UDBSNMFY - BA (Hons) Business Management (including foundation year)

The foundation of the BA Business Management (IFY) programme is developed under the School of Social Sciences and Professions for students who wish to enter Higher Education and may have non-traditional qualifications, lower UCAS points or are mature students. It exemplifies the university strategies of inclusive learning, widening participation, the aims of the ESJF and of serving our community, as the majority of our students are local. It is a large programme and forms a significant percentage of recruitment for the school overall, as well as contributing to courses in both SSSP and GSBL. Students will explore a wide range of social science, business and current affairs themes, whilst also developing the academic and digital literacies that will be of benefit to them in the following three years of study. The curriculum is structured to be confidence building, varied and inclusive, and reflects the lived experiences of our cohort. They will begin to develop an identity related to their subject choice and career aspirations. In addition, they will work on becoming self-motivated, proactive students, taking responsibility for their own progress and learning. Teaching and learning is through interactive workshops, practising compassionate pedagogy, that enable students to form strong communities with each other and the teaching staff. Students will have access to varied materials on weblearn, and other learning resources and opportunities tailored to their subject. To support success, the programme runs an extensive ‘assessment care package’ that guides students at all stages through assessments. Each student will have a personal academic tutor and access to a success coach, as well as informal peer support.

Furthermore, this degree course provides a broad, analytical and integrated programme for those who wish to study Business Management. This course will apply for by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) accreditation which means that on completion of the course students receive the dual awards of: BA (Hons) Business Management (including foundation year) Degree, and a CMI Level 5 Professional Management & Leadership Practice.

This course provides students with an opportunity to develop both their understanding of theory as well as its application in a wide variety of situations, as well as developing their practical skills. There is an emphasis on knowledge and understanding of business organisations, the business environment in which they operate and their management and the management of the people in them. The course provides students with the opportunity to build skills and capabilities that will enable them to successfully compete in a wide range of fields that require management.

Students develop their understanding of the purposes, structures, size, scale, governance, operations and management of the functions and processes of business organisations, as well as the corporate behaviours and cultures which exist within and between different organisations. The course is designed to prepare students to deal with contemporary issues and challenges in the world of business. It reflects the breadth and depth of opportunities for learning, practice, placement and employability.

Teaching, study and assessment approaches help students to develop their understanding of management theories, models, frameworks, tasks and roles, including the management of people and corporate social responsibility. Students can enhance their theoretical understanding and develop their practical management skills and decision-making through participation in on-line business simulations, which are embedded in the course. Managing a ‘virtual’ company is a powerful mechanism for providing feedback to students on their performance as well as enhancing their confidence as young managers.

The degree has a central all encapsulating theme of employability with the aim of providing students with the confidence and the transferable knowledge and skills required for their chosen careers. Students can acquire business experience in their second and final year through Work-Related modules, which are designed flexibly to allow students to acquire a diverse range of business experience and give them crucial skills relevant for their future careers. This aspect of the course underpins the importance of the employability agenda and demonstrates a deep commitment to the professional development of students.

The course adopts a modular structure with modules delivered over 12 weeks across the three levels of study. These modules include core and elective choices. The programme creates an integrated approach to learning by adopting a variety of teaching and learning strategies. These includes the traditional face-to-face classroom methods, such as: lecture/seminars. Each module is supported by Web Learn, our online platform, so as to facilitate and implement the faculty blended learning strategy, including virtual lectures, seminars and a range of multimedia. Students are provided with opportunities to analyse and discuss core principles and concepts and obtain peer and formative feedback. The delivery patterns are flexible and will be reviewed on an on-going basis to allow, where required, blended learning and direct delivery for the maximum use and benefit from the rapidly changing AI technology – GenAI and other applications. This is also to allow for changes in any pandemic situation and other uncertainties in future.

The course adopts a student centred learning approach, which requires synthesis and analysis of key issues generated through their own research. Lectures and seminars are designed to convey broad principles, concepts and knowledge, as well as offering students the opportunity to analyse and apply knowledge through field work, business simulations, and through case studies and business management scenarios.

The approach to teaching and learning on the course is to help students develop an inquisitive, analytical, and independent but supported level of scholarship in which they are able to set personal goals and targets beyond those prescribed by their tutors. Experiential learning is fostered, that is, students are encouraged to learn from their own current or previous experiences of work as well as those from their peers. The course also utilises industry expertise through the inclusion of business problems, current employers, and visiting professionals.

Students’ capabilities are assessed through a variety of methods such as problem-based exercises presentations, team work, business reports, analysing case studies and presenting critical arguments through in-class and or online activities. Students on the course are encouraged to engage meaningfully with personal development planning (PDP) through the curriculum. This enables them to reflect on, plan, review and record their own personal and marketing/business skills development.

