BA (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management

Management and Organisations

You will explore business management theories, the role and position of a manager, and your ability to manage others.

You are encouraged to develop your self-awareness as a potential manager and investigate issues like:

• the history of management
• structures
• functions
• culture
• sustainability
• and innovation of an organisation.

You will also explore:

• aspects of business psychology
• how people are motivated and behave
• theories of leadership and conflict management that can be used in effective management.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a report on management topics of interest.

Technology for Business

This module is designed to introduce you to the use of technology, primarily information systems, and how organisations adapt and leverage digital technology solutions to gain a competitive advantage. The course will begin with an introduction to information systems and fundamental concepts, ideas and critical components including the importance of data.

Introductory Law for Managers

This module will introduce you to law in the commercial world.

You will gain a sufficient understanding of the law as a manager and be able to recognise the existence and effects of the law in commercial activities and the key legislation organisations need to follow operationally and with customers.

You will explore when professional legal assistance is required in business.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an online examination and 1 hour in-class test.

Academic & Professional Skills 1

This module will support your transition into a university undergraduate degree programme. You will focus on developing academic and professional skills and be encouraged to reflect on and plan you own personal development. You are provided with a range of topics to help you develop and you can choose those most beneficial to you.

Entrepreneurial Mindset

In today’s competitive business environment, graduates require strong employability skills and a resilient attitude.

This module aims to develop these skillsets by working with a real client in creating ideas, implementing one of them and assessing how they can be more innovative.

You will deepen your knowledge of being entrepreneurial and applying an ‘entrepreneurial mindset’ to solve a real-life case study with a client.

You will usually work in small groups to develop an ‘innovative’ solution to an identified problem or opportunity.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a group presentation to the client and an individual report on how the entrepreneur can be more innovative.

Accreditations

This is a CMI and CIM accredited module.

Marketing Principles and Practice

This introductory module explores the role of marketing in the modern business environment.

You will discover the core tools and concepts of marketing and investigate the marketing principles of the extended services mix, buyer behaviour, segmentation, and market research.

You will explore business aspects such as contemporary society, digital innovations, and disruptive business models.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a business report.

Accreditation

This is a CMI and CIM accredited module.

Introduction to Sustainability

In today’s global environment, there is a strong focus on environmental factors such as climate change, reducing carbon emissions and negative impacts on biodiversity.  However, there are also wider ethical issues such as inequality, equality and diversity and ethical business governance that come under the umbrella of sustainability.  Today’s students will need to understand these issues and how different organisations (private, public and voluntary) can improve their sustainability and work collaboratively in responding to sustainable challenges and opportunities.

Perspectives On Psychology

This module seeks to enable you to understand the contribution of key thinkers to the development of modern psychology and to appreciate their biographical backgrounds. The lives and work of key thinkers will be introduced and contextualised with reference to contemporary ideas and more.

Project Management

This module introduces you to the essential tools and methodologies for managing an effective project, including the ‘Prince2’ and ‘Agile’ methodologies.

You will explore techniques for change management and version control and have the opportunity to explore project planning and use Project Management software.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a 3,500-word portfolio.

Operations Management

Operations management uses a series of processes and inputs (e.g. materials, money, and human resource) to perform operations such as manufacturing and service provision.  These operations give outputs (the finished goods and services).

This module explores how organisations effectively manage facilities, assets, and resources for the efficient delivery of consistent quality goods and services.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a case study presentation of an operational plan.

Accreditation

This is a CMI accredited module.

Key HR Practices

This module aims to develop your understanding of key practices concerning human resource management and the importance of managing people.

You will examine the skills needed to manage people within various types of work organisations, as you explore:

• the theory and key principles and practices of recruitment
• selection
• retention of talent
• performance management
• and reward.

The seminars and supporting literature provide a structure to explore key HR practices within different organisations and contemporary management from a national and international perspective.

Assessment

You will be assessed by case study HR portfolio and time constrained exam with question focus provided in advance.

Accreditation

This is a CIPD and CMI accredited module.

Digital Marketing

Marketing using digital media and mobile technologies is now an integral component of organisations’ marketing strategies. This module will provide you with a critical appreciation of digital marketing, through the integration of emergent media and mobile technologies, with offline communications. You will be introduced to current and relevant examples of marketing initiatives using digital media and you will create a digital marketing campaign.

A Sustainable Economy

Businesses are increasingly recognising the range of stakeholders who may be impacted by or have influence over their business, increasing the need for greater social corporate responsibility.

This module explores this principle and focuses on businesses environmental impact and sustainable development. You will explore the concepts of the ‘triple-bottom line’ and ‘circular economy’, where not only economic but also social and environment issues are regarded as important in business planning.

You will critically explore the concept of sustainable business management by applying the topics to a range of case studies including tourism, events, and the wider business environment, at a national and international level.

Assessment

You will be assessed by creating sustainability videos and presentations.

Employee Development

This module aims to develop your understanding of the principles of developing a skilled and talented workforce and the benefits.

You will explore the factors which influence workforce development and review the scope of learning and development in organisations.

You will also consider different approaches and frameworks for measuring the impact of workforce development and management across different organisations from a national and international perspective.

Assessment

Assessment is by individual essay and case study report.

Accreditation

This is a CMI accredited module.

