Course specification and structure
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UDBUSSTU - BA Business Studies

Course Specification


Validation status Validated
Highest award Bachelor of Arts Level Honours
Possible interim awards Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Diploma of Higher Education, Certificate of Higher Education, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts
Total credits for course 360
Awarding institution London Metropolitan University
Teaching institutions London Metropolitan University
School Guildhall School of Business and Law
Subject Area Business and Management
Attendance options
Option Minimum duration Maximum duration
Full-time 3 YEARS  
Part-time Day 5 YEARS  
Course leader  

About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning

The BA (Hons) Business Studies course is designed to ensure that students develop a wide range of graduate-level personal, professional, and academic skills and abilities, across a wide range of business studies disciplines, in order to develop their business graduate-level career by either (i) entering the graduate employment market, (ii) continuing with post-graduate or professional study, or (iii) starting their own enterprise. Students study a range of core academic modules, plus ‘Work-Related-Learning’ modules (WRL: see section 22), and also have options to study a Modern Language. Emphasis is placed upon blending the academic, practical, professional, and vocational aspects of business studies, along with independent learning and digital learning, in order to produce graduate students able to succeed in the contemporary business / enterprise world.

This is consistent with the QAA Subject Benchmark Statements, Business and Management, February 2015, Section 2 ‘Nature and extent of business and management’ (page 6): (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-business-management-15.pdf), i.e.:


Students are taught by qualified and experienced academics expert in teaching their respective Module, each Module has a dedicated Module Leader (ML) with responsibility for the Module, there is a dedicated Course Leader (CL) with responsibility for the course overall, plus students will have a dedicated Personal Academic Tutor (PAT). Modules are designed to assess students via a range of methods, both individual and team-based, and include reports, research-based projects, presentations, production of digital media, and in-class tests, although there will be no formal University examinations. Many of the modules on the BA (Hons) Business Studies currently exist and are being delivered, while others (detailed below), are new to the course. As the course continues, other modules – including modules from other Schools within the University - may be added in time.

Each Module on the BA (Hons) Business Studies has its own ‘WebLearn’ site for student communication, digital learning, and blended learning. Students have access to the University Library, plus the Library web-page, which has details of additional study support, including the ‘Study Hub’, the student-led ‘PASS Scheme’, the ‘Student Zone’, the ‘Disability and Dyslexia Service’ (DDS), the ‘Specific Learning Difficulty’ service (SpLD), and the ‘Counselling and Personal Development’ (CaPD) service. The ‘Student Hub’ is also open every day for students to ask staff about any aspect of their course, study support, or health and well-being, at any time.

In addition to the Library, there are many dedicated rooms and study areas, lounges, and flexible open spaces, all equipped with PCs and Printers, for students to study individually and in small teams.

Also, students have access to the School’s Bloomberg Suite, Synergy Suite, plus they are able to opt to take the newly-launched University Employability Award (in Year 2), which will represent their additional skills.

Course aims

The aims of the BA (Hons) Business Studies are to enable its graduates to:

  1. Understand the key business functions of contemporary organisations
  2. Recognise and respond to the external environment(s) in which contemporary businesses operate
  3. Assess and enhance organisational performance by applying a wide range of business analysis techniques
  4. Develop subject-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities in a wide range of business functions and disciplines
  5. Develop a wide range of cognitive, intellectual, and transferable personal, professional, and academic skills
  6. Demonstrate the ability to operate respectfully and effectively with individuals and groups from a diverse range of backgrounds
  7. Engage with the course comprehensively to enhance personal, professional and academic development, in order to either (i) enter the graduate employment market, (ii) continue with post-graduate or professional study, or (iii) start their own enterprise.

