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

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 

Stage 1 

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. The objective to enable participants to understand the differences between management and leadership including styles and characteristics of successful managers/leaders. For any student that is currently unemployed, they will be facilitated with a live case study. 

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. It discusses human resource management policy and practice concerning recruitment and selection, performance management, careers, training and development, job design and reward. It provides an overview of current developments in employee relations and considers the influence of employers, employees and other stakeholders in shaping the employment relationship. 

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 Eqality, 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. The acquisition, management and retention of customers is a critical business activity and the delivery of consistent and effective customer service and value is key to achieving this business priority. Customer service is required throughout the entirety of the customer’s interaction with a business and is a key priority for all functional areas of the business including logistics and supply chain 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. There will be a particular emphasis on career, personal development and well-being in the modern workplace. 

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.

This programme will be delivered online.

Students may have to attend TUS Athlone Campus in person for examinations.

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. This programme is assessed by a combination of various forms of continuous assessment conducted throughout the semester and final examinations at the end of each semester.

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. Our sought-after graduates have gone on to pursue a wide variety of careers in companies ranging from small indigenous Irish companies to large multinational corporations.

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

€2,500 –

This Programme is 80% funded by County Tipperary Chamber skillnet for eligable applicants.