BA (Hons) Business Management with Foundation Year

Foundation Year
 

You will complete the following four 30-credit modules during Year 1 (taking two modules in Term 1 and two modules in Term 2):
 

Study and Research Skills
 

The aim of the module is to:

• Equip students with the essential skills required to succeed at degree level studies.

• Enable students to make informed decisions about the quality of sources, engage with relevant digital technologies, and to explore the fundamental processes of primary research.
   

Contemporary World
 

The aim of the module is to:

• Encourage students to begin a path of discovery through scholarship. Students encounter key themes in contemporary global culture and are expected to explore these in order to gain an ethical appreciation of how their individuality interacts with a wider context.

• Enable students to build confidence around oral, written and digital forms of communication. By the end, students will have gathered the information from secondary research required to inform the creation of a socially relevant small organisation.
   

Communication
 

The aim of the module is to:
 

• Educate students in the relevant communicative skills which will enable them to make a success of their studies and professional lives. The module is structured around the following communicative skill sets: employability, data presentation and analysis, presentation skills, and digital soft skills.

• Enable students to learn how to write a professional CV and conduct themselves in a job interview, and go on to process primary and secondary data and use it while producing a website.
   

Introduction to Business Management
 

The aim of the module is to:

• Introduce students to the key concepts, underlying theory and practice of business and management in a globalised world. Students will consider the purpose of business and its role in society, will learn about the primary functions within a business and its external environment. The module will also focus on the essential management and leadership skills.
   

In addition, you will take the following non-credit rated module during Year 1, over Terms 1 and 2:
 

Language for Business
 

The aim of the module is to:

• Introduce students to the key terminology, vocabulary and concepts of business in a global context.
   

Level 4
 

You will complete the following four 30-credit modules (taking two modules in Term 3 of Year 1, and two modules in Term 1 of Year 2):
 

Contemporary Business Environment
 

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Identify and describe the internal organisational structures, functions and processes of contemporary organisations.

• Explain internal and external factors affecting the business environment.

• Apply a range of tools to analyse the internal and external environments of contemporary organisations.
   

Marketing Principles and Practice
 

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Discuss the concepts of marketing and the principles that underpin marketing techniques.

• Apply marketing concepts and principles in different contextual settings.

• Analyse internal and external marketing environments.

• Apply and adapt a range of marketing concepts and tools to satisfy customer needs and business goals in various scenarios.
   

People and Talent
 

 At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Discuss the role Human Resource and People Development play in contemporary organisations.

• Explain and analyse stages, and associated concepts, of the Employee Life Cycle model.

• Analyse different approaches to how people are valued in the workplace.

• Apply appropriate techniques to resolve issues or promote good practice in various scenarios and reflect on their effectiveness.
   

Financial Knowledge and Skills for Modern Businesses
 

 At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Describe financial markets and institutions and essential financial products, and explain common financial terms used in modern businesses.

• Interpret basic financial statements, make recommendations for financial planning, and prepare a financial budget.

• Complete basic financial tasks using technological solutions where appropriate.

• Discuss the trends in financial services and analyse their impact on modern businesses
   

Level 5
 

You will complete the following four 30-credit modules during Year 2 (taking two modules in Term 2, and two modules in Term 3):
 

Organisational Leadership and Culture
 

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Identify and evaluate organisational leadership, culture and related organisational behaviour concepts which inform practice in contemporary organisations.

• Explain how organisational leadership and culture influence each other and discuss their impact within the organisation.

• Analyse and evaluate own capabilities to manage self and lead others in a professional context and create a personal development plan.
   

Business Intelligence
 

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Explain the concepts and components of Business Intelligence (BI) and discuss the role BI can play in supporting businesses and their decision-making.

• Evaluate the suitability of BI technological tools for organisational needs.

• Interpret data and information to support decision-making.

• Apply the fundamental concepts and techniques in data visualisation for decision-making.
   

Operations and Project Management
 

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Explain and evaluate key principles, models and approaches used by organisations in the management of their operations and projects.

• Analyse operations management situations and make recommendations.

• Apply the fundamental project management principles when designing a comprehensive project plan using suitable software.
   

Business Ethics, Sustainability and Social Impact
 

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Explain and evaluate the different theories and models related to business ethics and sustainability.

• Identify and discuss the significant ethical and sustainability-focused issues confronting contemporary organisations.

• Recommend solutions to contemporary ethical issues within the framework of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Agenda.
   

Level 6
 

You will complete the following 30-credit module in Term 1 of Year 3:
 

Applied Business Strategy
 

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Examine and critically evaluate business strategy and strategic management theories and concepts.

• Apply a range of tools to conduct a strategic audit of an organisation and its environment.

