Business Management and Marketing (with a Placement Year) BA (Hons)

Contemporary Marketing Practice (Core)

The dynamics of the marketing environment, namely buyer behaviour, product pricing and product promotion, are all explored within this module. You will examine the role marketing communication plays in business and some techniques used to generate interest and purchasing decisions. As part of this module, you will develop an understanding of the significance of research in market development and product innovation.

Introduction to Management (Core)

This module introduces students to the management skills they will need to develop as they embark on their university studies and into their careers, and to the broad functional disciplines that underpin the study of management and provides an integrative platform upon which to build on in later modules. This will be achieved by examining the discipline of management from both a theoretical and practical perspective. This will be done whilst identifying and building essential management and study skills which will be important for successful progression through the programmes of study.

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

Organisational Behaviour (Core)

This module examines the nature of organisational behaviour from both an individual and corporate perspective. It provides you with a good understanding of work psychology and the important role it plays in managing relationships between colleagues, staff and managers. The module considers the impacts of situational influences and concepts, such as job satisfaction, diversity, work motivation and leadership. You will gain an appreciation of psychology in professional and business settings. You will also realise the interface of human psychology in the workplace.

Contemporary Business Issues (Core)

You will consider the impact of economic issues on business and entrepreneurs as part of this topical business module. You will learn to identify and assess business environment factors; understand the market mechanism and consider its relevance for the performance of businesses and organisations. This module will also examine the relationship between government and markets as well as consider the international and ethical dimension to businesses and entrepreneurial activity.

Please note: this module supports your progress towards the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting.

Financial Decision Making (Core)

This module introduces you to methods of research and data collection, data analysis, and some financial mathematics used by decision makers in a business or organisational context. It gives a broad appreciation of the role of key methods and approaches essential to commercial decision-making processes. Emphasis will be placed on the application of essential techniques and methodology, and the interpretation of results. This should help you to understand the value and limitations of data and financial information in decision making.

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

Human Resource Management (Core)

You can explore the strategic role human resource management (HRM) plays from both an organisational and employee-focused perspective, as part of this business management module. You will also gain an appreciation of the selection, training, appraisal and reward of employees which could be useful for your own career ambitions. This module will help you reflect on personal attributes as well as prepare plans for your career. Particular reference will be made to corporate and business environments, drawing upon examples and scenarios from around the world.

Research Methods in Business and Management (Core)

This module provides you with an understanding of research in management and business as preparation for the Level 6 independent research project. You 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. You will consider the role of ethics in research and will learn to apply these methods to a realistic business and management situation.

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 you to the role and nature of financial accounting in business operations and highlights the concepts that encompass responsible financial management. You 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.

Being a Marketing Manager (Core)

You can’t be a good marketing manager just by learning lots about marketing. You must also be able to think and act like a professional marketing manager. This module trains you in the personal, professional and technical skills you need for this and gives you lots of practice in applying them and prepares you for your marketing placement.

The skills you need include using information technology to analyse data and create and present powerful presentations for your colleagues and for the outside world, preparing marketing budgets and plans, creating briefs for marketing agencies, how to work with colleagues in different functions, and perhaps most important of all, how to continue improving your skills.

Marketing Strategy and Implementation (Core)

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. You are also made aware of the integral role social responsibility and ethics has in marketing. You will discover the analytical tools that help marketing managers make effective and important marketing decisions.

International Marketing and Supply Chain Logistics (Core)

This module provides you 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. You 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. 

Experience and Employment in Business (Core option)

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

The module incorporates a period of work experience which will enable you to focus on both the practical application and development of your key skills, whilst simultaneously exploring and defining the corporate culture of your workplace to enable you to define your 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.

Experience and Employment in Business (Optional)

Module description coming soon.

International Management (Optional)

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

Principles of Entrepreneurship (Optional)

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

Behavioural Economics (Optional)

Do people act rationally? This module introduces you to some of the most fascinating human and behavioural insights accumulated by the marketing and communications industries, combining behavioural psychology with economic analysis. You will explore the contrast between what rational agents are supposed to do, according to standard economic theory, and how humans actually behave.

Research Project (Core)

Drawing on the research proposal developed in Research Methods in Business and Management, you will refine and carry out your research proposal and develop a body of work in evidence. As part of the module, you will develop the ability to locate and evaluate, academic literature and business reports. The module will enable you to demonstrate a holistic understanding of business management issues and to exemplify your research, reporting and analytical skills through a significant piece of independent research.

Please note: this module supports your progress towards a CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership.

Contemporary Issues in Marketing (Core)

This module is designed to keep you up-to-date with the latest developments in marketing. These are coming thick and fast, mainly because of the rapid rate of change stimulated by digital marketing techniques, but also by the disruption in markets that digital technology causes and new business models, including platform-based ones. This module uses the latest research from the teaching team and inputs from visiting senior marketers.

Ethics in Communications and Marketing (Core)

This module investigates ethical issues in communications and marketing. Underpinned by philosophical ideas about what is right and wrong, it takes an applied approach to ethical dilemmas in the workplace, specifically in the communication and marketing industries. You will also critically examine ethics in marketing in relation to corporate social responsibility and ethical consumerism, and consider professional codes of conduct and ethical practice in the media.

Marketing Consultancy Project (Core)

Marketers often act as consultants to their organisations, bringing the customer’s perspective into decision-making. You’ll learn that marketers are also big buyers of external consultancy, but must learn to buy consultancy well and interpret it productively. You’ll learn to carry out a marketing consultancy project, which involves not only research, analysis and presentation but also learning how to manage clients to produce good relationships and results.

International Strategic Management (Optional)

This module analyses the operation of strategic management in corporate, public and not for profit organisations. The module provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the formulation and development of strategy from both an organisational and individual perspective. You will consider external factors such as industry trends and environmental impacts, and particular emphasis will be placed on the relationship between corporate strategy and the achievement of competitive advantage.

Managing in the Workplace (Optional)

In this module, you will consider the challenges of leadership and management. You will learn how these practices impact on the culture and success of an organisation through real-life examples. You will identify, observe and develop skills required to promote positive management practice and will analyse your own management style. You will be encouraged to consider leadership qualities and how you can demonstrate these at all levels in an organisation.

Data Visualisation: Critical Analysis and Presentation (Optional)

This module considers the role that data plays in everyday life to provide a critical examination of the development of data analytics in marketing communications. You will use this knowledge to develop your own ethically informed data visualisation presentations. This provides you with a further opportunity to develop your critical and analytical skills by using the latest data visualisation techniques in multimedia presentations.