UDINBMFY - BSc (Hons) International Business Management (including foundation year)

The foundation of the BSc International 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.

The focus of this course is managing business in an international environment. The degree course provides a broad, analytical and highly integrated programme for those who wish to study International Business Management. It encompasses the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement 2019, which states the purpose of business and management courses as threefold:

· increasing understanding of organisations, their management, the economy and the business environment;

· preparation for and development of a career in business and management;

· enhancement of a wide range of skills and attributes which equip graduates to become effective global citizens.

The focus of this course is international business. The core modules provide students with the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills necessary to operate in the global business environment and to develop an understanding of the realities faced by international business managers. The range of modules reflects the diversity of international business management students and accommodates the wider learning background experiences of non-UK students.

This course is designed to develop students understanding of the purposes, structures, size, scale, governance, operations and management of the functions and processes of international business organisations, as well as the corporate behaviours and cultures that exist within and between different organisations. Students have opportunities to develop their knowledge of management theories, models, frameworks, tasks and roles, including the management of people and corporate social responsibility. They explore the factors that influence business from an international perspective, with an emphasis not only on understanding but also on responding and shaping the dynamic and changing nature of business and the consideration of the future of organisations within the global business environment, including the management of risk.

The course will prepare students to deal with contemporary issues and challenges in the world of business. Business simulations and case studies provide students with opportunities to examine the management of cross-cultural issues, change management and the development of people of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Throughout the course students are exposed to social, ethnic, and cultural issues inherent in the student body.

The degree has a central all encapsulating theme of employability with the aim of providing students with transferable knowledge and skills required for their chosen careers, and which reflects the breadth and depth of opportunities for learning, practice, placement and employability.

Delivery patterns are flexible and will be reviewed on an on-going basis to allow, where required, blended learning and direct delivery. This is to allow for changes in the current pandemic situation and onwards.

The course utilises a blended learning approach to teaching and learning through a mixture of interactive lectures including virtual lectures, seminars and a wide range of multimedia. Students are provided with opportunities to analyse and discuss core principles and concepts and obtain peer and formative feedback. The course adopts a student centred learning approach, which requires synthesis and critical analysis of key issues generated through their own research. Workshops, 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, and through case studies and business management scenarios.

The aims of the BSc (Hons) International Business Management course are informed by the QAA Business and Management Subject statement 2019 and include:

1. increase understanding of organisations, their management, the economy and the business environment;

2. develop students skills and attributes which equip them to become effective global citizens;

3. provide a contemporary and dynamic programme of study which provides students with an understanding of the knowledge and skills pertaining to the disciplines inherent in the subject and prepare them for a wide range of careers in international business management;

4. enable students to explore and examine key concepts and principles and link the multi-disciplinary subjects of international business management coherently and in the context of the global business world. The course is designed to engage students fully in their studies; increase their motivation and raise their aspirations to be successful not only in their course but throughout their careers.

5. provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the world of business, as well as the techniques, concepts and principles that make businesses successful and efficient.

6. 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 sustainability, leadership, globalisation, entrepreneurship, innovation and corporate social responsibility.

7. 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.

8. 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. (Foundation)

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 career.

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

Level 4 aims to provide the underpinning theoretical principles and approaches inherent in the disciplines of business management, and it develops students’ critical, analytical, and self-reflection skills.

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

Level 6 aims to utilise the skills and knowledge gained at previous levels and challenge students intellectually and promote independent learning through an individual consultancy project. In addition BSc (Hons) International Business Management students are offered the opportunity to undertake a work placement year prior to completing their final year of study.

The learning outcomes are based on the integration of the QAA Benchmark statement for Business and Management (2019) the Chartered Management Institute’s (CMI Level 5) requirements in Management and Leadership. 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 honour’s degree in International Business Management students will typically:

1. Have the confidence needed to take leadership decisions in challenging situations (LO1).

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 effects of the social and environmental impacts of their decisions and remain active citizens of the places where they live and work (LO3).

4. Demonstrate application of creative thinking skills to practical problems, and possess the analytical and organisational skills to translate creative ideas to operational business, and management solutions in an international context (LO4)

5. Have a wide knowledge and understanding of the broad range of areas of international business and management and the detailed relationships between these and their application in practice (LO5).

6. Consistently demonstrate a command of subject-specific skills as well as proficiency in generic skills and attributes (LO6).

7. Have a view of international business management influenced by a wide range of learning sources, based on a proactive and independent approach to learning (LO7).

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 elective modules, and independent learning.

The QAA Benchmark statement for Business and Management March 2023

Students are assessed via a variety of both formative and summative assessments formats: 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.

Formative Assessment: students engage in ongoing formative tasks within seminars that may include brainstorming, idea generation, role-play, and case study analysis. These are conducted in pre-identified modules and classes. Feedback provided with one either face-to-face or through VLEs and online interaction. 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) in Management and Leadership are embedded within each individual module.

Assessed work experience modules provide students with practical experience and the opportunity to apply academic learning in real-world settings. They help develop key employability skills and offer valuable insight into industry practices and professional environments.

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 incorporates core employability modules including an optional 12 month professional work placement at Level 5. In addition, it provides opportunities for a wide variety of work experience at Levels 5 and 6 in the Work-Related modules. These modules are designed to enable students to gain business experience in the widest possible sense. They are flexible in delivery and will enable students to capture and build on their existing work and other experience

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

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 will be included and students will be able to participate in workshops designed around identified self-development issues.

At Level 4 students will assess their personal and professional development through the Learning Through Organisations module.

At Level 5 learners can choose from a suite of work experience modules (see section 19 above).

At Level 6 students will engage in practical job recruitment-focused activities, using insights from management theory to strengthen how they can present their skills and ambitions to employers.

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.

By completing this four-year course, you’ll also gain the Chartered Management Institute Level 6 Diploma in Management and Leadership.

This course can open up career opportunities in international corporations, management, government, consultancy and business research, all around the world.

Roles landed by our high-flying graduates include Financial Operations Manager at Thomson Reuters, Retail Manager at Zara and Delegate Events Manager at Closer Still. One particularly noteworthy example is Ondrej Mrklas, Company Director of Czech Industry Company and two more companies in China and Singapore.

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 banking. These courses would be ideal for postgraduate progression:

• International Business Management with Project Management - MSc
• International Trade and Finance - 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)