One of the popular courses in Nepal, Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) has the most recorded number of students from the Management faculty. This article intends to offer the most authentic facts on BBS offered by the Faculty of Management (FOM), Tribhuvan University (TU). Here, we shall discuss the course with respect to cost (fee structure), scope (career, job replacement), course period, pass percentage, drop rate and the syllabus.
What is a Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS)?
BBS is a 4-years bachelor’s course offered by FOM, TU. This management program aims to prepare students to become competent managers and work for an organization or anywhere that requires organized activity. The course intends for students to become capable of working in a dynamic environment and adjust themselves to the constantly changing environment (both internal and external). Students can explore the operation and management of organizations through the syllabus designed by TU.
Management is not an easy task and is mandatorily required for any kind of organized activity. The definition of management “Management is a universal process applied in all organized levels” clarifies the importance of the subject. The subject allows students to prepare themselves as a manager in business, industry, and other governmental organizations. Business Studies assure students are familiar with entrepreneurship or work at various organizations whether it be a financial institution or private trading or manufacturing company.
The need of our country Nepal is also the birth of businesspeople and entrepreneurs who could contribute to the economy and also generate job opportunities for a large number of people. BBS graduates can explore a variety of career opportunities in different sectors of business. However, we suggest students grab additional knowledge and skills to become more competent than other graduates.
Main Objectives
The main objectives of the BBS program are:
- Allow students to explore the essential conceptual knowledge of business and administration through which they can expand a general management perspective in them.
- Build essential abilities, attitudes and other qualities through which the learners develop their growth into competent and responsible business managers.
- Promote entrepreneurial capabilities that can help the country build innovative entrepreneurs through which both economy and employment opportunities can improve.
- The course also allows the students to have the foundation for higher studies like in the programs like MBS, and MBA and also initiate a career in teaching, research and so on.
The prime objective of the BBS program of Tribhuvan University at the Faculty of Management is to develop students into competent managers for any sector of organized activity. In Nepal, more than 680 colleges offer BBS programs.
Upon graduation, students should be equipped to function as a manager in business, industry and government. The graduate should also have a variety of career opportunities in different sectors of business including entrepreneurship and create much-needed jobs for others.
BBS Scope in Nepal
Regarding career prospects, BBS graduates can find the best at various management levels. Mainly, they can work as:
- Financial Clerks
- Financial Managers
- Teller
- HR Managers
- Financial Analysts
- Front Desk Officer
- Administrative Managers
- Office Secretaries
- Accountants
The course mentioned in the syllabus is not sufficient to work you professionally for higher-level positions and therefore one needs to train and secure skills so that they become more deserving to high-ranking jobs. Graduates can apply jobs for in Government offices, Financial; institutions (Commercial Banks, Development Banks, Finance Companies, Microfinance Companies, Cooperatives) and other various managerial levels. It is recommended to have some soft IT skills instead of relying completely on the course structure offered by Tribhuvan University.
Are there Computer-based courses?
The main limitation of the BBS course is it lacks computer-based chapters. Students are taught to have conceptual skills but to implement them in the real working environment, most of the students lack the IT skills essential for it. It would be better if the course could consist of some useful accounting and IT-based chapters that a student needs to know for being competent in the business world.
BBS Syllabus and Subject Lists
The course is a 4-years program and here we have classified subjects and syllabuses in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th-year categories.
BBS 1st year Subject List
There are 5 compulsory subjects in BBS 1st year program which include:
- Business English (MGT 201)
- Business Statistics (MGT 202)
- Microeconomics for Business (MGT 207)
- Financial Accounting and Analysis (MGT 211)
- Principles of Management (MGT 213)
The First-year course helps the learners create a strong and supportive base to prepare themselves for the business concepts, theories, and practices. Through English, the student can improve their communication skills and Grammar. Microeconomics help students explore various microeconomic theories and principle. Business Statistics helps in the analysis of researched data and interpreting the analysis. This subject plays a crucial role in research activities. Financial Accounting and Analysis helps develop the conceptual and practical knowledge regarding Financial Accounting including preparation of journal entries, ledger accounts, inventory management, preparation of financial statements (income statement/ profit and loss account, balance sheet) and so on. Principles of Management also named as PM allows the study of various theories and principles that a manager requires while implementing in the practical working life.