Course learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
Graduates of the BA (Hons) Business Studies will be able to:

  1. Analyse and evaluate the various operational functions of a wide range of businesses, enterprises, and organisations
  2. Understand how contemporary organisations operate within their industry, plus the wider business environment, and how they engage with their customers and other key stakeholders
  3. Use and apply a wide range of practical analysis techniques – plus academic models, theories, and concepts - to a wide range of business scenarios

Cognitive / intellectual skills
Graduates of the BA (Hons) Business Studies will develop higher order skills reflected in their ability to:

  1. Relate academic theory to business practice, and to their own career development
  2. Use qualitative and quantitative research in order to enhance organisational performance
  3. Demonstrate development of individual self-awareness, problem-solving, communication, team-work, presentations, and decision-making

Practical / transferable skills, including employability
Graduates of the BA (Hons) Business Studies will develop their practical and transferable skills to enhance their employability and career by:

  1. Demonstrating a commitment to their individual personal, professional, and academic development
  2. Communicating effectively, engagingly, and professionally in writing, orally, digitally, and in a range of visual media, to diverse audiences
  3. Working efficiently in time-constrained environments, make informed decisions, and demonstrate leadership and responsibility in respect to self and others


Subject-specific practical skills
Graduates of the BA (Hons) Business Studies will develop practical skills in a range of subjects by:

  1. Identifying and analysing the distinct functional areas of the contemporary business, enterprise, or organisation
  2. Designing, planning, and producing an individual research project reflecting professional standards
  3. Collect, interpret, evaluate, analyse, use, and present data and information in a range of business functions

Principle QAA benchmark statements

This course complies with the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement, Business and Management, February 2015, available at:
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/SBS-business-management-15.pdf
(see section 9, above)

The course also complies with the Indicators in Chapter B4 ‘Enabling Student Development and Achievement’, of the QAA UK Quality Code for Higher Education (2014), http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/quality-code-part-b (see section 24, below)

This course also complies with the Level 6 descriptors of the UK Quality Code for Higher Education, Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards, The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies, October 2014 (page 26), available at:
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf
(see section 26, below)

Assessment strategy

Each module is assessed in a wide variety of ways, including by reports, research-based projects, presentations, production of digital media, and in-class tests. For 30-credit modules, there are usually three (3) components, and for 15-credit modules, there are usually two (2) components, with weighting usually higher for the final component. Preparation for assessment (‘feed-forward’), and comment and evaluation of assessment (‘feed-back’) is provided by each Module Leader (ML) in both written and verbal formats, and time is dedicated in class to this. Formative and summative assessment resides within each module. Assessed work is 1st-marked and 2nd-marked (sampled) within the module team, and MLs are qualified, and regularly undergo Staff Development, to develop expertise and to maintain standards in assessing student work. Feedback on each assessed component provides guidance on how the student can improve and develop for the next (summative) component, in order to maximise achievement.

The course assessment strategy is in line with the University’s Assessment Strategy, and with the Level 6 Descriptors of QAA UK Quality Code of Higher Education, Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards, The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies ,Chapter B6, Assessment of Students (2014) (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf),

Organised work experience, work based learning, sandwich year or year abroad

All students can complete up to two ‘Work-Related-Learning’ (WRL) modules, one in Level 5 / Year 2, and one in Level 6 / Year 3. They are:
(i) MN5W50 Creating a Winning Business (Year 2, core)
(ii) MN6W55 Learning Through Work (Year 3, option)

In addition, students have support from the University’s Careers and Employability Service (http://student.londonmet.ac.uk/jobs-and-employment/career-and-employability-advice/), plus the University’s Business Incubator, the ‘Accelerator’ (http://accelerator-london.com), for advice and support in starting and incubating a business enterprise.

Modules required for interim awards

Year 1 / Four Level 4 modules are core-compulsory
Year 2 / Four Level 5 modules are core-compulsory, plus students take two from three options
Year 3 / Three Level 6 modules are core-compulsory, plus students take two from four options

Arrangements for promoting reflective learning and personal development

The BA (Hons) Business Studies degree contains:

  • a week-long Induction programme
  • time dedicated in each Module class for the production of assignments (‘feed-forward’)
  • time dedicated in each Module class for comment and evaluation on assignment performance, and guidance on how to improve and develop, both written and verbal (‘feed-back’)
  • a dedicated Course Leader (CL), with responsibility for the student overall academic progress, pastoral care, and achievement
  • a range of assignments where reflective learning is an integral part of assessment
  • a dedicated Module in Year 2 for Personal, Professional, and Academic Development
  • a dedicated Module in Year 3 for development of a career-oriented research project
  • two Work-Related Learning (WRL) modules (see section 22, below)

Arrangements on the course for careers education, information and guidance

Core modules at Level 5 / Year 2, and at Level 6 / Year 3, are specifically designed to enhance student careers, employability, understanding of the graduate employment market, and enterprise start-up.

