Business Management with a Foundation Year - BA (Hons)

Birmingham City University

The People and Organisation module is designed to introduce you as first-year university students to the fundamental concepts of organisational life and how people behave and interact within organisations. This module centres on four main areas: organisational structure and culture; power, control, and leadership in organisations; communication methods and processes (verbal, non-verbal, and written); and motivation theories and their application in the workplace. Through this module, you will gain an understanding of workplace dynamics and employee behaviour in various organisational settings. The module draws on both theoretical perspectives and practical examples from public, private, and not-for-profit sectors across different countries. This approach ensures that you develop a comprehensive understanding of organisational behaviour in diverse contexts.

This module offers an in-depth exploration of Data Analytics and its application in different aspects of business. The module also explores Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its role in contemporary business practices. It is designed to provide you with a practical understanding of the real-life application of data analytics in Business settings. The module brings together the worlds of business and technology and is ideal for those pursuing careers in business related fields, or business analytics. It equips you with essential critical thinking and data analytics skills that are highly in demand in today’s as well as the future employment market. Key features of the module, not limited to fundamental digital skills required in today’s world of Business but are also aligned to the Microsoft Office Specialist Excel certification exam. You will engage in hands on activities, extracting insights from data and generating reports, thereby enhancing your technical proficiency and analytical capabilities. The module is delivered through a face-to-face learning approach, and you will have access to a wealth of digital resources, including recorded video tutorials, reading materials, and interactive tasks during tutorial sessions. The learning experience is enriched by collaborative projects and case studies, which simulate real-world business scenarios as well as Microsoft certification.

Every day, billions of people spend their money on products and services without necessarily considering why they decided to buy those particular offerings. Each of these products and services have been carefully developed to fulfil the needs of a particular target audience of which each of us may be a part. Whilst many people associate the word marketing with advertising or design, the marketing concept is far wider-reaching in its scope and is a core function within many household names, such as Apple, Disney, McDonalds, Nike and many, many more. In Marketing Principles and Practice, you will learn the role that marketing plays within an organisation and how to apply some of the key tools and techniques that professional marketers use on a regular basis. For those undertaking a marketing degree, this module will provide a solid foundation for your course; for those studying other disciplines, the concepts presented here are valuable tools for a future career in all walks of business.

This module provides a comprehensive exploration of entrepreneurship, equipping you with the skills, perspectives, and theories applicable across industries and professions. It covers both new venture creation and innovation within existing organisations, emphasising entrepreneurial thinking and mindset. You will engage in practice-based learning, exploring entrepreneurship in diverse cultural and geographical contexts. The module delves into key entrepreneurial concepts such as opportunity recognition, evaluation, and exploitation and examines how traits, behaviours, and leadership styles influence entrepreneurial success. You will actively apply this thinking, taking bold risks, navigating ambiguity, and solving complex challenges. The module fosters an entrepreneurial mindset, enabling you to identify opportunities and create value. It emphasises continuous personal and professional growth, preparing you for success whether you pursue business ventures or drive innovation within established organisations.

This module will introduce the world of accounting and finance for business managers of the future and is designed for those new to accounting or those studying on non-accounting related degree programmes. You will explore key areas of accounting including gaining an appreciation for how basic financial statements are prepared and how you can assess the financial performance and financial position of a business. You will gain insight into the way financial information is used for planning and decision making within a business.

Most businesses face significant obstacles in designing processes, managing and improving operations, and delivering goods and services that meet customer expectations. This module will introduce you to the critical managerial decisions required for effective and efficient operations in both industrial and service businesses. A well-balanced course between theory and practice will give you a solid foundation for operations management using qualitative and quantitative frameworks. This module will introduce you to the major aspects and issues in operations management, as well as develop your understanding of the core nature of operations management and the importance of improving the firm's performance and competitiveness using operations management techniques. The module's goal is to help you build problem-solving abilities through a variety of case study, discussion, and research activities. Additionally, the module will invite guest speakers from relevant industries to bring to life business operations in the real world.

The Project Management module provides you with a foundation in project management principles and practices, integrating theoretical knowledge and practical application. The module covers both traditional and agile methodologies, preparing you with a skill set applicable across various industries. You will engage in a blended learning experience, combining interactive lectures, seminars and online resources. Key topics include project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure, with a focus on risk management, stakeholder communication, and team leadership. The module provides hands-on experience with real-world scenarios. Assessment comprises a mix of group work, presentations and individual reflections. This will allow you to analyse complex project scenarios, apply appropriate methodologies, and make informed decisions in uncertain environments.

This module progresses on from the Level 4 module Introduction to Data Analytics and AI. Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the business world and personal lives, and ‘Big Data’ is everywhere. This module will demonstrate how organisations apply analytical tools and techniques by harvesting and leveraging data to gain a competitive edge. Machine Learning (ML) is an analytical technique that delivers practical value for both organisations plus consumers and is embedded within modern products and services. Business processes, workflows and systems have been revolutionised via automation achieved from machine learning algorithms. You will be exposed to best practice approaches for building, training and evaluating machine learning algorithms such as neural networks, agent-based modelling, reinforcement learning and logistic regression. You will also build your data literacy by developing the highly in-demand skill of programming, tailored for business analysts. The problem-solving experience gained from adopting AI tools and techniques for solving real-world problems will minimise human error. Additionally, unnecessary human intervention will be eliminated to facilitate more precise data-driven decision making using logical and evidence-based approaches.

