Business and Management
BSc (Hons)

You will be introduced to the framework of accounting – its nature, purposes, and the contexts/environment in which it is practised in a global demission. You will learn the basics of accounting (i.e. concepts, conventions, principles and the accounting equation) and the elementary book-keeping or recording mechanism that underlies both finance and accounting. There have been many reports of financial issues in global companies and this module introduces you to the key concepts in finance, so that real world issues can be explored and discussed.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Explain accounting and financial concepts/terminology
2. Prepare and interpret basic financial statements

Module content

The module allows you learn fundamental elements of financial accounting (role, nature, scope and limitations of accounting conventions). It covers:

• Regulatory accounting framework
• Financial statement analysis and business environment: construction, use and interpretation
• Group accounting
• Legal and economic considerations including elements of taxation
• Introduction to managerial accounting - the design, use and role of accounting information in the management of organisational activities
• Costing and budgeting - the design and use of performance measurement systems
• The financial system and flow of funds - introductory financial formulae
• The financial decisions of firms, capital budgeting and management of risk

It will give you a flavour of accounting and financial practices in different parts of the world as it will be presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs)/International Accounting Standards (IASs). Also this module exposures you to the business and financial environment within which the discipline of Accounting and Finance operates, using real-world financial data for actual companies across the world. Concepts, techniques and interpretive skills will be developed relating to the external financial reporting of companies and their relationship to the stock market, and to the use of accounting information for business decisions.

Therefore understanding the relationships between business and society is essential to effective management of businesses and the societies they operate in. This module will broaden your understanding of some of the contemporary issues faced by business managers managing such issues in today’s globalised economy. The module adopts a multidisciplinary approach to examine challenges posed by changes in the contemporary social, economic and environmental challenges. Businesses and their numerous stakeholders have never been so powerful and important to shaping our lives, but how they exercises power and impacts on society is a controversial and complex issue. This module will examine and assess what makes business powerful and which factors limit its power towards a sustainable future for all.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Explain the complexities that characterise the relationships between business and society
2. Explore emerging trends in the environment in which business operates
3. Examine broad forces in business, society, and globalisation, and look at how stakeholders can influence the destiny of both business and society

Module content

The module covers the main aspects of the business environment. It covers:

• Nature and types of business and other organisations
• Business and society
• Relationships between various stakeholders - such as business and governments: governments consumer, supplier; business and politics: managing influence; business and people: consumers, clients, employees, the public perceptions
• Business and the physical environment - sustainability in the business context; business and the technological environment
• The social and ethical responsibilities of business
• Business in emerging economies; the international context (regional economic blocs, World Trade Organization)

This module will examine and assess business power and influence on these stakeholders. It examines how corporate behaviour affects society (workers and consumers) and the environment, production and marketing activities, and corporate social responsibility (CSR). It will consider the relationship between business and international policies, examining the marketization of state services, and the impact of social policies. This module has been designed around the theme of 'responsibility'. Implicit in this is an understanding of ethical decision making and ethical behaviour in business and society, in particular with regard to corporate social responsibility.

It is designed to enhance students' understanding of effective management; to focus on a systematic coverage of relevant management theory and practice; to cover fundamental management skills and abilities required to run companies and organizations successfully; and to review the foundations of modern management thought. It highlights the integrated nature of business functions and management theories are applied to practical business situations in planning, organising, leading and controlling of business activities. The module introduces a broad-ranging concepts intended to provide a foundation in the most significant issues in management theory and practice, as well as to create awareness of contemporary issues in the business management world. The module will include key theoretical and practical areas of people, product and service management from a global perspective.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Discuss the fundamental concepts and principles of management theories and aspects of management practice
2. Describe the historical and contemporary views and aspects of management work
3. Apply theoretical and scientific aspects to management practice

Module content

The module provides you with relevant foundation subject matter for the management theories and how they are applicable in practice. This overall approach encourages a strong sense of management identity, and increase your awareness of global management issues and potential ways of solving them from a global perspective. The module will incorporate contemporary business themes such as:

• Globalisation
• Sustainability
• Stakeholder engagement
• Innovation
• Supply chain
• Risk management

Due to the diversity of the students' backgrounds and opinions, this topic should engage students in lively debates on sustainability. In this module, you will acquire confidence and skills in presenting, writing business reports, research, working in teams, managing conflicts, and working to deadlines. They also get an understanding and experience of working in informal networks, coaching, peer review, and performance management.

