Fundamentals of Management

Program Overview

The Fundamentals of Management short course from Ulster University Business School provides a comprehensive introduction to management, organizational structures, and strategy. Students will gain a critical understanding of management's role in organizational growth and success, developing their analytical, communication, and presentation skills through case studies and assessments. The course is suitable for those seeking careers in management or further study in the field.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Title: Fundamentals of Management
• Type: Short course
• Faculty: Ulster University Business School
• School: Department of Management, Leadership and Marketing
• Credit points: 20
• Start date: 23 September 2024
• Overview: This short course introduces students to the subject of management, organisational structures and strategy.
Students will develop a critical knowledge and understanding of the structural configurations which organisations can assume, and the environmental and strategic factors which influence this structure. Students will explore management's role within organisations, as well as how managers can grow successful business within today's global business environment.
• Objectives:
• Provide students with a framework of knowledge from which they can understand and critically analyse the strategic goals of management, appropriate organisational structures and management's role in delivering strategic goals, as well as identify suitable strategies to enable organisational growth.
• Introduce students to the key concepts of management and organisation theory.
• Develop students' critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Help students to develop their communication and presentation skills.
• Provide students with an opportunity to apply their learning to real-world case studies.

Outline:

• Theme 1: Defining the scope and purpose of management and organisations
• The nature and characteristics of organisations, the reasons for their existence.
• The emergence of large-scale organisations and the development of the management function.
• The concept of the organisation as a 'goals-led open system' and the relationships between the organisation and the environment.
• Structural configurations, and key concepts.
• Examination and critique of dominant organisational structures and their suitability in certain environmental contexts.
• Contemporary developments in organisational design
• Theme 2: The purpose and functions of management
• Fayol's Four functions of Management.
/ Mintzberg's Managerial Roles
• Current issues impacting managerial roles
• Mission, goals, and strategies
• Conducting an external Analysis (PESTEL analysis, Porter's Five Forces Model, Competitors and markets analysis / Competitor Array, Assessing environmental uncertainty)
• Identifying internal Strengths and Weakness (SWOT Analysis)
• Formulating Strategies, Implementing Strategies and Evaluating Results (Corporate, Competitive, Functional strategies, the Role of Competitive Advantage, Porter's Competitive Strategy framework, Business Portfolio Analysis (BCG Growth-Share Matrix)
• Contemporary Issues in strategic management
• Theme 3: Managing a successful business
• Marketing strategies, pricing, and differentiation.
• Business models and revenue streams.
• Financial control measures
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Balanced Scorecard

Assessment:

• Report (Coursework) [50%]
• Students will be provided with an organisational case study on the assessment day.
• Students will have to provide a diagnostic report explaining the organisation's current strategy, structure and business model.
For example, the organisation's purpose/mission, the services/products it provides, the main revenue streams, the organisation's competitive advantage and the main strategies the organisation is pursuing as well as the rationale and effectiveness of the current organisational structure.
• The report should not be longer than 2,000 words.
• Report (Coursework) [50%]
• Students will be provided with an organisational case study on the assessment day.
• Within a second assessment session students will have to use a range of established techniques to undertake critical analysis of an organisation's strengths and weaknesses, the business environment in which it operates and creatively propose strategic recommendations from that analysis.
• Dates and timetabling may be subject to change.
• The course is taught by experienced academics who are also active researchers in their field.
• The teaching methods include lectures, seminars, case studies, and group work.

Careers:

• This course is relevant to a wide range of careers in management, including:
• Management consultant
• Project manager
• Business development manager
• Marketing manager
• Human resources manager
• Operations manager
• The course also provides a strong foundation for further study, such as an MBA or MSc in Management.

Other:

• The course fee is £816.60 for students from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and EU Settlements Status.
• The course fee is £1,898.80 for international students.
• The course is open to students with any undergraduate degree (second class honours or above).
• Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the minimum English entrance requirements of the University and will need to provide recent evidence of this (certified within the last two years).
• Most of our courses require a minimum English level of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent, with no band score under 5.5.
• Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement.

Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and EU Settlements Status Fees:

£816.60

England, Scotland, Wales and the Islands Fees:

£816.60

Additional mandatory costs

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees. Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses. Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.