Business Studies BA (Hons)

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1 Business Studies BA (Hons) Business is a very wide area, and contains elements such as finance, marketing, human resources and law. This degree will provide you with a wide range of opportunities to develop your analytical skills, allowing you to provide creative solutions to business problems often based upon live case studies. Overview The Business degree covers a wide range of areas including finance, marketing, human resources, business strategy and law. The degree is designed to prepare you for running your own business or establishing a career in anything from events management to running a salon. The programme will also open up a world of career opportunities in financial services including insurance, auditing and risk management. About this course Why should I do this course? The aim of this degree is to equip you with a solid foundation in business. Studying business provides you with a wide range of opportunities to develop your analytical skills, providing solutions and recommendations for business problems, often based on live case studies. You will also develop appropriate IT skills for business.

2 What's covered? The BA (Hons) Business Studies programme of study is designed to give you a solid understanding of the subject area in year one. This is built upon in year two and by year three you will be working more independently. There will be a greater emphasis on debate rather than purely lectures. The dissertation (double weighted module) in year three will allow your to choose a business area that you are interested in (following guidance from your lecturer), research into it, and produce a final document of 8,000 words that demonstrates your understanding of the subject and can be used when going for interviews. Guest speakers Course leaders regularly include guest speakers, including: Marks and Spencer - supply chain and logistics chief executive of a large public sector organisation Field trips The degree programme includes several local field trips for the purpose of live briefs. Previous examples include: restaurants hotels Southend United Southend Pier Rochford District Council Contact hours 13 hours per week, comprising: four x three hour lectures one hour tutorial How will my work be assessed? The vast majority of your assessment is coursework-based through live projects, presentations, reports and essays. In year one examinations are worth 5% of your total marks. In year two examinations are worth 10% and in year three examinations are worth 18%. There is also formative assessment which does not count towards your final module scores. Formative assessment includes discussions, presentations and seminars. Throughout your studies you will develop a wide range of skills and techniques to equip you to achieve. These include skills to improve your written arguments and your performance in examinations. What can I do after this? Future study options: Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) PGCE

3 MSc International Business and Entrepreneurship at University of Essex, Southend Campus MSc International Marketing and Entrepreneurship University of Essex, Southend Campus MSc Organisations Studies and Human Resource Management at University of Essex, Southend Campus MSc Financial and Business Economics at University of Essex, Colchester Campus Graduate destinations Students have progressed to companies such as Royal Bank of Scotland, Sainsburys, Conveyancing Risk Solutions and International Finance Data Services. One mature student progressed to an events internship with the European Union in Brussels. Typical examples of jobs graduates progress onto include: retail management human resources accountancy and financial services marketing teaching Many students also go on to run their own businesses following graduation. Structure Year one You will study a broad range of areas that will give you an insight into business such as finance, human resources, marketing and law. These build firm foundations for the rest of the degree programme, both in terms of knowledge and skills development. There are a number of assessment methods ranging from reports and essays to presentations, seminars and examinations. You will be provided with the support you need to develop the skills necessary for success. Modules Managing People: This module is designed to develop a basic introductory knowledge of how organisations manage their staff, or human resources. You will soon be able to understand how staff are selected, trained, motivated and managed to help organisations succeed in today's competitive world. Introduction to Business Law: You will gain knowledge and understanding of the legal framework in the UK and EU, with particular emphasis on business problems and law. The Business Environment (including supply chain and logistics): This module introduces you to the institutions and influences which make up the economic and broader environment in which businesses operate. It includes consideration of the political and economic institutions and is underpinned by an understanding of basic economic theory. You will develop an understanding of economic, social and technological forces and be able to compare the United Kingdom with other countries. Introduction to Finance: Finance and accounting are essential ingredients for business success. This module shows students the basic accounting structures, the main sources of finance and how to measure and compare business performance. Business Planning and Marketing: Business planning and marketing research are essential for any successful profit-making organisation. This module studies business plans, the marketing research and techniques used to