You will engage with a useable body of economic theory, which will provide the basis for further study and a real understanding of the role of economics in business, public and private decision making. As a student on the module, you will get used to current modes of economics through which to understand real business problems or aspects of the business environment in an applied mechanism for example using relevant case studies from across the world. You will develop an in-depth understanding of the macroeconomic contemporary issues in today’s business environment and how international policy, governments, local authorities affect their behaviour. You will acquire business decision-making skills useful in today’s macroeconomic environment to deal with issues such as managing business through economic recovery from recession and the effect this has on the role of businesses and various stakeholders.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Discuss basic economic theory relevant to applications in managerial decision making
2. Explain how the economic environment affects businesses in the domestic economy and in the global economy

Module content

The module will cover an introduction to basic theories and concepts of economic - microeconomic and macroeconomic. The microeconomic part of the module considers how a competitive economy peopled by agents who consider only their own welfare operates. You will cover microeconomic analysis, including the theory of supply and demand that such an economy need not be chaotic, costs and pricing under various forms of industrial organisation, and welfare economics. Many applications of theoretical models are examined, for example where an economy works well or badly will be examined using the concept of Pareto optimality. Causes of poor economic performance are then analysed under the heading of 'market failure'.

The macroeconomic part of the module will consider the interconnections between different sectors of the economy, leading to an analysis of the determination of the level of national income and employment. The impacts of fiscal and monetary policy on employment and inflation are considered. The determinants of consumer expenditure and investment are analysed, along with the causes of fluctuations in the level of economic activity. The role of the foreign sector and the determinants of the exchange rate complete this part. The macroeconomic analysis will cover areas such as national income analysis, monetary theory, business cycles, inflation, unemployment, and the great macroeconomic debates.

Effective human resource management (HRM) contributes significantly to overall organisational performance. People are a key source of a firm’s competitive advantage and HRM must be considered seriously. The module enables you learn the choices that managers need to design systems to regulate and control the use of human resources. Students will assess the daily problems faced by managers in practice in today’s globalised working environment.

The module will cover the essential elements of HRM and their implementations in today’s multicultural workforce. It draws substantially on HRM concepts, theories and practices from different industries to facilitate understanding of the issues and concerns that are applicable to both private and public sectors. It will explain and clarify how an informed, well-structured and co-productive management approach to HRM can deliver substantial benefits to all stakeholders: employers and employees as well as their shareholders and clients.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Discuss the theory, core processes and practical underpinnings of HRM and appraise their impact on organisational and individual performance
2. Appraise the principles upon which different HRM practices and policies are developed in different organisational contexts

Module content

The module is designed to help students develop analytical skills to understand complex HRM issues. Emphasis will be placed on the joint development and integration of theory and practice. The guiding principle of the module is that theory and practice are inextricably linked.

You will be actively encouraged to make the appropriate links through coursework assignments, practical tasks and directed study. The module emphasises the understanding of how and why people work together, what makes them want to work and how to improve performance in a globalised market. Students will learn key aspects of organisational behaviour theories and concepts and how they are applied in their own working environment.

• Introduction to human resource management
• Human resource management in a business context
• Organisation flexibility and the supply of labour
• People resourcing
• Employment law
• Managing diversity
• Reward, performance and rewarding performance
• Managing the employment relationship
• Developing human resources
• Organisational culture

This module will provide students with basic understanding of both current and emerging marketing principles and techniques. In particular, it will show the importance of applying a customer focus in situations which reflect the contemporary nature and impact of marketing on everyday life. The module will assess the requirements for effective marketing and outline the marketing management process involved, while also describing a range of techniques used to implement marketing strategies. The principles and techniques student will study apply to both the public and the private sectors and both products and services.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Discuss what influences customer behaviour from both a conceptual and practical perspectives
2. Identify and describe key marketing activities, the role and function of marketing and apply these in organisational settings
3. Explain marketing activities, trends in the marketing environment and how they affect marketing planning

Module content

The course content is structured around real-world examples, anecdotes and discussions that will help students develop skills of critical analysis and problem-solving. Students will draw from the work of international marketing scholars and look at marketing and consumption in the context of globalisation. Areas considered in this module:

• Introduction to modern marketing thought
• Analysing the marketing environment
• Consumer behaviour
• Market segmentation, targeting and positioning
• Marketing mix: product
• Marketing mix: price
• Marketing mix: promotion
• Marketing mix: place
• Marketing mix: physical evidence, people, processes
• Digital applications across the whole of the marketing discipline
• Service marketing
• Marketing’s practical application across a range of industry settings
• Marketing ethics
• Marketing implementation and control responsibility

Students will consider fundamental accounting structures necessary to provide sound information on which decisions to make based on accounting criteria, or, to support decision-making processes where accounting information underpins other decision-making priorities. This module aims to develop an ability to take the necessary decisions in all sectors environment, to ensure effective resource management and sustainability. Effective decisions come from using effective purchasing and control systems and applying this in specific situations.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Explain the structure, function and significance of the key accounting statements, and their relationship to one another, and critically evaluate the information obtained therein
2. Apply and examine decision-making techniques aligned to ensure effective resource management and business sustainability
3. Critique and apply some approach to financial information used in accounting statements for business decisions

Module content

This module aims to give students a well-informed, practical grasp of accounting, finance, financial analysis and financial decision-making as pertinent to the aspiring general manager. It brings together key topics from financial accounting, management accounting, finance, and data analysis.

• The preparation of financial accounts; and analysis and interpretation of the principal financial accounting statements which are the income statement (or profit and loss account), statement of financial position (or balance sheet) and cash flow statement
• From management accounting, we deal with the requirements for and practices of accounting for the benefit of parties internal to the business, as they seek to plan, monitor and control the business in a well-informed and effective manner
• From finance, we consider how businesses may be funded and how that funding should be managed; decisions as to where the business should invest its resources; and analysis of business performance in stock market terms. As regards generally applicable quantitative techniques, the module covers the calculation and use of descriptive statistics and the graphical presentation of data

The over-riding concern is that students should be able to speak the accounting and financial language of business; be able to take an active and constructive part in discussions of or based on accounting and financial information, and understand and appropriately employ accounting and financial information and techniques in making business decisions.

Underlying themes for the module are the need for interpretation as well as raw analysis; relating accounting and finance to other aspects of business to allow for integrated insight; appreciation of uncertainty and risk; and creation of value.

In this module students aim to understand organisational behaviour from a managerial and critical viewpoint, drawing on international research. The managerial viewpoint seeks to understand behaviour in order to manage more effectively and, hopefully, more ethically – understanding the fundamentals of behaviour in organisations enables better practices to be developed and implemented. This module introduces students to theoretical perspectives of managing people, recognising the changing nature of management and analysing the role of supervisors and managers

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Examine key concepts, theories, policies and procedures that are commonly used by organisations in organisational behaviour management
2. Analyse key aspects of organisational behaviour and human resource management in different business and corporate settings

Module content

The module covers the following areas:

• Introduction to OB and HRM
• Content theories of motivation
• Performance management
• Leadership and people management
• Organisational culture and international HRM
• Strategic recruitment and selection
• Diversity and equal opportunity in the workplace
• Reward management
• Learning and training at work

The module introduces the learner to the nature of business and management research and the tools often used by managers. It will prepare you for applying your dissertation in an organisational or industry context, and for undertaking management interventions in the workplace.

The learner will select a work issue or opportunity that is of professional and personal development interest to them, as well as of benefit to the organisation. The learner will creatively design a methodologically sound approach to execute a work-based project and critically analyse, evaluate and present the findings of their investigation.

This will enable the learner to independently design a well-thought through work-based project and to research, collect, critically analyse and evaluate data and information in methodologically sound way. This includes presenting the outcomes of their research, highlighting novel or innovative approaches, new information and key impacts on areas of practice.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Evaluate a range of research approaches, methods and techniques for their chosen workplace problem/topic of further study/research
2. Appraise the ethical and practical issues and implications of undertaking business and management research
3. Articulate a research question and proposal for a study

Module content

Through negotiation with relevant personnel within the organisation, and in line with academic requirements, the learner will identify a project within their work place.

