This involves learning core business skills relating to, for example, marketing, human resources, information systems/e-Business, accounting and finance. Students would undertake a range of tasks associated with business organisations and would enjoy developing sophisticated solutions to business problems and opportunities.

Given the broad range of skills learned, graduates would have many career opportunities in a diverse range of business roles (e.g. marketing, HR, project management, etc.) in a wide range of sectors. This programme is also suitable as a stepping stone for those who wish to develop a specialism after a general business education, for those who wish to become business teachers or as a route to self-employment.

This course is available to apply as a weekday or weekend study option.

Those who successfully complete this programme are welcome to continue to study with us on one of our MBA Pathways.

This programme is available to Home and International applicants.

Level 4

• Academic Skills (20 credits; compulsory)
  • To help students develop study skills that can accelerate their learning in the undergraduate programme.
  • To encourage the development of a reflective, active, positive approach to learning, and to take responsibility for their own learning.

• Accounting Fundamentals (20 credits; compulsory)
  • To gain a broad understanding of the concepts, techniques, and methods, of modern cost accounting and the role it plays in business organisations.
  • To enable the student to gain an understanding of the significance and use of financial information in business, and to provide the student with an understanding of the basic principles of accounting.

• Introducing the Modern Workplace  (20 credits; compulsory)
  • To cultivate student knowledge, and understanding, of the nature of behaviour within organisations, through the application of a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of people at work.
  • To comprehend concepts of organisational design, functions, and processes of management, as well as recognising the importance of ‘management’ as an integrating activity.

• Community Engagement (20 credits; compulsory)
  • To provide a practical experience - to help prepare for employment and to understand the relationship of theory into practice.
  • To allow the student to create, evaluate, apply, and assess ideas and solutions, it will also generate an increased awareness of personal skills and the importance of continuous learning and reflection.

• Marketing Fundamentals (20 credits; compulsory)
  • To provide the student with the knowledge of current activities and trends in marketing.
  • To encourage the student to explore the range of possibilities and future opportunities in this field.

• The Global Business Environment (20 credits; compulsory)
  • To provide the student with the knowledge of basic economic concepts and business models which are considered relevant in understanding the role of international businesses in the global economy.
  • To introduce the student to environmental forces and business factors that shape the micro and macro environment for international businesses.
  • To examine how these forces may influence business decisions, and shape business strategy and operations in the modern global economy.

Level 5

• Data Handling & Business Intelligence (20 credits; compulsory)
  • To provide the student with a comprehensive understanding of how data systems work, how their benefits can be optimised.
  • To analyse and evaluate the information in the systems in order to obtain maximum benefit.

• Entrepreneurship (20 credits; compulsory)
  • To introduce the concept of entrepreneurship and gives the student the theoretical and practical knowledge to engage in the entrepreneurial process.
  • To critically evaluate current and emerging entrepreneurial themes, and through an investigation of a specific market with the production of a professional business plan.

• Management Accounting (20 credits; compulsory)
  • To provide an introduction to core management accounting components ranging from costing, budgeting, short term decision making, risk and uncertainty which inform management in planning and performance measurement.
  • To introduce the nature and behaviour of costs with focus on how they influence budgeting processes of organisations thereby enabling them to make efficient short-term decisions after considering all their internal and external risks.
  • To develop key management accounting techniques and discuss with reference to their application in the real world.
  • To introduce performance measurement tools such as variances, and discuss their real-world applicability.

• Management Economics (20 credits; compulsory)
  • To enable students to analyse the internal and external economic forces acting on management decision making.

• Managing People (20 credits; compulsory)
  • To develop the student’s knowledge and understanding of the strategic approaches organisations take to attract, develop, and retain key talent, in a way which supports the sustainability of an organisation. This module will also explore strategies and methods used by employers to create an advantage over their competitors, through the effective management of Human Resources.

• Project Management (20 credits; compulsory)
  • To enable the student to critically evaluate current and emerging project management methodologies, and recognise how to apply them to real world situations.

Level 6

• Dissertation (40 credits; compulsory)
  • The dissertation provides an opportunity for students to produce a substantial body of work which has been instigated, developed and produced as a consequence of their own initiative. The dissertation normally arises from individual interest, or from a professional internship period, but will require the student to undertake an independent research investigation. In this context, it will also aim to allow the student to apply a range of analytical skills and techniques, and to develop research based skills by undertaking structured and methodical research.

• International Business Communications (20 credits; compulsory)
  • To develop a greater intercultural awareness in international business contexts.
  • To develop more effectiveness in business communication in international scenarios, in English.

• International Financial Management (20 credits; compulsory)
  • To provide the student with an understanding of fundamental international financial management techniques;
  • To enable the student to develop an analytical approach to financial strategy and the attainment of international corporate objectives.

• Leadership and Management Theory and Practice (20 credits; compulsory)
  • To develop the student’s knowledge and understanding of the dynamics involved in leading people within an organisational context for the success of a business.

• Strategic Management & Sustainability (20 credits; compulsory)
  • To enable students focus on the techniques involved in the formation and implementation of a strategy within an organisation.
  • To provide an understanding of the nature of strategic analysis, strategy formulation and its implementation.

The specific aims are to provide the student with:

A systematic understanding and detailed knowledge of business organisations, concepts relevant to their management, the environments in which they operate, and issues relevant to innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainability.

The ability to conceptualise, devise, modify and/or apply analytical frameworks appropriate to business management, in order to devise a strategy and exploit current and future opportunities within particular contexts.

On completion of this programme, students will be able to:

Demonstrate detailed knowledge and a systematic understanding of the key issues involved with the management of a range of business functions including accounting and finance, marketing and human resources.

Apply a variety of conceptual frameworks and tools to analyse critically complex problems that occur within business organisations in changing environments, and develop and/or appraise business policies and strategies, including those about sustainability, to meet stakeholder interests.

Appraise the role of data management and business intelligence within an organisation and how the management and exploitation of information support and impacts the functional business areas and competitive advantage.

Demonstrate entrepreneurial skills, self-motivation and analytical abilities through an investigation of specific business problems and opportunities, and the production.

Assessment

This programme offers an academically challenging, vocational experience which incorporates innovative teaching and assessment methods. Students will be expected to be active in managing their learning experience, to be creative and to take initiatives to develop themselves. The modules undertaken by our students within this programme are assessed formatively and summatively in line with the specific module assessment strategy.

The assessments vary but are not limited to the following: assignments, presentations, discussions, workshops, multiple-choice questions, online discussions, wikis, blogs, and a written research project. Students will receive feedback on all assessments undertaken which will come in the form of oral and/or written feedback.

Entry Criteria

This programme is available to Home and International applicants.

A wide range of international qualifications which are equivalent to two A-Level passes, including International Baccalaureate and European Baccalaureate are recognised. The University will normally accept students who have completed a recognised International Foundation Programme, for example, those offered by UK Further Education Colleges, Universities, and Colleges of Higher Education.

English language proficiency at or exceeding an average IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent in any other approved test), with no score less than 5.5 in any components of the test.

The programme boasts a high employability rate for graduating students who are in work within six months of completing the degree. A significant number of graduates also progress to postgraduate studies at this and other universities. Graduates will apply their knowledge and skills in the following fields:

• Human Resources
• Marketing and Sales
• Financial Services
• Public, private or third sector management
• Business Consultancy
• Postgraduate study/research