Bachelor of Business (BBus)
063634M (QLD), 058264G (NSW), 057002E (VIC)

Key Facts

Course Information

The Holmes Institute Bachelor of Business Degree is designed to provide students with the relevant knowledge in the major disciplines of business and the technical, communication and career management skills needed to succeed in a wide range of employment fields. The course is structured to provide a Bachelor-level degree qualification upon the completion of 24 units. Student can choose to focus their studies on one or two specialisations:

• Management
• Marketing
• Accounting
• Information Systems
• Digital Business
• Aviation

Qualification

On successful completion of this course, students are awarded the Bachelor of Business. The course meets the Australian Qualifications Framework specifications for a Level 7 bachelor degree.

Advanced Standing

Opportunities for Further Study

After successful completion of 24 units, graduates of this course are eligible to receive the Bachelor of Business which is recognised for entry to relevant Masters Degrees or other post-graduate qualifications in Australian institutions.

Career Opportunities

The Bachelor of Business is ideal for students looking to establish themselves in a lifelong and diverse career. With the opportunity to specialise in a Major of Management, Marketing or International Business, the Holmes Institute Bachelor of Business can open doors to a broad range of jobs across diverse industry sectors such as:

• Account manager
• Brand manager
• Business analyst
• Consultant
• Customer experience expert
• Digital marketing manager
• HR executive
• Researcher
• Sustainability analyst
• Social media manager
• Supply chain manager
• Aviation management

Course Learning Outcomes

The Bachelor of Business course is designed to provide students with a wide breadth of knowledge of different aspects of management and business. The course meets the Australian Qualifications Framework specifications for a Level 7 Bachelor degree.

Accordingly, the graduates of the Bachelor of Business will be able to:

1. Work successfully in both independent and group settings to evaluate, analyse and apply business theory and practice for real world business scenarios.
2. Effectively communicate independent insights and ideas, using verbal, written and visual modes, to a diverse range of stakeholders.
3. Contextualise and apply business knowledge in different environments reflecting various cultural, societal sustainable, ethical, economic and global perspectives.
4. Utilise a range of digitally based technologies to support decision making and to create solutions for business issues

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Business is a three-year course, delivered over six trimesters on a full-time basis. To meet the requirements for graduation, all students must successfully complete 24 units.

The Bachelor of Business comprises 12 core units, 2 specialisations (4 units per specialisation) and 4 electives. The eligible electives can be selected from all of Holmes bachelor degrees. The specialisations enable to focus on a particular area of business. Students can exit the Bachelor of Business after successfully completing the first-year units and be awarded the Diploma of Business Management qualification. The Bachelor of Business course structure is displayed below.

 (pre-requisites)

Specialisations

The following specialisations are available to students; these specialisations have been formulated from the bundling and sequencing of existing units at Holmes.

(pre-requisites)

Unit Details

Core

HC1001 – Business Fundamentals
Business Fundamentals provides students with an understanding of the nature, management, and organisation of business in the Digital Age.  Learners will learn about the business structures, business functional areas and the associated core business processes of the modern business environment. The learners will consider the business, societal and environmental factors that impacts on how business is conducted in the Digital Age.

HC1041 – Information Technology for Business
Information Technology for Business provides students with a real-world understanding of information systems (IS) and a firm foundation in business-related information technology (IT) on which they can build successful careers. Students will know enough about IT to work productively with IT specialists, and they will know enough about business applications to get information systems to support their work in the best way possible. “Real world” examples of business scenarios are discussed weekly to provide a narrative similar to the challenges and opportunities a business professional or entrepreneur would encounter in a company.

HC1021 - Interpersonal and Electronic Communication
Interpersonal and Electronic Communication provides students with a real-life experience of modern business environment dynamics and its implications for communication. The unit also allows students to reflect upon the implications and consequences of increased technology usage for communication within organisations. Students will develop sound skills for various communication forms such as report writing, oral presentation, interviews and e-mail communication.