This module examines the critical role of leadership in the global business context. It explores diverse leadership styles and key attributes for global leaders. The module also delves into prominent cultural models, analysing how cultural factors shape leadership perceptions and behaviours across borders. Additionally, the module provides strategies for navigating the complexities of multinational organisations, leading high-performing global teams, and aligning business objectives with the dynamic, interconnected global marketplace. Through case studies and practical applications, this module equips you with the knowledge and skills to become effective leaders in the evolving global business landscape. The assignment will be presented as a structured case study analysis, in which you are expected to demonstrate critical thinking, application of theoretical concepts, and in their evaluation.

The Sales and Negotiation module aims to provide you with a thorough understanding of sales and negotiation principles and practices within a business context. It is designed to support you to gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in selling techniques, negotiation strategies, and the psychology of persuasion. The module focuses on the significance of sales in business success, the impact of effective negotiation on achieving desirable outcomes, and the ethical considerations inherent in both processes. The module will also explore the role of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems and how sales processes are managed. You will be engaged via interactive sessions, case studies and simulations, you will also utilise various negotiation tools, applying these in diverse business scenarios. The module also emphasises critical reflection and professional development, preparing you for careers in sales, negotiation, and broader business management roles.

The aim of this module is to allow you to understand the role of suppliers in the development and delivery of events along with how the various stakeholders in events including suppliers, venues and event managers can work together to deliver sustainable events. The module takes you through the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and how they can be used to guide event managers throughout the full project cycle of an event from client brief, event delivery to post event review. At each stage of the event project cycle, the role of suppliers, managing supply chains and sustainability within the supply chain will be investigated to give you confidence in your knowledge to create sustainable events for the future. The module is delivered through a combination of workshops, simulations and discussions in which you will be expected to contribute. Case studies from around the world and presentations will also be used in each session and where possible, guest lectures from within the event supply chain, guest ambassadors and experiential event professionals will be used. The module Moodle page will be a valuable source of information for supporting you through the module and your assessment.

The module will allow you to demonstrate your ability to evaluate a business issue relevant to your discipline of study and utilize the theory from your study to date to generate recommendations at either a theoretical or practical level. It will allow you to demonstrate your analytic and time management skills in a practical way. The module interprets Business and Management research broadly. Fields include, but are not limited to: accounting; banking; business analytics; business and industrial economics; business ethics; business history; consumer behaviour; corporate governance; corporate social responsibility; critical management studies; employment relations; entrepre neurship; finance; human resource management; information systems management; innovatio n management; international business; leadership; management education; management s cience; marketing; operations management; organisational psychology; organisational studies; project management; public policy; public sector management; risk management; service management; small firms; strategic management; supply chain management; sustainability; technology management; third sector management; and any other field or sub-field aligned to business and management.

From droughts to floods, wildfires, complex security challenges also linked to AI, displacement crisis, gang violence, poverty, health crisis, terror threats, businesses and populations have become more vulnerable. Managing and mitigating risks and various threats is a skill that is valued globally. Embedded within the United Nations Sustainable Goals and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, the module will equip learners with the tools to help them to cope with uncertainty, adverse situations, analyse a crisis, prepare a crisis response and help them to develop best practice reflecting on past events. The OECD also highlights the importance of building resilience as a leader whilst responding to novel or classic crisis.

This module will provide you with a critical understanding of the concepts, frameworks and approaches for the effective management of strategic change and its leadership. Consideration will also be given to the complexity of business operations, the rapid pace of technological innovation, and globalisation of businesses. You will explore drivers and challenges of strategic change in an organisational context as well as approache s for successful implementation of various change interventions. During the module you will analyse the leadership actions and capabilities that are required in the process of transforming organisations in a turbulent environment. You will evaluate the various leadership theories most appropriate for a given situation. You will appreciate strategic change management in contemporary organisations and equi p them with the skills and knowledge r equired of leaders in complex, unpredictable and fast-changing international business environment. In addition, the module will invite guest lecturers to share their experience s.

This module introduces you to a range of advanced strategic management tools and technique to analyse and understand business situations with national and international relevance. In addition, an understanding of competitive behaviour will be informed by a variety of perspectives concerning the sources of competitive advantage, sustainable competitive advantage from both theoretical and industry viewpoints. These include developments in the macro environment, industry structure, strategic positioning, the acquisition and development of resources and capabilities, plus the challenges of industry evolution. The module emphasises the importance of application of techniques and concepts to specific situations, often with case studies and live businesses that have gone through significant change and survived (or not). The module will be delive red with a combination of face-to-face, case stud ies and blended learning, and a significant element of preparation and contribution from you. You will be using our virtual learning environment to facilitate peer and individual learning, pulling together skills and kn owledge from modules from Level 4 and 5. Additionally this module will invite guest speakers from internationally recognised businesses to share their experiences.