear and instil in learners the confidence to approach problems with an analytical lens. Equipped with this confidence, learners can interpret data and summary statistics, thus contributing to solutions based on solid scientific principles.

This module introduces learners to the key fundamentals of marketing, its role in modern organisations, the importance of understanding customers and aligning marketing activities to create customer value. This module provides academic underpinning via relevant theory and frameworks. This is combined with real-world case studies and examples enabling learners to gain a broad perspective on marketing and its role within organisations.

This module introduces learners to the macroeconomic environment and the principles underlying macroeconomic policies. In particular, it addresses the causes and consequences of aggregate changes in the economy such as inflation, GDP, unemployment and economic growth. Macroeconomics also examines and explores the role of government in influencing the direction of the economy through fiscal and monetary policies. This module also provides learners with real-world scenarios of how economies throughout the globe interrelate.

The aim of this module is to introduce learners to the application of the required knowledge and understanding of the context, scope, principles and concepts that underpin financial accounting. In addition, learners are taught how to apply the principles of double-entry bookkeeping and prepare financial statements for sole trader entities.

Year 2

The module aims to develop learners’ knowledge, understanding and application of concepts, processes and techniques of operations and supply chain management. Learners relate to the transformation of inputs to outputs and the approach that companies take to increase productivity, quality and service to their end consumer. Learners select and apply appropriate concepts, techniques and methods to the design and planning of operations. Learners demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and theories underpinning the discipline of supply chain management including purchasing and logistics.

This module aims to encourage and promote the critical examination of the theory of organisational behaviour. It identifies factors that influence the behaviours of individuals and groups in organisations. The module creates an environment that assists the learner in recognising issues that impact a company’s effectiveness. Throughout the module, learners consider, discuss and analyse concepts, theories and frameworks to explore their potential contributions in aiding their understanding of organisational behaviours from a contemporary perspective.

The purpose of this module is to develop appropriate skills and knowledge in learners which is intended to prepare them to source employment opportunities and enter the workforce successfully. The module enables learners to gain a broad understanding of the numerous, and diverse range of activities, that combine to secure employment and /or internship opportunities. Furthermore, the module aims to develop learners’ personal and professional skills so that they may act confidently and appropriately in a range of interpersonal business functions.

The aim of this module is to develop an understanding and knowledge of the general principles of Irish law as it relates to business. The learner is introduced to the effect, influence and impact of law in business and, upon completion, they are able to apply relevant law to practical business situations.

The module instils in the learner knowledge and understanding of company law as well as a broad understanding of the rights and obligations of employees and employers as they relate to business. The learner can analyse the strategic importance of ethics to business. The learner can evaluate common ethical problems faced by businesses and display how these can be resolved ethically. The learner understands the importance of culture in setting the ethics framework for managers and employees and can evaluate the role of regulatory forces in the ethical question.

This module introduces the learner to a broad range of contemporary views of human resource practices and policies. Learners gain an understanding of the importance of human resource management in terms of aligning people and business processes. The learner is able to identify the significance of managing the key HR activities such as recruitment, selection, performance, training, etc., in a professional manner.

In addition, the module aims to provide the learner with knowledge of the essential applicable principles in terms of the employer /employee relationship. The module addresses current aspects and changes in employment legislation that can influence the employment relationship and, ultimately, the organisation.

This module aims to engage learners to explore what is arguably one of the driving forces of the current global economic market. The module requires active learning. The module is designed to allow learners to synthesise learning gained from previous modules studied on the programme, applying this learning into devising a commercially viable business proposal.

Their findings are presented as a business plan proposal and oral presentation at the end of the semester. The module explains the entrepreneurship process as an ever-unfinished one, of becoming, but also as one that leads to the creation of sustainable growth within an organisation.

This module aims to provide learners with an understanding of the importance of digital marketing in modern business and to gain insight into current tools and best practices used. Additionally, learners grasp how to use digital marketing strategy frameworks to plan, implement and monitor the effectiveness of digital marketing activities.

