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Business Management (Fast-Track) BA Honours

Condense a three year degree into two, studying the essential practices that underpin businesses. Learn how to plan for, analyse, and tackle challenges in the fast-paced business environment.
Code
N205
Start
October 2024
Duration
2 years full-time
Attendance
Full-time
Fees
£11,100 (UK) *
£19,800 (INT) *
Course leader
Pinar Tufan

This course will not be running in October 2023. The next intake will be September 2024. Apologies for any inconvenience caused by this.

An opportunity to fast-track your business career

Condensing three years into two, our business management course will teach you the theory and practices behind business management. You’ll study the key functions of business and learn what factors contribute to success. Through analysing, planning and developing various business processes, you’ll grow the confidence you’ll need once you reach the industry.

Once you graduate, you'll have many career paths to choose from. You’ll be prepared for jobs in corporates, SMEs, government, charities, or even starting your own business. The course gives you the tools to succeed in roles like operations management, investment banker, sales manager and more. Previous graduates have worked in organisations like Chelsea FC, Foxtons, Next and Waitrose.

Get the skills you need to succeed

Supported by expert tutors with lots of experience in management, you will focus on developing your key business skills. You'll develop your understanding of things such as financial concepts, marketing practice, operations management, and people management.

Working as individuals and in teams, you will learn to work effectively in combination with other people. Working on real-life projects, taking field trips, and completing work experience will help to prepare you for the world of work while you learn in an interactive manner. You’ll learn to present your ideas and how to communicate business principals with confidence. You’ll also develop specialist knowledge in areas such as stakeholder behaviour, strategy, production and distribution of products, as well as general business processes.

Networking and support for your career goals

You also get the support you need to succeed. From your Personal Tutor to your Graduate Academic Assistant, each one has studied your subject and will provide the support you need based on their own experience. If you need a little help with writing, numeracy or library skills, we can help with that too. Additionally, your dedicated fast-track course leader provides you with expert guidance throughout your time on the course.

This is the kind of course that's perfect if you want to learn at a fast pace. Our varied offering allows you to tailor the course to whatever your career goals are, so whatever you want to do, you can do it with us.

Course highlights

  • Gain knowledge through our guest speaker series from Industry experts.
  • Receive bespoke employment support from the first year.
  • More practical knowledge and skill (e.g. analytical tools) will be delivered, along with theoretical perspectives.

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What will you study on the BA Business Management (Fast-Track)?

Your studies will focus on the development of key business skills and experience, preparing you for the workplace. Organisations require graduates who are able to demonstrate critical and analytical problem solving skills, with the professional acumen to deal with challenges in the fast-paced world of business. You will study the operations of organisations: their functions, structure and management and the models and techniques used to achieve successful results. The Entrepreneurship and Small Business modules provide an excellent foundation for setting up and running your own business.

What will you gain?

You will learn to work effectively in teams, and be able to present and communicate business management ideas with confidence. We will also ensure you develop specialist knowledge in:

  • Stakeholders: their expectations and behaviour
  • The environment of business and its impact on strategy
  • Design, production and distribution of products and services
  • Business resources: acquisition, application and control
  • Business process: planning, improvement and control
  • This fast track programme is studied full -time over two years in an accelerated pattern. In each year you will study four 30 credit modules within the Autumn-Summer semesters and then two modules in the ‘Summer School’ block-taught format.

Modules

  • Year 1

    • Financial Concepts of Business (30 credits) - Compulsory

      This module aims to develop the financial understanding and knowledge of students within business organisations so as to enable them to make effective decisions and to assess the cost, economic and financial implications of these decisions. It aims to provide an understanding of the fundamental roles of accounting and finance for business students who do not need to develop specialist knowledge as well as to provide an understanding of key economic principles that inform business thought and practice.

    • Marketing Theory and Practice (30 credits) - Compulsory

      This module is designed to provide students with an overview of key marketing concepts and techniques, as they apply in a variety of organisations and in both conventional and online environments. Students will develop knowledge and understanding of the core role of marketing in determining the growth potential of an enterprise, including the value of the marketing mix in ensuring successful marketing implementation and the significance of external and internal operating environments for marketing practice.

    • Quantitative Methods for Business (30 credits) - Compulsory

      The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to the use of computer software to collect, analyse and present business data. Students will learn to solve business and management problems using Excel or other appropriate software with an emphasis on the application of methods to solve problems, and the interpretation and communication of results. The main aim is to enable the student to become a discerning user of quantitative methods and computers in business analysis, which can be built upon in further study.

    • Operations Management (30 credits) - Compulsory

      This module aims to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of operations management within a variety of organisations. It examines different aspects of operations management relevant to the design, planning, control and improvement of business operations. Students will learn to evaluate, select and apply relevant operations management concepts, tools and techniques to solve problems, make informed decisions and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational processes.

