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Business Management with Finance BA(Hons)

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    Overview

    Understanding how money talks – and moves – is the first step to helping any business achieve financial success. You can tap into an exciting and rapidly expanding industry as a business leader by pursuing a Business Management with Finance BA(Hons) degree, which will help you develop the specialist finance skills to manage businesses in multiple industries effectively.

    You can look forward to a high-quality education here; this course is developed in collaboration with a range of employers (advisory board input), as we are keen to ensure our students leave university with the skills employers are looking for.

    This course aims to equip you with the industry knowledge and leadership ability to face challenges and devise creative solutions to problems faced by businesses, with a special focus on financial issues and topics. By the end of the course, you’ll be prepared to step with confidence into the workforce as a business leader with in-demand finance skills.

    Why study Business Management with Finance BA(Hons)

    You’ll be studying at an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International-accredited Business School. Globally, fewer than six per cent of institutions offering business degrees achieve this accreditation. Business Management BA(Hons) is also accredited by The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) – the UK’s only chartered professional body in management – providing an indicator of quality to you and prospective employers.

    Management Studies at Huddersfield is top in Yorkshire for Academic Support, scoring 88 per cent*, based on experimental statistics from the National Student Survey 2023.

    On campus, you’ll study a wide range of subjects, including financial and management accounting, project management, and investment, portfolio and risk management.

    Our course will focus on your personal and professional development, making the transition from higher education to the workplace easier. Our ASPIRE modules, which you’ll take throughout the year, will give you the opportunity to gain real-world experience, by working on a real business challenge. For instance, in Aspire 1, you’ll take part in a digital internship, while Aspire 2 sees you work on a live business project and Aspire 3 helps you become career ready. Previous students have gained experience with businesses including Hewlett Packard, Lloyds Banking Group, ASDA, Coop Group, and more.

    Away from campus, you’ll gain relevant real-world experience, putting your knowledge and skills to the test in an optional 48-week, third-year work placement in your area of interest. The opportunity, in the UK or abroad, will see you utilise our links with local, national, and international companies throughout many industries, including Aldi, L’Oreal, Jaguar Land Rover, SharkNinja, and Arla Foods. This placement will enhance your employability and fostering personal development.

    This course will prepare you for a variety of exciting careers in a range of fields. You could work as an executive support manager, customer programme manager or operations manager. You’ll be able to work for other organisations, or even pursue your passions by setting up your own company or working for a family business. On the course, you’ll also develop the key skills that many employers are looking for – such as project management, presentation skills, and teamworking. On the course, you’ll also develop the key skills that many employers are looking for – such as project management, presentation skills, and teamworking.

    *Institutions in Yorkshire with turnover of over £100 million.

    **The following positive scores combined to produce this theme: 89 per cent of students felt it was easy to contact teaching staff when they needed to and 88 per cent felt teaching staff had supported their learning well.

    Entry requirements

    BBB-BBC at A Level

    120-112 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications

    Merit in T Level

    DDM-DMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

    • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above
    • 120-112 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

    If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

    Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

    Course Detail

    Core modules:

    ASPIRE 1 - Personal and Professional Skills

    The ASPIRE modules provide a coherent and progressive framework to support your academic, personal and professional potential. The emphasis in Year 1 is on developing the academic skills you need to engage in your course. In addition, the module will address a broader curriculum of personal and professional development. This will include resilience and wellbeing, professional skills, inclusion and intercultural awareness and enterprise and innovation. We will also encourage you to think about the relevance of your course for your future career options. The module is designed to align with the University of Huddersfield’s Graduate Attribute Framework. It will introduce you to theories, models and strategies relevant to skill development and success at university and in the workplace. Throughout the module, you will be encouraged to recognise your capabilities, take responsibility for your learning and work effectively with your peers.

    Accounting for Managers (Foundation)

    This module introduces you to how financial information for businesses is prepared, presented and interpreted by internal and external users. As well as delivering theory and technical information, practical application is presented through worked examples, group working and discussions. The objective is to enable you to use financial information for planning, decision making and control, calculate business costings by applying the theory of cost behaviour to different situations and analyse the performance of a business using ratio analysis.