HC1041 - Information Technology for Business
Information Technology for Business aims to provide end users of information technology with a working knowledge of computer hardware and software applications in the various areas of business such as marketing, operations, manufacturing, human resources, etc. The role of information technology in global business is explored as well as networked businesses of small and medium sized enterprise.

HC1031 - Managing People and Organisations
Managing People and Organisations examines the dynamics at play in organisations with varying cultural environments. The unit also explores the changing role and functions of the manager in different organisations. This unit presents the opportunity to critically assess current management practices and also to explore global trends in management issues.

HC1062 - Decision Making and Problem Solving
This unit covers the main concept and theories of doing business-related research and produce a foundation for a decision maker from which to make respective decisions to avert a problem or embrace an opportunity.

HC1072 - Economics and International Trade
Economics and International Trade emphasises contemporary developments and applications of macroeconomic concepts, and foundations of business cycles and international trade. The student is also introduced to key microeconomic issues related to supply and demand. The focus of the unit, however, is the development of macroeconomic models that are applied to issues such as inflation, and the balance of payments to demonstrate relationships between macroeconomic policy and international trade.

HC1082 - Marketing
Marketing aims to challenge conventional marketing principles and practices. Students will be exposed to founding marketing concepts, theories and principles, and will critically assess their relevance in today's marketplace. Students will apply this knowledge to conceptualise new marketing ideas, develop marketing plans, and explore entrepreneurial strategies for competitive advantage.

HC1010 - Accounting for Business
Accounting for Business provides the students with the ability to analyse business accounting, booking and information requirements and produce comprehensive accounting system, be able to Interpret and comply with and statutory requirements, organisational policies and procedures related to business accounting practices and demonstrate ethical and legal accounting practices and appreciate the difficulties and assumptions involved in the preparation of financial statements.

HC2001 Law in the Workplace
Law in the Workplace equips students to understand the broad range of laws relating to the Australian workplace from an individual and organisational perspective. Students will gain a specific understanding the impacts on business and individuals of the laws related to Contracts, Torts, Consumer Protection, Intellectual property, Business entities, Business ownership and Employment.

HC2002 Human Resource Management
Human Resource Management provides students an appreciation of the central importance of human resource management (HRM) strategies within organisations, which are required to ensure that employees and their roles support the organisation’s strategy. The core process associated with the HRM lifecycle from recruitment to retirement of employees will be covered.  This module critically explores the management of individuals and groups in a contemporary business.

HC2121 - Comparative Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
Comparative Business Ethics and Social responsibility develops students' awareness of how national and organisational culture shapes thinking about ethics, morals and social responsibility. Scenario building exercises are used to analyse and apply this thinking to social, political and economic contexts, and students will investigate global best practices for corporate social responsibility.

HC3131 - Integrated Business Management Project
Integrated Business Management project is a capstone unit that aims to provide students with the opportunity to synthesise knowledge acquired throughout the degree in the design, development and implementation of a business management project. This is a negotiated project with specific objectives and guidelines, and may be completed individually or in small groups, with permission from the Academic Coordinator.

Specialisations

Information Systems Specialisation

HS2011 Systems Analysis and Design
Systems Analysis and Design introduces students to systems analysis and design and the systems development lifecycle (SDLC). It also incorporates practical knowledge and skills relating to system requirements, design, implementation, testing and maintenance phases of the systems development life cycle, as well as the development of a prototype to test understanding of SDLC processes.

HS2021 Database Design and Use
Database Design and Use provides students with the knowledge and skills to how to deal with the data available to organisations from both internal and external sources, how data is stored and retrieved in ways which are useful and effective. Students are introduced to techniques of data modelling and database design as a means of analysing, understanding and recording data. Some of the key commercial database management tools are discussed along with tools for quick and easy data retrieval and visualisation.

HS2061 Information Systems Project Management
Information Systems Project Management provides students with project management concepts and principles, and the way in which information systems project management differ from other types of projects in organisational environments. Aspects of project planning, resourcing, monitoring and evaluation are presented and analysed from a strategic business perspective. This unit includes case studies from business systems development projects, and contains a practical application component.

