Business Management (with Sandwich Year) BSc (Hons)

This exciting module starts you off in your career, as the cornerstone for the first year of the degree, you will build your own career action plan, and build the skills for complete self-management and development of your own career.

An Introduction to Management module is the foundation of providing you with essential knowledge and skills to understand the principles and practices of management thus laying the groundwork for success in the dynamic and ever-changing world of business.

In a dynamic interconnected global environment, organisations must constantly seek ways to adapt, evolve, and succeed. However, the success of any organisation depends not only on its systems, structure, and processes but also on a very important asset: its people. This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the intricacies of human behaviour within organisational settings by exploring the complexities of how individuals, diversity of people, groups, and structures, interact within the dynamic environment of today’s organisations.

By providing an understanding of the intricacies of motivations and leadership to unravelling the mysteries of change, this module will enable students to understand concepts such as motivation, perception, personality, and attitudes and gain insight into the underlying factors including organisational culture in influencing and shaping employee behaviour.

By highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of marketing, this module prepares you for future roles in marketing, entrepreneurship, management, and various other areas of business, laying the groundwork for your academic and professional development.

In this module, you will delve into the fundamental aspects of financial management essential for optimising organisational performance and efficient allocation of financial resources in business operations and projects.

You will explore foundational concepts including accounting principles, budgeting techniques, and information systems crucial for managerial planning, decision-making, and control. Through the application of basic analytical tools and techniques such as ratio analysis and trend analysis, you will learn to assess organisational performance and propose strategies for improvement.

Key topics covered in this module include:

Basic Financial Reporting: Understanding core financial reporting tools to evaluate an organisation’s financial performance.

Cost Allocation: Techniques for appropriately allocating costs to facilitate sustainable business decisions.

Budgeting: Exploring budget-setting processes and the management issues involved in budgeting.

Balanced Scorecard: Introduction to the four dimensions of a Balanced Scorecard and their role in shaping business development.

Variance Analysis: Understanding how variance analysis techniques can aid in controlling individual activities and managing overall organizational performance.

Additionally, you will develop an understanding of capital investment and basic risk assessment techniques essential for making strategic investment decisions.

Throughout the module, emphasis will be placed on building a strong foundation in financial management principles applicable to various organisational contexts, preparing you for further advanced studies in business finance.

This is a dynamic Level 5 module designed to immerse students in the exciting world of entrepreneurship and innovation. This module begins by defining and differentiating between the concepts of innovation and entrepreneurship, exploring their vital interrelationship within both business and societal contexts. Students will delve into the key drivers of entrepreneurship, including opportunity recognition, drivers for innovation, market analysis, resource acquisition, and venture financing, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the entrepreneurial landscape.

The module also focuses on evaluating the characteristics and behaviours of successful entrepreneurs, such as creativity, resilience, adaptability, and effective risk management. Through case studies and real-world examples, students will assess and analyse these traits and their application in various entrepreneurial scenarios.

Additionally, students will investigate the enterprise process from idea generation to the presentation of a justified market opportunity. This hands-on approach will enable students to manage and develop their entrepreneurial ideas, preparing them for the challenges of launching and sustaining innovative ventures. By the end of this module, students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to transform creative ideas into impactful business opportunities, making a meaningful contribution to the world of entrepreneurship.

Students enrolled on undergraduate Business or Accounting and Finance programmes may choose to follow a four-year sandwich route, undertaking a placement year between years 2 and 3. This additional year gives students the opportunity to apply their academic learning in a professional setting, strengthen their practical skills, and enhance their career prospects through meaningful workplace experience. Students are responsible for securing and arranging their own placement, which must normally take place in the UK and last for a minimum of 36 weeks.

The Organisational Management module builds upon the foundational concepts introduced in the first year, focusing on the individual’s role as a manager within an organisation. Throughout the module, students delve into various aspects of managerial responsibility, from management and decision-making to organisational structure and introducing strategic management.

Students explore different management styles to understand what their management approach is, and how that is adapted through organisational and team requirements, while also considering current external factors affecting the workforce and organisational needs. Students explore how these concepts can be applied both as an employee in a business, and as an entrepreneur.

In addition, students develop skills in team dynamics, conflict resolution, performance management, and employee development, essential for building and managing high-performing teams. They also learn about strategic management principles, operations management techniques, and the importance of ethical leadership and corporate social responsibility.

