BA (Hons) Business Management with Foundation Year

This module introduces you to the foundations of enterprise and entrepreneurship, exploring what it means for individuals to think entrepreneurially and for businesses to act in an enterprising way. You will examine key theories and perspectives on creativity, innovation and enterprise, developing an understanding of how these ideas shape opportunities and drive success. You will be encouraged to question where ideas come from, how they are generated and the role of different people in turning ideas into reality. Through interactive activities and discussions, you will explore practical tools and approaches that help identify, develop and implement new ideas. By the end of the module, you will not only have gained knowledge of the essentials of enterprise and entrepreneurship but also gain confidence in applying them to your own studies, career ambitions and wider experiences. This will provide you with a solid foundation for further learning in entrepreneurship, innovation and business management at higher levels of study. The module uses globally relevant examples and activities so that students from a range of cultural and professional backgrounds can see the value and applicability of entrepreneurial thinking in their own contexts.

This module introduces you to the fast-moving world of digital business and how technology is transforming the way organisations operate, compete, and grow. You will explore key concepts such as digital transformation, innovation, and business models, and learn how digital capabilities like cloud computing, AI, and blockchain are reshaping industries. During the module you will gain insight into how businesses use digital tools to create value, improve customer experiences, and stay ahead of competitors. You will examine enterprise systems, information management, and understand how big data and business intelligence drive smarter decision-making. Legal, ethical, and regulatory issues will also be covered, helping you think critically about the risks and responsibilities of operating in a digital environment. This module blends theory with practical examples, giving you a strong foundation in digital business transformation, strategy and systems thinking. Whether you’re aiming for a career in business, marketing, technology, or entrepreneurship, you will leave with the skills and confidence to navigate the digital landscape and contribute to innovation in any organisation

This extended induction module supports your transition into university life and introduces you to the requirements of academic skills. It helps you build confidence, develop a strong academic identity, and understand the expectations of university study. You’ll explore key academic practices including independent learning, digital literacy, and ethical academic conduct—such as referencing, plagiarism awareness, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in line with university policy. You will also be introduced to some of the tools and databases relevant for your studies. The module is structured around seven themes identified by students as essential to their university experience: Ready to Study: Clear guidance on expectations, transitions, and workload planning. Academic Skills and Educational Gain: Development of foundational academic skills including time management, critical thinking, and digital fluency. Career Readiness and Professional Identity: Early exploration of career pathways, CV building, and professional behaviours. Personal Development and Belonging: Activities that foster confidence, inclusion, and identity within the university community. Social Engagement and Community Building: Opportunities to connect with peers, staff, and wider university life. Feedback and Reflective Practice: Structured opportunities to receive, apply, and reflect on feedback to support growth. Wellbeing and Student Support: Embedded access to holistic support services and strategies for success. This module lays the foundation for future development, including the Level 5 Professional Development module/embedded placement experiences.

The aim of this module is to introduce a range of financial and accounting concepts that will help business students improve their understanding and decision-making skills. You will develop an awareness of how finance operates within organisations and how financial information is used to support business planning and control. The module covers understanding and interpreting financial statements, exploring entrepreneurial and corporate finance, and recognising how budgets contribute to managing and evaluating performance. Learning activities use business-based scenarios to help you interpret financial information and consider appropriate financial decisions. This module is designed to build your confidence and credibility in understanding financial information and to strengthen your ability to engage with financial aspects of management within a range of organisational contexts.

This module develops your understanding of how organisations design, manage, and improve operations and supply chains, while also introducing core principles of project management. You will learn key operational concepts such as process efficiency, capacity planning, lean management, and sourcing strategies. You will apply project planning tools, including Gantt charts, stakeholder analyses, critical path analysis, and risk registers, to plan and evaluate real or simulated projects. Through practical group activities, you will build teamwork, negotiation, and communication skills essential for managing performance and coordinating across functions. The module also encourages you to reflect on the professional behaviours required in project and operations environments, including accountability, adaptability, collaboration, and ethical decision-making. By the end of the module, you will be able to analyse operational challenges, propose improvements, and plan and manage projects that balance stakeholder expectations, sustainability considerations, and organisational goals.

This module builds on the foundational skills and reflective practices introduced in the Level 4 'Succeeding at University' module, supporting students to deepen their professional identity and career readiness. It is designed to support students in developing the knowledge, skills, and reflective practices essential for continuous professional growth in a dynamic and evolving workplace. Through a mix of practical experience and professional development sessions, this module will enable students to explore essential themes such as personal effectiveness, leadership, communication, ethical practice, and lifelong learning. Drawing directly from work experience and/or professional setting, students will reflect on their real-world experiences to deepen their understanding of what it means to grow and succeed in their chosen field. Students may draw on case studies or sector examples to connect theory to practice. Students will engage in self-assessment, goal setting, and action planning to identify their strengths and areas for development. The module emphasizes reflective practice as a tool for professional learning and encourages learners to critically evaluate their experiences and performance in real-world contexts. Specialist areas of business such as strategy, HR, marketing, finance, operations management, ethics and sustainability will be examined in relation to potential career pathways, so that students can begin to align personal skills and behaviours with industry requirements. CPD planning (continuing professional development) will support students in taking ownership of their learning, helping to enhance professional practice and take meaningful steps towards employability.

This module explores how events and actions in the macro-environment impact on organisations, and the strategies used by leaders to respond or manage associated change. You will explore contemporary debates around new ways of working and communicating, including how to manage dispersed teams and collaborations across different contexts. We will also consider how organisations design learning and development strategies to meet evolving needs, and how leaders can create workplaces that are inclusive, psychologically safe, and sustainable. As an extension of your previous study, you will also engage with emerging topics in leadership and management, recognising how organisations adapt to shifting requirements and how this can impact on approaches to transition and change. By connecting theory with practice, you will gain insight into the challenges leaders face in today’s complex environments and develop confidence in applying strategies to real-world situations.

Why do businesses need to grow and how is this achieved? This module will explore how organisations develop and implement strategies to pursue growth in a globalised and increasingly complex world. Blending concepts from strategic management and international business, you will evaluate an organisation’s internal capabilities and its interaction with the external environment. You will assess the relevance of current strategies and identify strategic priorities to support future growth. Throughout the module, you will engage with a diverse range of organisations and apply key analytical tools to real-world scenarios. You will also develop the ability to interpret financial and economic data to make informed strategic decisions. On completion, you will be equipped to think critically about strategy in international contexts and contribute to effective decision-making in dynamic business environments.

This ultimate module provides students with the opportunity to undertake an independent study that blends learning from previous subjects. It is designed to showcase individual strengths and apply advanced knowledge to a practical business context. Students will create a professional business project that demonstrates their ability to address real-world challenges or opportunities. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, problem-solving, research planning, data analysis and professional communication skills. By completing this module, students will demonstrate autonomy, innovation and the ability to integrate theory with practice - key attributes for advancing in professional and managerial roles.