This module is designed so that learners develop an understanding of the relationship between business and the information systems used in business. Learners are introduced to the system types, how systems are acquired, security issues and current business information system trends. The module also seeks to engender an appreciation of the importance of business information systems in the day to day workplace.

Year 3 - Mandatory Modules

This module acts as a capstone module where learners apply previously gained knowledge across all the key elements involved in starting up a business in Ireland. These competencies include market and competitive analysis, marketing and marketing communications, people and operations, and financial analysis. The module is designed so as to enable learners to synthesize and apply the above key aspects to develop a viable, comprehensive and credible business plan.

This module introduces learners to the basics of financial management and its application in practice. The module focuses on the critical elements of financial decision-making for organisations, including investment decisions, sources of finance, management of working capital and performance appraisal.

The module aims to provide learners with an in-depth understanding of the link between company decision-making and the operation of capital markets. Over the course of the module, learners understand and appreciate the strong linkages between finance and globalisation. They demonstrate the importance of working capital management and the tools to manage it. Learners explore the financial environment in which firms and managers must operate.

 

 

 

This module introduces the key concepts and frameworks of strategic management. It is primarily concerned with the key managerial decisions that affect the long-term performance of an organisation and, as such, strategic position, choices, and strategy in action are explored.

The module is interdisciplinary and learners build upon existing knowledge of the environments that include the organisation itself, industry, and wider macro-environments. In addition, existing knowledge gained from studying key functional areas including finance, marketing, human resources and operation is synthesised over the course of the module.

The module is designed to develop the learners' skills in diagnosing the strategic health of organisations and providing strategic recommendations to senior management.

  

 

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to international business in which the environmental (political/legal, cultural, economic and financial) underpinnings of international business are examined. Learners are introduced to trade and investment trends as well as the internationalisation rationales for both MNCs and SMEs. This module analyses competitive environments and provides a strategic view of international business at both firm and national levels.

Year 3 - Elective Modules

This module introduces learners to the major aspects of global marketing. The aim of this module is to develop learners’ skills in the recognition, analysis and planning challenges faced by organisations when marketing globally.

Learners develop a critical awareness of the importance of environmental forces and emerging trends that impact firms marketing on a global level. An international marketing plan with appropriate marketing strategies is designed by learners, providing an opportunity to critically assess the challenges and provide solutions for successful implementation.

Consumer Behaviour in a Digital Era is a multi-disciplinary module that alerts learners to the need to consider marketing activities in relation to other behavioural sciences, particularly, social psychology, sociology, anthropology and economics. It examines social factors such as class, status, the influence of the family and peer groups, and their contribution to the decision-making process of the buyer. It also incorporates the salient issues of cultural change and the development of distinctive subcultures.

This module examines and develops learners’ understanding of the complexities of consumer behaviour in a variety of different environments. The key focus of the module is to enable learners to appreciate the importance of consumers and to adopt a sophisticated approach in understanding consumer behaviour, as a key input to marketing strategy. By the end of this module learners gain an awareness of current consumer trends and digital consumer behavior. 

This module introduces the learner to the principles and practice of selling as a core business function. The relationship between sales management and the marketing environment is explored and tools and techniques are examined which provide insights into methods for successful sales strategy implementation. Skills in client management to optimise sales efforts are also investigated.

The development and communication of brands is a key marketing activity, central to the rest of the overall marketing strategy. This module aims to develop learners’ knowledge of branding strategies and communications. By the end of this module, learners fully appreciate the value of a brand to an organisation. Learners develop a critical awareness of the importance of marketing communications to global branding.

The industry is struggling to understand how to identify and incorporate the right technology into its digital strategy and compete against modern rivals. Learners study how technology is disrupting the business landscape and how leading organisations leverage technology to adapt their business models to remain competitive.