4 help create them and provides the basis for further more specialised study in this field. Business Research and Quantitative Techniques: This module introduces you to data research methods, how to interpret and analyse conclusions and recommendations, how to use appropriate graphical presentation techniques and how to use an IT analysis package. Year two You will build and expand on your learning in the previous year, focusing on the use of technology in business, human resources, finance and environmentally sustainable business techniques. Modules Business Finance: The module looks into international trade, managing a treasury, share and debt markets and investment appraisal. It also looks into the risks of exchange rate and interest rate movements and how to insure against them. Business Technology: You will learn how to understand the variety of technologies and applications relevant to modern business. Additionally, it is vital for managers to understand how technology can add value or subtract value and to learn how to manage in an increasingly technology-intensive world. Marketing and the Regulatory Environment: The purpose of the module is to provide you with an understanding of the planning and development, implementation and evaluation of marketing and communication campaigns, with particular reference to legal and ethical issues. Organisational Behaviour: This module analyses individual and group performance and activity within an organisation. It looks at current issues in this field and differing perspectives on them. Environmentally Sustainable Business: This module analyses what an environmentally conscious approach to business would ideally encompass. It looks at the scientific principles, the legal framework and the different approaches currently taken by businesses to meet the environmental requirements of stakeholders. Entrepreneurship: Through simulating the real life activities of new entrepreneurs this module gives students a broad understanding of the field of entrepreneurship and provides an introduction to the important tools and skills necessary to create and grow a successful new venture. Year three This is the most challenging year in terms of content, and you are expected to be more independent than in previous years of study. You will need to be particularly organised and draw on the skills that you have developed throughout the programme. Modules are concerned with contemporary issues and allow for wide ranging discussion to ensure you are fully aware of all the key topics currently being debated in the business arena. The individual project (dissertation) allows you to research and specialise in a specific element of business that you are interested in, with appropriate guidance from a supervisor. Modules Individual Project: This research module is strongly focused around self-directed work by students, with the consultation and support of their dissertation supervisors. Students undertake preparatory work for the dissertation on a topic of their choice in the field of Business and Management Studies.

5 Business Strategy: This module looks at the strategies available to national and international firms to manage and control their operations against the background of a dynamic business environment. You will apply relevant knowledge and skills in assessing and evaluating strategic positions and determining the strategic choices available to organisations. Advanced Research: By this stage you will have developed significant analytical skills and will have acquired some research experience. This module aims to further develop these techniques and to enable you to develop your proposals for the third year individual project. Corporate Governance: This module develops an understanding of corporate governance codes, the role of stakeholders and institutional investors and the responsibilities of company directors. These will then be linked to ethics and ethical codes. Students also examine auditing requirements and recent company failings due to auditing and other governance issues. Principles of Fraud: Students will come to have a basic understanding of the principles and theories of fraud detection and deterrence. They will critically engage with topics such as corruption, fraudulent financial statements, management fraud and interviewing witnesses. The current scope of the problem, both domestically and internationally, will be reviewed, as will the new contribution of technology to detection and prevention. Operations Management: This module in operations management covers the managerial concepts and the analytical/quantitative tools used in the design, planning, operations and control of production and service systems. Entry requirements For the BA (Hons) you will need 64 UCAS points from one or more of the following: at least two A-levels BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/Diploma/Subsidiary Diploma/Certificate [RQF] BTEC National Award/Certificate/Diploma [NQF] Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Peter Jones Enterprise Academy Level 3 Diploma International Baccalaureate AQA Baccalaureate You will also need GCSE English and Maths at grade C (old specification) or Grade 4 (new specification) or above OR a Level 2 equivalent such as functional skills. To find out how many points your qualifications are awarded, view the UCAS Tariff tables. Exceptional Entry Applications from mature students who do not possess the entry requirements as listed above, but who possess related professional experience or professional qualifications, are welcome to apply. You will need to demonstrate by interview, exceptional entry portfolio (this is likely to include evidence of paid or unpaid work experience) and/or written assessment that you are suitable for the course. In the first instance we suggest you contact HEAdmissions@southessex.ac.uk to discuss your application.

6 Powered by TCPDF ( Applying Full-time courses Applications for full-time courses should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), quoting institution code S43 and the UCAS code for your chosen course. Part-time courses (incl. short full-time) Applications for all part-time Honours Degree, Foundation Degree, PGCE, CertEd (full-time and part-time), Certificate of Higher Education and Diploma of Higher Education courses at South Essex College should be made directly to the College using the online application form or by completing a paper application form and mailing it to our freepost address: HE Admissions South Essex College Freepost SMU 110 Luker Road Southend on Sea Essex SS1 1BR Need more info? Take a look at applying for your course» Course options Venue Starts Attendance Duration Provision Cost Cost Details