Higher Certificate in Business Year One (L6, 60 ECTS)

Program Overview

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Higher Certificate in Business Year One (L6, 60 ECTS)

Course Overview

This programme delivers business knowledge and skills which form the basis for a career in industry, commerce or the public service. You will gain an understanding of the functional areas of business and of the factors which influence business success. On graduation, you should be able to use your knowledge and skills to solve technical and human problems in a business/commercial context. You will also learn how effective interpersonal relations at work contribute to the public image of an organisation and to its progress.

Funding Opportunities

Many of our programmes are eligible for a range of funding opportunities, which can significantly reduce the cost of your studies.

Entry Requirements

• Mature applicants (i.e over 23 years)
• Leaving Certificate Grade O6 at ordinary level in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate. Two of these subjects must be Mathematics and a language (English or Irish)
• QQI Level 5 Full award with a minimum of eight modules. or Recognition of Prior Learning (APL/APEL)

Course Content

Modules

• Semester 1
  • Leadership and Management Development
  • Human Resources and Developing People
  • Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Semester 2
  • Financial and Management Accounting
  • Customer Service and Value
  • Applied Practice 1: Personal and Professional Context

Module 1: Leadership and Management Development

Module Aim: This module will provide the participant with an understanding of management practice and managerial skills applicable to the workplace through the discussion on the history of management and the evolution of management and leadership theory to the present day.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of the various management theories and their relationships.
2. Determine the key functions of a management role.
3. Illustrate the differences between, and impact of, Transformational, Transaction and Situational Leadership on the workplace.
4. Explain the differences between management and leadership and characteristics of successful managers/leaders.
5. Compare different leadership practices in the workplace and evaluate their relevance to our company.
6. Identify engagement strategies within an organisation.

Module 2: Human Resources and Developing People

Module Aim: This module is concerned with the practice of human resources and employee relations in a managerial context.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Outline the evolution of HRM and its relevant/importance to organisational success in the workplace of the future.
2. Design a sustainable training and development programme.
3. Evaluate the labour relation landscape and relevant contexts.
4. Appraise the landscape of Irish employee relations and describe the legal obligations of employers towards their employees, consider the principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
5. Explain the functions of the Formal Labour Relations Environment, Labour Court, Labour Relations Commission, Employee Appeals Tribunal and Equality Tribunal.
6. Develop a coaching session on a work-related issue.

Module 3: Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Module Aim: To provide the students with the theoretical background and knowledge which will enable them to analyse Operations, Global Logistics & Supply Chain Management and to understand the elements which require integration in order to ensure the successful management of an Operations, Logistics & Supply Chain organisation.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify how operations, logistics and supply chain management contribute to an organisation’s strategic and operational performance.
2. Appraise the physical management and stock control of inventory.
3. Evaluate the organisational requirements for effective operations and logistics management in businesses.
4. Identify the role of operations and logistics in the design and implementation of a lean supply chain.
5. Assess the market, technological and data-driven changes that impact on the areas of operations, logistics and the supply chain.
6. Apply the 17 UN Sustainable Goals in respect of Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

Module 4: Financial and Management Accounting

Module Aim: The aim of the module is to provide students with an understanding of the financial accounting concepts, which will enable them to produce and interpret financial statements for limited liability companies, and management accounting techniques used for the provision of information to mangers to assist with planning, control and decision-making.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Prepare financial statements of limited companies.
2. Interpret the financial statements of limited companies using ratio analysis.
3. Apply the principles of capital appraisal techniques to project appraisal.
4. Interpret the use of marginal costing for decision-making.
5. Display competence in cash budgets and operational budgets preparation.
6. Create spreadsheet models with an accounting/business focus for e.g. budgets and use other spreadsheet tools such as pivot tables and data tables to further analyse this data.