The aim of the module is to provide learners with an opportunity to experience the techniques and practical approaches to managing projects. This includes the core concepts of project management focusing on project justification, the strategic relationships between project and the organisational vision and mission, choosing project alternatives, creating awareness of risk and implementing control mechanisms. Understanding project constraints in terms of time, cost, quality and client acceptance provides a sound introduction to project management. Alternative methodologies are also introduced to learners along with an awareness of new trends in the field.

This module follows on directly from Financial Management, covered in the previous semester, and its aim is to further enhance and deepen the learners’ knowledge of key financial management concepts and practices. The module’s primary objectives are to further explore the principles and concepts addressed in Financial Management; to introduce topics appropriate to the strategic aspects of finance including the impact of risk on the organisation and the various techniques to manage same; calculating the cost of capital; corporate reorganisation; corporate governance and the global financial environment; and to provide the learner with the skills to evaluate complex investment situations.

This module builds on the previous stage 2 modules namely Managing Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management. The IHRM module deepens the learners’ understanding of the strategic management of human resources in an international context. Topics including the influence of cross-cultural issues on organisations and factors which involve selecting and managing an international workforce are examined in detail. Learners evaluate industrial relations and labour laws from the perspective of managing an international organisation. They are equipped to address key issues such as expatriation/repatriation, compensation and reward, and cultural diversity. Over the course of the module, learners evaluate and appraise relevant theories in order to inform their practice as business managers.

This module aims to infuse learners with a knowledge of employee relations and their importance to business success. It allows learners to appraise the strategies and practices that organisations use to enhance a mutually successful employment relationship. This module also has the added objective of ensuring that the learner develops an appreciation of the evolving issues associated with this topic. Furthermore, the module encourages the learner to view employee relations from the perspective of both the employer and employee, hence to recognise the ethical issues that are central to this relationship.

The aim of this module is for learners to develop appropriate knowledge within the field of talent development. This module enables learners to critically analyse and evaluate the formulation and implementation of a range of learning and talent development practices and strategies for an organisation to compete in a dynamic, diverse and competitive business environment. This module provides an in-depth understanding of the numerous and diverse activities involved in the talent function.

This module shows how managing performance links the objectives of organisations to the implementation by its members and staff of their job roles. The module reviews motivational theories and examines the relevance of these to job performance. It focuses on the potential linkage to the performance of extrinsic motivation in the form of rewards that can be monetarised and of rewards that cannot be monetarised. Learners familiarise themselves with the ethical perspective relating to linking rewards to performance. Learners develop an understanding of the purpose and process of appraising performance, including the study of the changing approaches to, and methods of, performance appraisals. The module evaluates the extent to which contextual and cultural environments may influence both the implementation of performance management and the use of reward mechanisms.

This module is designed to broaden the learner’s knowledge with particular emphasis on the software used to analyse data. The module builds on previous spreadsheet skills by focusing on data specific analysis and related tools. It also is designed to help learners become aware of the ever-increasing discipline of data analytics and business intelligence used by the organisation.

Upon completion of this module, the learner attains the appropriate knowledge and skills to apply and exercise good judgements in the understanding, analysis and conclusion of the assurance and non-assurance engagement, in the context of best practice and current developments in the field. The module enables the learner’s understanding of the application of underlying regulations and professional standards relevant to the assurance and non-assurance engagement. The learner considers and reflects on the ethical and professional requirements of the auditor in selecting clients, performing assurance and non-assurance engagements and reporting on these engagements.

The aim of this module is to provide learners the opportunity to grasp the theoretical principles behind corporate governance and to examine its application in specific cases. The module focuses on the similarities and differences that exist between the different corporate governance regimes around the globe with an emphasis on looking at a principle versus a rules-based system. International practices along with specific national codes are examined accordingly.

The module evaluates the social responsibility of business. It considers the ethical and social areas of corporate responsibility and the impacts these have on the reputation and success of an enterprise. Learners develop an awareness and understanding of the current challenges and opportunities facing companies in identifying and managing their responsibilities to diverse stakeholders. The aim is to sensitise learners to ethical business issues which, in turn, allows them to recognise potential problems and more responsible business decisions.