Leadership

This module invites you to explore the challenges of leadership in organisations through a critical examination of theory, practice, and possible future directions.

It encourages you to explore effective leadership and encourages you to expand your thinking on alternative strategies as you look forward to your future role as potential leaders in organisations.

Assessment

You will be assessed by individual presentation and report.

Accreditation

This is a Chartered Management Institute accredited module.

Finance for Managers

This module will introduce you to several key financial concepts and tools necessary to understand and evaluate business performance, from a primarily financial perspective.

This module assumes minimal prior accounting knowledge and provides a practical understanding and conceptual awareness to students who typically are not planning to follow an Accounting and Finance degree pathway.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an essay/report and an exam.

Accreditation

This is an ACCA accredited module.

Professional Graduate

This practical module develops your critical understanding of the concept of professionalism and how it relates to being a graduate in the workplace.

You will plan your own development towards your graduate recruitment and if you chose a one-year internship (professional placement), you will focus on applying and preparing for this placement.

The module emphasises the importance of developing your own employability and encourages continuous reflection on personal and professional development (PDP).

Assessment

You will be assessed through two assignments, a mock job/placement interview and reflective report with PDP action plan.

Accreditation

This is a CMI accredited module.

Data Research for Business

This module introduces you to the concept of data and market research for decision making, to allow you to make informed decisions as business managers and prepare you for your final year research dissertation, or equivalent study.

The module takes you on a structured and applied journey, looking at the rationale and contextualisation for the research processes required for business decisions.

You will use qualitative and quantitative research methodologies specifically applied to your degree route or area of study.

Assessment

You will be assessed by market research analysis and recommendations report.

Accreditation

This is a CMI accredited module.

Economics for Business

This module focuses on business decision-makers and the benefits of gaining a sound understanding of the subject of economics and the analyses of economic data.

The module explores economic theories/concepts, their application to the real-world and their usefulness for explaining the changing mechanics of national and global markets and the processes of government policy formation.

Assessment

Assessment is by presentation and essay.

Social Media Marketing

This module introduces you to social media from a business and professional perspective.

It is framed within the context of the marketing mix but explores the trend with this tactical aspect and more current ideas around the concept of digital consumers and engaging brand experiences.

You will explore the history, development and future of social media as well as looking at tools to manage roles, teams, and campaigns.

Research Project

The module has a crucial role within the programme of study in that it provides you with the opportunity to research an area of particular interest within an appropriate business, public sector or third sector context. The module is designed to make a major contribution to your professional and intellectual development.

Strategic Human Resource Management

You will consider practical and conceptual frameworks in a series of workshops.

These interactive sessions will use learning methods including:

• case studies
• directed reading
• presentations with feedback
• self-reflection
• guest speakers
• workshop exercises
• and mini-discussion groups.

You will take part in simulations and activities to reflect typical business scenarios as you analyse, problem solve and generate a justified solution to a problem.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an open book assessment, an individual report, a coaching session, and an e-portfolio review.

Professional Practice

All of our students take this opportunity to gain valuable management experience working in an organisation and project work that appeal to you in your future career. The placement is part-time for 20 weeks.

Typically, you would carry out your research dissertation whilst on placement and focus on researching the project areas you are working on and an area the organisation will benefit from the most. This module allows you to gain valuable work experience and enhance your employability which is extremely attractive to employers.

Few other universities offer a professional placement where your research dissertation aligns with your project work.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a learning log submission and an individual presentation.

Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

In this module, you will learn to raise awareness of the ethical considerations relevant to many business practices and issues, as well as raise awareness of corporate social responsibility.

You will be introduced to the concepts, theories and techniques used to address ethical considerations as you critically discuss current business and government policies relating to corporate social responsibility.

You will reflect on your own moral values, attitudes and behaviour and have some interesting debates and discussions in the lessons.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an interview and a portfolio.

Strategic Management (Business Strategy)

More information on this module is coming soon.

Contemporary Issues in HRM

This module provides you with an opportunity to select, research and critically assess a range of contemporary HR issues in depth.

These range from issues such as:

• surveillance
• emotional intelligence
• aesthetics
• discrimination in the workplace
• the changing psychological contract
• harassment and bullying at work.

You will also consider incivility in the workplace, ‘healthy’ organisations, and the intensification of work.

Global Business Today

This module introduces you to current global issues that we are hearing about in the news today that are vital for business to react to successfully compete and grow.

You will broaden your understanding of the challenges and opportunities businesses face in areas such as:

• international trade after Brexit
• political unrest
• differences in national cultures
• global inequality
• operating sustainably
• and global consumer behaviour.

Assessment

You will be assessed through creating a conference paper and presentation on one global topic of interest.

Psychology in Context: Cultural Psychology

This module takes an interdisciplinary approach to the major topics of psychology, including Biological, Cognition, Development, Health, Individual Differences, Social, and the Self, and will relate them to life in a multicultural world.

You will be introduced to

• Cultural psychology
• Culture and human nature
• Cultural evolution
• Methods for studying culture and psychology
• Development and socialisation
• Cultural differences in: the self and personality, motivation, cognition and perception, interpersonal attraction, close relationships, group processes, living in multicultural worlds, physical health, mental health, morality, justice, and emotions.

Assessment:

You will be assessed through a research proposal and a two hour unseen exam.