Business Management and Finance BA (Hons)

Year two

• Business Economics Core

Business Economics

(Core)

Micro and macroeconomic issues significantly influence many business decisions. In this module students will examine the concepts of supply and demand, equilibrium and elasticities and their impact on business and pricing strategies. They will also question the effects of industry structure and competition. From a macro-economic perspective, students will consider the effect of national income as well as fiscal and monetary policy. Students will also debate global aspects of the economy such as balance of payments, international trade and exchange rates.

• Corporate Finance Core

Corporate Finance

(Core)

This module analyses the nature and practice of corporate finance from both a domestic and international perspective. The module seeks to equip students with a detailed understanding of the risks and rewards of investment and the strategies for successful commercial financing. Students will learn to differentiate between different financial products, such as equities and derivatives. The module will provide the conceptual tools necessary for informed financial decision-making and will stress the practical framework of corporate finance operation throughout.

Please note: this module supports your progress towards the CIPFA Professional Accounting Qualification – Diploma Level.

• Fundamentals of Accounting Core

Fundamentals of Accounting

(Core)

This is a core module for all business management programmes and recognises the importance of accounting and solid budgetary control. This module introduces students to the role and nature of financial accounting in business operations and highlights the concepts that encompass responsible financial management. Students will learn to understand key items of information contained in the published financial statements of companies and other organisations. The module includes the preparation of accounting statements, with emphasis on their use, interpretation and limitations.

Please note: this module supports your progress towards the CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership, the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting and the CIPFA Professional Accounting Qualification – Certificate Level.

• Research Methods in Business and Management Core

Research Methods in Business and Management

(Core)

This module provides students with an understanding of research in management and business as preparation for the Level 6 independent research project. Students will be encouraged to consider relevant philosophies, approaches and methodologies in research such as primary and secondary research, self-completion questionnaires and ethnography, and qualitative and quantitative research. Students will consider the role of ethics in research and will learn to apply these methods to a realistic business and management situation.

• Business Law Optional

Business Law

(Optional)

Understanding how the law affects the operation of a business is crucial to the success or survival of the business. During this module, students will be exposed to the national, EU and international legal environments in which businesses function. This module explores the most important and frequently occurring areas of law relevant to most businesses.

The complex nature of the law means that even deciding the appropriate form of business organisation is a question which results in many different legislative outcomes. This module will help students to make that decision.

Please note: this module supports your progress towards the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting and the CIPFA Professional Accounting Qualification – Diploma Level.

• Consumer and Commercial Law Optional

Consumer and Commercial Law

(Optional)

The customer isn’t always right: therefore an awareness of consumer and commercial law is very important to any business selling goods to customers. This module will guide students through the important principles of law governing sales transactions and the law of agency. In particular, it will consider contractual arrangements and the Sale of Goods Act; it will look at where responsibility rests when a good is faulty or defective; what exemptions and limitations exist around transactions and what remedies buyers and sellers have at their disposal. Students will gain useful knowledge when buying and selling goods which can be applied against everyday purchases as well as in business.

• Contributing to the Community Optional

Contributing to the Community

(Optional)

As local employers and suppliers of services, businesses are an integral part of any community or society. On this module, students with business or management ambitions will develop an appreciation of social issues and concerns. This module provides students with practical, work experience in a community-focused service, such as a charity, social or education service. Students will develop their societal awareness and gain a greater understanding of local level organisation. The placement acts as a case study for the student to explore issues of social justice and community action. The module also helps to develop students’ employability skills through the process of self-reflection and evaluation and by applying theory to practice.

• Experience and Employment in Business Optional

Experience and Employment in Business

(Optional)

This module provides students with the opportunity to analyse and reflect on their own core competencies, personal qualities and areas for development using in-depth psychometric testing. Having undertaken these tests, students will identify and explore key areas for development within the context of their future career aspirations.

The module incorporates a period of work experience which will enable the student to focus on both the practical application and development of their key skills, whilst simultaneously exploring and defining the corporate culture of their workplace to enable them to define their own cultural “fit”. The combination of psychometric testing, reflection and analysis of the workplace will culminate in the production of a focussed career action plan.

• International Management Optional

International Management

(Optional)

Management is challenging, but managing across national borders presents far greater and complex challenges. During this module, students will compare and contrast different frameworks used in management at a global level. Students will consider the social and cultural backdrop to cross-border management as well as the importance of foreign direct investment in the world economy. They will examine issues of management development and corporate decision-making within the context of international operations. Students will also understand how international perspectives can influence international operations.

• International Marketing and Supply Logistics Optional

International Marketing and Supply Logistics

(Optional)

This module provides students with a detailed understanding of the international marketing function and supply chain logistics involved in modern business activities. It will increase awareness of the complex relationship between marketing internationally and the supply chain function. Students will explore how the international business environment impacts upon the marketing and supply management function within the business and the requisite modifications needed to access international markets. A theme of ethics in international marketing is also embedded throughout the module. 

• Leadership in Organisations Optional

Leadership in Organisations

(Optional)

Leadership is the subject of much academic research, debate and analysis and even media headlines regularly attack public figures on their leadership. In this module students are guided through styles of leadership and examine the effectiveness of each. They will consider and identify successful business leaders and understand how and why they have achieved success. The module includes sessions where students get unrivalled access to a panel of business leaders. They are also encouraged to critically analyse current research on leadership to help them define their own styles.

Please note: this module supports your progress towards the CIPFA Professional Accounting Qualification – Diploma Level.

• Management Accounting Optional

Management Accounting

(Optional)

Good management accounting is important for a business to strive in a competitive setting. This module gives students a strong understanding of the theory of management accounting in businesses and organisations. Students will examine the role of ethics and social responsibility in management accounting and they will also gain an appreciation of the underlying concepts on which management accounting is founded. The module also provides practical skills associated with management accounting, such as appraising capital investments, developing marginal costing and devising and controlling a budget.

Please note: this module supports your progress towards the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting and the CIPFA Professional Accounting Qualification – Certificate Level.

• Marketing Strategy and Implementation Optional

Marketing Strategy and Implementation

(Optional)

In order for a business to survive or grow it needs to employ marketing techniques as part of a strategy to generate awareness, interest desire and then action. This module looks at current approaches and techniques for managing the development and implementation of marketing strategies. Sessions cover various marketing models that are used in business and public service. Students are also made aware of the integral role social responsibility and ethics has in marketing. They will also discover the analytical tools that help marketing managers make effective and important marketing decisions.

• Principles of Entrepreneurship Optional

Principles of Entrepreneurship

(Optional)

This is a core module for Business Management and Entrepreneurship and introduces students to entrepreneurship in practical and theoretical methods. The module exposes students to different entrepreneurial approaches, including social entrepreneurship, and intrapreneurship across gender and ethnicity. It also explores the importance of entrepreneurship to national economies. Students will develop an awareness of key skills needed for exploiting new business opportunities, namely marketing and financial planning. They will also meet people who run SMEs, providing them with real examples to enhance their learning opportunities.

• Starting a Business Venture Optional

Starting a Business Venture

(Optional)

Starting a business is an exciting venture for anyone to take up. In this module theory and practice combine to provide students with the skills to set up their very own business. This module takes students on a journey starting with identifying gaps in the market right through to preparation of a business plan and all stages in between. This module is designed to ensure students are aware of the best conditions for business success They are also given the opportunity to present their business idea to a panel of business leaders in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ format.