BA Honours Entrepreneurship and Business Enterprise Degree (Final Year)

Overview & facilities

This direct-entry, final-year programme is a practical degree which will enable you to set up a new business or develop an existing small business.  The course is ideal for those who are working as it is offered full time or part time and is delivered over one evening a week and supported through distance learning.

The course will foster your entrepreneurial talents so that you can develop your own individual entrepreneurial style. You will learn contemporary methods and techniques to be able to lead innovation in different functional areas of business operations and will develop the ability to make decisions, identify and spot opportunities and solve complex problems in a creative way. Particular focus will be given to resolving the problems facing small businesses and start-ups and you will learn practical skills to develop your business networks. This degree is ideal if you have already built up qualifications in business* and would like to consolidate your learning with a BA Honours degree.

*Please see the individual entry requirements for this course.

Content & modules

Modules

• Year 1

  Business Game (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to present a view of the importance to firms of integrating key business functions in order to achieve business success. The module uses a business simulation to provide students with experience of how a firm can integrate key aspects of business and management in order to succeed in a competitive environment.

  Business Start-Ups (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This is a synoptic of module which aims to ensure that students can demonstrate how to develop a business plan and put it into operation. This will be achieved by students showing an understanding of the appropriate academic theories and an application of the necessary analytical tools to achieve a successful business start up. In particular, the module aims to facilitate the development of a unique business plan in which students will learn, practice and apply the necessary academic and practical knowledge base and skills set, including team working, required for the establishment of a new business. This preparation follows through to provide students with the opportunity to study the establishment of small business in a practical context, giving students an insight into the nuts and bolts of setting up and running their own small business. Especially important is the reconciliation of theory to practical realities including interaction with the appropriate government agencies, professional and commercial bodies. Finally, students are encouraged to reflect on whether they are suited to setting up their own small business or continuing their college business on a commercial basis.

  Enterprise and Small Business (30 Credits) - Optional

  The module aims to develop the awareness, skills and mindset relevant to enterprise, entrepreneurship and small business. This includes abilities required to recognise and act upon opportunities, solve problems, and apply initiative and creativity in achieving development goals; and to explore the nature and impact of enterprise in a wider socio-economic context, by addressing key policy-relevant issues.

  Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module focuses specifically on entrepreneurship. It therefore builds a broad understanding of entrepreneurship theory and practice. The module aims to provide the knowledge and understanding of entrepreneurship necessary to enable students to formulate and execute decisions and plans for themselves. In addition, they will have full regard for the impact of these decisions on themselves, their own businesses and other stakeholders, as well as taking account of the dynamics of the external environment when growing their business. Furthermore, the module covers understanding of, and professional skills in, evaluating and building social and business relationships and resources of support to entrepreneurs in a variety of settings. In particular, the module aims to: - explore the integrated nature of contemporary business enterprise and entrepreneurship; - explore the student s own aims and abilities concerning business enterprise and entrepreneurship; - evaluate, across a wide range of contexts, the application of theories, models, tools and techniques for business enterprise and entrepreneurship practice; - conceptualise the distinctiveness of small business when growing their business; - explore the complexity and integrated nature of business and social networks that can support entrepreneurs and enable start-ups to grow.

  Managing Technological Innovation (30 Credits) - Optional

  This module aims to: offer an up-to-date overview of the role of technology and innovation in firms and in the general economy. present current approaches developed in business studies on the nature of and relationship between technology and innovation, as well as on the relationship between strategic leadership and innovation; show how firms exploit technological opportunities by using technology and new product development processes to manage change; discuss and critically evaluate the role of project management in managing technology and innovation.

Term 1, Oct-Jan

Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice , Teaching weeks 2 – 12

Business Game, Teaching week 1 only then remainder online

Term 2, Jan-April 

Business Start-up, Teaching weeks 1,6,7,12

Options

Options will run in parallel during the same time slot:

Innovation and Technology Management ,Teaching weeks 2,3,4,5,8,9,10 and 11

Enterprise and Small Business, Teaching weeks 2,3,4,5,8,9,10 and 11

Entry & applying

Standard entry requirements

Within the UK, applicants should have successfully completed a business-related foundation degree, HND with a Merit profile or two years of degree level study in a business-related degree. Overseas students need to have obtained equivalent qualifications, and the equivalence of qualifications from outside the UK will be determined according to NARIC guidance.

