Business Management and Finance

This module introduces contemporary issues in business management, developing your awareness and understanding of factors affecting people and organisations in an ever-changing world. Teaching sessions will examine contemporary sources and debate current issues. 

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Ethics and sustainability in business management 

• Geopolitics and globalisation 

• Changing business cultures and the role of stakeholders 

• Smart technology and big data 

• Business management research and approaches 

• Shifting communication channels 

• Economic controversies 

This module introduces different types of businesses and organisations, focusing on operations, supply chain and marketing – developing academic literacy, business skills and future aspirations. You’ll work independently, within groups and in a real-world applied project, developing and applying academic and professional behaviours.   

You’ll study topics such as:  

• Organisational types, scale and span 

• Responsible and sustainable practice 

• Business functions 

• Marketing 

• Supply chain 

• Operations management 

• Excel  

• Academic skills and advising 

• Employability and entrepreneurial advice  

• Applied reflective practice 

This module will help leaners to develop knowledge and understanding of important financial statements, including the income statement, the statement of financial position and the cash flow statement. Learners will be able to identify and apply accounting concepts to different cost objects, calculate ratios and present credible results from analyses and comparisons.  The module will explore the impact of digitalization on the production of financial information, and how this will affect users of financial statements.        

The module will be delivered in large group and small group sessions using relevant software where applicable and will prepare leaders to be confident in their reading, understanding of financial statements.  

Indicative content:  

• Understand and interpret the contents of financial statements including the income statement, the statement of financial position and the cash flow statement. 

• Interpretation of financial statements using basic ratio analysis 

• Analysis of different cost types and their behaviours 

• Preparation of cash, profit and capital budgets 

• Implementation of time value of money concepts including investment appraisal. 

• Define different types of risk and outline how risk affect organisations 

• Practical calculation of risk including standard deviation. 

This module provides you with the knowledge and insight to lead, develop and engage with a diverse workforce, operating across varied business contexts. You’ll also take part in a simulated international collaboration. 

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Organisational behaviour and development 

• Ethical/legal/business case for equality, diversity and inclusion 

• Role of HR and line managers in developing people  

• Inclusive working environments 

• Employee engagement 

• Responsible, inclusive and ethical leadership 

• Intercultural management 

• Working and studying in other cultures  

You’ll apply management accounting concepts and techniques to interpret accounting information, supporting decision-making in organisations and helping managers to control present and projected performance of organisations. You’ll develop your financial literacy and presentation of financial information to non-finance professionals and board members – learning through large and small group sessions, using relevant software where applicable. 

You’ll study topics such as:  

• Multiple product break even 

• Pricing 

• Advanced variance analysis: sales, mix and yield, planning and operational  

• Working capital management 

• Prompting information systems to provide relevant accounting information and analysis 

• Advanced budgetary control  

• Activity-based, zero-based and planned programme budgeting 

• Presentation and communication of complex financial information as an advisory service 

• Work-integrated learning  

This module enhances your professional development via work-related learning opportunities.  You will gain interpersonal and business problem-solving skills that are key to successful graduate-level employment and learn about the business environment and the world of work.

The module will comprise teaching and individual supervision. Learners will undertake work-related activities e.g. work shadowing, volunteering, short placement, projects and so on.

Indicative content:

• Professional identity
• Reflective practice
• Problem-based research skills
• Teamwork
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Project management and report writing
• Networking
• Ethical practice

This module builds upon concepts and practical approaches introduced at level 4 and will prepare you for sandwich placement and for level 6 consultancy project.

This module introduces management decisions within a large-scale business, providing an understanding of the contemporary issues involved and the decision-making process. Using software you’ll act as the decision maker in the business, following the consequences of your decisions to either a profitable or unprofitable business, and analysing the outcome to solidify your learning.  

You’ll apply your learning and skills to:  

• Make independent judgements and justifications 
• Evaluate and analyse information to make sound judgements 
• Apply theory to real-life situations in a controlled environment 
• Focus on motivation and performance in decision-making 
• Apply performance measures 
• Review your experience 
• Use academic writing skills 

Module aim:    

The aim of this module is to enhance students’ professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s).  

A work placement will provide students with opportunities to experience the realities of professional employment and experience how their course can be applied within their chosen industry setting.

The placement will: 

• Allow student to apply the skills, theories and behaviours relevant and in addition to their course 
• Enable students to enhance their interpersonal skills in demand by graduate employers – communication, problem-solving, creativity, resilience, team work etc
• Grow their student network and relationship building skills
• Provide student with insights into the industry and sector in which their placement occurs 
• Help student make informed graduate careers choices

Indicative Content:  

In this module students undertake a sandwich placement (min 24 weeks / min 21 hours per week) which is integrated, assessed and aligned to their studies.  

Their personal Placement Academic Supervisor (PAS) will be their key point of contact during their placement and will encourage and support students to reflect on their experience, learning and contribution to the organisation they work for.  

To demonstrate gains in professional development, students will be required to share their progress, learning and achievements with their Placement Academic Supervisor and reflect on these for the summative piece of work. 

This module applies your knowledge of contemporary business management, developing critical and analytical research skills to inform decision-making in a real-life setting. You’ll develop an individual research project with others in small groups – based on a live consultancy brief or your own venture – exploring relevant theories in large group sessions. 

You’ll apply learning and skills such as:   

• Consultancy research  

• Entrepreneurial projects 

• Project design and management 

• Identifying discipline-relevant frameworks and concepts 

• Research methods, including ethics   

• Business report writing 

• Personal and professional reflection  

This module develops your knowledge and understanding of corporate reporting, governance and auditing principles and practice. Through lectures, seminars and relevant software, you’ll consider the effectiveness of the governance and agency system of an organisation – recognising the responsibility of the board or other agents towards their stakeholders, including the organisation’s social responsibilities and reporting implications. 

You’ll study topics such as:  

• Financial and narrative reporting of annual report and accounts  

• Research and enquiry techniques related to financial and narrative reporting 

• Regulatory frameworks such as the IASB/ISSB and FRC/ARGA 

• Corporate social responsibility, sustainability and ESG 

• Key areas of the UK Corporate Governance Code 

• Comparative roles of the external and the internal auditor 

• Professional ethics including independence and objectivity 

• The regulatory framework of international auditing 

• Audit risk assessment, planning, collection of evidence and the auditor’s report 

• Assurance engagements 

This module enables you to critically evaluate how organisations develop and implement their strategies in a diverse, digital and global environment. We’ll look through the lens of real-life case studies that bring to life how organisations create their strategies, including applied environmental analysis in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world. 

You’ll study topics such as: 

• Strategy process and its influencers in a global and digital environment 
• Strategy development  
• Complex organisational and environmental circumstances 
• Risk analysis and mitigation 
• Responsible and ethical decision-making