Business Management and Economics BA (Hons)
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-07-27 | 2023-04-01 |
| 2023-10-01 | 2023-07-01 |
| 2024-01-05 | 2023-10-01 |
| 2024-04-01 | 2024-01-01 |
Program Overview
Introduction:
The world's recent turbulent economic times have demonstrated that a new, deeper understanding of this subject is needed. Our Business Management and Economics course will provide you with an introduction to economic theory within a business and management context.
This course will train you to think like an economist right from day one. You will develop your knowledge on the ideas and methods used by economists to support successful business and management.
The approach to engaging with the business world will give you a distinctive perspective on decision making, a skill that is in demand by many employers. All students will take part in a business simulation task, imitating the experience of running a business with a group of fellow students.
During your second year you have a variety of unique opportunities to get involved in such as studying abroad, enterprise project, internship or simply continue with your studies. The course can be studied over three years full-time or four years with a placement.
Today’s businesses are more competitive than ever and are constantly looking for new ideas to keep them ahead of their rivals. Our Business Management Joint Honour degrees are perfect to hone your business skills and having the flexibility to specialise in areas of interest.
Join our internationally accredited business school
Nottingham Business School is accredited to AACSB and EQUIS, the highest international standards for business school education. We are one of 47 global PRME Champions - a United Nations-supported initiative leading the way with sustainable and responsible management education.
Program Outline
What you’ll study
We are currently reviewing the content of our courses to ensure that they remain relevant and current to our students’ future ambitions and society. Please continue to check this course webpage for the latest developments.
The course begins in September 2023. Take a look at the academic calendar for term dates. The academic calendar will apply throughout your course, aside your placement year (if you have chosen to undertake one).
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Final year
Accounting and Finance for Managers
Through this module you will develop the skills and competencies needed to make effective use of accounting information, especially for control and decision making purposes.
You will explore how business organisations are financed and the constraints and limitations that financing imposes on them. You will also learn about the calculation of accounting profit and its importance to an organisation. You will develop skills that will allow you to identify relevant cash inflows and outflows of a proposed business project, and learn about utilising the techniques of break-even analysis in project decision making. The importance and use of budgeting for forward-planning, communication, coordination and control within an organisation will be covered, as well as the importance of cash and liquidity within an organisation and the construction of cash and working capital budgets. You will learn how to use cash and working capital management models and techniques and how to construct financial statements.
Other areas covered in this vast module include financial appraisal of long term capital investment proposals and valuation of company shares.
Economics and Data Analysis for Managers
This module will introduce you to a range of skills, methods and knowledge that are applied by professional economists. It will enable you to offer a distinctive contribution to business and management decisions involving the deployment of globally scarce resources. The module will enable you to demonstrate a range of applications of economic ideas, principles and techniques, and to identify resource consequences of business and managerial decisions in a national and international context.
Foundations of Managing and Organising
Both work and management are carried out by people, the human resources of the organisation. The focus of this module is on the management of work in organisations, and will provide you with a holistic understanding from the viewpoint of both the worker and management. You will be introduced to key applications, policies and practices that are involved in the management of human resources, and will analyse their underlying theoretical basis and the effects on the organisation and society in general.
Principles of Marketing
This module aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the basic tools and concepts of marketing. More specifically, you will be introduced to the core marketing functions and develop an understanding of the key concepts, frameworks and models encountered in marketing. You will also gain the knowledge and skills required to identify differing marketing orientations, in particular how organisations identify, understand and satisfy customers and develop the skills required to produce a blended marketing mix that will satisfy the needs of the target customer.
Essentials of Business Development
This module combines business, enterprise with operations management theory in the context of organisations developing. Consideration is given to the ways in which enterprise skills are used to design, deliver and improve the services and products during business growth. The module is at the centre of many changes taking place in the business world today, these include changes in the preferences of customers for customised product, changes in global supply chains, use of Internet-based technologies and challenges of sustainability.
Personal and Academic Development
Helps you recognise the personal skills, behaviours and attributes you currently have, and supports you in formulating a continuous personal and professional development plan to develop the skills and knowledge you need to achieve your future ambitions and realise your full potential.
First half of Year Two – Core modules
Economics of International Growth and Development
The module covers vital subjects as theories of economic growth, economic inequality, poverty and malnutrition, population growth, trade policy, and the markets for factors (land, labour, and credit) and output. Real examples and cases studies from around the world will be used to support the theoretical arguments.
Microeconomics Theory and Applications
The module is designed to introduce key microeconomic theory which will enable you to analyse the choices that face consumers, businesses and governments and hence the decisions these economic agents make. It aims to explore the interconnectedness of these decisions and the factors that shape both the choices of economic agents and the resulting outcomes. The module will develop a framework which will allow you to understand the arguments around market failure and government intervention.
Macroeconomics Theory and Applications
The module is designed to introduce you to key macroeconomic issues both in a national and international context. In doing so, it will introduce theoretical and conceptual building blocks which are required by economists to analyse macroeconomic issues.