    • Management Concepts (15 credits) - Compulsory

      The aim of this module is to develop students understanding of the management of organisations. It will introduce management concepts such as the business functions,organisational structure, work design, entrepreneurship, and business ethics. Students will develop the ability to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of various management theories and their application in the management of organisations.

    • People Management (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      The aim of this module is to develop students understanding of how people in organisations interact. It will introduce various people management concepts and human resource processes and practices. Students will develop the ability to compare and contrast a variety of organisational psychology and sociological theories and their application in the management of people.

    • Business Environment (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      This module aims to develop students’ knowledge of internal and external business environment and their impact upon choices available to business in planning and decision making. Students will learn to analyse business environments and handle information using different techniques, models and frameworks.

    • Principles of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (15 Credits) - Compulsory

      This module provides students with an introduction to innovation and entrepreneurship. It examines different forms of innovative and entrepreneurial practice including commercial and social enterprise. This includes an introduction into management issues faced by entrepreneurs and small business owners. The module will also introduce students to such concepts as opportunity recognition and the ability to act upon opportunities and problem solving.

  • Year 2

    • Strategic Management  (30 credits) - Compulsory

      This module aims to present a broad and integrated view of strategic management in organisations and outline a range of critical perspectives on key concepts of strategy. It will introduce generic strategies at the corporate, business and functional levels and provide a range of analytical models and concepts that can be applied in assessing the strategic capability of an organisation and the environment in which it operates.

    • Management Information Systems (15 credits) - Compulsory

      This module aims to provide students with the ability to apply key skills in information systems to the business management domain. The module also aims to enable students to obtain important aptitudes towards using information technology solutions such as business intelligence (e.g. data analytics), digital technology solutions (e.g. smart environments) and modern forms of communication (e.g. social networks) to improve business processes. The module enables students to acquire knowledge in a number of topics aligned to the following key areas: (i) information systems and business intelligence (in particular the development, management, application and implementation of information systems and the impact upon organisations, (ii) communications (in particular the comprehension and use of relevant communications for application in business and management, including the use of digital tools) and (iii) digital business (in particular the development of strategic priorities to deliver business at speed in an environment where digital technology has reshaped traditional revenue and business models). The cross-discipline nature of the module ensures that students will gain experience in using information systems, while engaging in strategic management activities and following a pattern of work resembling project management practices in controlled environments.

    • Organisational Behaviour (15 credits) - Compulsory

      The aim of this module is to enable students to identify the multifaceted social processes that are imperative to organisational life. The module will cover a wide array of theories pertaining to organisational behaviour. Students will develop their own abilities to analyse these theories, build up their own views on how to think and feel about these emergent issues as well as empower themselves with the capacity to argue and support these views in an academically rigorous manner.

    • Workforce Management (15 credits) - Compulsory

      The aim of this module is to develop students' understanding and critical awareness of issues associated with managing contemporary workforce. Students will learn how increasingly diverse workforce composition and the changing nature of work and socioeconomic environment result in new and unique challenges that managers face today.Through using cutting edge research, case studies and self-reflexive exercises the module will encourage a critical re-evaluation of traditional management thinking and practices and explore alternative approaches and responses to the contemporary management issues.

    • Professional Communication (15 credits) - Compulsory

      This module enables students to develop an understanding of strategies commonly used in professional discourse. It integrates concepts and approaches from applied linguistics and social psychology into the management of professional communication in a range of business settings. By exploring and contextualising professional discourse strategies,students will develop systematic and explicit approaches to analysing, evaluating and constructing strategic communication.

    • Human Resource Management in Practice (30 Credits) - Optional

      The aim of this module is to develop students’ understanding of the key areas of HRM and to develop their skills and competence in human resource management practice. Students will become familiar with a wide range of generalist HR policies and practices within the five key areas of the discipline: employee resourcing, employee reward, employee relations, performance management and employee training and development. They will also be provided with the opportunity to develop competencies in areas such as selection interviews, performance appraisals, managing conflict, and conducting grievance and disciplinary interviews.

    • Trade and International Business (30 credits) - Optional

      The aim of this module is to develop in-depth understanding of theories relating to trade and international business, their application to an increasingly interdependent world, the role of multinational enterprise in the world trade system, and practical issues, such as incoterms,documentation, payment process and instruments, and trade compliance. Taken together these elements should equip students with comprehensive knowledge and a broader sense of running a business beyond the domestic market.

    • Business Law (30 credits) - Optional

      This module will examine the laws regulating the conduct of business and business organisations. The first part of the module sets the context and provides essential material on English Business law (English Legal system, Contract, Tort & Employment) whilst the second part covers Company law and Corporate Governance.

