BA (Hons) Business Management (Full Time)

This flexible course has built in real-world learning and professional accreditation opportunities. The course has been developed with local employers and students, using current industry research, to help you develop the skills and knowledge to build a brilliant career.

Key elements include:

• Option to include a three-month paid work placement and still complete the degree in three years
• The study of organisations, their management and the changing business environment
• Comprehensive preparation for a career in business and management
• Developing skills and behaviours that businesses look for in graduates
• Wide range of optional specialist units covering business and entrepreneurship, management, marketing and finance
• Focus on lifelong learning skills and personal development
• Use of business games, simulations and competitions.

The degree provides ample opportunities for real-world learning, with two routes on offer:

1. Undertaking a consultancy project

Working for an external client, you plan and run a job fair, practise your interview skills, hire first-year students and learn how to project manage a live brief.

2. Undertaking a three-month placement

You can choose to spend three months experiencing life in business, putting your skills into practice. In addition, you also have the option to undertake a full year industry placement or continue with on-campus studies. Students who take the full-year option then complete their studies in year four|.

Industrial focus

While studying for this course, you can also obtain a wide range of professional body accreditations where appropriate, including CIM, CAM, Google Analytics and PRINCE2 Certification|.

Course content

Year 1

Core units for all students:

• Personal and Professional Development 1
• Marketing and Communications
• Managerial Accounting
• Data Analysis and IT
• Organisations and Resource Management
• Economics

Year 2

Core units for all students, all taken in Period 1 (October–mid January):

• Research and Analysis in Business
• Operations Management
• Global Business Environment
• Students then choose one of the following two routes:

Route 1:

• Consultancy Project Preparation
• Consultancy Project
• Choice of one option for example:
• Entrepreneurship and Business
• Management Concepts and Ethics
• Digital Marketing
• Financial Analysis in Business.

Route 2:

• Work-based Placement (three months).

Year 3

Core units for all students:

• Personal and Professional Development 2
• Strategic Management (includes a weekend business simulation event)
• Project Management in Business
• Dissertation Project
• Choice of two options.

Options can be chosen from one of the areas of ‘specialism’. Examples include:

• Contemporary Business Issues
• Managing for Results
• Not-for-Profit Marketing
• Financial Aspects of Decision Making.

Why choose Solent?

The course acknowledges the needs of employers and business students alike by providing an increased focus on employability and work-related learning opportunities. For example:

• Choice of employer-based or campus work-based learning opportunities and professional accreditations optimise employability.
• Option of placement ‘sandwich’ year between Years 2 and 3.
• Themed areas of ‘specialisms’, offering attractive career routes, reflect the graduate skills required by local employers.
• Enhanced student learning experience through contemporary teaching, learning and assessment techniques, including business simulations, competitions and specialist guest speaker lectures.
• Strong personal and professional development at all levels increases the focus on employability and career management skills.

You will be taught by professionals with valuable research experience, a solid understanding of industry practice and the passion for delivering a quality learning experience. Students will not only be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to secure graduate employment, but with the practical business knowledge required to prepare you for a fast-changing world.

Assessment

A mixture of individual and group coursework, student presentations, business simulation and project work, as well as some written examinations and timed exercises.

Projects/work experience

The course provides the opportunity to work on company projects. The Consultancy Project, for example, allows students to work on research projects for organisations such as Southampton City Council, Hampshire Constabulary and BT, as well as smaller, local businesses.

Key career skills

Teamworking, business and customer awareness, problem solving, communication, numeracy, IT, research skills, project management.

Graduate quotes

Ulriika Simila

Finnish student Ulriika chose the BA (Hons) Business Management following recommendations from friends.

“I really enjoyed the variety of units and I feel that I have a multitude of options when it comes to choosing a career path. The course covers pretty much all aspects of business and I have gained skills in many different areas. I particularly liked the management aspect of the course. The course is very hands on and the seminars give you the chance to practice the skills that we learn about in our lectures.

"Ulriika was appointed student ambassador and this experience gave her the opportunity to work with children and teach them about higher education. “The whole experience was very enriching!” she says. “I feel that I have matured a lot during my studies and grown more independent. I have really enjoyed writing my dissertation, it was hard work but also very rewarding.”

"Now back in Finland, Ulriika is hoping to start a career in financial services, the area in which she focused during her course. I am confident that with all the experience I have gained from my studies at Southampton Solent University I have a great career ahead of me.”

Theo van Heygen

"I chose to do the Consultancy Project as I felt it could really improve my employment prospects. You are expected to carry out work that is directly relatable to a real-life job role.

"For my Consultancy Project, I worked with a group of peers for Marwell Wildlife. It was truly a challenge, but one that I thoroughly enjoyed. I learned how to work effectively in a team and achieve great results.

"It was particularly pleasing that several of the recommendations that we made based on our project findings were actually implemented by Marwell. This is something that I can put on all my applications to future employers, and I feel it greatly enhances my employability.

"I finished my degree with 1st Class Honours and I feel that I gained so much in terms of employment and research skills."

The International Foundation Year must be successfully completed before commencing undergraduate study (NQF Level 6 and above). In compliance with UKBA Tier 4 (General Student) policy, a Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) will initially be issued for the foundation course.

Follow our Business School blog|

Key info from UNISTATS

You might notice the data is the same in multiple widgets below. That’s because if there isn’t enough data about each version of the course, the data is combined. For more info, visit the Unistats website.