Year One
Business Economics
One of the essential tasks of managers is to take rational decisions about resource allocation, output and the optimum size of operations. This entails knowledge of basic economic theory and its application to operational decisions. Additionally, the influence of the macroeconomic environment is an important element in decision taking and therefore it is necessary to understand the relationship between changes in this environment and the impact on business policies. Issues such as globalisation, sustainability, ethics and risk will be analysed.
Introduction to Accounting
This module demonstrates the significance and limitations of data presented in financial statements including profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, cash flow statements and liquidity measurement. The financial statements will be related to the implications for management decisions and forward planning in business organisations.
Exploring Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is widely perceived as a critical aspect of management. It is also closely linked to the creation of value in both public and private sectors. Academic research has shown that Governments around the world continue to allocate a considerable level of funding to projects and initiatives aimed at fostering entrepreneurships. This module explores the role of the entrepreneur in creating new ventures and innovation within the society. It also examines ways by which entrepreneurial skills can be developed, in addition to the behaviours and attitudes needed for students to succeed in a rapidly evolving business environment.
Study Skills
The Study Skills module is intended to provide the foundations for undertaking undergraduate studies. It will address potential problems by providing the development for good academic practice. It is important to make explicit the criteria and standards applied in assessing students’ work and accordingly this module aims to initiate an understanding of such requirements.
Organisational Behaviour
One of the key issues in contemporary business studies is the management of culture in a globalised business environment. This module examines what those cultural differences are and how they can be managed. Additionally, students’ knowledge will be extended to areas relating to organisational behaviour, change management, and human resource management. The module is taught by means of lectures, case studies, videos and focused discussions.
Business Law
All operational and strategic business policies have legal implications which impinge upon managerial responsibilities. In particular the nature of contracts, liability and employment is subject to legal constraints which affect their actions. Additionally, European Law is influential on the operation of companies. This module examines the ways in which managerial decisions relate to the legal framework as well as commercial and financial factors.
Year Two
E-Commerce with Marketing
This module identifies the nature of consumer behaviour across a range of industries, and evaluates methods of meeting consumer needs and the interrelationship between these methods. It also demonstrates the impact of marketing policies on other functional management policies in business organisations and identifies techniques of marketing planning.
Financial Management
Sound financial management plays a key role in the basis of forming the growth of any successful company. With this in mind, the module sets out to furnish students with a knowledge of the sources of long-term capital. The need for working capital will also be addressed. Capital investment appraisal and dividend decision-making will also be introduced.
Logistics and Operations Management
This module is concerned with the most effective methods of creating goods and services. It relates the various operations such as design, handling and controlling component activities, scheduling and planning inputs and outputs, networking, allocating resources and controlling quality. It also contrasts problems and solutions in different types of business.
Contemporary Issues in Business and Management
This module explores a range of challenges faced by businesses with particular emphasis on the increasing internationalisation of businesses without neglecting contemporary domestic issues. The challenges discussed are underpinned by appropriate management theories in order to ensure that students are able to explain, critique and analyse them using appropriate conceptual tools. The issues of sustainability, risk and ethics will be considered.
Creativity Innovation and Enterprise
This module will examine, in-depth, the concepts of creativity, innovation and enterprise. Emphasis is placed on the organisational culture required to sustain the flow of ideas within the organisation, as well as the role of management and leaders in driving through an idea from its conception to the final market delivery. This module further explores methods and techniques used in identifying problems, generating ideas, and selecting and implementing solutions. Lectures are supported with case studies and practical workshops that seek to develop the knowledge of students in the subject area.
Electives (one from 2)
Intercultural and Organisational Management
One of the key issues in contemporary business studies is the management of culture in a globalised business environment. This module examines what those cultural differences are and how they can be managed. Additionally, students’ knowledge will be extended to areas relating to organisational behaviour, change management, and human resource management and ethics. The module is taught by means of lectures, case studies, videos and focused discussions.
Human Resource Management
This module is concerned with the management skills involved in promoting the effectiveness of human resources in organisations, and in particular developing the motivation of staff. It will evaluate methods gaining the support of individuals and groups to cooperate with new policies in the face of organisational change. Causes of conflict at work and policies designed for its reduction will be appraised.
3rd Academic Year:
Starting and Growing a Business
Statistics from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills shows that SMEs account for 99 per cent of all enterprise in the UK, 58.8 per cent of private sector employment and 48.8 per cent of private sector turnover. This module is designed to help students develop the knowledge required in starting their own business ventures at some point in their career. The module will investigate the critical success criteria for new small businesses as well looking at key elements of business development, consideration of ethics, risk and sustainability.
Entrepreneurial Consultancy Project
This module challenges students to develop a business plan and present it to a hypothetical panel of venture capitalists. It provides students with the opportunity to develop new products or business models in a safe environment. The module seeks to ensure that completed plans are attractive to ‘real life’ investors. This means that students must ensure that numbers do add up, industry and competition is fully understood, and that a winning strategy is developed. Students will be able to put into practice the information developed from other modules - synthesising ideas, theory and practice to offer strategy and solutions. Students are expected to consider issues of globalisation, sustainability, ethics and risk in the organisation and management of projects.
Strategic Management
This module examines the nature of corporate strategy and the reasons for setting long term corporate objectives. It also demonstrates the interlinking between strategy, resources recruitment, the markets and the technology employed and finances available. The external factors affecting strategy and the impact on the size and structure of organisations are also considered.
Business Strategy and Sustainable Development
In recent years, sustainable development has become a popular term across organisations in all industries. However, the term remains ambiguous to many modern managers. It is vital for organisations to understand how sustainable development fit with an organisation’s business strategy. This module will provide students with the awareness of the growing threats from the regulatory scrutiny of business activities in terms of social and environmental impacts. The module will also consider the international perspective and risk.
Electives (one from 2)
Project Management (Management)
This describes the basic elements of project management and will help students to define projects distinctly from operational management tasks. It will prepare students who need to manage projects in traditional and emerging industries. Project management is an essential skill to ensure entrepreneurial ideas evolve and come to fruition.
Innovation and Risk Management (Management)
This module is designed to explore the key factors relating to investment decisions in the energy sector. The salient models of innovation are critically examined and applied to various case studies related to the oil and gas industries. This module also encompasses the relationship between innovation and risk and in particular the importance of risk governance process for ICT threats to critical infrastructures. In addition the module considers issues of sustainability, ethics and risk.
GSM London