The term "project" within this module is used broadly to indicate study which requires a substantial element of independent effort. While particular professions and disciplines may adopt specific methods and techniques, learners are encouraged, with tutorial support, to develop their own approaches to ethical enquiry in the workplace, including the collection and interpretation of data.

Key areas of study that may underpin the project include:

• Research approaches and philosophies
• Justifying research questions including testing hypotheses where relevant
• Research styles and traditions: quantitative and qualitative and combining methods
• Building up a feasible and valid work-based project design, including ethical, sampling and reliability evaluation
• Primary research methods covering a range of qualitative and quantitative methods, such as interviewing, focus groups, observation, questionnaires
• Critical analysis, evaluation and presentation of data and information
• Ethical issues in research approach and design and recognition of University research ethics policy guidelines (University of Derby Code of Practice on Research Ethics)
• Search, review and analysis of literature
• The research process
• Inherent problems of research: constraints on the researcher, subjects and participants
• Writing a research report and in-depth study

All learners are required to comply with research governance and ethics principles whilst undertaking their programme of study. This is of particular importance when conducting research involving other people, eg for module assessments or Independent Studies, or where accessing sensitive organisational information. Find out more about .

The module content is based on traditional quantitative analysis but is mainly focused on looking for patterns in data, the interpretation of quantitative analysis results and the analysis of data using spreadsheets available in most businesses. The skill base developed gives you the confidence to prepare an analysis of real data to inform a business decision and to further explore quantitative analysis at a later stage. These skills also prepare you for analysis required in other modules within your programmes.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Investigate relevant descriptive techniques within spreadsheets for business data analysis and to interpret outcomes within a relevant context
2. Use statistical techniques to draw well-founded inferences from quantitative data
3. Identify sources of published statistics, understand their context and report on their wider relevance

Module content

You will be introduced to the Excel spreadsheet and how to use it to manipulate data such as index numbers, produce tables and charts and undertake descriptive statistics analysis including measures of mean and median, measures of dispersion. Other techniques covered include basic rules of probability and using decision trees for business problems, sampling techniques and sampling distribution of means, standard normal distribution, confidence intervals for estimating means and proportions, simple parametric tests and measures of association including non-parametric tests, simple bivariate correlation and regression, plus basic financial analysis including project appraisal with NPV, IRR, and compounding. The emphasis is on practical analysis and developing the ability to interpret results and understand why and how they are used in business.

Project management is becoming a mainstream activity in which most managers will become involved during their careers, therefore it is a critical skill. Project management is evolving significantly away from its original roots in construction and engineering and is now relevant to all business contexts.

The module will provide a comprehensive methodology for managing projects. It is therefore imperative for students to have a solid understanding of its strengths and weaknesses in the context of different organisations and scenarios. The module considers the trinity of scope, cost and time, and connects you with the operational aspects of managing projects.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Assess the need for change and develop strategies for managing change
2. Define, assess, resource and schedule a feasible industry project
3. Evaluate organisational and management issues concerned with project management

Module content

The module is designed to help students develop analytical skills to understand project management principles, techniques and applications. Emphasis will be placed on the joint development and integration of theory and practice. The guiding principle of the module is that theory and practice are inextricably linked. The module covers the following areas:

• The various definitions and characteristics of a project
• Why organisations in different sectors need to engage in projects and consider different types of project
• The implications of the 'project management triangle' of scope, time and cost
• External business environmental factors and how they may affect a project (PESTLE)
• The various stages of project management and some of the project management tools available
• How projects' risks and issues can be assessed and managed
• How the various stakeholders' interests can be mapped and addressed
• The critical success factors and ways in which projects may fail

Macroeconomics today is a different subject than it was just a few decades ago. Old controversies have been resolved and new ones have arisen. This module builds on the level 5 teaching of economics to provide an intermediate course, which takes full account of the policy issues and controversies in the world macroeconomy. The module aims to examine how government economic policies can affect businesses, whether to operate more efficiently or to constrain their activities. Key issues of the day are analysed such as whether or not it is possible to improve the competitiveness of local businesses and what policies are needed to foster their economic growth integration.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Analyse an economic problem or issue such as unemployment, inflation, macroeconomic policy and exchange rate volatility in the media using an appropriate theoretical framework, recognise its limitations and appreciate uncertainties around such analyses
2. Investigate relevant data and to apply economic analysis to examine the current business environment and the impact of government policy on business

Module content

The macroeconomic part of the module will consider the interconnections between different sectors of the economy, leading to an analysis of the determination of the level of national income and employment. The impacts of fiscal and monetary policy on employment and inflation are considered. The determinants of consumer expenditure and investment are analysed, along with the causes of fluctuations in the level of economic activity. The role of the foreign sector and the determinants of the exchange rate complete this part. The macroeconomic analysis will cover areas such as national income analysis, monetary theory, business cycles, inflation, unemployment, and the great macroeconomic debates.