    • Accounting and Finance for Business (30 credits) - Optional

      This module aims to further develop and enhance the financial understanding and knowledge of students within business organisations on the subject areas of financial accounting, management accounting and financial management. It aims to provide a more in-depth understanding of the roles of accounting and finance for business students who do not need to develop specialist knowledge and to train students to apply their accounting and finance knowledge and skills into a range of different business situations.

    • Marketing Research and Insights (30 credits) - Optional

      This module aims to familiarise students with the importance of marketing research and insights to business and, in particular, the marketing management process. Students will learn how to conduct a marketing research project, including establishing business research needs, gaining insights into the consumer market, designing an appropriate research design, creating research instruments, gathering data primary and secondary data, conducting both qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and using the findings to improve marketing decision-making.

    • Equality Diversity and Inclusion (30 credits) - Optional

      The aim of this module is to promote greater awareness of the importance of diversity issues nationally and internationally. It provides insight to the implications of diversity from a societal, organisational, and employee standpoint, exploring diversity debates, concepts and practices regarding equality, fairness and inclusion. Subjects taught highlight the significance of diversity management to careers and business sustainability. A variety of topics are included such as cross-cultural management, gender disparity, unconscious bias, age disability, effective multicultural team-working, and diversity legislation.

    • Principles of Project Management (30 credits) - Optional

      This module aims to provide students with comprehensive understanding of the design,planning, implementation and evaluation of projects in a variety of sectors. Students will explore how projects are managed using up-to-date project management tools and technologies. The module also aims to develop awareness of the role of projects in the wider economy.

    • Global Supply Chain Management (30 credits) - Optional

      This module introduces students to the theories and techniques relevant to the management of global demand and global supply within the parameters of corporate and business unit strategies. Students will develop critical insights in design, implementation and operation of global supply chains while employing these to develop their own case studies.

    • Innovation Management (30 credits) - Optional

      The aim of this module is to develop a systematic understanding of the role of innovation as a key factor in a dynamic business environment and to equip students with the knowledge,expertise and skills needed to manage the innovation process at both strategic and operational level. The module provides an up-to-date overview of the mainstream theories and models of innovation and illustrates successful organisational practices through case study analysis.

    • Work Internship (30 credits) - Optional

      The primary aim of the work internship module is to provide students with the opportunity to undertake a period of work experience (minimum of 30 days) from which they will learn about, how business run in general, the organisation and the sector within which it operates as well as the key drivers of business success. The work internship will provide students with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of work and develop effective strategies to deal with work and organisational life. It will therefore facilitate students to develop and understanding of work, reflexivity, resilience, well being and the link between theory and practice. Through reflection on experiential learning students will enhance their awareness of their own abilities, and attributes and undertake a journey of personal and professional development.

    • Consulting to Organisations (30 credits) - Optional

      This module introduces students to organisation consulting. It builds on learning from prior modules and provides students with a theoretical introduction to consulting and the idea of the learning organisation. Students are required to undertake a live team-consulting project to identify solutions to real business issues. This module also provides students with the opportunity to apply theory to practice and to develop employability skills. These include team-building, communication,interpersonal, and reflective skills that can boost employment outcomes.

    • Business Start-Up (30 credits) - Optional

      The aim of this module is to introduce to students the complexities of starting a business. It draws together a range of theories, concepts, and notions from several sources such as Finance, Marketing, and Strategy. The module utilises the development of a unique business plan through which students will learn, practice, and apply the necessary academic and practical knowledge and skill sets, including team working, required for the establishment of a new business, as well as an understanding of the complexities relating to the functioning of a small business.

    • Business Game (30 credits) - Optional

      This module aims to demonstrate to students the importance of integrated business functions 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.

    • Research Project (30 credits) - Optional

      This module is designed to develop students’ skills and knowledge relevant to planning and conducting a small-scale research project. Students will learn how to do research, including define research aim and objectives, conduct literature review, collect primary data, analyse and interpret data, and organise and present research proposal and final dissertation document. The module requires students to consolidate learning from other modules to plan and complete a small business and management related research project.

    • Leadership (15 credits) - Optional

      This module aims to further develop and enhance the leadership knowledge and understanding of students within business organisations on the subject areas of leadership styles and approaches, ethics, equality and diversity as well as personal leadership development. It aims to provide a more in-depth appreciation of the challenges faced by leaders in contemporary businesses who need to meet the needs of a range of stakeholders,assess the impact of leadership on organisational culture and behaviour as well as recognise when change is necessary.

