The BA (Hons) in Business Management is a six-semester, three-year program (180 ECTS). The core courses taught during the first year will give students a solid grounding in all essential business disciplines, while the second and third years incorporate their chosen pathway.
YEAR 1
SEMESTER 1 (30 ECTS)
Understanding People in Organizations
This module introduces Organizational Behavior (OB) theory and research to help students gain an understanding of the range of individual, group and organizational factors which can influence the way that employees behave in the workplace. Students will apply the theory to case studies of organizations to explore how it can be used as an analytical tool to gain a clearer understanding of the complex causes of workplace behavior in order to develop effective management interventions.
10 ECTS
Understanding the Global Business Environment
An understanding of how different business departments work and interact is key to a successful career in business. Equally important is the ability to communicate effectively, network with people and demonstrate appropriate professional behavior. In this course, students will be introduced to concepts and techniques for developing and enhancing their business acumen, as well as essential communication and personal presentation skills.
10 ECTS
Business Economics
Economics are present in almost every aspect of our lives. Knowledge of economics will therefore provide students with essential insight into how markets work, how firms and consumers make decisions in market economies, and how businesses identify opportunities and potential threats in the environment in which they operate. This module develops students’ understanding of the core principles of micro- and macroeconomics and uses economic models and theories to explore current economic issues.
10 ECTS
SEMESTER 2 (30 ECTS)
Finance & Business Performance
This module assumes no prior accounting knowledge. Students learn how to prepare accounts for small businesses and then apply that knowledge to larger organizations. They examine accounting statements to assess just how well a business is performing; identify and analyze business costs to aid decision-making relating to the control and viability of projects; and identify and discuss sources of finance. This basic financial knowledge is essential to anyone wishing to pursue a career in business, whether on a self-employed basis or in a larger corporation.
10 ECTS
Developing an Enterprising Mindset
Being able to apply an enterprising mindset is highly desirable in today’s fast-moving business environment, where managers must react to gaps in the market or competitor actions, deal with uncertainty, make decisions and act. Building on and integrating the other first-year business function modules, this teaches students how to channel their creative energy, recognize the difference between a business idea and a business opportunity, decide which approach is most beneficial, and then design and implement an appropriate plan of action. The module helps students to understand the relevance and interaction of these elements within a business context, and to provide transferable skills that can be applied in any organizational situation. Students are encouraged to demonstrate these skills and to reflect upon their progress.
10 ECTS
Marketing Fundamentals
This introduction to the fundamentals of marketing gives students a basic understanding of the current and emerging marketing principles and techniques within the business environment. It seeks to establish that sustainable market success within a highly competitive environment can only be achieved by developing products or services based upon an understanding of the external environment and customers’ needs and wants. During the module, students learn how to add value for customers and other stakeholders and to assess the impact of marketing activities on consumers’ lives.
10 ECTS
Year 2
SEMESTER 3 (30 ECTS)
Quantitative Skills for Business
This module develops essential competencies for future employment in the business world: the ability to use spread sheets for quantitative analysis, and the skills to interpret and communicate the results of data analysis. These are key skills required by the Chartered Management Institute. Students will gain the confidence and experience to prepare an analysis of real data that will inform a business decision or underpin a business strategy. These skills also prepare students for evidence- based analysis required in other program modules, including finance, marketing and strategy. This module contributes to the CMI accreditation for BA (Hons) Business Management students.
10 ECTS
Principles of Responsible Management
This module provides students with knowledge of the principles of responsible leadership by exploring concepts of ethics, global social responsibility, and the creation of sustainable social, environmental and economic value for organizations and corporations. The module encourages students to consider the importance of these issues from the perspective of the organization and other stakeholders, and to reflect on the relevance of responsible leadership as a basis for sustainable competitive advantage. The module equips students with the knowledge and understanding of the complex ethical issues that are commonly encountered by organizations.
10 ECTS
Managing Financial Resources
This module equips students with the skills for evaluating the financial data used to produce company financial statements. Students will learn the importance of choosing the correct form of finance for a given business, gain an appreciation of the value of corporate governance and the responsibility of good managers to wider stakeholders in the business. Without good management control and coordination of financial resources, businesses frequently fail to meet their potential. Students will study common pitfalls in performance management and how to avoid them. This module equips students with key skills such as the ability to understand, analyze and interpret financial, management and non-financial information in the context of modern business. Such skills are vital to any business manager, irrespective of discipline.
10 ECTS
SEMESTER 4 (30 ECTS)
Applied Operations Management
The module provides a framework for understanding the crucial role of operations to business success. It examines how people, capital, materials, equipment, knowledge, technology, information and time are combined to produce goods and services. This module will also provide students with opportunities to experience real workplace operations scenarios where their skills and knowledge can be applied in a practical way with real organizations or in valid case study situations. It provides an overview of the key areas of operations management, particularly in maintaining and improving the quality of goods and services and making sure that this is also reflected in company performance.
