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1. Study
2. Undergraduate
3. Courses
4. Business Information Systems

Course Fact File

Code	CK203
Duration	4 Years
Teaching Mode	Full-time
Qualifications	BSc (Hons)
NFQ Level	Level 8
CAO Points	2024: 443
CAO Points Range	2024: 443-625

Course Outline

The BSc in Business Information Systems (BIS) specialises in the key skills that are essential to the success of professionals in modern information technology and information systems. The goals of this four-year degree course are to:

• educate: provide a worthwhile and memorable student experience;
• collaborate: join with businesses to ensure BIS students gain cutting-edge skills in business and IT, while also linking with businesses to provide innovative IS-related expertise;
• innovate: cultivate and apply expertise in teaching, research and development.

Our BIS Advisory Board, comprising a number of the most senior Irish business executives, is there to advise and ensure UCC BIS courses are world-class, relevant, and attractive to businesses nationally and internationally.

Year 1 Modules

Starting with introductory business and IT modules, the first half of Year 1 is designed to ensure all students are equally skilled to successfully complete the course.

Core

• IS1108 Information Systems in Global Organisations (5 credits)
• IS1109 Business Systems Analysis and Design (5 credits)
• AC1113 Principles of Accounting (5 credits)
• EC1212 Economics of Business 1 (5 credits)
• IS1110 Foundations of Programming for Information Systems 1 (5 credits)
• IS1111 Foundations of Programming for Information Systems 2 (5 credits)
• ST1023 Introduction to Business Statistics (5 credits)
• IS1112 Principles of Information Technology (5 credits)
• IS1113 Web Development (5 credits)
• IS1115 Personal Development and Ethics for IS Professionals 1 (5 credits)
• AC1114 Introduction to Management Accounting (5 credits)

Electives

• MG1004 Introduction to Management and Organisation (5 credits)
• MG1003 Introduction to Marketing (5 credits)

Year 2 Modules

Modules follow on from Year 1 (with choices available) but are taught at an advanced level, with the purpose of preparing you for work experience in Year 3.

Core

Advanced Systems Analysis and Design 1, Intermediate Management Accounting 1, Advanced Systems Analysis and Design 2, Database Design and Development 1, Business Microeconomics 1, Database Design and Development 2, Intermediate Programming for Information Systems 1, Design Thinking and Visual Prototyping, Intermediate Programming for Information Systems 2, Personal Development and Ethics for IS Professionals 2

Electives

Investment Appraisal; Introduction to Food Supply Chain Management; People and Organisation; Enterprise Planning and Processes; Market Research; Consumer Behaviour and Sustainable Consumption; Business Ethics and Governance

Year 3 Modules

This is the shortest in academic terms. Examinations take place in February, after which you will spend six months on a paid business internship.

Networking and Cloud Computing for Global Organisations; Advanced Programming for Information Systems; DevOps Processes and Tools; Organisational Data Analysis and Visualisation; Personal Development and Ethics for IS Professionals 3; Database Management and Applications; Economics of Information

Year 4 Modules

Core

Personal Development and Ethics for IS Professionals 4; Research Project in Information Systems; Information Systems Strategy for Global Organisations; Information Systems Management; Innovation and Information Technology Industry Trends

Electives

Management Accounting: Planning and Control; Management Accounting: Performance and Decision Making; Innovation and Technology; Economics of Strategic Behaviour; Information Systems Security Management; Information Systems Controls and Security Policy; Data and Digital Strategy 1; Global Payment Systems; Global Markets; Advanced Web Application Development; Data and Digital Strategy 2; Information Systems Project Management;  Information Systems Process Improvement;  User Experience Design 1; User Experience Design 2;  Mobile Application Development; IT Solution Selling and Digital Business; Enterprise Sales Solutions for Global Business; The Management of Organisational Change; Leadership and Organisational Dynamics

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year-to-year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.

Course Practicalities

Expected lecture hours: You will typically attend about 12-14 hours of lectures per week. Tutorials are assigned to business modules.

Expected lab/practical hours: Once you join BIS you will be assigned to practical/laboratory hours, where you spend time in the BIS labs working with hardware and software.

Why Choose This Course

BIS Placement Programme

BIS has a dedicated internal placement team to help you undertake a six-month paid business internship as part of the placement programme. The placement team provides you with excellent tailored support throughout the entire placement process including:

• long-term links with business and industry
• CV preparation
• identifying your core placement goals
• working on your decision-making skills
• creating your elevator pitch
• developing your interview technique and securing your placement
• visa and emigration documentation support for international placements

Placement or Study Abroad Information

BIS students undertake paid placement with major multinationals and innovative start-ups in New York, Boston, London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Cork, and elsewhere, in the financial services, technology, business consulting, medical, and other industry sectors.

Skills and Careers Information

The BIS curriculum provides you with a diverse and practical set of collaboration, communication, problem-solving, system development and management skills, and a broad understanding of business problem domains and emerging technologies which prepares you well for the working world in a broad range of industries. 

The types of jobs our graduates get include:

• Business/Systems Analyst
• Software Developer
• Trainee Accountant
• User Experience (UX) Analyst
• Project Manager
• Web Developer
• Security Consultant
• Business Entrepreneur
• Business/IT/Management Consultant.

The types of companies our students work for include:

• Consultancy
• Financial services
• Technology
• Pharmaceutical
• Medical Devices
• Manufacturing

Requirements

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements

At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.

Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:

English	Irish	Maths	Other Language
O6/H7	O6/H7	O6/H7	O6/H7

EU/EFTA/UK Qualifications

EU/EFTA/UK applicants presenting an equivalent school-leaving qualification should review the EU/EFTA/UK Applicants page for information on equivalent grades and how to prove their level of English.

Mature Students

To compete through the mature entry route, applicants must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the application year and apply online via the CAO by 1 February. The application should include a statement of interest. Irish Leaving Certificate Maths (or equivalent) is required. Applicants may also be called for interview.

Further information on applying as a mature student is available on the Mature Applicants and Mature Student Entry support pages. 

QQI FET Entry

Applicants who meet the required level of distinctions in required subjects can apply for entry to this course using specific QQI FET qualifications. Please review the Programme Requirements on our Information for QQI FET Applicants page for information on related QQI courses, and visit Access UCC’s QQI/FET Entry section for further support. 

Fees and Costs

How To Apply