The integrated academic personal tutoring and professional coaching, embedded into this module, continues to develop the student professionally. Enabling a clearer understanding of how each aspect of their study, develops their skills making them more employable.

By the end of the module, students emerge as competent and confident managers equipped with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to navigate the complexities of organisational management and drive success in their roles as managers within an organisation.

The Managing Business Projects module provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practices of project management within the context of business operations. Designed to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, this module equips students with the essential skills and competencies needed to successfully plan, execute, and evaluate projects in diverse organisational settings.

Through a blend of theoretical instruction, case studies, and hands-on exercises, students will develop a deep understanding of project management methodologies, tools, and techniques. Emphasis is placed on building critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills essential for effective project completion.

Integration with Final Year Research Project: The Managing Business Projects module serves as a foundational building block for students’ final year research projects by providing them with essential project management skills and competencies. The practical experience gained in this module will prepare students to successfully plan, execute, and evaluate their research projects, ensuring they are equipped to meet the challenges and requirements of their academic endeavours and future careers.

Digital Marketing delves into the intricate landscape of digital marketing strategies and content production in today’s digital-first world. It emphasises the critical analysis of digital marketing tactics, incorporating topics such as content marketing, social media, SEO, email marketing, and digital advertising, grounded in a thorough examination of market trends and consumer behaviours online. Students are tasked with producing and managing engaging, platform-specific content, honing their skills in writing, multimedia production, and social media optimisation, alongside mastering content scheduling and optimisation strategies.

The module develops students’ ability to evaluate digital marketing campaigns through the lens of analytics tools. Empowering them to interpret data effectively, optimise marketing efforts, and enhance ROI. Furthermore, the module encourages students to investigate and adapt to emerging technologies such as AI, AR/VR, and blockchain, which are reshaping the marketing landscape. Through this exploration, students are equipped with a forward-thinking mindset, ready to innovate and adapt in their future marketing careers. This module not only enhances their theoretical knowledge but also enriches practical skills, ensuring they are well-prepared for the dynamic and evolving field of digital marketing.

This dynamic module equips students with the essential tools and insights needed to drive and influence the transformation towards sustainability in the business landscape. Through engaging and practical learning experiences, students will analyse real-world sustainability practices and develop solutions that balance economic, social, and environmental factors.

Students will learn to communicate effectively about sustainability issues and solutions, enhancing their ability to influence a diverse range of stakeholders. The module emphasises ethical decision-making, preparing students to tackle ethical dilemmas in business with integrity and responsibility. This module not only enhances students’ understanding of sustainable business practices but also empowers them to become proactive leaders in fostering a more sustainable future.

Shaped by globalisation, technological advancements, environmental concerns and shifting societal expectations, the competitive dynamics of the current times present businesses with unprecedented challenges and opportunities.

This module is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the contemporary challenges and opportunities facing businesses in the current competitive landscape. Through theoretical frameworks, case studies, and interactive discussions, students will explore key issues such as globalisation, technological disruption, environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and diversity and inclusion.

By examining the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the business landscape, the module aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, perspectives, and a forward-looking mindset enabling them to navigate uncertainty and develop their future careers as effective leaders, innovators, and change agents in the face of evolving challenges and opportunities.

Business and Data Analytics is a comprehensive course designed to equip students with the necessary skills to analyse business data effectively and make data-driven decisions. The course covers fundamental concepts of data analysis, statistical techniques, data exploration, and data visualization tools commonly used in business settings. Students will learn how to collect, clean, analyse, and interpret data to solve real-world business problems. Additionally, the course will introduce students to various data analytics tools and techniques, including Excel, SQL, and data visualization software such as Power BI and Tableau.

“Strategic Operations and Service Excellence” is a comprehensive Level 6 module that prepares students to master the complexities of modern operations and service management. This module provides an in-depth exploration of contemporary operations management theories and practices, including lean management, and agile methodologies. Students will learn to critically evaluate these approaches and apply strategic planning and decision-making techniques to optimise operations and enhance service delivery.

A key focus of the module is on assessing and implementing technological innovations and sustainable practices, ensuring students are equipped to lead in today’s dynamic and environmentally conscious business landscape. Through real-world case studies and practical applications, students will design and develop comprehensive service management strategies aimed at improving customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

By the end of this module, students will have a robust understanding of how to strategically manage operations and services, positioning them to drive excellence and innovation in their future careers. This module is particularly relevant for those aspiring to leadership roles in operations and service management, providing the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in these critical areas of business.