    Global Business Management

    In this module, you will explore the pressing global issues, such as globalisation, climate change, digital age, and sustainability, that businesses are confronted in their operations. Adopting a cross-disciplinary approach, you will gain knowledge and develop a critical understanding of how these issues represent challenges as well as opportunities to business and related organisations. As you progress through the module, you will develop a habit to follow the developments of global events, give them a meaning and consider the causes and consequences of ongoing developments. This module is designed to raise you awareness of an increasingly dynamic business environment.

    Principles of Marketing

    This module will develop your understanding of the principles and practice of contemporary marketing management. You'll be introduced to the key concepts and tools of marketing including analysis, planning, implementation and control.

    Organisational Behaviour

    This module provides you with an introduction to key concepts, theories and research in the field of organisational behaviour. Starting with the important question what is an organisation, this module presents and evaluates up to date research on current knowledge about human and organisation behaviour from the perspective of three levels: individual level (personality, motivation, knowledge and learning), group level (organisational culture, team-working) and the organisational level (leadership, changing world of work, technology). An examination of these three levels will provide an insight into the world of work both for employees and future managers. Emphasis on the module is placed on introducing and applying management theory with a critical perspective adopted throughout. Overall, focus on the module is directed towards equipping you with sufficient knowledge to be able to understand the role of the manager in a contemporary organisation and to critically explore the role of influence a range of behaviours have on organisational outcomes.

    Foundations of Finance

    This module introduces you to the main characteristics of finance and financial management and aims to introduce the key concepts of finance by building comprehensive perceptions and equipping you with different skills related to finance. You’ll explore the foundations of finance to enable you to learn more advanced topics in finance and give you the opportunity to develop clear understandings of the key financial concepts.

    Core modules:

    ASPIRE 2 – Live Business Project

    The ASPIRE modules provide a coherent and progressive framework to support your academic, personal and professional potential. The emphasis in Year 2 is on developing your knowledge, skills and experience to develop your professional profile. A centrepiece of the of the module is a live project or real business challenge, relevant to your award. Working with your peers, you will build on knowledge and skills developed in Year 1 to respond to a project-brief that will complement your year 2 modules. In line with the ethos of ASPIRE, we will continue to provide an inclusive environment that emphasises the importance of individual resilience and wellbeing at this mid-point of your studies and prepares you for your placement year or final year.

    Banking with Financial Markets

    This module examines contemporary issues in Banking and Financial Markets. It will help you acquire a clear perspective of banking, financial and monetary systems and help you understand the functions of financial institutions and markets, alongside the regulatory framework in which banks and financial institutions operate and the implications for the size and structure of financial markets.

    Financial Technology and Control Environment

    This module introduces you to the wider legal, ethical and economic implications of using Fintech, financial such as cloud services, blockchain, data analytics (big data), and artificial intelligence (AI), combined with web based business modules, such as platforms and the impact on accounting and finance professionals. You’ll be introduced accounting software, data analysis, and data visualization via MS excel.

    Applied Project Management

    This module aims to provide a firm foundation in project management. The module focuses on the tools and techniques of project planning and control and provides a firm grounding in the relationship between human resource issues and project management. You’ll learn the foundations of project planning, executing the plan and completion, and an understanding of the relationships and management of people, teams and outsourced services, developing the role of the project manager as both a client and service provider.

    Option modules:

    Choose two from a list which may include:

    Business and Societal Impact

    Businesses are increasingly recognising the necessity of adopting an flexible/agile mindset to establish and maintain a competitive advantage. Throughout this module, you will delve into the theories and practices associated with various business models, with a specific focus on exploring their integration into society. The module, through the examples and case studies used on the module, spans a diverse array of business structures, encompassing Social Enterprises, Hybrids, Non-Governmental Organisations, Micro and Family Businesses. The module will explore the concept of social impact and how businesses may aspire to have an impact beyond their initial communities, examining impact-driven organisations and in turn expanding your comprehension of social value creation whilst retaining an appreciation of the challenges/barriers faced in this area across the different business models examined.

    Data Analysis for Business

    Discover the world of data analysis for business in this core second year module. Learn about the purpose of data, ethical considerations related to the creation and use of data, and the importance of effective communication with stakeholders when interpreting datasets. Gain skills to identify fake data and understand the role technology plays in both hindering and facilitating strategic decision-making. Practice using statistical software to handle datasets in order to gain a level of proficiency which will help you in the workplace. This module provides a practical and critical understanding of data's role in business, focusing on ethics, analysis, and communication for success in today's business environment.