    • Coaching and Mentoring (15 credits) - Optional

      This module aims to develop and enhance students’ understanding and knowledge of coaching and mentoring in different sectors and contexts. It aims to provide a more in-depth understanding of the roles of coaching and mentoring in supporting individuals and teams,in additional to providing an overview of coaching and mentoring programme design,implementation and evaluation.

    • Business Ethics (15 credits) - Optional

      This module aims to enhance students’ critical thinking skills by engaging in an in-depth exploration of ethics and social responsibility in business. It aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to identify, analyse, and develop effective responses to ethical issues and challenges in business. Students will develop an ability to assess issues from different points of view, including from individual, organisational and societal perspectives;and to apply and critically evaluate mechanisms and tools typically used to address ethical and social responsibility issues.

    • Sustainable Business (15 credits) - Optional

      This module focuses specifically on the development of the competences needed to develop sustainable business. The module aims to provide the knowledge and skills of sustainable business to enable students to make a strong contribution to society, economy and the environment. Students will be enabled through a competency-based approach that links real-world orientation, with personal development and coaching, to the development and management of sustainable business.

    • Services Marketing Management (15 credits) - Optional

      This module explores services marketing management from an operations perspective. It aims to offer an in-depth exploration of services marketing management, emphasising concepts, practices and techniques that are pertinent to the service sector. Students will synthesise and apply services management marketing theories, concepts and techniques to practice through the use of specialised service-sector case studies. Many students will eventually work in the service sector, and it is hoped that this module will inspire and shape their career.

    • Strategic Management Accounting (15 credits) - Optional

      This module aims to build on students’ knowledge of management accounting by looking at the wider measures of performance and decision making and the techniques that can be applied to such situations. The module attempts to give a broad understanding and critical evaluation of performance measurement. This includes quality and innovation as well as financial measures. The techniques and theory covered lead to a wider understanding of strategic decision making as well as overall company performance.

    • Entrepreneurial Finance (15 credits) - Optional

      The module aims to provide students with an awareness and understanding of the mechanics, challenges and issues related to the different ways of financing an enterprise. The includes an understanding of key financial statements, the financial planning process, sources of funding and the financial risks and rewards of entrepreneurship

    • Organisational Change (15 credits) - Optional

      All contemporary organisations operate in an increasingly dynamic environment. This module aims to develop students critical understanding of organisational change and managing organisational change. It explores different theoretical frameworks, concepts,techniques and tools for managing change.

    • Business Analytics (15 credits) - Optional

      This module aims to develop students’ knowledge and skills in business analytics. It examines the roles of data analytics in today’s business world using real world examples of businesses that have applied business analytics tools to solve critical problems. The module aims to equip students with a wide variety of data mining, visual and analytical techniques which can be applied to data generated from different markets, businesses, and business functions.

More information about this course

See the course specification for more information about typical course content outside of the coronavirus outbreak:

Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.

  1. Overview
  2. Teaching and learning
  3. Assessment and feedback
  1. Standard entry requirements
  2. International
  3. How to apply
  1. UK
  2. International
  3. Additional costs

How can the BA Business Management (Fast-Track) support your career?

This degree can leave you perfectly placed to begin working in a range of industrial, commercial and third sector organisations in roles such as Operations Manager, Junior Operations Manager, HR Consultant, Trainee Manager, Depot Manager, Practice Manager, Housing Officer, L&D Adviser, Investment Banker, Sales Manager, Analyst and Graduate Teaching Assistant.

Previous graduates have been successful in prestigious international companies including:

  • Chase Anderson
  • Chelsea FC
  • Co-op
  • Fitch Training
  • Foxtons
  • Larkspur Training
  • M&S
  • Manpower
  • Next
  • SEI Investments
  • Sports Direct
  • Southwark Council
  • Waitrose
  • William Hill

This programme also provides students with employability workshops only for students in the programme:

  • 1st workshop: Employment Strategy.
  • 2nd workshop: CV Development.
  • 3rd workshop: Interview Skills and Practice.

These workshops provide valuable knowledge to our students as they venture into the working world.

  • Peter Fernandes

    Business Management BA graduate

    Every aspect of the course has been exciting. I particularly enjoyed the third year modules. Strategic Management gave me a deep insight into the workings of a business environment and Leadership Management helped me discover my strengths and weaknesses in order to become an effective leader in the future.

    I loved working closely with academics, who are leaders in their field. They ensured the entire course provided not only academic theory but also practical and relevant information specifically designed and tailored towards my future career.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

Other courses

Business Management BA Honours

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Duration: 3 years full-time, 4 years full-time with placement, 6 years part-time

Code: N200

International Business BA Honours

Start: September 2023

Duration: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time

Code: N121

Business Management (Human Resource Management) BA Honours

Start: September 2023

Duration: 3 years full-time, 4 years full-time with placement, 6 years part-time

Code: N601

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