BA (Hons) Business Management (Part Time)

This course has been developed as a result of evidence gathered from local employers and students, as well as current industry research.

The key areas of focus for the course include:

• The study of organisations, their management and the changing external environment in which they operate.
• Preparation for and development of a career in business and management.
• Enhancement of lifelong learning skills and personal development

According to the CBI/EDI Education and Skills Survey 2011, ‘employability skills are the single most important factor considered by businesses when recruiting a graduate’. As such, integral to the new course is the embedding of such employability skills, behaviours and attitudes that employers are seeking from business graduates.

Additionally, the course specifically acknowledges the needs of employers and business students alike by providing the opportunity for students to take ‘specialised’ units of study within the areas of the Business Environment, Management, Marketing and Finance. Students will have the choice of selecting one option in their second year and two options within their final year.

Sample optional units from each area of ‘specialism’ of study include:

• Year 2: Entrepreneurship and Business, Management Concepts and Ethics, Digital Marketing and Financial Analysis in Business.
• Year 3: Contemporary Business Issues, Managing for Results, Not for Profit Marketing and Financial Aspects of Decision Making.

Industrial focus

The degree provides opportunities for real-world learning. Specific to this course is the opportunity for students to choose one of two different routes for their second year of study:

Route 1: Students will undertake a consultancy project unit on behalf of an outside ‘client’. As part of the consultancy preparation, students will design, plan and run a ‘job fair’, practice their interview skills, ‘hire’ first year students and learn how to project manage a live brief.

Route 2: Students will undertake a three month placement which will include an assessment that is designed to meet similar learning outcomes to those within the consultancy project (such as Route 1).

This course also seeks to ensure that opportunities for professional body accreditation is sought where appropriate (such as, PRINCE2|, CIM, CAM, Google Analytics).

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:

• Research and Analysis in Business
• Operations Management and Global Business Environment (all taken in Period 1: October-mid January)

Students then choose one of the following two routes:

• Route 1: Consultancy Project Preparation, Consultancy Project, choice of 1 option*
• 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’: Business Environment, Management, Marketing or Finance.

Why choose this course?

The course specifically 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 an employer-based or on-campus work-based learning opportunities.
• Range of ‘work-based’ learning opportunities and professional accreditations which enable considered choices to optimise employability.
• Option of placement ‘sandwich’ year between Years 2 and 3
• Themed areas of ‘specialisms’ offering attractive career routes which respond to the graduate skills profiles as identified 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, increasing the focus on development of employability and career management skills.

Assessment

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

Key career skills

Teamwork, Business and Customer Awareness, Problem Solving, Communication, Numeracy, IT, Research Skills, Project Management.

Projects/work experience

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

Graduate profile

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.”

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