Business Management and Administration (Top-Up) BA (Level 6 only)

This module is designed to enhance academic practice within a contemporary business context, supporting you to develop the academic, digital and professional skills required for success across the course and in your chosen business career.

You will have the opportunity to advance your academic writing, critical thinking, use of resources, understanding of academic integrity, and application of digital literacy. These skills are explored through applied and relevant business management contexts. The module introduces key professional and employability practices, encouraging you to reflect on your interpersonal strengths, development needs and career goals.

A strong emphasis is placed on reflection and self-development, supporting you to become independent, responsible and active in your learning. This module will also support your career planning and development by exploring graduate roles in business.

By the end of the module, you will demonstrate improved academic writing and conduct, and approach your learning and future goals with greater confidence, clarity and purpose.

The People Management and Analytics module provides an in-depth understanding of how to manage people and change effectively within an organisation, incorporating both theoretical and practical elements. Upon completion, students will gain key insights and skills in the following areas:

1. Professional Standards and Ethics: Students will learn to uphold and maintain the standards set out in the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) code of professional conduct, ensuring they can apply ethical practices in people management.
2. Understanding Employment Relationships: Students will critically reflect on the factors that influence the employment relationship within an organisation, evaluating both internal and external determinants.
3. People Performance: Students will explore the concept of people performance, examining the internal and external factors that drive individual and organisational outcomes. They will develop an understanding of how people analytics can be used to enhance performance management.
4. People Analytics: Students will gain an understanding of how data and analytics can be leveraged to improve people performance, providing them with a practical skillset to apply in a variety of organisational contexts.
5. Leading Others : Students will consider the nature and significance of leadership in organisations, evaluating contemporary and future contexts in the light of developments in theoretical approaches to leadership and how they apply. 
6. Managing Change Effectively : Students will critically reflect on the challenges inherent in successfully leading change and the role of the future leader in doing so.

Throughout the module, students will engage with a variety of learning activities, including in-class discussions, collaboration and group work, providing opportunities for active participation and the development of analytical and problem-solving skills. They will be encouraged to critically engage with real-world case studies and practice applying academic concepts to practical scenarios.

Students will learn how to produce a professional business report with graphs highlighting the key data outlining real business people management issues and making suggestions to improve ; will complete a Portfolio, including analysis and reflection focussed on leading in the future and a presentation based on a self selected change scenario. Students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to address real-life people management challenges and apply them in a professional setting.

This module equips students with the essential skills and knowledge required in modern business environments. A strong understanding of business strategy and analysis is crucial for various roles. For instance, Business Analysts must be proficient in change management, negotiation, and impact assessment, ensuring that organisational improvements are effectively implemented while managing both intended and unintended consequences. Effective critical thinking is key to evaluating the impact of decisions on internal and external stakeholders and conducting cost-benefit analyses.

The module strikes a balance between contextual and theoretical discourse in the area of strategic management and the practical and professional challenges which face business professionals when driving strategy, providing a critical insight into the skills and knowledge needed to perform effectively and strategically in the role of a business analyst.

This module equips you with adequate financial knowledge of corporate finance including investing, financing and dividend decisions in an organisational context. It aims to achieve the following objectives:-

• identify the principal concepts in the theory and practice of financial management and corporate finance.
• develop the knowledge and skills expected of a finance manager, in relation to investment, financing, and dividend policy decisions.
• analyse and evaluate financial strategies through the application of appropriate tools in relation to management needs and policies.
• synthesise argument and consolidate knowledge by the presentation of strategic financial decisions, in a coherent format, suitable for relevant users.

Indicative module contents:-

• Financial management function – the nature and purpose of financial management / financial objectives and the relationship with corporate strategy / stakeholders and impact on corporate objectives organisational objectives including in not-for-profit organisations.
• Financial management environment – the economic environment for business / nature and role of financial markets, institutions and money markets
• Working capital management – the nature, elements and importance of working capital / management of inventories, accounts receivable, accounts payable and cash / determining working capital needs and funding strategies
• Investment appraisal - investment appraisal techniques / allowing for inflation and taxation in investment appraisal / adjusting for risk and uncertainty in investment appraisal / specific investment decisions (lease or buy decision / asset replacement / capital rationing)
• Business finance - sources of, and raising business finance / estimating the cost of capital, including
• WACC / sources of finance and their relative costs / capital structure theories and practical considerations / finance for small and medium-sized entities (SMEs)
• Business valuations - nature and purpose of the valuation of business and financial assets / models for the valuation of shares / the valuation of debt and other financial assets / Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) and practical considerations in the valuation of shares.

This is a self-directed module which enables and empowers students to initiate and develop their own project concept appropriate to their discipline of study.

Students within their final year of studies are very focussed on their ultimate work aspirations, and this module aids them to gain 'graduate trajectory' and enable them to better move into their chosen profession / industry as seamlessly as possible upon graduation.  

After the initial lectures setting out the style and scope of the module and opportunities, students decide on the content of their project and assessment (co-creation), and pitch this to staff by way of an initial project proposal.

Students then receive tutorial support and supervision throughout the year and agree the form that their final assessment will take. Students are encouraged to work with other stakeholders (internally or externally) where appropriate in the developing the project or work.