My experience in St. Mary’s was second to none, I was fortunate enough to get involved with a lot of the sports teams during my year as VP where I developed my knowledge of managing and coaching the teams as well as meeting new people and making lifelong friends. As a Liberal Arts student I was lucky enough to get out on work experience in both a school and business environment which will stand by me in later life. Everyone in the college, students and staff, are willing to help you succeed and it creates a positive atmosphere in the college and pushes you to do your very best in all aspects of college life.
Business Studies
The Business Studies department comprises an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the contents of the modules, both senior academics and professional practitioners with a wide variety of teaching experience. The course entails theoretical study through lectures, seminars and tutorials, together with a substantial programme of field courses and visits to industrial organisations, supplemented by guest speakers at lecturers and seminars. Study visits and field trips are integrated into several of the subject modules. The purpose of these is to help students understand the real-life context of their studies and to exercise critical thinking and interpretation.
Students take the equivalent of six modules per year. Modules in Human Development Studies and International Studies are core modules taken by all Liberal Arts students. Students also take modules in their chosen subject area.
Year 1
The Year 1 core modules introduce the student to the key areas of Human Development Studies and International Studies. They make use of a range of disciplinary approaches to address foundational questions:
| • | What are we and how have we come to this human condition we experience today? | |
| • | How can we think about human living and working in contemporary society and employment? | |
| • | What are the various concepts that shape our understanding of our place in the world? | |
| • | How are we to live in the many contexts which ‘Europe’ represents? |
Students are offered the opportunity to enhance key skills in communication and study for both academic and professional life, and to explore the various environments for future employment.
Year 2
The Year 2 modules continue to explore Human Development by focusing on issues of Global Justice, with the aim of enhancing the students’ civic awareness and commitment to ethical practice. In International Studies, students make use of a range of disciplines to explore the rich cultural heritage and current diversity which characterises the European experiences. They also become more knowledgeable and proficient in the political and economic development of contemporary Europe.
Students are offered further opportunity to expand their key skills for both academic and professional life. They undertake a short work placement of six weeks in the second semester. The aim of such a placement is twofold: to enable the student to develop in practice the skills, attributes and values for professional life, and to develop the self-reflective skills that mark the ‘reflective practitioner’ who is able to self-evaluate and critically review the work context.
Year 3
All students take a core module of 40 credits (Liberal Arts: Work related learning) that continues their exploration of key themes of Human Development Studies, and includes a final year work placement of six weeks in the second semester. The module explores topical issues from both an ethical and a professional dimension in lectures while the placement allows students opportunity to engage with such issues in the workplace setting. During the six-week placement, the student continues to extend skills development as in the second year.
Students are able to choose modules amounting to 40 credits from a range of offerings in Human Development Studies, International Studies and their subject area. They also continue advanced studies in their subject area with modules worth a further 40 credits
Topics covered in Business Studies include:
| • | Introduction to the macro and micro economic context for business | |
| • | The theoretical framework for financial reporting, the double entry system and essential accounting statements | |
| • | Fundamental marketing principles | |
| • | Introduction to Business Communications |
Topics covered in Business Studies include:
| • | Principles of Management, Human Resource Management, Legal and Regulatory Framework. | |
| • | The Marketing Planning Process including aspects of ‘profit’ and ‘not for profit’ organisations. | |
| • | An introduction to statistical research techniques. | |
| • | Accounting Theoretical Framework | |
| • | Special Accounting Procedures |
Topics covered in Business Studies include:
| • | Strategic corporate planning | |
| • | Strategic financial management | |
| • | Strategic aspects of Human Resource Management | |
| • | International Marketing | |
| • | The UK system of Industrial Relations | |
| • | Management Information Systems |
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