    Creating a New Business

    In undertaking this module, you will explore the theory and practices that inform and enable business start-up and small enterprise development. We will follow the entrepreneurial journey in four phases; creativity and conceptualising the business; understanding context; opportunity spotting and scoping; and business model development. We will use case studies to explore entrepreneurial practices in a variety of contexts. You will appreciate the personal and contextual drivers and challenges faced by those motivated set up enterprises. You will also experiment with opportunity spotting and the formulation of a business model, thus understanding the practice and theory of new venture creation, from ideation to creating a business enterprise.

    People Management

    Traditionally, management has focused on operational performance and quality assurance, but the scope has expanded in recent years. In this module you will explore the practices of effective managers, focusing on the people skills needed to support teams, enhance job satisfaction, well-being, loyalty, and commitment, and ultimately drive higher performance by fostering a positive work environment. You will look at the importance and benefits of good people management, helping you consider the challenges of delivering value by creating HR practices in both a conventional business and now in the increasingly diverse organisations, with many forms of contract relationship, location and remote working environment.

    The course offers a recommended one-year (48 weeks) work placement after the second year, in the UK or abroad. By doing a work placement you will be able to apply the theory to practice, identify and develop your transferable skills, improve your confidence and sense of responsibility, explore different career areas and of course enhance your CV with good, practical and relevant experience.

    Core modules:

    ASPIRE 3 – Professional Portfolio

    The ASPIRE modules provide a coherent and progressive framework to support your academic, personal and professional potential. The emphasis in Year 3 will be on your transition from higher education to the workplace. You will have an opportunity to build on your knowledge, skills and experience that you have developed during your time at university and clearly express your career aspirations. Using recruitment and selection simulations, you will prepare tailored CVs and learn how to perform well within different selection situations. In preparation for your move into the changing world of work, we will explore what it means to be globally and socially aware and you will learn about intercultural effectiveness through case studies and group tasks. There will also be an emphasis on strengthening your leadership capabilities and decision-making within complex and unpredictable contexts. In line with the ethos of ASPIRE, we will continue to reinforce the value of an inclusive environment that sustains you during your final year of study and prepares you for your post-degree choices.

    Investment,Portfolio And Risk Management

    This module looks at investment analysis and portfolio management using an innovative experiential learning environment – “The Portfolio Game.” You’ll have the opportunity to learn about financial markets, recognise the measure and value of the risk and return and be aware of the relationships between them and be aware of the opportunities and dangers offered by international diversification, alongside learning about the available hedging techniques of managing a successful investment portfolio.

    Global Financial Management

    This module introduces you to different finance, accounting and economic dimensions of multinational financial management. Themes will include the international monetary system , historical and the development of the International Monetary System (IMS), exchange rate system; and risk management within global finance context.

    Strategic Management

    In this module you will learn about the foundational principles of strategic management, as well as emergent strategic ideas such as business models, open strategy and ecosystems that have been developed to cope with the rapid changes facing the 21st-century international business environment. You will engage with future shaping strategy and gain confidence in your own appraisal of strategic choices.

    Option modules:

    Choose two from a list which may include:

    Climate Economics and Finance

    This module offers opportunities to explore climate change issues and form the necessary quantitative skills required to evaluate the impact of climate change on the economy and business organisations. The module will also focus on the responses and policies to mitigate the effects of climate change. You'll be required to understand the role of financial and economic instruments in designing appropriate climate change tools and policies.

    E-Commerce

    In this module, you’ll learn how to organise and execute business activities and specific transactions on a variety of electronic platforms. You’ll build your understanding of the electronic economy and how the changes in the electronic landscape and technology are shaping the development and success of business. In addition to learning about e-commerce operations, you’ll consider how businesses interact with their key stakeholders, such as customer and public administration agencies, in the Internet context.

    Human Resource Development

    Ever wondered how training and developing employees can add value to an organisation? This module will explore this, looking at how investing in staff in this way builds increased commitment and enhances skills. After a review of HRD, how we identify, plan, develop, deliver, and evaluate training, we will consider interventions to support learning organisations as well as exploring the theories surrounding HRD.

