Charity Management
MA, PGDip, PGCert

Modules

• Applied Research Skills Core

Applied Research Skills

(Core)

The overall aim of this module is to enable students to understand how a range of research methods can be used to structure inquiry and develop the evidence base for business management issues within a globalised context.

Techniques learnt may include but not be limited to: qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, inferential and descriptive statistics, grounded theory, case study and multivariate analysis. Students will learn how to investigate either business or social issues currently challenging the socio-economic environment.

Please note: this module is required to achieve the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership (subject to programme accreditation). 

20 Credits

• Charity and the Legal Environment  Core

Charity and the Legal Environment

(Core)

Charities must comply with a wide range of legislation, some of which is specific to charities, but most of which applies to all organisations. In this module we look at the legal structures and legal terminology affecting charities and also examine key legislation, including amongst other laws:

• Employment Law
• Equality Legislation
• Financial Legislation
• Fundraising Legislation

In addition, you will learn research skills to enable you to keep informed about new and amended legislative Acts.

• Charity Finance and Investment Core

Charity Finance and Investment

(Core)

Managing cash and other financial resources are essential to a charity’s survival and its pursuit of charitable aims. Finances need careful management and shrewd investment to ensure balanced books at the end of each financial year. The dissolution of Kidz Company in 2015 highlights what goes wrong when charities fail to manage and monitor their finances and investments properly.

This module explores management accounting and social accounting, as well as, investment, tax, trading and social return on investment (SROI) all relating to charities and the regulatory statements of recommended practice (SORPs).

• Consultancy Project/Research Project Core

Consultancy Project/Research Project

(Core)

In this module, the student elects to complete either a consultancy project or a research-based dissertation. For the consultancy project the individual student performs an authoritative piece of work on a business or management brief established by a real project client. The work will typically take an in-depth look into a defined research area, and result in a substantial report containing extensive research, rigorous scenario analysis and practical conclusions. The consultancy project is an opportunity for students to engage in a form of action research through application of knowledge pragmatically to real-world situations and interactive feedback with real clients. Feedback to the clients on the feasible solutions will therefore form an integral part of the assessment.

The research project affords the opportunity to work independently at an advanced academic level. The research project aims to:

• Develop skills of source analysis and interpretation
• Assess a range of primary source material and the relevant secondary literature
• Develop students' powers of historical argument
• Develop skills of primary research, including project and information management, independent working and the ability to research primary and secondary materials independently

These skills will be developed via the research project investigating and addressing contemporary issues within the international business environment. International students will be welcome to address topics affecting their domestic business environment in relation to international trade and commerce.

40 Credits

• Governance and Statutory Accounting Core

Governance and Statutory Accounting

(Core)

The role of trustee within a charity’s organisational structure was often regarded as symbolic rather than a role yielding great influence. However trustees have substantial responsibility in terms of the governance of a charity and also ensuring financial probity of the organisation. This duty is in effect delegated by them to the CEO and the Treasurer within the charity, but delegation does not negate responsibility.

Consequently, this module examines issues such as statutory accounting and audit, the role of independent examiners, the legislative background behind these new statutory instruments, and the impact of fraud on charities.

• Responsible Management and Leadership in a Global Economy Core

Responsible Management and Leadership in a Global Economy

(Core)

Corporate scandals that illustrate greed and rampant materialism have led to an increased distrust in business leaders whether fraud, embezzlement or insider trading; these scandals have led to a lack of faith in the manner that business is conducted. Such behaviours are not only harmful to the well-being, performance and reputation of organisations but they are detrimental to society. One of the key factors that lead to such disasters is the unethical decisions of business leaders. It has been noted that the leaders responsible for these scandals are graduates of business schools and that many management programmes have failed to convey ethics, social responsibility and good moral habits to their graduates.

This module addresses these concerns and teaches the essential and advanced principles of responsible management and discusses issues related to business ethics. It covers philosophical foundations and applications of ethical theory to real-life case studies and hypothetical dilemmas. It also discusses causes and consequences of unethical behaviour and develops skills and knowledge in ethical management practices.

20 Credits

• Social Marketing and Fundraising Strategy  Core

Social Marketing and Fundraising Strategy

(Core)

Public interest in charities can ebb and flow routinely depending on how topical the cause is, or how effectively it has been promoted. Some charities organise mass participation events like fun runs and bike rides, or work closely with celebrities to achieve good media coverage and generate funds. Marketing and fundraising are crucial to keeping the charity top of mind with the public and generate much-needed funds.

In this module we look at the role of social marketing, PR, brand and branding in the context of charities and how charities use various fundraising techniques to keep them afloat.

• International Non-Governmental Organisation Optional

International Non-Governmental Organisation

(Optional)

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), such as Save the Children, Amnesty International and Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors without Borders are a key instrument in international development. They support many domestic and international humanitarian and emergency interventions. Many charities work in collaboration with NGOs and it is essential to understand the unique culture of these types of organisations and the pressures they face overseas.

This module is designed to prepare students to understand the unique complexities and characteristics of international NGOs and to be able to contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of these organisations.

• International Strategic Management Optional

International Strategic Management

(Optional)

Organisations are dependent on their socio-business environment. In turn, these environments can change, new organisations enter and exit, and the supply of resources can become scarce. When environments become uncertain, organisations face the prospect either of not surviving or changing their activities in response to new influences. Therefore, to survive and become effective, an organisation must make adaptations to the changing situations.

Strategic management processes are an essential management tool to enable companies to cope successfully with globalisation effects and increased degrees of complexity in the nature of the business environment. This module aims to analyse the operation of strategic management from initial analysis through to implementation based on contextual environmental drivers. The module will provide students with a comprehensive appreciation of the formulation and development of strategy from both an organisational and individual perspective.

Particular emphasis will be placed on developing student's awareness of developing strategic concepts underpinned by contemporary issues related to corporate social responsibility and responsible management. These will be applied across a range of different sectors including the third, public and private sectors.

Please note: this module is required to achieve the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership (subject to programme accreditation). 

• Social Entrepreneurship Optional

Social Entrepreneurship

(Optional)

Social enterprise is an ethical and sustainable way of doing business as it reinvests profits or surpluses back into socio-environmental concerns. This approach has reinvigorated the third sector as it uses innovative business and management methodologies to overcome societal problems. Currently, there are approximately 70,000 social enterprises in the UK contributing £24bn to the economy.

Within this module, policy-minded students will be challenged to think creatively about potential solutions to public challenges; entrepreneurially inclined students will be challenged to analyse rigorously the economic, social, and political context that defines entrepreneurial opportunity.