In your first year you'll study with our partner, ARU College. This module will provide you with the necessary skills to begin studying at level 4 in courses related to business, accounting, finance, marketing, tourism and economics. You will be introduced to the core skills necessary to succeed in higher education, including thinking critically, researching and referencing appropriately, demonstrating appropriate numeracy and ICT skills, and communicating effectively verbally and in writing. You'll also be introduced to specific concepts related to your degree programmes including the functions of a business, business law, ethics and intercultural studies. Real-world applications of these theories in business will be highlighted, and you will practice applying the theory to case studies. The module is made up of the following eight constituent elements: Interactive Learning Skills and Communication (ILSC); Information Communication Technology (ICT); Critical Thinking; Core Maths; Ethics; Intercultural Studies; Business Law; Introduction to Business.
You'll explore the factors that affect business, from a mostly external perspective, including elements of globalisation and international business and the fundamental skills needed in the world of business. Political, Economics, Social, Legal, Ecological and Technological factors will be examined in the macro business environment and how these interact in a competitive environment with globalisation, technological and social change to create complex strategic options for organisations. You will also explore in some detail the concept of sustainability and introductory economics.
View the full module definitionDesigned to provide a foundation across a broad range of legal issues, this module will provide you with an appreciation of the various ways in which law impacts on the domestic and international business environment. The module will focus on the nature and sources of business law in England; on contract law with regard to both goods and services and on the law of tort among others. There will also be a brief focus on the role of contract, with regards to employment law.
You'll be introduced to a range of organisational behaviour issues that you may encounter in your career and be provided with evidence-informed analyses of ways in which culture, leadership, structure and motivation affect workers and workplaces. This foundation enables you to analyse the human side of management and diagnose problems affecting organisations both independently and as part of a group. You'll have the opportunity to take managerial, critical, symbolic-interactivist and feminist perspectives to business issues and organisational behaviour related theories, models and concepts to build your social capital and critical analytical skills. Specifically, we will equip you with the knowledge and human capitals to understand how people and organisations function in individual, group and organisational levels based on the latest academic evidence on topics such as motivation, leadership, teams, organisational structure and culture. Finally, we aim to inspire you to value and continuously use the best available academic evidence on effective management of people and organisations throughout your career.
View the full module definitionThis module presents a fusion between the philosophies which underlie marketing, with a strong emphasis of integrating digital and traditional concepts and the real life application of marketing across a variety of sectoral contexts. You'll examine the core marketing concept of customer value and the interplay between marketing and sustainability and the ethical challenges and critiques of modern marketing. You'll gain a wide range of knowledge across a breadth of sectors and be able to adapt these to whatever career or future research you choose. On completion of the module you'll have not only a solid grounding in marketing philosophies and theories but also a critical view of marketing, based around the realisation of the reality of modern digital marketing operations and management in a context of increasing global economic challenges, but also within a context where the customer profile is shifting to become increasingly demanding, critical and questioning of the motivations and ethics behind the marketers activities.
View the full module definitionThe module aims to give you a sound grasp of the basic concepts required for financial analysis and management. The module will help you understand the role of managerial finance and financial markets and will enable you to analyse and present data using Microsoft Excel. For those studying BSc (Hons) Business Management and BSc (Hons) Business Management with Placement, successful completion of this module fulfils the requirements of the Chartered Management Institute's Unit 520 Managing Finance.
View the full module definitionProject management is a key skill for any future professional. This module focuses on providing a sound basis for managing or working on projects. In essence, the concept of managing a project hinging on one quite basic principle, managing the triangle of: quality of the project outcomes, cost and time. The module covers: Project Management Body of Knowledge; the importance of stakeholder and risk management; scheduling and costing; monitoring and controlling techniques, time management and resource optimisation; improving the success of projects; and the principles of agile project management.
View the full module definitionThis module is part of the Faculty of Business and Law’s Learning by Doing framework and contributes to the Elevate Programme (Team Projects/Consultancy). You'll work in teams on two external-facing projects: one addressing a challenge set by a real organisation through the Live Brief, and the other based on a second consultancy task relevant to current industry themes. These collaborative projects are delivered with the support of the Business Clinic and involve feedback from tutors, peers, and external stakeholders. You'll apply innovation and business tools to analyse problems, co-create solutions and deliver evidence-based recommendations to professional standards. The module emphasises experiential learning, teamwork, communication, critical reflection and practical problem-solving preparing you to confidently navigate entrepreneurial and consultancy contexts.
View the full module definitionRuskin Modules are designed to prepare our students for a complex, challenging and changing future. These interdisciplinary modules provide the opportunity to further broaden your perspectives, develop your intellectual flexibility and creativity. You will work with others from different disciplines to enable you to reflect critically on the limitations of a single discipline to solve wider societal concerns. You will be supported to create meaningful connections across disciplines to apply new knowledge to tackle complex problems and key challenges. Ruskin Modules are designed to grow your confidence, seek and maximise opportunities to realise your potential to give you a distinctive edge and enhance your success in the workplace.