Module 5: Customer Service and Value

Module Aim: This module presents a broad introduction to customer service, the role of customer service in an organisation and the associated concepts, tools and techniques of customer service management.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Outline the role of customer service and customer service training in achieving organisational effectiveness.
2. Describe how managing the customer relationship creates value for organisations and customers.
3. Discuss how customer service and management techniques enhance the achievement of business goals throughout the customer life cycle.
4. Examine how customer service can be organised, resourced and managed in an organisation.
5. Evaluate the changing trends in the marketplace and their impact on the design and implementation of effective customer service strategies.
6. Illustrate the impact of social media in relation to Customer Service and value.

Module 6: Applied Practice 1: Personal and Professional Context

Module Aim: This module is designed to assist students with preparation for professional and personal work-based development and well-being.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe the essential skills for professional and personal development and well-being, and recognise and articulate individual impact and relevance in the modern workplace through self reflective practices.
2. Analyse past career, skills and competencies to create a benchmark for future personal, professional and well-being growth and develop the ability to present oneself professionally.
3. Examine the impact of emotional intelligence and its influence on interpersonal relationships in particular with regard to professional, and personal development across a number of personal attributes including management styles, leadership styles, teamwork, conflict and negotiation.
4. Reflect on the relevance of self-esteem/self-compassion, health promotion and well-being to oneself and in the workplace and identify factors that either promote or inhibit insight and positive change.
5. Identify personal strengths and weaknesses and develop a personal career plan to demonstrate the importance of having a goal orientated approach to professional and personal well-being.

More Information

Delivery

This programme will be delivered online, 2-3 evenings per week 6pm to 9pm (online) Plus selected Saturdays per 9am – 1pm (online).

Why Choose This Course

This course will open up a range of opportunities in terms of your future career direction. Combining studies within the core business disciplines, you will be provided with an opportunity to consolidate and apply business skills within a innovative business environment.

Career Opportunities

Successful graduates of this programme are eligible to Progress to the Higher Certificate in Business Year Two. This course will prepare you for a successful business career. Areas you can specialise in include accounting, banking, insurance, marketing, human resource management, administration, retail services and computing.

Fees

€2,500 – This programme is subject to potential funding from Tipperary Skillnet for 80% funding.

Timetable Info

2-3 evenings per week 6pm to 9pm (online) Plus selected Saturdays per 9am – 1pm (online).

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

This Higher Certificate in Business Year One (L6, 60 ECTS) program is designed to provide students with a foundation in business knowledge and skills. The program aims to equip students with an understanding of the functional areas of business and the factors that contribute to business success. Upon completion, graduates will be able to apply their knowledge and skills to solve technical and human problems in a business/commercial context.

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Outline:

• Modules:
• Financial Accounting A
• Computer Applications
• Economics
• Learning and Development for Higher Education
• Marketing
• Financial Accounting B
• Business Mathematics
• Business Management
• Entrepreneurial Skills
• Delivery:
• The program is delivered online.
• Students may be required to attend TUS Athlone Campus in person for examinations.
• Schedule:
• Two evenings per week (online)
• Selected Saturdays per 9am – 1pm (online).
• Lectures are delivered live online, and recordings are available for students to view at their convenience.

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Assessment:

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Careers:

• Successful graduates are eligible to progress to the Higher Certificate in Business Year Two.
• The program prepares students for a successful business career in areas such as accounting, banking, insurance, marketing, human resource management, administration, retail services, and computing.
• Graduates have pursued careers in a wide range of companies, from small indigenous Irish companies to large multinational corporations.

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Other:

• This course will open up a range of opportunities in terms of your future career direction.
Combining studies within the core business disciplines, you will be provided with an opportunity to consolidate and apply business skills within a innovative business environment. This will offer you a distinct advantage in securing graduate employment.
• You will have the opportunity to study a wide range of business-related subjects in the early years, while still having the benefit of selecting the key subject options that interest you most during the final two years of the course.
Furthermore, you will develop your IT skills through the use of a variety of relevant software application packages.
• As an honours business graduate, you can expect to obtain employment at the appropriate level across a wide range of business areas, including management, administration, accounting, banking, retail management, finance, marketing, human resource management, insurance, and computing/ information technology.
Rapid career progression may be expected on the basis of expertise, commitment and attitude.