Students cover how the macroeconomic theories of aggregate demand and aggregate supply are derived. This involves studying the markets on which these theories are based. It is important to be aware that there are many theories of aggregate demand and supply. This term we use is the IS-LM model, which you will use to derive a theory of aggregate demand in both open and closed economies. We also examine the labour market to derive a theory of aggregate supply and study the relationship between inflation and unemployment. Also what determines the standard of living of countries in the long term, as opposed to short-run economic fluctuations. You will study microeconomic fundamentals of macroeconomics to understand in-depth the determinants of consumption, investment, and labour supply decisions. We then use these and the ideas developed last term to extensively examine macroeconomic demand management policies (fiscal and monetary) and their shortcomings. We finally study the role of the financial system in the macroeconomy and the causes behind the global economic crisis.

The fundamental aim of marketing is to create value to the consumer whilst Sales aims at introducing new products/services that attracts new customers, thereby creating satisfaction and loyalty. This fundamental principles applies to all businesses whether operating online or offline. Digital sales and marketing, however, poses a new array of opportunities and challenges to both consumers and businesses who need to understand new concepts, tools, technologies and business models. The aim of this module therefore is to provide students with knowledge of practical frameworks and tools they can apply to understand how different types of businesses can employ the appropriate digital sales and marketing mix effectively to achieve competitive advantage.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Assess the range of digital sales and marketing tools to an organisation and evaluate their contribution to marketing and sales performance
2. Plan and analyse different types of objectives, strategies and tactics related to leveraging digital sales and marketing technologies and techniques in practical situations
3. Establish how channels of distribution and the sales force are used in conjunction with other marketing domain areas as part of a firm’s sales and marketing strategy

Module content

This module will equip you with the language, knowledge and skills to become proficient in the debates and skills surrounding developments in the new digital age. It will teach you the fundamentals of sales and marketing theory and will apply these in a new media/digital context. You will assess your values, interests, skills, and career aspirations and use this information to prepare the process of developing your graduate identity transferable skill development is an important element of the module, focusing on your sales and marketing capabilities. You will cover the theoretical and practical sales and marketing knowledge and skills required by aspiring and practicing sales and marketing managers to enable you to be succeed in the workplace. Your place within the business context is central in your considerations and you will explore how to; selling responsibly, understand segmentation, targeting and positioning and analyse the marketing and sale environment within the digital age.

Areas to be covered include:

• The challenges of digital sales and marketing
• Emerging digital sales and marketing
• Understanding the online marketplace
• Digital marketing tools (SEO, pay per click, PR, social, emergent media)
• Digital sales and marketing strategy development
• Principles of website design: customer experience and usability
• Impact of digital sales and marketing channels on the marketing and sales mix and branding
• Gaining customer knowledge and insight using digital sales and marketing
• Digital CRM and database technology
• Managing integrated digital sales and marketing communications
• Digital campaign analysis and performance development
• Digital campaign control and coordination
• The future landscape of digital and social media

New leadership skills and techniques such as mentoring and coaching will be evaluated and developed, alongside the more traditional skills such as communication, persuasion, negotiation and conflict resolution. How these are applied in specific situations, particularly periods of change will be analysed. Students will understanding the impact of organisation’s culture, ethics and values on leadership The interrelation between leadership and management will be explored alongside the place of both at differing levels within organisations. The occurrence and application of leadership principles by individuals without positional power will be evaluated and skills required for good leadership explored and developed. The module will critically evaluate the key theories, research, practices and skills of leadership and management with emphasis given to supporting students to add to their Personal Development Plans in the area of leadership skills. There will be opportunities for students to discover and develop their leadership skills and reflect on means of development to support their future employability.

Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students 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
4. Critically analyse the impact of organisation’s ethical and value-based approach to leadership

Module content

This module covers the following areas:

• Fundamentals of leadership and its defining characteristics. Differences between leadership and management
• The concepts of leadership and management in an organisational, social, environmental and multicultural context
• Leadership principles that support organisational values
• The key roles that leaders play in creating visions and strategies, and the implementation of leadership and management strategies to meet current and future organisational demands
• Critical issues in leadership and management development, including how leaders are selected, development tools that are available, and issues of evaluation
• How leadership development strategy is formulated and implemented in international and global contexts
• Leading change, and the key challenges that organisations and individual managers face
• How leaders influence and persuade others; legal, regulatory and ethical requirements on leadership demands
• How leaders build employee commitment and engagement, particularly through practising 'Evidence Based Management'
• Leadership skills and values for building teams and securing involvement and participation
• Core communication skills used by leaders to motivate followers
• Thinking skills for leaders: barriers to rational thinking and how they can be overcome
• Promoting collaborative working and engaged followership behaviours

Module Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students 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

This module supports the process of accreditation whilst also enabling students to undertake a piece of research that will further prepare you for professional practice, support professional development and be a prerequisite for master’s level study.

Applied research project will provide you with the opportunity to use and enhance the knowledge and intellectual skills gained during the course, by means of an extensive investigation of a significant management area. The module provides an opportunity for those interested in a specific field to explore an in-depth topic relevant to that area. It also provides the opportunity for you to reflect on the research experience and use what you have learned to guide your future development via a reflective statement and development plan.

As a result of developing and applying an analytical framework based on a specialist issue, you will be able to enhance your own competencies for undertaking future business, management and finance research or analysis. You will be better able to evaluate the research analysis carried out by others and better able to plan their own development.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Critically evaluates a workplace problem within a relevant area of business and management science to a professional standard using appropriate academic discourse
2. Critically analyse methodological and theoretical arguments, employing appropriate research methods to collect data, analyse, compare and draw conclusions, providing recommendations where appropriate
3. Reflect on the process of undertaking a significant piece of independent research using the ideas and concepts from the course and plan their future development

Module content

• The Applied research project represents a major learning experience for participants, providing an opportunity to pursue in considerable depth and with suitable academic rigour a specific area of management and/or strategy, building on the study of relevant concepts, models and paradigms
• Each study will be supervised by an applied research project supervisor. At the beginning, and as part of this module, a dissertation/project proposal will be individually negotiated and assessed. The proposal will have to demonstrate that the proposed research can be achieved. You will also have to complete an ethical approval form that meets the University’s ethics guidelines
• The final work will comprise a dissertation plus a reflective statement and development plan and will be independently assessed by two tutors, one of whom will be the Independent Study Supervisor

This module concentrates on using the financial information available to assess the relative strengths of companies and to assess the impact of outside forces on their viability. Analytical and forecasting skills will be used to aid decision making.

Module learning outcomes

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

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

Module content

• Interpretation and analysis of company financial reports
• Forecasting techniques
• Factors affecting share prices
• Evaluation of company’s place within the industry sector
• Vulnerability to external events
• Prediction of likely success or failure based upon extensive research

Module teaching and learning

The module will be taught through a series of online units supported by a mix of learning activities.

This module is based on the self-paced supported online learning delivery model. Learners are provided with a set number of units of learning content. Content can be in text form, can include video and audio material, screencasts or presentations with voiceovers. This content is supported by additional optional activities such as discussion forums to enable students to ask questions of their peers and their tutor to clarify their understanding and to engage in further development of the principles and ideas addressed.

Formative learning activities such as practice examples, worked examples and online quizzes are made available. Such activities enable students to interact and apply and exchange knowledge.

Learners will be provided with the opportunity to participate in a set number of live classroom sessions during the module. These provide students with ‘real time’ access to their tutor and an opportunity to collaborate with their peers. Recordings of these sessions are made available to all students for review by those unable to attend and for students to use as preparation for the module assessment strategy.

Module assessment methods

The module is assessed by 100% coursework, completed individually, split into two equally weighted tasks. Feedback from the first assessment will inform progress and act as feed forward to the second assessment.

Formative assessment

A range of formative assessment methods - providing feedback rather than grades - will be employed. This will include formative assessment during seminars and facilitated learning activities, allowing for peer and tutor feedback.