From creativity comes ideas, different ways of doing things that could transform an organisation, industry, practice, consumer’s lives, the world… This module uses the concept of playfulness to lead to creativity and the chance to identify an opportunity. A variety of ideation techniques will help you develop ideas and subsequent business models. From a blank page, you'll be drawn through the creative process of ideation, risk, failure and revision to develop innovative solutions with the chance to consult with a range of stakeholders in our community to improve your idea, ready for testing. You'll develop entrepreneurial skills that may be used to start a business or bring innovative thinking to solving problems or exploring new opportunities in an existing business. You'll be exposed to a variety of creative processes and have the chance to explore your own ideas or work with local entrepreneurs throughout the ideation process. The first idea is not always the best idea so assessment on this module explores the concept of making continual improvements and evolving a concept through following the ideation process and reflecting on progress.
View the full module definitionExplore entrepreneurial thinking by transforming raw ideas into real, testable prototypes. Through an iterative, hands-on process, you’ll develop, test, and refine your concepts – learning as much from what doesn’t work as from what does. Practical engagement is central to this module. You'll take part in immersive experiences such as an AI-driven hackathons, where you'll collaborate intensively to generate and visualise entrepreneurial solutions. Guest speakers, including practicing entrepreneurs and innovators, will enrich your learning with live demonstrations of tools such as process maps, wireframes, and user stories. You'll also the opportunity to visit leading innovation hubs, including the Cambridge Science Park, Arise Chelmsford, and Alia Business Centre. These visits offer direct interaction with industry professionals and entrepreneurs, providing insights into design and manufacturing processes such as 3D printing, app development, and injection moulding. Your journey will culminate in the development of a working prototype, accompanied by a professional portfolio. This final artefact will not only showcase your entrepreneurial mindset but also serve as an asset for future employment or venture creation.
View the full module definitionFrom ideation, to prototype and testing, this module is about looking back on experiences and learning from them. An entrepreneur must be resilient, to keep going, and keep trying despite mistakes, lack of funds, or opportunities. You'll look at theories of reflection, and is analytical and theoretical in its approach. We look at the numbers and analysis to work out the next steps, reflecting on previous learning on the course. You'll build your social networks and capital, learn to pitch, find out how to apply for grants and write a successful bid and speak to entrepreneurs to find out what made them successful. We link to the patchwork framework and the entrepreneurial toolkit to help you to pull on your personal resources and we consider diversity and entrepreneurship as you prepare for self-employment or taking your entrepreneurial skills into the workplace. You'll be invited to explore different types of entrepreneurs and reflect on your own skills, knowledge and behaviours. The assessment will be scenario-based critically analysing the resources that can be used to overcome specific issues affecting the entrepreneur.
View the full module definitionIn this module, you’ll build your knowledge and skills as you navigate the complexities of international business strategy in dynamic and competitive global environments. It emphasises the importance of business analytics and strategic frameworks in decision-making, fostering innovation, and addressing sustainability challenges across borders. The module is designed to develop your entrepreneurial mindset by encouraging creativity, opportunity identification, and risk assessment in global contexts. It integrates a focus on international innovation and management, enabling you to understand how to drive innovation across borders and manage diverse teams effectively. Additionally, the module enhances employability skills, including strategic thinking, leadership, teamwork, and cross-cultural communication. You’ll learn to apply theories and frameworks to practical business scenarios, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and adaptability in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments.
View the full module definitionYou'll develop understanding of the shift towards more environmentally, socially and economically responsible business practice and in particular focus on the drivers behind this shift; including an understanding of the sustainable development goals and growing business arguments for including a consideration of sustainability in all business and management practice. The module promotes a personal approach to the issues of sustainability and personal and social responsibility. The module includes an authentic assessment where you'll be diagnosing, designing and evaluating an environmental management plan for your households or organisations, while reflecting on your personal responsibility and ethical behaviour. You'll pay special attention to questioning the different responses of business in relation to social responsibility and sustainable management. If you're studying BSc (Hons) Business Management, successful completion of this module provides exemption against the Chartered Management Institute’s (CMI) unit 5022V1 Organisational Corporate Social Responsibility.
View the full module definitionUndertaking a Major Project allows you to engage in a substantial piece of individual research, and/or product development work, on a selected topic within the broad business and management field, relating to your particular interests and background, although closely linked to our wide range of staff interests and research. You will have many group sessions to support your project, plus the supervision by an academic member of staff. The project also encourages students to share ideas and approaches. The chosen topic will be in your course subject area and require you to identify/formulate problems and issues based on a range of topics provided by conducting a literature review and evaluating information. You will investigate and adopt a suitable desk based methodology and determine solutions, perhaps developing hardware, software and/or media artefacts as appropriate. You will critically appraise and present your findings, reflecting upon the limitations of your research and the research process.
