BA (Hons) Business Management and Finance

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.

Accounting Skills

In this module you will explore fundamental accounting concepts and develop the skills and techniques you need to collect and record data and transactions to prepare accounting statements and management accounts which are key to managers.

You will focus on the requirements for internal use of single entities.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an online exam and a 45-minute 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

More information on this module is coming soon.

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.

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.

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.

Financial Reporting

This module will enable you to describe and critically discuss how financial reporting can be regulated, including the system of international accounting standards.

You will learn to prepare statutory accounts in the appropriate form for a single business.

Assessment

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

Accreditation

This is an ACCA accredited module.

Management Accounting for Control

This module will develop your understanding of a range of management accounting techniques and how these can be applied to support decision-making. You will solve problems that require you to demonstrate thoughtful and effective reasoning in proposing solutions to a given set of circumstances.

Financial Management

This module will introduce you to areas of key financial decision-making and related underlying theory.

This includes decisions about setting corporate objectives, the funding of corporate operations and the appraisal of potential investments.

You will examine the choices available to companies regarding their capital structure and dividend policies and gain an understanding of the operation of equity markets and related implications for listed companies.

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.

Taxation 1

This module will introduce you to key taxation concepts and the underlying principles the UK taxation system, as you gain an understanding of the principles behind, and the sources and types of, taxation.

You will also cover an overview of calculations in relation to value added tax and an examination of the scope of national insurance contributions and Capital gains tax.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an essay and an online examination.

Taxation 2

The UK tax system is continuously changing, specifically during and after periods of financial crisis.

This makes UK tax an important subject area for business management students as well as accounting and finance students.

This module will build on your understanding of personal income tax and introduce company tax including courses of income, adjustments and rules, chargeable gains, losses, and inheritance tax.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an individual essay and an online exam.

Research Dissertation

The module is an opportunity for you to research a specific area that interests you within an appropriate business, public sector or third sector context.

Your project will make a major contribution to your professional and intellectual development.

Placement students

All final year students have the opportunity to go on the work placement module where you undertake a project for a client organisation and your dissertation will be based on this area of work.

Assessment

You will be assessed by creating an individual report of 10,500 words.

Accreditation

This is a CMI accredited module.

Corporate Finance

This module will give you an insight into the practical impacts of key areas of corporate finance.

You will cover an overview of the core concepts of corporate finance before focusing on specific related areas such as corporate valuation and merger and acquisition activity.

You will be introduced to more complex aspects of finance theory including:

• Portfolio Theory
• Capital Asset Pricing Model
• Capital Structure Theory.

You are encouraged to examine ‘corporate finance in action’ and to link your theoretical studies with practice.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an essay and an online exam.

Accreditation

This is an ACCA accredited module.

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.

Entrepreneurship (Business Start-Up Idea and Plan)

In this heavily practical module, you will work to develop an idea for a new small business.

You will present this to get feedback on improving the business viability and create a one-year persuasive business plan.

Your classes will focus on developing your understanding the feasibility and viability of each aspect of your business through testing and evaluation.

Assessment

Assessment is by presentation and creation of the business plan.

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.

Business Strategy

This module encourages you to critically consider business strategy and design business strategies based on specific tools and models to analyse strategic context.

You will explore:

• the effectiveness of corporate vision
• the application of strategic tools, models, and concepts
• processes of strategy
• and critical success factors in delivering competitive advantage and customer value.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a case study and an assignment presentation.

Advanced Financial Accounting

This module will develop your understanding of the previous Financial Reporting module by:

• examining consolidated accounts
• evaluating financial statements to provide an analysis of performance
• comparing alternative approaches to asset valuation
• and examining current developments in external reporting.

Assessment

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

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.