Foundation Degree (FdA) Business Management

Year 1 (Level 4)

Business Economics (20 credits, compulsory)

This module explores how firms operate in markets from an economic perspective. There will be a focus on the need to consider the market context in which business and management decisions are made. There will be an emphasis on understanding current economic information in order to take the first steps towards analysing how the economic business environment performs. This will include investigating issues concerning the interaction of organisations and their environmental contexts and developing knowledge and understanding of the different components of the business environment, with reference to the importance of international dimensions. The module will focus on introducing students to both micro and macroeconomics, with a view of understanding how economic theories and models can be used to make everyday management related decisions. The module will define influences within an organisation’s external environment that has the potential to create opportunities and present threats. (Written Assignment 50%, Exam 50%)

Principles of Management and Organisational Behaviour (20 credits, compulsory)

The aim of this module is to provide learners with an understanding of how organisations and employees manage and adapt behaviour to achieve a range of organisational and personal objectives the intention is to relate practical approaches to their theoretical contexts. (Written Assignment 40%, Group presentation 20%, Report 40%).

Employability Based Learning 1: Career Planning (20 credits, core)

This module enables students to carry out a number of employment related tasks required by employers to increase the opportunities of employment. To achieve this, students will reflect on their own learning and development to date, developing through this process a greater awareness of their own interests, skills and personal characteristics in the context of careers and work experience and identifying what is important to them in making an effective career decision. Students will develop their understanding of what they need to do to be employable and compete effectively in the job market, identifying resources, support and opportunities to achieve this. (CV and Cover Letter 10%, Action Plan 10%, Evaluation Day 30%, Reflection 50%)

Business Finance (20 credits, compulsory)

The module introduces the fundamental concepts and principles of accounting and finance. The module will focus on understanding the key concepts and principles of financial accounting in order to be able to interpret financial statements. The course focuses on the fundamentals of financial accounting and will begin by introducing students to accounting and finance concepts and terms, before moving on to financial and management accounting techniques which will include the production of financial statements such as income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements and forecasts. This knowledge will be used to enable the student to interpret financial information using financial ratios, with a view to improving the quality of decision-making. (Open Book Exam 50%, Report (Individual) 50%

Information Management (10 credits, compulsory)

The module introduces the variety of information types encountered in business and the importance that Information Technology plays in underpinning modern business practice, and investigates the purpose of information systems in business. It will promote an understanding of the variety of systems essential for a full and effective use of technology and examine the increasing number of methods of communication in speeding up the use of information. In addition, it will identify effective statistical methods for managing information and decision making within an organisation. (Investigation 50%, Presentation 50%)

Marketing and Innovation (20 credits, compulsory)

This module introduces students to marketing principles, and the importance marketing planning. Students will examine how to apply the marketing mix to achieve results. They will learn the underpinning theories and models and apply them to real–world examples. (Written Assignment 40%, Report (Group) 40%, Presentation 20%)

Research and Study Skills (10 credits, core)

This module develops the study skills of the students, enabling the production of sound academic writing and introducing the concept of critical thought. It will enable students to develop skills in academic research, writing and reflection. (Written Assignment 100%)

Year 2 (Level 5)

Human Resource Management (20 credits, compulsory):

This module aims to enable students to understand the development of HRM and the resource view of the organisation. It will discuss the principal functions and activities of Human Resource Management and the contribution to the achievement of organisational objectives. Students will explore the processes of recruiting, selecting and developing the talent and skills of the organisation, and the links between performance and reward in a contemporary context. (Written Assignments 100%)

Analytics for Business Decision Making (10 credits, compulsory):

This module aims to develop and build upon the numerous skills and knowledge gained during the programme to be utilised in a case based approach that will enable an application based approach to assist business decision making. The module will focus on decision making processes which will include gathering and interpreting information, defining business and management problems, evaluating solutions and how the decision can be implemented. The strategies used as part of business research and the methods of analysing and interpreting data to make decisions in an evidence based manner will a key theme during the module. A key part of the module will require the learner to evaluate information and to suggest answers to business issues raised in finance, marketing, human resources, strategy, and general business planning. The learners will use specific methods of using data and research to make evidence based decision. Therefore, the module will use a combination of case studies, readings and exercises, with each activity requiring the student to present evidence based solutions to contemporary business issues. (Report 100%)

Digital Marketing (10 credits, compulsory):

The module explores the role of digital technologies and how they are utilised by organisations to communicate to both current and prospective customers. The rise in digital technologies has had a major impact on the marketing communication process, which has led organisations adapt their marketing methods. The module will consider how digital marketing has now become part of planned integrated marketing strategies, due to the changing macro environment. The methods of digital marketing will be studied within the context of understanding the rapidly changing landscape from a technological, legal/political and consumer behaviour perspective. There will be a focus on how the digital marketing strategies are created, with emphasis on the creation of a digital marketing communication plan. Additionally, the module will explore numerous real world digital marketing campaigns, with numerous cases considered to analyse how companies engage with customers in the internet age. (Written Assignment 100%)

Employment Law For Managers (10 credits, compulsory)

The ability to manage employees within the law is an important skill for those preparing for a career in management. The aim of the module is to increase knowledge and understanding of employment law and its impact on an organisation as an employer. The purpose of the module is to provide an overview of contemporary employment law issues relating to an organisations recruitment and selection process; the management of the employment relationship, and termination of the employment relationship. (Written Assessments 100%).

Enterprise and Small Business Development (20 credits, compulsory)

The module seeks to provide students with an understanding of the creative, business and personal processes, choices and challenges to be faced by entrepreneurs and managers when starting a new enterprise or developing an existing business. The module will focus upon the various aspects of managing an enterprise, introducing subject areas which influence both the short and long term decision making process of an entrepreneur or manager. In addition, the module will explore the application of enterprise management with specific focus on the small to medium sized enterprise. The module will introduce students to the themes of entrepreneurship and innovation and concern itself with the small business sector and the practical issues associated with this. A computer software simulation programme will be used, where the student will have the opportunity to run a virtual company. As part of the simulation the learner will be required to make a range of strategic business decisions and to analyse the consequences of actions they have taken. (Reflection 20%, Simulation Activity 20%, Business Plan 60%)

Operations Management (10 credits, compulsory)

The module aims to introduce students to the fundamentals and principles of Operations Management which are central to all managers irrespective of their job title, and that Operations Management is a practical subject which deals with real issues in the service as well as the production industries. There will be an opportunity to appreciate and understand the role of Operations Management within organisations of varying disciplines and to develop and apply decision making skills to everyday situations. (Group Timed Assessment 100%)

Employability Based Learning 2: Skills for Leadership (20 credits, compulsory)

This module develops the students’ understanding of various topics needed in modern leadership, and maps to Chartered Management Institute (CMI) units. These include presenting and communicating data that supports decision making, management of individual and team performance and how to improve performance. (Written Assignments 100%)

Research Methods (20 credits, compulsory)

The aim of the module will be for students to understand and reflect upon the nature of a research proposal, the aims and applications of research, and the methods and procedures for conducting research with competent use of a statistical software. (Research Proposal 50%, Presentation 50%)