You’ll use this module to gain deeper understanding of the external factors shaping business decisions by examining the functions of international business in the contemporary context and how they relate to important political, economic and ethical debates with a focus on operations and functions of modern international businesses and their relationship with complex strategic challenges. You'll look at the practices of large and small companies and how international businesses organise their global activities in a world with increasing connectivity and diversity and discuss the key functions, such as international marketing, international talent management and innovation.
View the full module definitionGlobal political economy is the study of how politics shapes the global economy, how the global economy shapes politics and, more broadly, the political power plays between the winners and losers in the global economy. This module develops your knowledge of the political and economic forces transforming our world. Global and regional institutions play a fundamental role in the functioning of the global economy. They influence trade flows, supply chains and the outcomes of political interactions. Therefore, the module introduces you to the key actors in the globalised world, from economic and political heavyweights such as China and the US to supra-national institutions like the European Union, African Union, International Monetary Fund, and World Trade Organisation, and how these actors influence each other and international corporations. On completion of the module, you’ll have the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to analyse international trade, global finance, and policy analysis in context.
View the full module definitionRuskin Modules are designed to prepare our students for a complex, challenging and changing future. These interdisciplinary modules provide the opportunity to further broaden your perspectives, develop your intellectual flexibility and creativity. You will work with others from different disciplines to enable you to reflect critically on the limitations of a single discipline to solve wider societal concerns. You will be supported to create meaningful connections across disciplines to apply new knowledge to tackle complex problems and key challenges. Ruskin Modules are designed to grow your confidence, seek and maximise opportunities to realise your potential to give you a distinctive edge and enhance your success in the workplace.
You'll get a comprehensive introduction to international intercultural management and research. Today’s business environment is increasingly diverse and managers and staff in a broad range of organisations work with people from across the world. The aim is to critically explore intercultural issues and challenges in international and diverse work contexts and develop an understanding of how cultural factors can influence decision-making, collaboration and communication as well as identifying when culture is not the main factor. You'll examine different regional business environments and their cultural and institutional differences, explore classic and contemporary thinking on culture and intercultural management and be encouraged to apply theories and ideas to practice and relate them to your own experience through various examples, cases and practical activities. The module further aims to help you develop as competent globally minded professionals who are able to engage with the complexities and challenges of working and collaborating in international and diverse contexts, have an understanding and openness to difference and how to avoid stereotyping. The module draws on the diversity of your group as a resource and attempts to generate dynamic learning experiences that sensitise you to each other's cultural differences, identities and work practices.
View the full module definitionYou'll have the opportunity to bring together your learning on live brief assessments and be part of an interdisciplinary team addressing a current issue in business. You'll be presented with a current business issue and be required to research, analyse and evaluate the issue effectively as a team. You'll act as the expert in your field of study to bring the perspective of that specialty to a complex business problem. You'll identify the key problems and issues, conduct literature reviews, evaluate information, investigate and adopt suitable development methodologies, determine solutions, process data, critically appraise and present the findings of your project using a variety of media. You'll create a poster presentation on your project for your team to display, and answer questions on, to an audience of academics and employers at a poster presentation event. You'll write a group business report on the outcomes of your project, evidencing your recommendations alongside an individual piece of reflective work on how you approached the issue, worked successfully as a team member, conducted robust business research and developed sound conclusions and recommendations.
View the full module definitionIn this module, you’ll build your knowledge and skills as you navigate the complexities of international business strategy in dynamic and competitive global environments. It emphasises the importance of business analytics and strategic frameworks in decision-making, fostering innovation, and addressing sustainability challenges across borders. The module is designed to develop your entrepreneurial mindset by encouraging creativity, opportunity identification, and risk assessment in global contexts. It integrates a focus on international innovation and management, enabling you to understand how to drive innovation across borders and manage diverse teams effectively. Additionally, the module enhances employability skills, including strategic thinking, leadership, teamwork, and cross-cultural communication. You’ll learn to apply theories and frameworks to practical business scenarios, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and adaptability in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments.
View the full module definitionYou'll develop understanding of the shift towards more environmentally, socially and economically responsible business practice and in particular focus on the drivers behind this shift; including an understanding of the sustainable development goals and growing business arguments for including a consideration of sustainability in all business and management practice. The module promotes a personal approach to the issues of sustainability and personal and social responsibility. The module includes an authentic assessment where you'll be diagnosing, designing and evaluating an environmental management plan for your households or organisations, while reflecting on your personal responsibility and ethical behaviour. You'll pay special attention to questioning the different responses of business in relation to social responsibility and sustainable management. If you're studying BSc (Hons) Business Management, successful completion of this module provides exemption against the Chartered Management Institute’s (CMI) unit 5022V1 Organisational Corporate Social Responsibility.
View the full module definition