BSc (Hons) Business and Management (Top-Up degree)

The module provides you with an excellent opportunity to use the knowledge and skills that you have acquired during the studies on the programme, as well as pursue your professional and academic interests. The module offers flexibility to pursue a business-related topic that is of interest to you or select from a pool of topics provided by the academic team.

As part of the research journey, you will learn to develop and justify research objectives, choose appropriate methodologies and methods to address those objectives, critically analyse existing concepts and theories, and collect and analyse data. You will reflect on the findings of your research projects which can demonstrate contribution to the existing knowledge, as well as practical value and application.

The module facilitates the enhancement of critical analysis and a wide range of research skills, as well as providing you with an opportunity to enhance your knowledge and understanding of a particular area in business and management.

Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:  

• Critically explore existing evidence and identify a gap in understanding of a particular trend or issue in an area of business and management
• Identify and critically review literature and other appropriate contextual sources pertinent to the issue, theme, subject or trend
• Critically review, select, and apply relevant methods of data collection and analysis
• Critically reflect on the results of the research project in the context of its theoretical and practical value

Module content

The module is delivered in two phases:

• Group taught phase
• Independent supervision phase

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Management and leadership are an intrinsic part of systems and organisation. In this module you will explore concepts and practices pertinent to leadership and management within organisations against the backdrop of current business environment and trends. The module discusses the interplay between leadership, ethics, value and organisational culture.

New approaches such as mentoring and coaching are becoming more popular, alongside the more traditional skillset of communication, persuasion, negotiation and conflict resolution. The module aims to support you in exploring various techniques, skills and approaches that leaders can apply in specific situations and contexts.

You will have an opportunity not only to learn about leadership skills and their application in different contexts, but also to reflect on your own talents in this area. As a result, they may be able to identify new goals and workplace skills to include in Personal Development Plans and facilitate ongoing employability.

Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

1. Critically examine the links and differences between management and leadership and how leadership principles support organisational values
2. Evaluate and apply effective leadership styles in achieving organisational objectives
3. Demonstrate an understanding of leadership skills effective for team engagement in organisations

Module content

This module covers the following areas:

• Leadership and its defining characteristics. Differences between leadership and management
• Critical issues in leadership and management theory and practice
• The effects of internal and external environment and contexts on leadership practice
• The role of leaders in developing vision and strategies
• Leading innovation and change
• How leaders influence and persuade others; legal, regulatory and ethical requirements on leadership demands
• Empowerment and building commitment and engagement in individuals and teams
• The role of coaching and mentoring
• Leadership, values and ethics
• Generating a collaborative workplace environment that can encourage and support fellowship behaviours

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The module focuses on strategy and strategic management within the global context. You will learn about strategies that businesses can employ to identify opportunities, gain sustainable competitive advantages and grow. The module explores the effects of globalisation, the ways businesses can adapt in the changing global environment and respond to the emerging challenges and competition. It discusses theory, conceptual frameworks and principles and their application in real life. You will also explore some of the most important areas in strategic decision-making, including but not limited to production strategy, sustainability, innovation, change and risk management.

Module Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

1. Critically appraise the effects of the external environment and globalisation trends and dynamics on an organisation
2. Identify the opportunities and develop strategies aimed at gaining sustainable competitive advantages
3. Critically evaluate potential risks and change management challenges associated with implementation of a strategic plan

Module Content

The aim of the module is to examine contemporary issues within the global business environment that are likely to impact upon strategic management principles. The module covers various aspects of strategic management and strategy formulation in order for an organisation to be competitive in the global marketplace. An indicative list of topics is given below:

• Analysing the Internal Environment: Resources and Competences
• Analysing External Environment
• Globalisation
• Strategy Formulation – Strategic Choices
• Strategic tools
• Change and Risk Management
• Strategy Implementation
• Production and Supply Chain Management
• Sustainability considerations
• Innovation

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This module discusses the emergence of psychology within business and management literature and the ways psychology is used in managerial practice and in the workplace. It introduces psychological theories and frameworks that can be applied in business context, including but not limited to the recruitment, attitudes, job satisfaction, communication, and learning. You explore the role that psychology can play in individual and team motivation, the effects of organisational culture and change, as well as in maintaining work-life balance.

A variety of techniques, tools, and practices will be discussed to develop a better understanding of the underpinning psychological drivers in leading and managing people, while building and maintaining positive professional relationships.

Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate current theoretical approaches in business psychology
2. Critically analyse the external factors that facilitate certain behaviour and change at the individual and team levels
3. Apply business psychology techniques and theories to understand real-life situations and dynamics in an organisational setting

Module content

During the module, the following topics are discussed:

• Introduction to business psychology
• The importance this field of knowledge has for organisations
• The use of psychology in developing, motivating, and engaging staff
• The psychology of change and how individuals, groups and organisations respond to uncertainty and change
• Succession planning and talent management
• The impact of working environment on productivity and wellbeing
• Managing work-life balance

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The module explores the effects of emerging digital technologies, sometimes referred to as ‘disruptive’, on the competitiveness and sustainability of businesses. The module's focus is to provide knowledge and understanding of the ways technologies can be managed in organisations to optimise their performance. You will learn how emerging technologies can create or add value, address business problems, and help accomplish corporate goals.

The module is based around the core principles of business process management, digital transformation, and technology implementation; it explores organisations' IT adoption approach, tactics, architecture, risk and security management. You will practise conducting an audit and developing a business case for technology adoption.

Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

1. Conduct a strategic audit of the emerging technologies suitable for an organisation to optimise its performance
2. Critically analyse opportunities to facilitate process improvement from the strategic audit of technology(ies)
3. Create a business case to demonstrate how the chosen technology(ies) adoption can facilitate business competitiveness

Module content

• Technology focused environmental audit
• Business process improvement
• The role of emerging technologies in current business environment
• Importance of emerging technologies in business functions
• Importance of overall technology adoption planning
• Strategy models for technology adoption
• Tactics based on emerging technologies
• Role of implementation modelling with resource planning
• Evaluation framework for technology adoption

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The analysis of financial statements can tell us a great deal about the health of a company and its ability to deal with future challenges, which is a key skill in any business environment, whether or not profit is the primary motivation. This module concentrates on using the financial, economic and non-quantitative information available to assess the relative strengths of entities and their ability to react to the impact of outside forces on their performance.

You will use techniques such as ratio analysis to interpret and analyse company financial reports; developing beyond how they are calculated to be able to provide reasons for improvements to company performance.

You will also study the use of forecasting techniques to be able to determine the robustness of the financial health of a company, including a prediction of its likely success or failure.

The module will also evaluate factors affecting share prices; this will include both internal and external influences on the company, which may impact financial performance.

You will learn how to evaluate the company’s place within the industry sector, to determine its performance and ability to lead or follow others in the market. We will look at companies’ vulnerability to external events, and steps they can take to mitigate this uncertainty in the market.

Module learning outcomes

1. Analyse financial statements to make decisions on the strength and adaptability of a business
2. Evaluate the influence of internal and external factors on the company’s future prospects

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This module takes an in-depth view of the contemporary marketing environment. It covers key concepts, models, and frameworks in the marketing discipline and explores marketing as a strategic business function in corporate strategic planning. It explores how organisations can take innovative and integrated approaches to marketing planning, drawing from current trends and challenges of an ever-changing marketplace.

The module provides the knowledge and skills that enable effective decision-making at all stages of the marketing planning process. You will develop an understanding of the critical role that marketing plays in achieving organisational objectives. Businesses can obtain a sustainable competitive advantage through an in-depth understanding of the industry and competition.

Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate the role of marketing in the achievement of organisational objectives
2. Critically analyse the factors in the organisation’s marketing environment and their impact on the marketing of a product or service
3. Develop a marketing plan for a product or service

Module content

During the module, the following topics are discussed:  

• Strategic marketing as a management process and tool
• Marketing ethics dilemmas
• Audit of the external and the internal environments
• The role of stakeholders
• Marketing data
• Identifying consumer and target market(s)
• Formulating marketing goals and objectives
• Developing a marketing plan for a commercial or a social organisation
• Understanding control and performance indicators
• Measuring marketing outcomes

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The module is designed to integrate three concepts, i.e., opportunity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, in a way that shows their synergy and interrelationship. You will learn to identify opportunities in the business environment and initiate innovative business ventures to capitalise upon them.

As innovation and entrepreneurship are not confined to new ventures or start-ups, this module recognises the need for an entrepreneurial mindset across different contexts, including commercial enterprises, large or mature organisations, social enterprises, family-owned businesses, as well as non-profit sector. You will be able to embed innovation and creativity within the chosen entrepreneurship context while appreciating ethical and responsible management practices and recognising opportunity and risk.

Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

1. Critically analyse contemporary business environment to identify entrepreneurial opportunities
2. Devise innovative business solutions to capitalise on the most viable entrepreneurial opportunities
3. Create a business plan for a new venture or a new initiative within an existing venture

Module content

• Introduction to entrepreneurship and innovation
• Opportunity and risk recognition, creation, and evaluation
• Problem solving and decision making supported by critical analysis  
• Business planning
• Entrepreneurship context: new venture creation, social enterprises, corporate and commercial enterprises
• Creativity and innovation
• Ethical entrepreneurship and responsible management
• Taking action, reflecting on that action, judging its success (or failure) and determining how this could be improved
• Communication, presentation, pitching skills

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