Students also have support for careers, applying for jobs, volunteering, and internships, from the University’s Careers and Employability Service (http://student.londonmet.ac.uk/jobs-and-employment/career-and-employability-advice/), plus the University’s Business Incubator, the ‘Accelerator’ (http://accelerator-london.com), for advice and support in starting and incubating a business enterprise.

This is in accordance with the Indicators in Chapter B4 ‘Enabling Student Development and Achievement’, of the QAA UK Quality Code for Higher Education (2014), http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/quality-code-part-b,

Other external links providing expertise and experience

A range of modules within the course provide expert Guest Speakers from industry to support the module content, students will be encouraged to enter the successful Universities Business Challenge competition (http://www.ubcworldwide.com), and both the School (GSBL), and the University (www.londonmet.ac.uk), provide a programme of events whereby students experience Guest Speakers, Alumni advice, and visits to organisations and companies, to enhance and augment their academic studies from an industry / careers perspective. The School is also able to draw on expertise from Enterprise Educators UK (http://www.enterprise.ac.uk), of which we are a member.

Career opportunities

As a graduate of this degree you’ll be placed in the best possible position after graduation to pursue rewarding and successful careers in business and management. The transferable skills this degree offers also opens up careers in marketing, media, advertising, finance, accounting, human resources and sales. Graduates can also launch their own businesses or go on to postgraduate study in a specialist area in business.

Entry requirements

You should have:

  • BTEC Level 3 in Extended Diploma business or related subjects
  • Level 2 English and Maths

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Official use and codes

Approved to run from 2017/18 Specification version 1 Specification status Validated
Original validation date 18 Jul 2017 Last validation date 18 Jul 2017  
Sources of funding HE FUNDING COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND
JACS codes
Route code BUSSTU

Course Structure

Stage 1 Level 04 September start Not currently offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
BA4006 Understanding Business Information Core 30        
EC4009 The Corporate Environment Core 30        
MC4007 Assessing the Marketing Environment Core 30        
MN4001 Business and Enterprise Core 30        

Stage 2 Level 05 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
BA5002 Business Research and Decision Making Core 30        
HR5057 People Management and Performance in Contempora... Core 15        
MN5008 Personal, Professional, and Academic Developmen... Core 30        
MN5W50 Creating a Winning Business 1 Core 15 NORTH SPR FRI PM
          NORTH AUT WED AM
          NORTH SPR WED AM
          NORTH AUT WED PM
          NORTH SPR WED PM
          NORTH AUT THU AM
          NORTH SPR THU AM
          NORTH SPR THU AM
          NORTH AUT THU PM
          NORTH AUT FRI AM
          NORTH SPR FRI AM
          NORTH AUT FRI PM
HR5053 Organisation Design and Management Option 15 NORTH AUT FRI PM
          NORTH AUT WED AM
          NORTH AUT WED PM
          NORTH AUT THU AM
          NORTH AUT THU PM
          NORTH AUT FRI AM
MC5055 Digital Marketing Option 15 NORTH SPR MON AM
          NORTH SPR THU PM
OL0000 Open Language Programme Module Option 15 NORTH SPR NA  
          NORTH AUT NA  

Stage 3 Level 06 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
MN6003 Strategy: Choices and Change Core 30        
MN6010 Business Writing and Communication Core 30        
MN6P11 Business Research Project Core 30        
BA6052 Project Management Option 15        
MN6057 Theory & Practice of Selling Option 15        
MN6W55 Learning through Work 2 Option 15        
OL0000 Open Language Programme Module Option 15 NORTH SPR NA  
          NORTH AUT NA