Bachelor of Commerce (Global Experience)

Course Overview

The Bachelor of Commerce (Global Experience degree is a four-year comprehensive business course, where students complete modules from all different areas of business in the first two years of the degree. In year three students undertake a work placement, study abroad or a combination of the work placement and study abroad. In final year students specialise in one stream of 10 streams. The aim of the programme is to give students the necessary knowledge, skills, networks and experience to succeed in the business world, but also in their workplace, work-life and communities.

Global Experience Year Options

• 1. 6 Month Work Placement in Ireland & 1 Semester Studying Abroad

• 2. Year-long Study Abroad

• Limited opportunities are also available for a year-long international work placement

Areas of Specialism

Accounting & Performance Measurement: Students study accounting and accounting-related modules, positioning them for a career in accountancy and related areas. Depending on the modules chosen, exemptions are available to successful students in the professional accountancy bodies’ exams. In addition, students may apply for entry, on a competitive basis, to the Master of Accounting (MAcc programme at University of Galway or equivalent postgraduate accounting programmes in other universities.

Find out more about our Accounting Exemptions here.

Economics & Public Policy: Students can apply their economic theory to modules as diverse as the economics of globalisation, the economics of money and finance, and health and environmental economics. Economics specialist students are well placed to undertake either postgraduate research at home or abroad, or to embark on a variety of careers in business and economic policy analysis.

Management of Human Resources: This specialisation focuses on the management of the human factor in organisations, exploring the nature of the employment relationship and the rights and obligations of the parties involved. It also focuses on the theoretical bases for the best utilisation of human resources (HR. It is targeted at students with a particular interest in the human aspect of organisations and those intending to develop a career in the HR management area.

Marketing Management: This specialisation provides an excellent foundation in a range of key and popular marketing topics, such as media and marketing communications, brand management, marketing analytics and research, digital marketing planning, and global marketing. The discipline’s research programme enhances each subject’s content, ensuring it is taught to world-class standards.

Digital Business & Analytics: This specialisation focuses on the implementation, use and management of information systems within business. It contains practice-based modules that teach students how to create IS using database technology, web design technology and computer programming languages. It also provides modules that enable students to investigate how to manage IS within business. Students will be well positioned to secure jobs as management consultants specialising in IS or to work within the IS department of a business.

Finance: This specialisation focuses on a diverse range of important contemporary topics in national and international finance, including international monetary systems, banking, exchange rates, financing and investment decisions, taxation, financial reporting, investments and issues of financial management inherent in managing multinational corporations and institutions. Students will be readily employable in private sector financial services firms as well as both Irish and international public sector financial institutions.

Business Law: This specialisation focuses on the legal aspects of business. Students taking this stream will study core aspects of the law as it relates to commercial activity, such as Company Law. It is also possible to go into depth on topics that are central to many businesses, such as intellectual property, information technology law, and international trade law. Students who complete the stream can progress to the LLB degree and can then go on to qualify as solicitors or barristers. Training in law and business also opens up many other careers, such as journalism, public service, and senior management.

International Business: This specialisation focuses on managing people, diversity in culture and how to effectively lead and manage in a global marketplace. The specialisation focuses on developing knowledge and expertise in international business and cross-cultural management and provides students with the knowledge and skills required for a career in international management and multinational corporations as well as other organisations. Using a multidisciplinary approach, students develop their cultural awareness skills and understand how to operate effectively in a dynamic global business environment.

Enterprise: This specialisation focuses on giving enterprising students the structural and academic supports necessary to succeed in an entrepreneurial career. Students will receive the knowledge and supports necessary to succeed and innovate as entrepreneurs in an evolving global economy.

Management: This specialisation focuses on managing people, operations and organizations in a diverse and international context. The specialisation focuses on developing knowledge and expertise for general management. It is targeted at students that seek a managerial role in any functional area, management consultancy, or would like to keep their options open to work in an array of industries and sectors. In a generalist career pathway, breadth of perspective as well as good cross-functional judgement are important, as this agility transcends specialist knowledge / skills only, particularly in an era of perma-ambiguity.

The programme provides students with a mix of large lectures and smaller group tutorials where they can ask further questions and get help with coursework. Our lecturers’ links with industry ensure that the programme is up-to date, relevant and useful to today’s graduates and employers. Specially tailored modules such as Skills for Business which is now taken by second year students. This one–semester module is designed to improve student employability and preparation for the workplace by developing a set of practical skills that form the basis for effective working life. The programme allows students to work individually and in groups on different projects which are relevant to the ever-changing and dynamic business environment, thus developing their business and interpersonal skills.

Deloitte Partnership

University of Galway is pleased to be partnering with Deloitte on the BComm (Global Experience course.

Click here for more information on Deloitte Global Travel Bursary and awards.

Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, another language, Mathematics, and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

Academic entry requirements standardised per country here.

English language requirements here.

Graduates are highly successful and sought after in all areas of business, including Accounting, Management consultancy, Taxation, Public service, Commercial advisory services, Economic policy advice, Marketing, Human resource management, Information systems management, Finance, Personnel management, Teaching and/or research. The work placement and international study experience increases the career opportunities, both at home and abroad.

Graduates can also go on to select from a range of postgraduate programmes in their chosen discipline at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics.

Deloitte Partnership

University of Galway is pleased to be partnering with Deloitte on the BComm (Global Experience) course which will create opportunities for students to benefit from the company’s professional expertise, leadership and future career opportunities.

The partnership builds on the longstanding ties between Deloitte and J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics at the University, which dates back to the establishment of the BComm (Global Experience) degree. It also cements Deloitte’s commitment to supporting education and academic excellence.

Commenting on the partnership, Harry Goddard, CEO, Deloitte Ireland, said: "Investing in tomorrow’s leaders is critical for us at Deloitte. This partnership will develop the talent required to address the complex challenges faced by industries and institutions across the world. It will help to empower and prepare our future leaders for the future world of work.”

Click here for more information on Deloitte awards and scholarships.

Innovation: Creativity and Enterprise – ICE A partnership with business to drive innovation with students

Final year students in the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics are provided with the opportunity to put the business knowledge they have gained through their studies into practice through a module in Innovation: Creativity and Enterprise (ICE). Developed in conjunction with entrepreneur Pádraig O’Céidigh, the module involves partnering with local business leaders to provide opportunities for all students to engage in projects, requiring them to innovate in a variety of interesting areas in a business or community setting. More than 30 local business and community leaders get involved each year, mentoring students in group-based projects, requiring them to innovate in a variety of interesting areas.

Work Placement

Students taking the BComm (Global Experience) (GY209) have the opportunity undertake a semester work placement in year 3 of the programme.

Work Placement partners include: • DHKN • Corrib Oil • Grant Thornton • KPMG • Accenture • Abbott • Wayfair • ESB Group • Medtronic • Shelbourne Hotel • Boston Scientific • Alkermes • PwC • Aviva • Aerogen • Zurich • Creganna.