BBS 2nd year Subject List
There are 5 compulsory subjects in BBS 2nd year program which include:
- Business Communication (MGT 205)
- Macroeconomics for Business (MGT 209)
- Cost and Management Accounting (MGT 212)
- Organizational Behavior & Human Resource Management (MGT 223)
- Fundamentals of Financial Management (MGT 215)
Business Communication helps to learn the types and structure of communication processes in organizations. Macroeconomics allows learning of macroeconomic behavior and its impact on a business environment. On the other hand, Cost and Management Accounting helps determine the costing process of an organization where students prepare the topics like budgeting for planning, service costing, contract costing, process costing, Activity Based Costing (ABC) system, cost segregation, cost reduction and so on. Organizational Behavior & Human Resource Management also named OB & HRM is a theory subject where the behavior, attitude, and perception of an organization as well as the system of human resource (HR) management is studied. Similarly, Fundamentals of Financial Management gives the basic knowledge of what financial managers must have and prepare the student for making an appropriate investment decision, working capital decision, dividend decision, determining the cost of capital, analyzing risk and return among investment opportunities, considering the time value of money, stock, and bond valuation (financial assets valuation), capital structure and leverages and many more.
BBS 3rd year Subject List
Like 1st and 2nd-year course structure, there are 5 core and compulsory subjects in BBS 3rd year program as well. The list of the subjects is:
- Business Law (MGT 204)
- Foundation of Financial Systems (MGT 226)
- Business Environment and Strategy (MGT 217)
- Taxation in Nepal (MGT 224)
- Fundamentals of Marketing (MGT 214)
Breach of law has no excuse and therefore one needs to have the knowledge of practiced rules and regulations. Business must be performed according to the law and must be governed by the state. Therefore, Business Studies students must be well-known to law and order and work accordingly. For this, the subject Business Law is prescribed in the syllabus where one needs to learn Contract, Agreement, Policies, Acts and Regulations. Foundation of Financial Systems offers the operational aspects of the Nepalese financial system where one can understand practical insight into financial instruments and discover the implication of interest rates and taxes in the supply and demand of funds. Other fields like depository and non-depository financial institutions, regulatory authorities, primary and secondary market (NEPSE Index, IPO, FPO, Right Shares), foreign reserves, exchange rate system, the balance of payment, etc. must also be studied here.
In the BBS 3rd year Subject list, there is a very crucial subject named Taxation in Nepal which has great importance in practical life. Business students must have sound taxation knowledge and determine how the auditing task is performed and how the tax is determined. Likewise, Fundamentals of Marketing gives the various approaches to marketing in this modern era and how the products and services can be promoted by satisfying the needs of all the stakeholders.
BBS 4th year Subject List
Here, the students need to focus on a concentration area of business studies. There are 4 streams of concentration courses including Accounting, Finance, Marketing and Management. Further, one needs to engage in research and final project presentation.
The last year of the BBS course, the 4th year comprises of following subjects:
- Entrepreneurship (MGT 225)
- Business Research Methods (MGT 221)
- Final Project (MGT 401)
- Concentration I
- Concentration II
- Concentration III
Concentration Area
(Students can choose three courses from any one of the following functional areas:
Accounting
- Accounting for Banking (ACC 250)
- Accounting for Business (ACC 251)
- Advanced Financial Accounting (ACC 252)
- Auditing (ACC 255)
- Advance Cost and Management Accounting (ACC 256)
Finance
- Fundamentals of Corporate Finance (FIN 250)
- Commercial Bank Management (FIN 251)
- Management of Financial Institutions (FIN 255)
- Fundamentals of Investment (FIN 253)
- Insurance and Risk Management (FIN 254)
Marketing
- Fundamentals of Selling (MKT 250)
- Customer Relationship Management (MKT 251)
- Foreign Trade and Export Management in Nepal (MKT 252)
- Fundamentals of Advertising (MKT 253)
- Fundamentals of Services Marketing (MKT 254)
Management
- International Business (MGT 251)
- Small and Medium Enterprises (MGT 256)
- Event Management (MGT 257)
- Project Management (MGT 258)
- Technology & Information Management (MGT 259)
Admission Eligibility: How much Grade one should have to apply for BBS?
To get admission to the Bachelor of Business Studies program:
- Candidate must have ended the 10+2 in business/ commerce or an equivalent course from TU or from a recognized board by TU.
- Candidate must have passed with second division (securing 45% and above) or 1.8 CGPA with D+ (D plus) grade on every subject.
