Business with Management BA (Hons)

The BA (Hons) Business with Management route does not focus on one narrow area of a business, but instead allows you to study a wider range of business practices, including marketing, finance, human resources and operations.

The Business with Management degree is designed for students who want to work in the fast-paced global world of private and public organisations, coordinating teams and using resources efficiently, or perhaps establishing and running their own business.

You will develop powers of analysis, problem solving skills, research skills, critical thinking, team work and interpersonal skills.

The degree is a modular programme which enables you to study a wide range of business-related topics. Our supportive, qualified and experienced staff, together with accessible and interactive lecture/seminar formats, all help to ensure you will have a rewarding academic experience.

We also offer a Foundation Entry option for this course:

At Level 4 you will study a range of introductory modules designed to familiarise you with business topics.

As part of your course, you will develop employability skills across all modules. In particular in the ‘Career Planning and Personal Development’ module you will begin to consider your own career and personal development. This module complements the broader skills that you will gain in understanding how businesses create success, how to manage business operations, how to make informed decisions and how to lead change in organisations.

At Level 5, you develop these further to encompass all the skills necessary for a successful career in any type of organisation.

At Level 6, you will have a choice of optional modules to choose from to enable you to focus on a topic which you find most interesting.

All students take a total of 120 credits per level.

Level 4 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:

• Business Economics & Environment
• Principles of Human Resource Management
• Understanding Organisations
• Introduction to Finance
• Career Planning and Personal Development
• Business Law

Level 5 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:

• Operational Decision making
• Understanding and Managing People
• Research Methods
• International Dimensions of Business
• Business Marketing and Promotions
• Business Sustainability

Level 6 Modules (2 optional modules as indicated by *) include:

• Strategic Management
• Enterprise & Innovation
• Leadership and Change Management
• Financial Management
• Research Development and Planning
• Development and Evaluation (case study) Project*
• Business Project*

*Optional modules, subject to availability.

Minimum 80 UCAS Tariff points.

In addition, for this programme, you will be required to have a GCSE (or equivalent qualification) at Grade C or above in English, or an equivalent Level 2 qualification in English. In 2017 and beyond we will view the new Grade 4 as being equivalent to a C Grade and will therefore require students to achieve GCSE Grade 4 or above.

If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate the ability to study in English. For non-native speakers of English, you must demonstrate proficiency of English equivalent to B2 of the Common European Framework, specifically IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no more than 2 sub scores below IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent). If you are an International Student from outside of the EU it is a requirement for you to have a Tier 4 Visa in order to study with us.

Applicants who do not meet the standard entry criteria but have relevant work / life experience will be considered on an individual basis and may be invited to interview. The interview will consider your prior formal qualifications, and your evidence of experience gained through employment or other verifiable source. Students will be admitted when the interviewers are confident that the student has demonstrated sufficient prior knowledge, skill, aptitude and interest to be equally able to succeed as a candidate offering the standard entry criteria.

Care Leavers or Young Carers

We want students from all backgrounds to have the opportunity to go to University. If you have spent three months or more in local authority care OR are a young carer, you will be eligible for a contextual offer. This is a grade reduction of 1-A Level grade below our standard entry requirements. For example, a standard offer of CCC, would become CCD. MMM at Level 3 Extended Diploma would become MMP. To apply we advise that you tick the box on your UCAS application which identifies you have spent time in care and to help identify you as eligible for our contextual offer.

We also offer a Foundation Entry option for this course:

Assessment will be undertaken through a range of established methodologies at various stages throughout your learning experience. Various assessments are designed using live case studies, contemporary topics and guidance from industry specialists. Assessments incorporate standard practices through initial, diagnostic, formative and summative stages. Examples of assessment activity includes:

• Essays & reports – Academic writing is an important skill to learn for graduates.
• Examinations – These may be written or online and are used to test knowledge and understanding.
• Projects - This is an opportunity for you to explore topics of interest to them and engage in academic research in Higher Education, whilst promoting independent learning.
• Group & Individual presentations – This method of assessment is widely used in the business industry, these assessments give you an experience presenting to a wider audience.
• Peer assessment - This builds up confidence in giving and receiving feedback from others and enables a student led approach to learning.
• Group assessment – This encourages collaborative working and helps build interpersonal skills.

Additionally, some lecturers will provide informal feedback, for example, following an examination they may choose to work through the exam paper in a tutorial. It should be noted that feedback is part of the ongoing learning cycle which is not limited to written feedback. Other forms of feedback include one-to-one meetings with a personal tutor, dissertation and project supervision meetings, a lecturer responding to learner questions or responses during topic or situation discussions.

The learning environment and facilities could include lecture theatres, classrooms, technology suites, workshops, library, small group and quiet zones. Learning methods will vary according to the programme of study but will include lectures and group tutorials. In addition, seminars, field trips, role play or scenario activities, demonstrations, guest lectures, discussions and debates all contribute to the learning experience to support the acquisition of subject specific skills and knowledge and the development of transferable and employment related skills.

You should typically expect to have around 13 contact hours per week if you are studying full time. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor.

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team could include senior academics and professional practitioners with industry experience.

Timetables

We endeavour to make timetables available one month before you start your course. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week.

Overall Workload

You overall workload consists of class contact hours, around 15 hours of independent learning and assessment activity and any field trips which may take place.

Academic Support

We have a dedicated Student Engagement Team who will be able to provide support in the following areas;

• Study Skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
• Written English
• Academic Writing (including referencing)
• Research Skills

Our graduates are knowledgeable, confident, socially aware, imaginative and enthusiastic individuals and they are actively sought after in a wide number of business related occupations and professions.

The skills gained on a business degree allow you to build commercial awareness and start contributing to your chosen employer quickly and effectively.

Jobs where your degree would be useful include: Human Resources officer, Logistics and Distribution Manager, Marketing Executive, Retail Manager, Sales Executive and Systems Analyst and many more.

You may also choose to progress onto a Graduate Management Scheme or postgraduate study. Many of our graduates choose to progress on to a Professional Qualification upon successful completion of the course. You can continue your study of Professional Qualifications at University Centre at Blackburn College.

Going to University is not as expensive as you think. There are no upfront fees to pay if you take out a Tuition Fee Loan from Student Finance England. Don't forget to apply as early as possible to secure your fees before you start your course.