The requirements for the CMI’s Level 5 Professional Management & Leadership Practice are embedded in the course modules, which means students’ do not have to engage in further study to attain the qualification. The purpose of CMI’s professional qualification is to provide the ground for further development of managerial competences

The course has been designed with reference to the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education subject statement benchmark for Business and Management (March 2023).

The main aim of the course is to provide students with the essential knowledge, skills, and attributes for successful careers in business management whether as professional employees or entrepreneur. It also focuses on enhancing their critical understanding of organisational dynamics, cultural diversity, and ethical management within a global context, preparing them to them to be a confident, resilient and creative global business leader and citizen.

To enable students to explore and examine key concepts, principles and techniques that make businesses successful and efficient and to link the multi-disciplinary subjects of business management coherently in the context of the changing business world.

To develop student’s knowledge of the decision-making process, as well as the social, cultural and ethical environment in which businesses operate. Students are provided with opportunities to engage with leading edge themes of business management including equality, diversity, inclusion, leadership, globalisation, entrepreneurship, innovation and corporate sustainability.

To develop students’ academic, intellectual and practical skills and promote the development of their ability to critically analyse, synthesise, and evaluate business management principles in a wide range of appropriate contexts. A central feature of this course is the development of students’ lifelong learning skills, including self-evaluation and reflection with the aim of placing students in the best position to make informed decisions about their future professional careers.

The course has been developed in conjunction with the needs of the industry and professional bodies. The core modules on the course meet the requirements for the CMI Level 5 Professional Management & Leadership Practice and leadership, with the aim of helping students to develop personal management capabilities, make effective use of information in decision-making, operations and the development of skills in managing people.

The degree is organised across three levels with specific aims, as follows:

Level 3 aims to explore a broad range of social science, business and current affairs issues. Learners reflect on the qualities needed to be a successful student in Higher Education and identify their own strengths and areas for development.

Level 4 aims to provide an understanding of businesses a management foundation, principles and approaches inherent in the discipline. It develops students’ intellectual, critical, analytical, and self-reflection skills.

Level 5 deepens the student’s specialist knowledge of the course in each of the main subjects, such as managing, leading, marketing and decision-making. The aim here is also to develop key intellectual skills such as understanding and problem solving, and to promote their ability to analyse, synthesise and evaluate business decisions.

Level 6 aims to utilise the skills and knowledge gained at previous levels, promote independent learning and challenge students intellectually through an individual consultancy project or dissertation. Students studying at this level see the broader implications of the theories studied, how they apply in practice and refine their personal development planning activities

In addition, Business Management (including Foundation year) students are offered the opportunity to undertake a work placement year prior to completing their final year of study.

UL0. Demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and will act as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible practitioners/professionals in their discipline.

The learning outcomes are based on the integration of the QAA Benchmark statement for Business and Management (2023) and the Chartered Management Institute’s (CMI) requirements for the Level 5 Professional Management & Leadership Practice.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to: demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and will act as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible professionals in their discipline. (ULO)

Thus, upon graduating with an honours degree in Business Management, students will be able to:

1. Develop the confidence required to take leadership decisions in dynamic and challenging situations (LO1). (QAA, 2023) SBS 1.4.2
2. Possess the necessary communication skills that will help them adopt a global and multicultural perspective in their professional context (LO2).
3. Be cognisant of the impact of social, economic and environmental changes on their decisions and remain active citizens within their local and global business communities (LO3).
4. Demonstrate application of creative thinking skills to solve practical problems, and possess the analytical and organizational skills to translate creative ideas into operational solutions (LO4)
5. Possess extensive knowledge and understanding of the diverse areas of businesses, structures, and cultures and their management, as well as the complex relationship between them and their practical applications (LO5).( QAA, 2023) SBS 1.4.1
6. Consistently demonstrate a command of subject-specific skills as well as proficiency in generic skills and attributes that are required for a wide range of careers including in business and management (LO6). (QAA, 2023) SBS 1.4.3
7. Have a view of business and management influenced by a wide range of learning sources, based on a proactive and independent approach to learning (LO7). (QAA, 2023) SBS 1.4.4
8. Be distinguished from the basic standard (threshold) of achievement by their enhanced capacity to develop and apply their own perspectives to their studies, to deal with uncertainty and complexity, to explore alternative solutions, to demonstrate critical evaluation and to integrate theory and practice in a wide range of situations (LO8)
9. Utilise recent technological advancement – Gen AI to their fullest potential for the benefit of business organisations and global communities. (LO9)
10. apply entrepreneurial thinking and innovative strategies to identify and exploit business opportunities. (LO10)

These undergraduate attributes will be delivered primarily through 15 credit core modules, supported by a choice of 15 credit elective modules, and independent learning.