Second half of Year Two
You can either select one of our unique opportunities initiatives below or continue with your taught modules.
Option 1 – Study Abroad
Experience life in another country by studying at one of our partner universities. Choose from a host of countries in Europe or go further afield and study in the USA, South America, Australasia and South East Asia. This is a great opportunity to develop your independence and explore another culture.
Option 2 – Enterprise Project
Explore your entrepreneurial side and start to develop the meaningful and practical skills needed to run your own business. Supported by NTU Enterprise, NTU's centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, during this opportunity you'll work alongside other young entrepreneurs and a dynamic network of mentors and advisors, to develop your own ideas into a live enterprise project.
Option 3 – Internship
Get a taste of the working world and gain some essential industry insight with a 16-18 week work placement. The experience will allow you to put your learning in to practice, with the experience gained improving your future career prospects, and sharpening your interpersonal and professional skills.
Option 4 – Continue with taught modules
If you didn't fancy doing any of the above options then you can continue your studies at university. With a mixture of both compulsory and optional modules, the first will enhance your knowledge and skills set in your area of study, with the latter allowing you to tailor your learning experience.
Students on Sandwich courses are eligible to choose the Enterprise project or continue with taught modules in the second half of their second year. They are not eligible for options 1 and 3. However, they are able to use their sandwich year to study or work abroad.
Core modules:
Survey Research Analysis
This module draws on conceptual material in the area of Survey Methods widely used in business and the application of analytic methods to the data generated. One of the primary focuses of this module is to help you understand how to plan and conduct surveys but also interpret the results within the appropriate business context. With the aid of appropriate professional statistical software you will be encouraged to apply statistical methods of analysis to data.
The module is designed to allow you the opportunity to analyse and interpret “real data” from various areas of the business world. In studying this module you will develop your knowledge and skills in conducting survey research within business. You will be given the opportunity to plan and execute a survey; design and implement a survey instrument; analyse survey results using applications software; and interpret and communicate analytical findings.
Employment and Enterprise
Following on from the Personal Development module in Year One, you will build and further reflect on your personal and professional skills, attributes and behaviours. You will have the opportunity to participate in part-time work, volunteering, consultancy work, business competitions and challenges, and develop a range of skills to enhance your employability.
Plus one optional module from:
Marketing Management
This module explores the role of marketing management and its interaction with other business functions. You will study marketing management concepts that are used during the development of sound marketing strategies, and will develop effective group and personal skills that are valued highly by organisational employers. You will learn about the application of marketing tools to different contexts, as well as segmentation, targeting and positioning. Other subjects covered include integrated marketing communications, social and ethical implications of marketing and marketing in context (including services, business, and international).
Exploring Strategy and Innovation
This module provides an understanding of business development and strategy with particular reference to processes of strategic management, innovation and business development in the global context. It will develop your understanding of competitive advantage and introduce you to key concepts in strategy, organisational change and development, all drawn from different cultural contexts. You will examine the nature of innovation, and the process involved in bringing it about. This module also seeks to demonstrate how innovation can provide competitive advantage for business firms operating in local, national and international environments.
Over the course of the module you will: ·
Managing and Organising
Managing and Organising aims to develop an understanding of the human aspects of managing and organising work. It draws upon ideas from disciplines such as work psychology, organisational sociology and human resource management to provide insights into possibilities for managing and organising work. The module considers the nature of the changing context of managing and organising and examines the central issues and contemporary concerns that this presents for HR. Throughout the module you will be encouraged to develop a critical perspective which encompasses views from both those managing and those managed, as well as a consideration of the wider impact of choices taken in regards to managing and organising work activities. Whilst exploring classic studies in managing and organising, these ideas will also be examined in the context of the contemporary changing international workplace. The module is relevant to a broad range of careers given that HR issues are a concern for all.
Placement Year
A vital component of our degree courses is the placement year. This time spent working in business provides our students with crucial work experience, which is highly prized and much sought after by employers upon graduation. We have links with a wide range of sectors, firms and organisations that offer student placements. If you have decided to undertake a placement year then this will last for a minimum of 48 weeks during your third year.
Our Employability Team is here to inspire and enhance every stage of your career planning and as a graduate of NTU, you will be able to access their services for three years after your course has finished.
Services they provide include:
Or
Taught modules
If you have decided to continue with your studies please view the 'final year' tab for your list of modules.
Developing Professional Impact
This module is designed to expand your horizons and challenge your attitudes and behaviours both in relation to subject specific issues and wider business concerns such as global citizenship and sustainable business practices. It will encourage you to build on your strengths and explore a range of possibilities as you embark on your next steps.
Industry, Corporations and Government
This module has three key focuses, the role of government within an economy, industry-level analysis, and on the individual firm and the workers it employs. The key themes you will study include firm strategies, growth, pricing, innovation, advertising, managerial-labour relations, and the implications of these factors for the firms themselves, their employees, and policy-makers. Through this module you will learn to use economic techniques to analyse the workings of industries and firms, in their market context. You will also explore a range of alternative economic theories of the behaviour of firms, and their employees and analyse government policies towards industries and firms.
