Business Management and Economics, BA (Hons)

Understanding economics is key to understanding the external environment in which organisations operate. The world's recent turbulent economic times have demonstrated that a new, deeper understanding of this subject is needed. This course will train you to become an economist right from day one. Why choose this course?

96% of graduates who studied our BA (Hons) Business Management Joint Honours sandwich courses* are employed or engaged in further study six months after leaving.

It will develop your knowledge on the ideas and methods used by economists to support successful business and management. The approach to engaging with the business world will give you a distinctive perspective on decision making, a skill that is in demand by many employers.

During the first year, you will build a broad understanding of business and management. You will then specialise in Economics from the second year on. The course shares a common first year with all the other joint honours courses, meaning you are able to change your specialism after the first year if you wish to do so.

Unique opportunities

The course also offers a number of opportunities to boost your employability, including a year-long placement in industry. Those choosing not to take a placement year can benefit from the opportunities available exclusively to full-time students, which include studying abroad, a short internship, and running an enterprise or community project.

Students on BA (Hons) Business Management courses will also have the chance to use a unique interactive learning tool that helps them run their own virtual company.

Creating successful graduates

Graduates from this course have gone on to successful careers in both the private and public sectors, securing positions such as:

• Customer Development Executive
• Project Manager
• Management Trainee
• Business Analyst.

Want to know more?

You can request a course brochure for more information. We also recommend you attend an open day to find out more about our courses and experience NTU for yourself. Can't make the open day? Take a virtual tour instead.

Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 4460
Visit the Nottingham Business School website

(*of those available for work, DLHE survey 2011 / 12).

UCAS codes

• NL21 BA/BMEc full-time
• NL2C BA/BMEc4 placement

Start date: September 2013

The BA (Hons) Business Management Joint Honours is the most popular suite of courses in our undergraduate portfolio, meaning you will be studying amongst approximately 350 students. Seminars will be made up of around 18 students though making the teaching sessions more personal.

The common first year means that you can apply to change your subject specialism after year one. The flexible nature of the degree means that whether you choose to follow your specialist field or not, your degree will give you the skills, knowledge and experience to compete for graduate positions in a wide range of sectors.

Term time will follow the standard academic calendar throughout the three years, except for those taking a placement year, who during their third year will work for a minimum of 48 weeks of the year.

All students will attend lectures and seminars at NTU's City site, in the impressive Newton building, home to Nottingham Business School.

What will I study?

Year One

• Economics of Business and Management
• Foundations of Managing and Organising
• Entrepreneurship and Professional Development
• Accounting and Finance for Managers
• Marketing and Operations Management
• Quantitative Methods for Business

Year Two

First half of year

Core modules include:

• Global Economic Issues
• International Economics
• Economics of Organisations, Markets and Government.

Second half of year

Opportunities for full-time students (three years) include:

• study abroad
• an enterprise project
• a community project
• an internship
• taught modules (see options below).

Taught modules for sandwich students (four years) include:

• Managing and Organising
• Marketing Management.

Plus one optional module from:

• Management Accounting for Decision Making
• Exploring Strategy and Innovation.

Year Three

This is the placement year for those on four year course.

Final year

• Research Project
• Industry Corporations and Governance
• Investment and Portfolio Management
• International Development Economics
• Leadership and Employability (Economics)

Plus one optional module from:

• Corporate Governance and Fraud Risk Management
• Creativity Innovation and Design
• Improving the Customer Supplier Relationship.

Making your education current and relevant

The entire University has recently undergone a curriculum review to ensure that all modules are relevant and up to date. This means that every module you study has been incorporated in your course to provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to boost your employability.

How will I learn?

We use a mixture of teaching methods including:

• traditional lectures and seminars
• IT workshops
• guest lectures
• problem-based learning
• group discussions.

In addition to this you will also be involved in a variety of practical work such as:

• individual and group presentations
• student-led seminars
• role play
• industry-sponsored competitions
• project work.

Students on BA (Hons) Business Management courses will also have the chance to use a unique interactive learning tool that helps them run their own virtual company.

Although these elements will not be assessed, they are included to help you develop a range of practical skills such as time management, effective presentation, communication, customer focus, entrepreneurial skills and team working.

Contact time

On average you will receive 12 - 15 hours of teaching per week from a combination of lectures and seminars. You will then be expected to increase your understanding of the subject area through independent study for each module.

Throughout the three years of your course the scheduled contact hours you receive will gradually decrease as you develop the skills required to undertake independent study and the research project in your final year. This will still remain at approximately 12 hours a week though and during this time you will still have regular contact with your tutors.

Additional to this, you will also have further time-tabled contact time for your induction, at the beginning of the year and sessions on employability and opportunities that you can get involved with whilst at University.

Learning from industry experts

87% of students on BA (Hons) Business Management Joint Honours sandwich courses agreed that staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2013).

Our tutors have industry experience in their specialist field, which means you will gain practical insight into these fields and how companies are run.

Personal tutor sessions

You will also have a number of one on one tutor sessions during each year, which will allow you to:

• Discuss and gain feedback about your work.
• Ask questions about the projects you're working on.
• Raise any difficulties you are experiencing relating to your work, personal circumstances or your University experience.

During your first year, these sessions will be scheduled approximately once a fortnight. During your second and final year, this will be approximately once a month.

Virtual learning environment

You'll also use our virtual learning environment, NOW, which is a flexible web-based system that allows you to have 24-hour access to module learning materials and resource lists. It allows you to discuss work with tutors and other students, and submit coursework electronically from anywhere in the world.

How will I be assessed?

Modules are assessed in a variety of ways. Examples of assessment include written examinations, reports, essays, individual and group coursework, presentations, and research projects. The degree classification is based on 25% of second year work and 75% of final year work.

In response to student feedback the University have introduced a policy that ensures you are given feedback on assessment within three weeks of submission.

Welcoming students from across the world

Nottingham Trent University has a diverse student community, with a significant number of international students choosing to study here from across the world. We provide specialist staff, services and facilities to help you through all stages of being a student. Find out more about our International Student Support Services.

View the full course specification
Please note that course specifications may be subject to change

We are continually investing in our facilities, and transforming our learning and teaching environment to create an inspiring and innovative atmosphere.

The School is based in the impressive Newton Building on NTU’s City site. In 2009 the building was involved in a £90 million regeneration project on the site. Whilst maintaining its historic beauty, the Grade II listed building was transformed into an ultra-modern state of the art complex.

Fantastic facilities

90% of students on BA (Hons) Business Joint Honours sandwich courses agreed that the library resources and services are good enough for their needs (National Student Survey 2013).

• You can take advantage of the NBS Link lounge, a new space dedicated to Business School students, located on floor seven of the Newton building.
• Explore your career prospects with the help of the University's Career and Placements Centre.
• You will benefit from spacious teaching rooms and lecture theatres.
• We provide students with a variety of social spaces.
• Your studies will benefit from the £13 million pound Boots Library.
• Students take advantage of our 24-hour IT facilities.
• Our Student Services Centre will also be on-hand should you need support.

The location of the City site also means that you have easy access to:

• sports facilities
• shops
• student accommodation
• music venues
• cafés.