- The candidate must satisfy any other entry requirements prescribed by the Faculty Board or the campus
BBS Course Fees Structure in Nepal
The fee structure of BBS courses varied according to the campuses. In private colleges, the fees seem to be very high compared to public and community campuses. The fee usually starts from Rs 14,000 per year which can reach up to Rs 50,000 per year depending upon the college you choose. The registration and exam fee is very nominal and since no dedicated heavy resources are required, BBS fees are assumed to be lower.
Can BBS students do MBA in Nepal?
BBS graduates can join an MBA program for their higher studies like they can choose MBS. They can even go for CA (Chartered Accountant) course and even apply to foreign universities and other national universities. Nowadays, MBA has been a growing choice for multiple students and is offered by Nepalese colleges affiliated with Foreign universities.
The graduate of BBS can also pursue MBA or MBS programs or even study CA. The BBS program affiliated with TU has been recognized by various foreign universities and professional bodies in Nepal.
Other courses offered by the Faculty of Management other than Bachelor of Business Studies?
BBS is not only the option for students willing to get enrolled at the courses offered by the Faculty of Management (FOM). Other courses are:
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
- Bachelor of Business Management (BBM)
- Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM)
- Bachelor of Travel and Tourism (BTTM)
- Bachelor of Information management (BIM)
- Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA)
- Bachelor of Mountaineering Studies (BMS)
What is the Salary of a BBS Graduate?
Completing a Bachelor of Business degree doesn’t assure you have a job. It’s up to you to find the best workplace that matches your interest, skills, and capacities. The remuneration (salary) ranges according to the organization, appointed position, and the traits one possesses. If you can work as an accountant, your monthly salary starts from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 per month on average depending upon the organization and its policies. BBS graduates who find themselves in banking jobs are rewarded with financial returns from their work including other various financial benefits. However, a fresher might start their job with Rs 10,000 per month as they might lack skills and experience.
Is BBS better than BBA?
In terms of fee structure, BBS can be a better choice than BBA. However, all the aspects cannot be compared, and both the courses are best in their respective manners. It is the task of students to explore all the available courses, identify their interest and match it with the course’s objectives, evaluate the fee structure and so on.
You can check our article Difference between BBS and BBA in Nepal where we have offered in detailed comparison between BBS and BBA.
Pass Percentage and Drop rate: Is BBS hard to study?
The past result history and students’ attendance on various campuses show that the pass percentage in BBS is very low compared to other similar courses offered by the Faculty of Management (FOM). The drop rate is also high, and the drop rate is also high. The pass percentage in BBS 1st year is 20% where around 20 out of 100 students complete their 1st-year course in the first attempt.
Is BBS offered by other Universities in Nepal?
BBS is also offered by other Universities like Mid-Western University and Far-Western University. The subjects mentioned in the course are very similar.
Can BBS students go abroad?
4-year BBS program by Tribhuvan University is recognized by various international colleges and Universities. There is a large number of BBS graduates applying for abroad studies mainly for master’s programs. There is no restriction and rule that completely deprive you of going abroad, however, some criterion must be fulfilled.
Which is the best college for BBS in Nepal?
It is very hard to clearly state which is the best college for studying this course. Being mainly based on theory topics and remaining a purely academic course, the teaching methodologies are almost similar in every college in Nepal. However, colleges in Kathmandu like Shankerdev Campus have always been the best choice for students if timing, location, and cost details are appropriate for them.
Is CMAT (Entrance Test) Required for BBS?
Central Management Admission Test (CMAT) is an entrance test conducted by the faculty of Management, TU for admission to semester-based management courses. Since BBS is a yearly-based course, it doesn’t require CMAT for being admitted. For more details on CMAT, one can visit cmat.gurubaa.com.
BBS Component
BBS is a yearly based program that lasts for 4 years. The syllabus is designed to cover both breadth and depth in the total academic pattern. FOM has prepared separate and distinct course components that one identifies for 4 years of enrollment in the program. The components are:
- A strong foundation in allied areas of business such as language, economic analysis, legal environment and quantitative methods to prepare graduates to understand, analyze and comprehend the management concepts, theories and practices.
- Core business studies encompass and integrate all functional areas to provide graduates with an appreciation of the diversity and inter-relationship of business and management issues.
- The opportunity to concentrate on one area of specialization such as accounting, finance, human resources management and marketing in order to provide graduates with some degree of functional expertise.
