A Bachelor of Business Administration (commonly abbreviated as a BBA) is a globally recognized
academic degree awarded to undergraduates for completion of their course. The degree generally takes three to four years to complete, but will vary depend on the country, institution, subject area and courses selected. Programs resulting in a Bachelor of Business Administration are generally more focused on their subject matter and students are expected to concentrate their academic energies on
mastering the technical and practical facets of their field. Bachelor of Business Administration degrees are usually offered in areas like Accounting, finance, marketing, management, and public relations.
Overview
- Recognition. Recognized in India, USA and some other countries. In the UK you earn a B.A. or B.Sc. in Business administration.
- Duration. Typically 3-4 years.
- Subjects. There are several fields that are almost always considered to be business administration and thus awarded Bachelor of Business Administration degrees. These include accounting, business law, economics, human resource, finance, marketing, and almost all fields
of business.
- Assessment. Varies based on country, university and subject. For some programs there may be continual assessment that makes the final grade. For others, it may be a heavily weighted final exam.
- Grading. Varies based on country, university, and subject.
Global Differences
The Bachelor of Business Administration degree is awarded across the globe except few places like the UK. Two of the main differences tend to be: the duration of the degree and subject selection. In both the United States and Canada, the Bachelor of Business Administration degree typically takes four years to complete and is awarded for the completion of undergraduate studies in
related fields. Business administration programs teach students about advanced business skills, corporate finance, and marketing and business administration principles.
In Britain and Ireland, business studies result in either B.A. or B.Sc. If your course study is more
focused on a particular field of business administration, then you would be awarded a B.Sc. (Hons.)
degree. While if your course study covers the general and broader aspects of business, it will result
in a B.A. (Hons.) degree. The completion period for the degree may vary by subject, field, and
school.
Bachelor of Business Administration or Bachelor of Business Management?
If you want to study in USA or Canada, the difference between a BBA and a BBM is in the
specialization. For example, a BBA is more specialized in administration aspects of business, while
a BBM specializes on management side of business including HR, operations and marketing.
The difference poses a very important question for students – what degree should I chose?
What degree is right for me?
Academically, the BBA, BBM, B.A. (Hons.) or B.Sc. (Hons.) are equally valued. All offer students an
opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in their area of interest, and build a platform for
employment or postgraduate studies. Students need to identify which is a better fit – which track
caters to their chosen subject and strengths in that major. The coursework required for a Bachelor
of Arts or Bachelor of Business Management degree generally allows students to sharpen their
general understandings of business and improve the essential soft skills. By comparison, the
demands of a Bachelor of Business Administration degree typically foster analytical skills and a
detailed understanding of subject matter.
When deciding which degree program is the best fit, students need to identify
- Subjects: What subject they wish to study as it may only be offered as a BBA or BBM.
- Curriculum: The course content and teaching style for a BBA in a subject vs. a BBM may
vary significantly from university to university.
- Career options: Does the BBA provide the right foundation for your future job?
- Entry requirements: Do they have the appropriate entry requirements e.g. Mathematics?
- Interest:Do they enjoy focused analytical classes or does their interest lie on the overall
generalized view?
A BBA degree offers a multitude of study options for students, and upon graduation the
opportunity to enter the professional world or pursue post-graduate studies. It is imperative that
students identify what subject area their interest lies in and subsequently enroll in a program that
provides the best platform for their future endeavors.