Seminars and personal tutorials will feature regular formative assessment throughout the semester, through exercises or class discussion.

Summative assessment

Coursework 1 - 50%: A numerical analysis of the performance of two companies from a specific industry sector. To include brief discussions of findings. This is to assess learning outcome 1.

Coursework 2 - 50%: A written report analysing the comparative performance of the two companies examined in coursework one. Word limit 2,500 words. This is to further develop learning outcome 1 and demonstrate learning outcome 2.

This module will focus on fundamental applications of psychology, as a science, for understanding important business, work, and workforce problems. Throughout the module, students will be encouraged to apply contemporary psychological concepts and methods to understand the application of psychology to core work and organisational issues. The module will also cover people's behaviour, thoughts and emotions related to their work. Students will consider how ideas from psychology are used to increase people's effectiveness at work and how these ideas can assist in the development of personal and organisational change needed by people and organisations.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Critically evaluate key psychological concepts and theories on their role to solve workplace problems
2. Investigate contemporary developments in business psychology as a science, in understanding key organisational and business issues
3. Demonstrate a deep understanding of how human behaviour is influenced by organisations, their behaviour, their systems and their structure

Module content

The module will cover the following areas:

• Social scientific research methods to study people, workplaces and organisations
• Historical and current perspectives, practices and principles of business psychology
• Concepts of the person in psychology and the individual difference approach
• Personnel selection and assessment
• Work satisfaction, job satisfaction and organisational commitment
• Ergonomics and consumer psychology
• Organisational development
• Leadership development
• Talent management
• Culture
• Health and wellbeing at work
• Employee engagement

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Identify areas of business practice with opportunities to benefit from emerging technologies
2. Critically analyse opportunities for strategic change in response to or anticipation of emerging technologies
3. Identify and develop a business plan to address a specific area of business operation in relation to emerging technologies

Module content

The module will follow a case study lead overview of technological disruption in business, for example, Uber (Taxi) and then talking about the technologies that have enabled this to happen that are fundamentally different from what was available before. Amazon its rise, fall and rise again with video on demand and other value add subscription services. Streaming over content ownership using Spotify as an example, with some counter trends for young people to buying vinyl records.

Big data and analytics are a little more difficult as companies try to keep these a little quieter. There are examples of people using big social data to derive a 'mood' for the region/world and then see if this tracks stock prices. Many shops are now using beacons to track consumers in real time as they move around the store to improve store layout increasing dwell times.

The operation of 'express' or 'local' supermarket stores are predicated on real-time data analytics and communications. By using sales trends in a given sub-region and individual store, deliveries are sent out anticipating and avoiding out of stock scenarios for specific items. Other areas to potentially cover include; text classification techniques and sentiment analysis, summarising textual data, extracting data from social media, visual representation of data, big data and associated analytics.

The course will focus on what being 'market-oriented' means, in practice, to organisations operating in both the commercial and public sectors. The course helps you to understand the challenges of marketing management in manufacturing and service industries: analysing marketing environments; evaluating strategic alternatives and designing and implementing marketing programmes involving decisions about products/services, pricing, distribution and promotion.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Critique key theories, concepts and models in marketing and its role in the achievement of organisational objectives
2. Critically evaluate organisational current markets and/or sectors within which it operates
3. Develop, implement and evaluate a marketing plan that contributes towards achieving strategic organisational objectives

Module content

Marketing as a strategic business function and its interface with corporate strategic planning. Strategic models, including SWOT, PESTLE, BCG, GE, DPM and their role in the choice of strategy. Competition, industry analysis. Sustainable competitive advantage. These tools are key to understanding the organisations current markets and/or sectors within which it operates. Strategic marketing planning and tactical marketing decisions; key challenges facing marketers, including CSR, global decision-making, government involvement and changing legislation.

• Introduction to strategic marketing - corporate vs marketing strategies
• Strategic marketing as a management process and tool
• Identify and understand marketing ethics dilemmas
• Auditing the external and the internal environments
• Marketing information
• Identifying consumer and business segments
• Formulating marketing goals and specific objectives
• Developing a marketing plan for a commercial or a social organisation to support organisational objectives
• Define adequate control and performance indicators to control the marketing plan
• Evaluation of marketing plans in relation to organisational objectives