The QAA Benchmark statement for Business and Management March 2023

BA (Hons) Business Management offers both formative and summative inclusive and authentic assessment that take a variety of formats including, coursework, portfolios, blogs, essays, exams, group presentations, business reports, problem-based activities, practice-based projects, group research projects, videos, computer-based tests, business simulations and a final dissertation or consultancy project.

These types of authentic assessments reflect real industry practice helping to develop practical skills and confidence by working on tasks similar to those graduates will face in their careers. They make learning feel relevant and prepare students for the expectations of employers.

Feedback is provided on both formative and summative in keeping with the university guidelines. Students are encouraged to engage in dialogue through feed-forward activities with staff on assessments. The aim is to encourage engagement, support, and constructive guidance from academic staff. This is also to facilitate and ensure that assessments have an effective developmental impact on student learning and allow the student to reflect on their learning.

The university operates a marking and moderation process that are both rigorous and transparent to quality assure that:

• Student work is assessed on a fair basis
• Students are provided with supportive and appropriate feedback
• Academic standards in relation to student work and final awards are maintained

Where possible, work will be marked anonymously.

Assessment work will be internally and externally moderated in accordance with the University’s marking and moderation policies and regulations as applicable.

Assessment criteria for the Chartered Management Institute’s (CMI) Level 5 Professional Management & Leadership Practice are embedded within each individual module

At Level 5, students can choose from three alternative core 15-credit work-based learning modules:

MN5W55 Learning Through Work - For those looking to gain experience from undertaking and reflecting on work-based projects related to your career interest.

MN5W50 Creating a Winning Business - Ideal for those seeking to understand how entrepreneurial knowledge can benefit those seeking employment or for those interested in how to be self-employed. Includes a short work-based project

WL5W50 Empowering London: Working within the Community - For students interested in how societal issues affect London, including gaining work experience supporting a charity or community organisations.

Students can also apply for the option to extend their degree by completing a full Year in Industry module (MN6W04) after successfully finishing Level 5. This provides in-depth, real-world experience, professional-level skills development, and opportunities to build networks, helping graduates stand out in a competitive job market.

The course has a considerable tangible Alumni network and is visible on online platforms such as LinkedIn. Students have the opportunity to interact and work with graduates and practitioners and to be mentored by them.

There are no specified part-time structures for this course. Students on a part-time mode of study are required to take between 30 and 90 credits per academic year to complete the degree programme within the maximum time length allowed (6 years for a three-year course). Programme planning is therefore agreed between the student and course team, in accordance with regulations on progression and completion.

As part of our Undergraduate Student Promise, every student will benefit from accredited work-related learning (in either the form of a work placement or ‘live’ project with a partner organisation or practical small business planning) as a core, compulsory element within the study programme.

Standard University Regulations apply

PDP and Reflective learning are embedded throughout the curriculum commencing at Level 4. Reflective learning and personal development planning is central to the students’ academic and career development – it is linked to assessment throughout the curriculum and is a formal element of formative feedback in several modules for the development of this key skill. Students’ experiential learning is encouraged throughout, and action learning sets are a feature at levels five and six, which promote reflective and Peer to Peer learning.

All modules have formative and summative assessment requiring varying degrees of critical self- evaluation and reflection in the context of business management professional practice.

FEHQ

Employability and workplace skills are inherent in all modules throughout the course, commencing with the business simulation at Level 4. At Level 5 along with the business simulation, there are work experience modules (see section 19 above).

In addition, the course includes a number of business management related activities during the academic year as well as number of career-oriented workshops which help students to identify and develop key employability skills. Presentations by industry experts are included and students are able to participate in workshops designed around identified self-development issues.

The Student Enterprise Team support students to consider freelancing and small business-start up opportunities during their studies. These initiatives are linked to improving the students’ employability and entrepreneurship prospects and their transferable skills.

Additionally, career development, employability and entrepreneurial education have been embedded and assessed in the curriculum, particularly through the activities such as work placement and authentic assessment, living CV, mock interviews, enterprise activities, gateway to success, employer events, linked in support and spotlight event.

Our business and management graduates have gone on to careers as area managers, assistant management accountants, business, merger and acquisition analysts and directors at organisations such as Amazon, Office Holdings, E Movement and WizzAir.

Continuing your studies with us

The Guildhall School of Business and Law has a range of industry-linked postgraduate courses available on a full-time and part-time basis in business management, tourism and events, marketing and fashion, law, human resources and finance. These courses would be ideal for postgraduate progression:

• International Business Management - MSc
• International Business Management with Project Management - MSc
• Marketing - MA
• Global Human Resource Management - MA

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• at least one A level (or a minimum of 32 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC Subsidiary/National/BTEC Extended Diploma)
• English Language GCSE at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent)