Year one
Core modules
Business Analysis (Semester 2)
The module is designed to help you develop a range of statistical and computing skills that will be valuable to you during the course of your academic programs and in your future career in business. Although there are no pre-requisites for this module it is assumed that you have basic mathematical skills.
Contemporary Business Issues (Semester 1)
The module will provide an introduction to business concepts and models and the information sources needed to research, analyse and apply these concepts to the practice of business. It includes an overview of contemporary and emerging business themes including the changing macro-environment, emergence of new economies and inter-relatedness of the global trade, the structure and organisation of different industry sectors e.g. services, SMEs. It will provide an introduction to issues of sustainability, enterprise, innovation, corporate social responsibility and the impacts of globalisation on different business sectors.
Economics (Semester 2)
The aim of the module is to introduce you to the fundamental economic issues stemming from the scarcity of resources. The relationship between business and the economic problem is analysed by means of micro and macro-economic models to equip you with an understanding of decision-making at the levels of the market, the firm and the nation.
Financial Accounting for Professionals (CIPFA, ICAEW) (Semester 1)
The module provides you with an understanding of accounting with a focus on limited liability companies. It introduces you to key accounting topics. A firm understanding of double-entry is established and then used to graduate to the preparation of financial statements for primate limited companies. The accounting framework is introduced and its importance to the users of accounts discussed.
Marketing Principles and Practice Economics (Semester 1)
The module develops your understanding and then provides a forum for critical analysis of the application of marketing techniques in international, multi-national, and global market situations. Emphasis is given to the relative importance of political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, legal and regulatory, and environmental issues as they apply to (changing) country-specific and regional contexts. Market research techniques and practices develop student understanding of market entry and market sustainability techniques as aspects of competitive advantage.
People Management in the 21st Century (Semester 2)
This module focuses on the behavioural aspects of people management in organisations. This is a vital area of study because the ability to understand behaviour in the workplace is a necessary prerequisite for making informed choices and for influencing organisational action such as decision making regarding organisational objectives, and leading and influencing the behaviour of others in order to see that the decisions are implemented. It is anticipated that by the end of the module you will be able to evaluate objectively and understand organisational behavioural situations and determine the best course of action from a range of perspectives.
Year two
Core modules
Econometrics (Semester 1)
The purpose of this module is to broaden your knowledge and extend your understanding of these econometric methods, through practical application, using appropriate computer software packages to analyse various data. This module follows the standard itinerary of most econometrics textbooks but with more emphasis on understanding how econometric models work through the use of illustrations and how they can be applied to achieve real world solutions in the computer lab. By the end of the module, you will be able to demonstrate the relevance of econometric models in bridging the gap between theory and reality. The range of techniques introduced in the module can be used in business, finance and market research as well as economics.
Foundations of Finance (Semester 2)
The module will examine how practical techniques and tools used within a corporate setting forms part of a wider understanding of financial management. This will involve exploring the principles of financial management in maximising shareholder wealth. Its focus on the sources of finance and appraisal techniques of investment projects will be addressed first. Decisions on capital structure and management along with dividend policy are issues that students will cover as key factors in company valuation. Frequent reference to the financial crisis will be a feature of this module. This will be looked at in relation to the constantly changing environment and how this impacts on the financial management of different types of organisations. The nature of financial markets and financial risk faced by corporations will be examined as well as the pricing of financial assets using asset pricing models.
International Finanical Reporting (Semester 1)
The focus is on financial statements of listed companies prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. It is truly an international study of accounting as almost 120 countries have required or permitted the use of these standards. In your working life in business you may be involved in preparing financial statements, analysing them, or simply understanding them. You may even use this information in a personal capacity in understanding the business news, or even as an investor.
Work Based Learning (Semester 2)
The aim of the module is develop your skills in seeking and obtaining a work placement or internship of a minimum of three weeks’ duration. It will also develop your skills in learning from work experience and applying academic learning to the work place.
Likely optional modules
Corporate and Business Law (ACCA, ICAEW, CIPFA) (Semester 2)
Corporate and Business Law develops knowledge and skills in the understanding of the general legal framework, and of specific legal areas relating to business, recognising the need to seek further specialist legal advice where necessary; and of compliance with the codes of ethics for professional accountants.
Developing Sustainable Enterprises (Semester 1)
The aims of the module are to introduce you to the relationship between business and the challenges and opportunities of business sustainability, and to encourage the development of enterprising skills to meet these challenges.
E-business (Semester 1)
The aim of this module is to explore the business paradigm shift that arises from application of emerging information and communication technologies. The module is aimed at anyone wishing to gain an understanding of business activities and interaction between business and the business environment (customers, suppliers…) and how technologies can be deployed to enhance these activities.
Human Resources Management (CMI) (Semester 2)
This module aims to equip you with the ability to understand and analyse core HRM concepts, operational Human Resource activities and responsibilities and relate these to a range of organisational contexts.
Innovation and Enterprise Management (Semester 2)
The module will consider the role and definition of innovation in organisations of all types and sizes, including the concept of Intellectual Property and its contribution to competitiveness. It will explore the concepts and theories of innovation, the tools and techniques for innovation management and review how these are used in practice.
Management Accounting (ACCA, ICAEW, CMI, CIPFA) (Semester 1)
Management Accounting introduces and develops an understanding of the fundamental concepts and techniques of management accounting and applies these techniques in an appropriate way. It also develops students’ ability to critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of these techniques. The module demonstrates how management accounting information may be used for the purposes of planning, decision making, performance measurement and control within organisations, in order to further the organisation's strategic objectives.
Project Management (apm, CMI) (Semester 1)
This module aims to examine critically the role of project management within a contemporary business context. It also explains how specific project management applications play an important role in producing successful business outcomes and examines the philosophies, principles, structures and methodologies of project management.
Research Methods (Semester 2)
This module is designed to enable you to develop your skills and expertise in quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and to independently design and conduct an effective piece of research.
Year three
Core modules
Financial Markets and Risk Management (Semester 2)
The aim is to develop student understanding on the role of securities in the financial markets and how the economic environment impacts the value of financial securities. It further provides students exposure into the special regulatory requirements and the accounting implications into being an investor in those securities.
International and Multinational Finance (Semester 2)
This module requires you to examine the important issues surrounding international financial management. This involves discussing the stylised facts of the international financial markets such as interest rate and foreign exchange market and main drivers of determination. The module will require you to understand issues surrounding international interest rate and foreign exchange rate models of determination such as purchasing power parity, interest rate parity and monetary models. From this starting point, the module will then explore foreign exchange rate risk, ways of managing this risk and its importance to multinational corporations in the light of recent events. In addition, you will gain exposure to the issues surrounding the raising of finance from the international capital markets and international capital budgeting, the cost of capital and capital structure in a multinational context. Further analysis on the implications for financial management by relating case studies real world events to the issues discuss in class.
Portfolio Management (Semester 1)
This module will critically evaluate the principles of modern portfolio theory and the key components in constructing a portfolio. It will begin with the application of theory to the development of equity based portfolios. This will then be extended by further diversification of portfolios to include other asset classes such as currency and bonds. The module will examine the role of derivatives in portfolio management and analyse different methods of active portfolio management. This will then be followed by an analysis of portfolio performance using various industry recognised performance attribution measures. Emphasis will be placed on relating real world events to the world of portfolio management.
Likely optional modules
You will need to choose three options from the following modules:
Audit and Assurance (ACCA, ICAEW, CIPFA) (Semester 1)
Audit and Assurance plays a vital role in accounting. This module introduces you to key auditing techniques. The importance of the audit function with regard to the independent examination of financial information of any entity, whether profit oriented or not, and irrespective of its size or legal form, is explained. The skills necessary to carry-out such an examination are applied, with a view to developing the knowledge necessary to express an opinion thereon.
Business Ethics (Semester 2)
The module will consist of a broad syllabus addressing practical considerations of the nature of ethics, progressing through learning of a range of traditional and post-modern ethical theories, and the appreciation of these theories in the practical setting of modern business processes. You will study topics such as corporate social responsibility, sustainability and the environment, professionalism and integrity, ethics and technology, financial scandals, whistle-blowing and other emerging issues, by reference to case studies.
Individual Study (Semester 2)
The aim of the module is to provide you with the opportunity to undertake an in-depth study of a particular line of enquiry related to a business issue selected by you.
Knowledge Management (Semester 2)
The module will cover the nature of knowledge. Epistemological issues, including typologies of knowledge, and the distinction between tacit and explicit knowledge will be examined as will the sources of knowledge. Knowledge as an intangible asset will be explored as will the measurement and evaluation of the contribution of knowledge to the strategic management of the organisation and the role of knowledge in business functions. In addition, the module will examine ethical issues in knowledge management and the nature and protection of intellectual property.
New Venture Creation (Semester 1)
The module aims to provide a practical perspective on the development and planning processes involved in the creation of a new venture, either as a new business start-up or as a new product or service development within a public or private organisation setting. It aims to develop an understanding and awareness of business models underlying successful new business ventures, and the potential of business model innovation. It will explore the fundamental building blocks of a business model, the interrelationships between the building blocks and the links to the external business environment, and aims to arrive at a detailed operational and financial feasibility study that assesses the real potential of the new venture creation project.
Service Management (Semester 2)
The module will acquaint you with the complex demands made upon service management organisations and the challenges that staff within them face. An understanding of the environments in which they operate will be developed and an appreciation of the different constraints placed upon them will be explored. The module will exam the range of alternatives that organisations can draw from and will include an investigation into the issues associated with service management across a wide range of situations. This will include the process of servitisation, managing the service encounter, service quality, service level, customer management and capacity management.
Strategic Management (Semester 1)
The aim of the module is to provide you with an understanding of the impact of the business environment and the resources of the organisation, both human and material, on strategic planning and choice. This will enable you to consider strategic alternatives, evaluate their suitability and make you aware of the complex issues involved in implementing strategy and managing strategic change.
Taxation (ACCA, ICAEW, CIPFA, CIMA) (Semester 2)
Taxation plays an important role in society. This module provides an introduction to the most common taxes in the UK; income tax, corporation tax, VAT and capital gains tax. The basic rules are explained, and the taxes are discussed in the context of government policy.
Dissertation (40 Credits) (PR) (Semester 1 and 2)
The aim of the module is to provide students with the opportunity for the practical application of theory to a business oriented problem and to develop research skills.