10 ECTS
Managing People
This module analyzes the range of human resource management (HRM) activities undertaken within organizations to manage the engagement and performance of its employees working alone and in teams and explores the devolution of many of these roles and responsibilities to line managers. It introduces the knowledge and skills required to undertake these activities professionally and effectively in the workplace. By the end of the module students will be able to conduct an effective performance review and link the outcomes from this into appropriate performance objectives and support frameworks and plans. They will be able to explain how this must be integrated with other HR practices to raise employee engagement and performance.
10 ECTS
Digital & Social Media
This module equips students with the tools, techniques and theory behind how digital marketing works within a business environment. Students will learn about best practice and key elements of managing digital marketing in an ‘always on’ 24/7 environment. They will learn how to audit and evaluate competitors’ digital footprints as well as understand how to gain consumer insights using digital techniques. Assessment for this module is coursework-based, designed to provide practical life and employment skills by developing an outline digital marketing plan. This assessment will contribute towards key skills sought by employers, including evaluation, understanding of digital tools, presentation and business report-writing.
10 ECTS
Year 3
SEMESTER 5 (30 ECTS)
Global Business & Strategy
This module studies global business using a combined strategic and economic approach. The recent major global economic shifts are explored, and current international business events are analyzed. Students will study the key theoretical underpinnings, trends and challenges of international trade and foreign direct investment. They will analyze the importance of government and institutions in controlling/regulating international business behavior. The long-term sustainability of businesses in the ever-changing, and often hostile, global business environment is considered, in order to understand the critical role played by strategic management.
10 ECTS
The Business Consultancy Project Part I
Improvements to processes, services, products, people, and systems are core to the strategy of organizations. Improvements bridge the gap between current and required performance to add value and achieve and sustain a competitive advantage in the long-term. Effective consultation and project management using appropriate business improvement and research methodologies is key to the successful implementation of change. In this module students will explore how to plan, organize, motivate, and control resources to achieve defined goals, on time and to agreed cost and quality criteria. Using a consultative approach, students will be challenged to make decisions based on their own research to provide practical advice and solutions to real-life scenarios taking into consideration the organization’s constraints. They will liaise with employers, establish agreed objectives and present their findings in a clear, business-focused report and presentation.
10 ECTS
Marketing Across Cultures
Students will gain a thorough understanding of the added complexities involved in global marketing and how these impact on the formulation of marketing plans and strategies through this module. It builds on the knowledge and concepts acquired earlier in the program. This model familiarizes students with a range of issues and concepts encountered by international marketers, and provides the theoretical framework for analyzing and implementing them in a real-life business situation. Assessment is coursework-based, designed to enable students to demonstrate their ability to approach a business challenge as a marketer and business manager. The assessment methods used on this module will also help develop key skills desired by employers, such as critical analysis, business report-writing and presentation skills.
10 ECTS
SEMESTER 6 (30 ECTS)
Developing Leadership and Management
This module examines the concepts of leadership and management. It explores the similarities and differences in the roles and responsibilities of leaders and managers in the workplace and the development of leadership theoretical approaches as well as the practical application of these within organizations. Students will analyze the skills and competencies of effective organizational leaders and examine alternative methods of leadership development to enhance these.
10 ECTS
The Business Consultancy Project Part II
Improvements to processes, services, products, people, and systems are core to the strategy of organizations. Improvements bridge the gap between current and required performance to add value and achieve and sustain a competitive advantage in the long-term. Effective consultation and project management using appropriate business improvement and research methodologies is key to the successful implementation of change. In this module students will explore how to plan, organize, motivate, and control resources to achieve defined goals, on time and to agreed cost and quality criteria. Using a consultative approach, students will be challenged to make decisions based on their own research to provide practical advice and solutions to real-life scenarios taking into consideration the organization’s constraints. They will liaise with employers, establish agreed objectives and present their findings in a clear, business-focused report and presentation.
10 ECTS
International Entrepreneurship
This module seeks to develop an understanding of the emerging area of international entrepreneurship and how that knowledge can be applied in a real-life situation. In recent years, international business and entrepreneurship have been coalescing into a single cognate area. Trading blocs such as the EU have placed emphasis on entrepreneurship as an engine of economic growth and the trend towards greater international involvement of SMEs is accelerated by technological advances. At the same time globalization has prompted the re-emergence of local cultures which influence the growth of entrepreneurship in diverse ways. We can therefore see a tension between the global and local elements. Creating an in-depth appreciation of these elements will enable students to apply theory to inform, evaluate and enhance potential international entrepreneurial ventures.
10 ECTS