HS3021 Strategic Information Systems Management
Strategic Information Systems Management allows students to discover opportunities to use information systems and to participate in the design and implementation of solutions to business problems employing information systems. It also provides students with the most current and up-to date account of the changes taking place in the world of strategy and management.

Accounting Specialisation

HA1022 Principles of Financial Management
This unit aims to provide students with a good understanding of the structure and operations of the Australian Financial System.  Armed with the right information, students can navigate the financial environment and make informed decisions.  The financial markets are the lifeblood of the economy.  This unit has many interesting and practical applications.

HA1020 Accounting Principles and Practices
The principal aim of this unit is to give students a firm grasp of essential accounting concepts and techniques that they will need to succeed in business environment. This introductory course will also provide the background students need to study other areas of business or to take more advanced units in accounting.

HA1011 Applied Quantitative Methods
This unit introduces students to statistics, the methodologies used and the purpose of statistics in a business environment. Students who complete this unit will be equipped with an appreciation of the role of the statistical analysis at all stages of the decision-making and problem-solving process. Statistical concepts and techniques are introduced in the context of real business problems.

HA2011 Management Accounting
In this unit, students will be introduced to a range of information gathering techniques and considering how cost data can be used for planning and controlling the operations of a business enterprise. The focus of the unit is on the information needs of internal, rather than external, decision-makers. The unit serves as an introductory management accounting unit for those going on to specialise in professional accounting. It aims to provide an understanding of the main management accounting concepts and techniques, including the processing of business transactions through a cost accounting system, and the practical use of accounting and financial information for decision making and the achievement of business goals.

Marketing Specialisation

HC2112 - Services Marketing and Relationship Marketing
Services marketing and relationship marketing identifies the complexities involved in the marketing and management of intangible services. In addition, the unit explores the importance of building strong customer relationships and its impact on business growth. Students will assess the current service orientation of various organisations and will possess the necessary knowledge to develop and implement relevant relationship marketing strategies.

HK2011 - Buyer Behaviour
The study of how and why consumers enter into purchase transactions provides essential information to marketers. In this course, we will explore consumer decision making and undertake an in-depth review of the internal and external factors that influence individual and group purchase decisions. The material will be studied from both a marketing management and applied social sciences perspective with the aim of assisting you in using your knowledge of consumer behaviour to make better marketing decisions.

HC2022 - Marketing Research
This unit relates strongly to practice, drawing on actual examples. It introduces the nature, importance, methods and tools of marketing research and data analysis, discussing the importance and utility of research in the context of developing applied plans and decision-making about marketing.

HK3052 - Marketing Communications
Marketing Communications explains the concept and importance of integrated marketing communications (IMC), how to develop an IMC strategy, operational plan, and budget. Most importantly, students will know how to use different marketing tools effectively and appropriately when communicating to different target markets.

Management Specialisation

HC3000 – Managing Entrepreneurship and Innovation
International Strategic Management explores the opportunities for gaining competitive advantage in global markets in light of changing management trends. Using business simulation and case studies, factors such as the interrelationship of leadership, corporate culture, company history and macro-environmental issues are analysed for influence on strategy formation and strategic behaviour of managers.

HC3031 - Trends in a Global Business Environment
This unit examines the processes that shape and reshape the social, economic, political, and technological environments of global business. Due to the interdependent nature of such influences, individuals and communities are linked. This unit seeks to identify and discuss current and emerging trends and developments in global business. Using case study approaches and seminar style lectures, global business practices, especially those operating across borders, are examined and critically analysed. The implications of new and emerging trends in global business practices for communities around the globe are discussed.

HM3031 Leadership Development
Leadership Development provides students with the opportunity to learn about leaders and how to build necessary leadership skills. There is a need to look at research findings on leadership to explore what leadership is about, how good leaders lead and how to develop leadership skills. There are many contemporary leadership styles and methods that will be considered throughout, along with a thorough analysis of the fundamental concepts around leadership, such as ethical behaviour, power and politics, teamwork, communication and strategy and knowledge management.