Timetables

Please be advised that the timetables below are valid for Semester 1 of the Academic Year 2024 / 2025 for the Dublin Main Campus and are subject to change or changes in the first few weeks of the semester. Ensure you regularly check your Business Student Info page on Moodle for the most up-to-date files.

Timetables are only showing dates for live evening webinars and on-campus Saturday classes. In addition, blended students will have weekly lecture videos which are released each week on a Friday and must be reviewed in the student's own time.

Blended Learning Indicative Timetables

 

 

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate

2 H5 and 4 O6/H7 grades, to include a language (English, Irish or another language) and Maths.

QQI Level 5 Award

A minimum Full QQI Level 5 Award with 3 Distinctions and a Pass or higher in all other remaining subjects.

English Language

If English is not your native language, you must show that your English level is of a suitable standard. For further information please contact a member of the Admissions Team.

Griffith College is accepting the online Duolingo English Test (DET) as valid proof of English proficiency. Please see here for further details.

How to Apply

All blended applicants must apply to Griffith College directly online using the Apply Online facility on the website.

Applicants under 23 years of age:

Applicants under 23 years on the 1st of January before the academic year for which they are applying will be asked for a copy of their Leaving Certificate results or equivalent and must meet the minimum entry requirements for the programme.

Applicants over 23 years of age (mature students):

If you are 23 years of age on or before the 1st January of the year you want to enter, you may apply as a mature student. Mature students will be asked for a copy of their passport

Fees

Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.

Tuition Fees

Dublin: EUR 4,350.00

An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted. The fees relate to Year 1 fees only.

Flexible payment options

Students wishing to pay their fees monthly may avail of our direct debit scheme. Please view our Fees information page for more information and assistance.

Sponsorship

Is your company paying for your course?

They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form and send this to the Student Fees Office:

  • Post: Student Fees, Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8
  • Email: [email protected]

2% Learner Protection Charge

All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of the provider ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded.

QQI Award Fee

Please note that a QQI Award Fee applies in the final year of all QQI courses. To find the relevant fee for your course level, please see the Fees page.

Progression

Academic Progression

 

Upon successful completion of their honours degree course, graduates may wish to continue their studies with a postgraduate qualification in Griffith College or with one of the many third level institution in Ireland or abroad.

The Griffith College Graduate Business School offers a portfolio of programmes that may be of interest. The following programmes prepare graduates for the world of international business; at MSc and MBA levels, and in full and part-time study modes.

  • The MSc in International Business Management will develop your skills and knowledge to specialise in key business industries within International Business and learn how to operate a business across borders.
  • The MSc in Global Brand Management gives students a thorough grounding in current theoretical brand management concepts, marketing models, and tools, as well as new ways of analysing, assessing and developing brand strategies, campaigns and insights.
  • The MSc in Procurement and Supply Chain Management is an award-winning masters programme that is ideal for students wishing to gain industry knowledge of both public and private sector procurement and supply chain management.

ACCA Exemptions

Graduates of the BA (Hons) in Business (Blended) at Griffith obtain excellent exemptions from the ACCA. The BA (Hons) in Business (Blended) qualifies up to 6 exemptions, this is dependent on your choice of final year electives.

Teaching Council Recognition

The BA (Hons) in Business at Griffith College is a recognised degree by the Teaching Council of Ireland. This recognition is necessary to apply for the Professional Masters of Education (PME) required for teaching at post-primary level in Ireland.

Applicants wishing to take a select number of modules from the degree for the purpose of gaining additional ECT credits for the Teaching Council of Ireland requirements may do so. Please contact the Admissions Team for further information.

Career Progression

This business degree allows graduates to gain employment in a wide range of fields, from finance, marketing, HRM, and general management. The broad course content is the perfect platform to launch a successful career in many different industries. Read more about one of our graduate Chris who completed his degree around shift work and nights to assist his managerial role.

Ready to take the next step?