At least half of applicants' total prior study equivalent to 240 credits will need to be in business and management areas. This business content will therefore  be equivalent to at least 120 credits and within this total applicants must have a minimum of 15 credits in each of the following subjects: quantitative methods; marketing; finance and accounting; management; business information systems.  Standard university English language qualifications apply. Students whose first language is not English will also need to achieve a minimum of 6.0 IELTS (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent recognised by Middlesex University.

International entry requirements

We accept the equivalent of the above from a recognised overseas qualification, to find out more about the requirements from your country, see further information under support in your country. For details of other equivalent requirements that Middlesex accepts see entry requirements.

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.0 (with minimum 5.5 in all four components) or TOEFL internet based 72 (with at least 17 in listening & writing, 20 in speaking and 18 in reading).

Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk.

Entry into year two or three (transfer students)

If you have achieved a qualification such as a foundation degree or HND, or have gained credit at another university, you may be able to enter a Middlesex course in year two or three. For full details of how this works see transfer students.

UK/EU applicants with existing higher education qualifications

If you have already been awarded a qualification at the same level as the course you are applying for, you may not be eligible for a tuition fee loan, see fees and funding for more information.

How to Apply

UK/EU students

Apply now

Applications for UK and EU students should be made to UCAS – the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. The institution code for Middlesex is M80, and the code name is MIDDX. You also need the code for the course you wish to apply for – this is found in the 'at a glance' box above.

International students

International students from outside the EU can make a direct application.  We have a network of regional offices across the world to assist you with your application.  They have experience with helping students from your country and supporting them with their applications to study at Middlesex. Read more on international applications. 

Fees & funding

The tuition fee for the 2011/2012 academic year for UK/EU students is £3,375.
The tuition fee for the 2011/2012 academic year for International students is £10,400.

If you are starting your undergraduate course in September 2012, the tuition fee for UK/EU students will be £9,000 per year. Find out more about changes to funding in 2012 here.

Careers & placements

The University has a dedicated Careers Advisory Service that you can drop into on campus. They run workshops on CV writing and interview techniques, as well as providing information on the graduate job market, so you will be well-supported for planning your future career.

Graduates will have a range of highly sought after employment skills as well as those specifically associated with planning, organisation and control. As a graduate you will be able to follow careers in the public and private sector.

A business or management degree opens the door to a range of careers - usually commanding good salaries.  You will have developed highly sought-after employment skills as well as those specifically associated with planning, organisation and control.

Our careers service offers you a range of support both while you’re studying with us – and after you’ve graduated.

Placements
Work placements are proven to increase your success in the job market – as well as being a fantastic experience. Business is a highly competitive field so we encourage as many students as possible to grasp this opportunity.

We have a dedicated Placement Service which helps you find and plan for a placement.

Graduate Employment prospects

Latest survey figures show that six months after graduating:

• 74% of Middlesex graduates were in employment or further study 
• 26% were assumed to be unemployed or doing something else, such as travelling  

(Based on data from BA Business Management respondents of the 2009-10 Destination of Leavers in Higher Education Survey)

The average salary for graduates included in the survey was £21,000 for those in full-time employment.

Examples of the types of jobs that graduates from the class of 2009-10 are doing include:

Quality Manager,  HR Researcher, Office Manager, Business Analyst, Legal Superviser, Business Manager, Sales Manager, Account Assistant, Service Manager, Trainee Accountant.

at the following companies:

Informa, Met Police, Medicon Profs, NSV, Chelsea FC, Compass, Cambridge University, B&Q, Clinton Cards, M&S, Barclays, Halifax, TK Maxx, Santander, Burberry, Next.

Graduate Roles
Below are just a few examples of the types of careers that you could pursue after graduating with us: 

Administrative Manager – An administrative manager applies specialised technical or professional principles, practices and skills or the use of a wide range of administrative methods in the solution of problems. This may include planning, developing, evaluating, advising, and improving various management control systems, programmes and policies, for the purpose of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of programmes and operations.

Advertising Manager – As an advertising manager you will develop, implement, and manage a company's advertising strategy, both from a business, sales and technical perspective. Your job will be to initiate and manage discussion and sales with sponsors and agencies. You will spend your time negotiating agreements with outside sales representatives and managing the development of sales materials, including media kits.

Retail Area Manager – As a retail area manager you will be responsible for the management and overall profitability of a group of stores. You will promote the generation of sales, forming an important link in the management communication chain, by liaising with store managers as well as key departments within head-office.

Branch Manager – As a branch manager you will be responsible for the management of specialty or department stores. Your responsibilities will include the profits of the store, stock, costs, security and administration of the store, as well as the selection, interviewing and training of staff.