Investment and Portfolio Management
Alongside examining the appropriate theory, this module will give you the opportunity to put theory into practice through the construction and running of a portfolio of equities. During the module you will examine the relevance of modern finance theory to the analysis and evaluation of market-traded securities. You will also analyse how securities can be structured in portfolios and how portfolios can be managed, and compare theory with practice relating to security analysis and portfolio structuring and management. The subject areas you will cover include economic and industrial analysis (UK orientated), market efficiency and sources of financial information, security valuation and analysis, key ratio analysis, financial statement analysis, selection and analysis of stocks and shares, and portfolio theory, selection, analysis and management.
International Development Economics
During this module you will examine the common problems confronting the developing world and suggested solutions. By examining examples and case studies from around the world you will cover vital subjects such as theories of economic growth, economic inequality, poverty and malnutrition, population growth, trade policy and the markets for factors (land, labour, and credit) and output.
Plus one optional module from:
Research Project
For this module you will undertake a purposeful, individual, in depth study of a relevant topic, developing your independent learning, critical thinking and knowledge of research techniques relevant to your subject area. The project will develop your ability to manage a major piece of work, for which you will be completely responsible, and will be completed over a period of several months. You will learn to utilise and improve your time management and communication skills, as well as test your initiative and resourcefulness. To support your development during this module you will study essential skills such as critical thinking, conducting a literature review, understanding the appropriate research framework, practical research methods and skills, report and academic writing skills.
Sustainability in Enterprise Project
This module is designed to give you a deeper understanding of sustainability issues affecting firms. It incorporates a live consultancy experience, where you are required to apply your knowledge to critically review aspects of enterprise practice and infrastructure and recommend ways to reduce carbon emissions. You will learn how to critically review sustainability issues presented by an enterprise and analyse evidence, arguments, concepts and data to formulate sustainability and carbon management recommendations for an enterprise.
Plus one optional module from:
Corporate Governance and Risk Management
During this module you will study current recommendations and developments in the field of corporate governance both in the UK and in a selection of overseas countries. The module aims to highlight the importance of control and risk management when implementing strong governance measures, and will evaluate the ethical and moral dilemmas faced by those entrusted with these responsibilities. You will also learn to determine and evaluate measures of fraud identification, prevention and investigation.
Managing Creativity, Design and Innovation
The development of successful products and services involves complex processes and is dependent on how well the research, design and innovation activities are integrated with other functions in the organisation. This module will develop your understanding of the relationships between creativity, design and innovation, and explore and debate a range of perspectives concerning their nature. You will contemplate some of the issues facing organisations trying to harness the potential from their creative resources and be encouraged to develop your own creative skills. Over the course of the module, you will study a range of topics including perspectives on creativity, design and innovation, the nature and scope of innovation; origins of creativity; approaches to creativity theory; creativity and innovation as complex processes; innovation process models; design and development in a product and service context and building and sustaining a culture focused on creativity and innovation.
Data Mining and Financial Data Analysis
Research shows that data mining, that is, finding patterns among large amounts of data, might be the secret behind corporate success, especially in the business world. As computers have proliferated, most businesses now routinely collect large volumes of data about their customers and their transactions. Telecommunications companies and credit card issuers, for example, track phone calls and transactions by millions of customers. Data mining uses sophisticated models drawn from fields ranging from statistics, computer science, and artificial intelligence to explore through billions of bits of data for small pieces of information. Ultimately, that information can translate into knowledge and insights about customers and markets and make the difference.
The main themes covered in this module are:
How you’re taught
On average you will receive minimum 12 – 15 hours of teaching per week from a combination of lectures and seminars. You'll then be expected to increase your understanding of the subject area through independent study for each module. You can take a tour of one of our lecture theatres in our Virtual Tour.
We use a mixture of teaching methods including traditional lectures and seminars, IT workshops, guest lectures, problem-based learning and group discussions. In addition to this you will also be involved in a variety of practical work such as individual and group presentations, student-led seminars, role play, industry-sponsored competitions and project work.
These are included to help you develop a range of practical skills such as time management, effective presentation, communication, customer focus, analytical, entrepreneurial and team working. All students will attend lectures and seminars at NTU’s City Campus, in the impressive Newton Building, home to Nottingham Business School.
You will also have a number of one-on-one tutor sessions during each year, which will allow you to:
You'll also use our virtual learning environment, NOW, which is a flexible web-based system that gives you 24-hour access to module learning materials and reading lists. It allows you to discuss work with tutors and submit coursework electronically from anywhere in the world.
Contact hours
Full time version of the course (3 years)
Sandwich version of the course (4 Years)
Careers and employability
Graduates from this course have gone onto working in both public and private sector, undertaking positions such as:
In the last few years, graduates from this course have gone onto securing roles with well know employers such as:
Accreditation
Our BA (Hons) Business Management Joint Honour courses and BA (Hons) Business course have a Dual Award status with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) should you wish to take advantage of this opportunity.