    Business and Climate Change

    This module aims to explore the complex relationship between business and climate change. Students will gain an understating of the political and policy context surrounding the climate crisis, and insight into debates about the changing responsibilities of business through a wide range of examples. The module will enable understanding of how the need to reduce emissions is shaping the activities of businesses, social enterprises, policy makers, NGOs and communities worldwide.

    International Marketing

    The aim of this module is to help develop your understanding of the marketing theory and principles within the international or global business arena. It involves the consideration of the international marketing environment and the application of marketing principles for companies operating in foreign and world markets.

    On average 16%* of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors (either face to face or online) in lectures, seminars, workshops etc. Study and assessments will be based on your choice of modules. Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.

    Feedback (either written and/or verbal) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

    *based on 22/23 programme specifications

    Further information

    The teaching year normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Timetables are normally available one month before registration.

    Your course is made up of modules and each module is worth a number of credits. Each year you study modules to the value of 120 credits, adding up to 360 credits in total for a bachelor’s qualification. These credits can come from a combination of core, compulsory and optional modules but please note that optional modules may not run if we do not have enough students interested.

    If you achieve 120 credits for the current stage you are at, you may progress to the next stage of your course, subject to any professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.

    1. The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.

    2. Further proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.

    3. We are first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 22 since 2008 (2023 data).

    4. We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

    As part of your degree, you’ll study the ASPIRE modules. ASPIRE is a series of modules that are designed to equip you with the valuable qualities that we know employers are looking for. Embedded within your degree programme, ASPIRE will enable you to develop and demonstrate subject specific skills and knowledge, which can help to set you apart from other graduates. These modules will contribute towards your course level 5 CMI accreditation.

    Placements

    The course offers an optional one-year (48 weeks) work placement after the second year, in the UK or abroad.

    Our Placement Office works with national and international employers to ensure excellent work experience opportunities are available to you on placement courses as well as giving advice in areas such as interview skills and preparing CVs and covering letters.

    Previous placement providers have included AETC, Covea Insurance, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, GBAC Limited, Greenwich Country Club, Huddersfield Town FC, Kirklees Council Transport Services, NHS Airedale, PRGX UK Ltd, sia Fibral / Bosch, Thornton and Ross and Xalient.

    The placement year is a valuable tool that can enhance your employability and help you to develop as an individual. It is acknowledged that graduates with industry experience are generally much more attractive to employers.

    You can find more information on placements here.

    By completing a placement, I've widened my knowledge about the industry I want to get into and discovered what useful certifications and soft & hard skills that are needed for this career. Placements are the greatest fast-track entrance ticket to future graduate opportunities.

    Profile of Yuen Chia

    Yuen Chia, Financial analyst placement at PRGX UK Ltd

    What our students have to say

    The University of Huddersfield offers a diverse and vibrant student environment, located on one central town centre campus site. Huddersfield Business School provides you with a modern, professional environment to learn and develop, located right next to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal it's in a leafy and picturesque location at the heart of the campus.

    Watch our profile video to hear Sana describe why she chose the University of Huddersfield.

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    Important information

    We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

    Changes to a course you have applied for

    If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

    Cancellation of a course you have applied for

    Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

    Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

    We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

    Changes to option modules

    Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

    Major changes

    We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

    For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

    Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    Termination of course

    In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

    Equal opportunities

    The University of Huddersfield is an equal opportunities institution. We aim to create conditions where staff and students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, age, race, caste, class, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, family responsibility, trade union activity, political or religious belief, or age. Please visit our website to see our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy

    Data protection

    The University holds personal data on all enquirers, applicants and enrolled students. All such data is kept and processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Legislation. The University’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notices are available on the University website.

    Students’ Union membership

    Under the 1994 Education Act, students at all UK universities have the right to join, or not to join, the Students’ Union. There is no membership fee. If you choose not to join you have the right not to be disadvantaged; however, you are not entitled to vote, take part in elections, or hold any office. The following arrangements apply in order that non-Union members are not disadvantaged: Non-members are welcome to take part in the activities of Affiliated Clubs and Societies on payment of the appropriate subscription. However, they may not vote or hold office in the society or club. Union members may be offered a discounted subscription. Non-members are free to use Union facilities on the same basis as members. Welfare, catering and shops are available to non-members as well as members. Union members may be offered a discounted price.

    The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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