The Strategy and Leadership module represents the culmination of your academic journey, building upon the foundational knowledge and skills developed in previous modules. This advanced module integrates strategic thinking, leadership understanding, from different lenses within the business, so you understand how the strategy impacts different actors in a business at every level. There is also the focus of personalised academic coaching to help you to communicate how your degree has made you your most employable, and to prepare you for future career success in dynamic and competitive business environments.

Understanding Strategic Leadership:

Throughout the module, you will delve into the mindset and decision-making processes of strategic leaders. By analysing key strategic management concepts and frameworks, you will explore topics such as environmental and horizon scanning, competitive analysis, and strategic formulation from the perspective of a strategic leader. Through case studies and real-world examples, you will develop the skills needed to assess internal and external factors influencing organisational strategy and performance. This understanding will enable you to craft insightful briefing papers and provide valuable support to strategic leaders in their decision-making processes.

Leadership Analysis and Insight:

In parallel, the module emphasises the critical evaluation of leadership theories and models. By exploring these theories, you will gain insights into how strategic leaders drive organisational change and innovation. Through experiential learning activities, simulations, and reflective exercises, you will enhance your understanding of leadership dynamics, communication strategies, and emotional intelligence, enabling you to support and influence strategic leadership effectively.

Academic Personal Coaching for Employability:

Embedded within the module is a tailored academic personal coaching program focused on enhancing your employability skills and career readiness. Through coaching sessions, workshops, and self-assessment exercises, you will reflect on your academic journey and identify the transferable skills and strengths gained through your degree program. You will learn to articulate your unique value proposition to prospective employers.

Future Career Success:

By the end of the module, you will emerge as a well-rounded professional equipped with a deep understanding of strategic leadership and the skills to support strategic leaders. With enhanced critical thinking, analytical abilities, and employability skills, you will be well-positioned for career success and leadership roles in diverse industries and sectors. This module will empower you to navigate the complexities of today’s business landscape with confidence and strategic insight.

The Relationship Marketing module is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the principles and practices that foster long-term customer relationships and enhance customer loyalty. This advanced module builds on foundational marketing knowledge, emphasising the strategic importance of creating and maintaining strong customer connections in today’s competitive business environment.

Throughout the module, students will explore key concepts such as customer lifetime value, trust-building, loyalty programs, and personalised marketing strategies. They will analyse real-world case studies to understand how successful businesses implement relationship marketing tactics to achieve sustainable growth. Through interactive lectures, group discussions, and practical assignments, students will develop the skills to design and execute effective relationship marketing strategies.

By the end of the module, students will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to build and manage customer relationships that drive business success. They will also gain insights into measuring the effectiveness of relationship marketing efforts and adapting strategies to meet changing customer needs and market conditions.

The Sustainable Consulting Practice for Modern Business module represents the pinnacle of the students’ academic journey in Business Management at Birmingham Newman University, integrating advanced project management techniques with rigorous research methods and sustainable business practices. This transformative module prepares students to address complex business challenges with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and ethical decision-making.

At the core of the module is a comprehensive framework for sustainable business consulting, encompassing project management principles, research methodologies, and sustainability strategies. Through interactive lectures, case studies, and practical exercises, students learn how to identify, analyse, and address sustainability issues within contemporary business contexts, considering environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Building upon the project management skills acquired in previous modules, students will develop advanced research methods expertise tailored to sustainable consulting practice.

The capstone project represents the culmination of the academic journey, allowing students to apply sustainable consulting principles in a real-world business context; a pressing business issue will be identified, —either within a simulated scenario or in collaboration with a live business partner—and conduct comprehensive research to understand its root causes, implications, and potential solutions.

Whether a traditional academic dissertation or a practical consulting project is chosen, this module offers flexibility to accommodate all interests and career aspirations. Students may opt to conduct empirical research, analyse case studies, or develop strategic recommendations based on industry best practices, demonstrating their ability to integrate theory with practice and generate actionable insights for sustainable business transformation.

Embedded within the module is a focus on employability and professional development, equipping students with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in today’s dynamic business landscape. By the end of the module, students emerge as a confident and capable consultant, equipped to drive positive change and innovation in the business world. Whether pursuing careers in consulting, sustainability management, or entrepreneurship, they will possess the knowledge, skills, and ethical awareness needed to create lasting value for organizations, communities, and the planet.