This module introduces you to the external context of business practice and understanding the impact of globalisation on business and an introduction to business law. You are also introduced to the basic management functions of planning, leading, organising and controlling. You can expect to learn about how key internal business functions are successfully integrated in business organisations and how this in turn positions organisations for external success. In addition, you can expect to be onboarded in the areas of academic research, writing and referencing skills.

This is designed to give a very generalised introduction to the wide area of accounting and finance. It is intended to concentrate on the use of financial data as opposed to the deep methodological basis of accounting practice.

This module introduces you to core marketing principles, theories, and practices. It is expected that you’ll gain a good understanding about the marketing process and the ability to make critical reflections upon contemporary marketing practices from this module. The module is intended to provide both an introduction to the topic as well as providing you with a basic grounding in the theory and practice of marketing as a business management discipline.

Foundations of Human Resource Management

This module provides you with a foundational introduction to Human Resource Management (HRM), showing you how to effectively manage, motivate, and support people within an organisation.

Through hands on analysis of workplace psychology, you will explore core HR functions alongside essential concepts in organisational behaviour. You will examine organisational dynamics such as company culture, power dynamics, conflict resolution, and change management. By understanding how individuals and groups behave at work, you will build the critical analytical skills needed to solve people management challenges and directly boost organisational performance.

Creative Personal Branding

This module introduces you to the essential strategies for developing a powerful personal brand and the core employability skills needed to thrive in a digitally driven market. You will embark on a reflective, self-exploratory journey to deepen your self-awareness, build confidence, and understand how narratives and storytelling shape audience perceptions. The curriculum also examines how emerging technologies such as AI, VR/AR, and automation are reshaping recruitment and professional identity.

With hands-on, practical outputs, you will utilise university career resources to build an authentic professional portfolio. This includes crafting a standout CV, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and a personal brand pitch presentation, alongside a reflective summary tracing your growth, networking skills, and career readiness.

The module will introduce you to key concepts in corporate finance and valuation, including the time value of money, investment appraisal and the cost of capital, before looking into working capital management and financial decision-making. You’ll also explore the role of data and tech in finance, including the use of digital tools and financial technology in analysis and decision support, as well as ethical, regulatory and governance considerations. In the final part of the module, you’ll get to examine sustainable and responsible finance, ESG integration and climate-related financial risk.  

This module is an extended and practical introduction to the business research process, focusing on how organisations investigate and analyse real world problems to inform effective managerial decision making. You’ll be guided through the key stages of designing and undertaking small scale business research – you’ll develop the ability to locate and interpret literature efficiently, and use this evidence to refine your research focus and support the development of an informed and method-based approach. Alongside this, you’ll receive structured, hands-on training in applied data skills. You’ll learn how to handle real data sets, perform basic quantitative and qualitative analyses, and produce clear visual outputs that help uncover trends, relationships and actionable insights. 

In the third block of your second year, you will choose a specialist module from one of the below.

Contemporary issues in sustainable business

This module equips you with a sound understanding of sustainability in the business context. It highlights how transformation in the global political economy has given rise to debates about the nature and role of business in society. It then examines the changing expectations of business and how managers have responded to calls for greater social and environmental sustainability. Highlighted, also, are some of the key debates in sustainability which include: drivers of corporate responsibility, extent of responsibility, governance and implementation, and sustainable business models. Through case studies and applied tasks, the module will develop your ability to assess sustainability challenges critically and communicate practical, evidence-based recommendations for improvement.

Organisational behaviour

This module provides you with a critical understanding of organisational behaviour within international and culturally diverse business environments. It examines how individuals, groups and organisational systems interact, and how these interactions are shaped by psychological, cultural, structural and contextual factors. You’ll explore areas such as perception, motivation, teamwork, communication, conflict, organisational culture, diversity, wellbeing and change. Through case studies, comparative analysis and reflective activities, you’ll develop the analytical and interpersonal awareness needed to operate effectively in global organisational settings. 

In the final block of your second year, you will choose a specialist module from one of the below.

Sustainable operations management

This module explores how organisations design, manage and improve operational systems to balance efficiency, resilience and environmental sustainability. You’ll examine the role of operations management in supporting sustainable production, logistics and supply chain practices. And you’ll analyse how decisions relating to resource use, production processes, sourcing strategies, logistics systems and waste management, influence an organisation’s performance and environmental outcomes. Explore key frameworks including: lean operations, circular economy principles, sustainable supply chain management, life-cycle thinking and environmental performance metrics. Then consider how digital tech and analytics tools can support organisations in improving resource efficiency, reducing waste and designing more resilient supply chains. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to analyse operational systems, evaluate environmental impacts and propose operational improvements that support sustainable and responsible business practices. 

Consumer, society and sustainability

This module provides an introductory critical perspective on how marketing systems shape consumer behaviour, societal norms and environmental outcomes. Drawing on insights from sociology, psychology, cultural studies and public policy, you’ll explore how consumption influences both individual well-being and wider social and environmental cultures. You’ll be learning from with a range of real-world materials, including reports, media content and policy discussions related to contemporary consumer issues. And, by the end of the module, you’ll recognise the wider impacts of consumption and understand ways in which more sustainable and responsible consumption practices can be encouraged.

Environmental impacts and measurement

This module examines how business activities affect the natural environment and how these impacts can be measured, analysed and managed. You’ll explore key environmental impact areas, including greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, water consumption, waste generation and biodiversity impacts across business operations and supply chains. 

You’ll be introduced to the practical tools used by organisations to measure environmental performance, such as carbon footprinting, environmental audits, life cycle assessment (LCA) and sustainability indicators. You’ll also learn how environmental data supports decision-making, sustainability strategies and ESG reporting. 

By the end of the module, you’ll have developed the ability to interpret environmental metrics, identify impact hotspots and propose practical actions to improve organisational environmental performance. 

Ethical and responsible leadership

This module explores the central role of ethics and responsibility in contemporary leadership and organisational practice. You’ll examine how debates about business responsibility have evolved and analyse how leaders navigate complex ethical dilemmas. You’ll be introduced to core theories of ethical and responsible leadership, and be provided with practical tools for evaluating decision‑making, assessing consequences of managerial actions and fostering ethical cultures. Through case studies, scenario‑based activities and reflective analysis, you’ll develop the skills and judgement required to approach ethical challenges confidently and professionally in real business contexts. 

This module equips you with the advanced knowledge and skills to understand how organisations anticipate, absorb, respond to and recover from major disruptions. You’ll explore contemporary theories of organisational resilience and systemic risk, examining how global disruptions such as pandemics, economic shocks and geopolitical instability challenge organisational stability. Through a crisis simulation and a consultancy‑style resilience strategy assessment, you’ll get to evaluate vulnerabilities, assess preparedness and design strategic interventions. 

This module introduces you to managing change and innovation, which will be central to your survival, success and growth in your career. By the end of the module, you’ll have a full understanding of the managerial strategies that organisations use to manage different types of innovation, as well as how they seek to benefit from their innovations. 

In the third and fourth blocks of your final year, you will complete the module "sustainable strategy and business transformation" alongside completing either a business project or a dissertation.

Sustainable strategy and business transformation

This module explores how organisations develop and implement sustainability strategies while responding to rapidly changing economic, social and environmental contexts. You’ll examine the role of strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement and organisational change in sustainable business transformation. And you’ll be introduced to strategic frameworks that support responsible innovation, sustainable competitive advantage and long-term organisational resilience. 

Through analysis of contemporary business cases, you’ll evaluate how organisations respond to global challenges such as climate change, tech disruption and shifting stakeholder expectations. By the end of this module, you’ll have the ability to design strategic transformation initiatives that align business objectives with broader societal and environmental goals. 

Business project

This module provides an opportunity for you to design and evaluate a business project in an area of special interest within the broad area of business management. You’ll be using the knowledge you’ve gained since the start of the programme and will diagnose a business problem or opportunity, propose a structured project solution and evaluate its feasibility, organisational impact and resource implications. 

Dissertation

The module provides an opportunity for you to undertake an independent study in an area of special interest within the broad area of business management. It builds on your introductory business research skills and prepares you for postgraduate research study. This module draws on the academic skills and practices you have been taught since the beginning of the programme.