• Provide recommendations with appropriate justification for a sustainable strategy for the organisation and produce an implementation plan.
   

Depending on the specialisation you choose, you will also complete one of the following 30-credit option modules* in Term 1 of Year 3:
 

Digital Marketing (Marketing specialisation)
 

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Critically evaluate the impact of digital technologies and digital marketing tools on marketing activities.

• Examine and critically evaluate the importance of digital analytics in business performance.

• Apply a range of tools to develop responsible, sustainable and ethical digital marketing campaigns.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of digital marketing campaigns.
   

Human Resource and the Business (Human Resource Management specialisation)
 

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Critically analyse how Human Resource practice connects to the business and the wider commercial environment to support the delivery of business goals and objectives.

• Discuss and critically evaluate the role Human Resources can play in leading change within a business.

• Discuss various aspects of workforce planning and development practices.

• Critically evaluate the appropriateness of HR policies and strategies within a changing environment, meeting the interests of a range of stakeholders.
   

Innovation and Business Planning for Entrepreneurs (Entrepreneurship specialisation)
 

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Apply relevant models and frameworks to critically evaluate the feasibility of a business idea for a start-up venture.

• Develop a business plan for a start-up venture.

• Select and apply appropriate techniques to deliver an effective business pitch.
   

Depending on the specialisation you choose, you will complete one of the following 30-credit option modules* in Term 2 of Year 3:
 

Advanced Marketing with Consumer Behaviour (Marketing specialisation)
 

 At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Discuss and evaluate contemporary marketing and consumer research.

• Critically evaluate and apply related consumer behaviour concepts.

• Discuss and critique the complex nature of strategic marketing decisions.

• Develop sustainable marketing recommendations for a successful marketing strategy.
   

Applied Human Resource Management (Human Resource Management specialisation)
 

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Critically evaluate issues related to the management of businesses and the role of HR in delivering success.

• Discuss the impact of societal and environmental developments that affect work and people.

• Select, apply and evaluate techniques to solve problems, conduct workplace investigations or promote good practice in a range of authentic situations encountered by HR practitioners in the first few years of their careers.
   

Business Development for Entrepreneurs (Entrepreneurship specialisation)
 

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Discuss and critically evaluate the various organisational approaches to achieving growth.

• Identify and evaluate opportunities to develop an organisation sustainably.

• Analyse resource requirements and assess risks associated with developing a business.

• Create a business growth plan.
   

You will also complete one of the following 30-credit option modules* in Term 2 of Year 3:
 

Business Project
 

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Apply knowledge and skills gained during the degree to the critical analysis of a complex business management investigative topic of their choice.

• Evaluate a range of research methods and justify a research strategy/methodology.

• Apply appropriate research methodology.

• Critically evaluate, synthesise and apply relevant theoretical frameworks.

• Draw conclusions and/or propose feasible solutions.
   

Independent Learning Module
 

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Negotiate, plan, research and conduct a programme of study and assignment in an appropriate area.

• Identify, define, and critically evaluate issues from a variety of viewpoints and synthesise arguments to support relevant conclusions, solutions or recommendations.

• Critically evaluate and apply knowledge and understanding and communicate findings.
   

Internship
 

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Identify relevant real-life business issues and expand knowledge and understanding through a practical application of business theory.

• Transfer academic knowledge and understanding to real-life business issues.

• Critically evaluate and apply knowledge and understanding to produce a project report.

• Reflect upon work-based business practice and how academic knowledge and understanding underpins practice.
   

Specialised routes
 

If you wish to graduate with the BA (Hons) Business Management (Marketing), you must complete the following two Level 6 modules:

• Digital Marketing

• Advanced Marketing with Consumer Behaviour
   

If you wish to graduate with the BA (Hons) Business Management (Entrepreneurship), you must complete the following two Level 6 modules:

• Innovation and Business Planning for Entrepreneurs

• Business Development for Entrepreneurs
   

If you wish to graduate with the BA (Hons) Business Management (Human Resource Management), you must complete the following two Level 6 modules:

• Human Resource and the Business

• Applied Human Resource Management

• Applicants require five GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent qualifications), including English Language.
• International equivalent qualifications are also accepted.
• Home students who do not meet these entry requirements can take our English Language assessments and attend an interview. If you pass, you can be admitted to the course. We do not charge a fee for this.
• You must have completed Year 11 (Key Stage 4) at least 2 years before you start the course. This would normally mean that you will be 18 years old or above when you start.

International Students
 

When you graduate, you will have the knowledge and experience to work in a range of industries and roles. Our alumni have become human resource managers, operations managers, brand managers and business development managers. Many also choose to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, setting up their own businesses such as GoLocate – an asset tracking technology.