HC1052 - Organisational Behaviour
Organisational behaviour provides students with a platform for understanding the dynamics of individual and group interaction with an organisational setting. The unit is particularly relevant in the context of current debates about human capital in a knowledge-based society. Students will have the ability to assess the impact of the behaviour of individual people on other members of an organisation, within a change management framework.

Digital Business Specialisation

HS3001 – Digital Business
Digital Business provides students with the concepts and models used in conducting business digitally. It will enable students to theoretically understand the differences between digital and physical organisations and the methods of developing and delivering value to customers.  They will utilise concepts and models to develop skills in identifying digital business opportunities and risks for established organisations.  

The unit will provide the critical link between the firm's performance and modern digital technologies, such as e-Commerce platforms, Social Media and Social Networking. Emphasis will be put on the utilisation of digital technologies to enable new forms of digital business, rather than on the technologies themselves.

HS2041 – Enterprise Systems
Enterprise Systems provides students with an introduction to Enterprise Systems and their business use. It incorporates practical knowledge and skills relating to management, integration, implementation strategy, vendor selection and operational support of Enterprise Systems. It will also deal with Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Supply Chain Management (SCM), project management and change management within ERP. Learner will learn how all of these ERP system’s sub-components fit together to achieve organisation goal. Learners will learn from a cloud based ERP system that will let them realise the tie between theory and industry practice.

HK3031 – Supply and Distribution Chain Management
Supply and Distribution Chain Management introduces the key concepts of supply chain management and logistics design. Supply chain management deals with the management of materials, information and financial flows in a network consisting of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and customers. The coordination and integration of these flows within and across companies are critical in effective supply chain management. The module addresses questions about the logistics design in supply chain; the sourcing of materials; the relationships with suppliers and customers; the use of information from end consumers; the coordination of information flows and the ways in which incentive systems can be arranged so that the overall performance of the chain is improved.

HS3002 – Cyber Security
This unit provides students with knowledge of the current state of information security, including relevant legislation and standards. It will cover computer and network security, business security, security architecture and design in addition to access control and cryptography.  Students will gain knowledge and skills in how to analyse and maintain a secure environment and avoid security attacks through a strong focus on real-world applications and learning tools including hands-on exercises, and case projects.

Aviation Specialisation

HV3001 – Aviation Management
This unit allows students to apply managerial and operational concepts to the aviation industry by way of analysis of airline business models and processes. Students will gain an insight into the planning and operational requirements of airlines in an international setting, including fleet selection as well as scheduling principles. Students will also examine the critical role of air traffic control services as well as airport operations.

HV3002 – Human Factors in Aviation
This unit introduces students to the Human Factors in the aviation environment and how human performance can be affected within complex systems such as aircraft flight. The Unit will introduce the various important human factors & concepts as well as identifying methods and solutions to ensure safe aviation operations, including crucial areas of communication and crew resource management. By using case studies to supplement these concepts, this will allow students to effectively apply these solutions to real world scenarios.

HV3003 – International Aviation Systems
The unit will introduce students to the framework that supports international aviation operations, to enable them to have a broad knowledge on the aviation regulatory environment. This includes developing a comprehensive understanding of the various international agencies, their origin, current functions and interrelationships with various regulatory bodies. Students will analyse the effect of deregulation in certain markets as well as the impact of large-scale alliances across international borders. This will enable the students to learn the effect skills required by mangers operating in international aviation systems.

HV3004 – Contemporary Issues in Aviation
This unit allows students greater insight into the highly completive & dynamic environment of international aviation. It will equip the students with skills that enable them to apply modern management concepts in relation to contemporary airline business models. This unit focuses on current issues in the global environment affecting the aviation industry as well as identifying future challenges that may lay ahead. Highlighting and assessing the immediate responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the ongoing challenges in a Post-COVID world.