Business - 2012 entry

The Oxford Brookes Business School is known internationally for its learning and teaching, evidenced by the achievement of top scores in the last quality review. We adopt an innovative approach to teaching, which helps the student learning experience to be vibrant and engaging. Our students develop skills in critical enquiry along with a firm grounding in business practice which, together, enable them to confidently take on the demands of graduate jobs in leading international businesses.

We are the only business school to host a Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (in assessment) as well as the two national Higher Education Academy Subject Centres in business and management disciplines (Business, Management, Accounting and Finance, and Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism), putting us at the centre of business education in the UK.

We firmly believe learning should be exciting as well as challenging. You are encouraged to take an active approach to your studies through, for example, problem-solving classes, dragons’ den type assessments involving local employers, and working with actors to develop presentation skills. We want you to enjoy developing the skills you will need to succeed in the competitive business world.

The course uses active learning approaches such as seminar and workshop activities, discussions and problem-solving activities, rather than an approach focused solely on lectures and note-taking. The first year in particular will provide opportunities for you to identify areas of your learning where you need particular support. The distinctive learning approach of this course is enquiry-based learning, which emphasises the exploration of business issues and problems that are set in realistic contexts and allows theory to be examined through interesting and challenging situations.

Later in the course more emphasis is placed on acquiring subject knowledge, and compulsory modules will develop your autonomous learning skills and skills of reflection. The course aims to provide opportunities for you to work with business professionals, for example, using guest speakers and live cases from the business community.

Knowledge and understanding

A graduate of this course will be able to:

• demonstrate a systematic understanding of the complex and uncertain nature of the global environment and its effects upon the strategic management and direction of business, including economic, financial, ethical, legal, political, social, technological, competitive and market considerations
• explore and critically evaluate business concepts and frameworks through analysis of complex, multifaceted business problems from a range of organisational, industrial and international contexts
• deploy basic techniques for the effective financial management of business
• understand the contribution of key functions and transformational processes and practices which contribute to the effective performance of business
• demonstrate strategic awareness, and analyse and evaluate options open to organisations involved in the process of formulating business policies and strategies in the current global context
• demonstrate awareness of business research methodology and techniques, their role in business decision making and the development of ideas at the forefront of the discipline
• demonstrate an ability to make business decisions that take into consideration international complexity, multiple perspectives and cultural dimensions
• recognise the importance of values, ethics and social responsibility in all aspects of business and personal life.

Disciplinary and professional skills

A graduate of this course will be able to:

• select and apply qualitative and quantitative business specific tools of research, analysis, decision making and evaluation to a wide range of international scenarios and problems
• devise, substantiate and sustain arguments that contribute to decision making in diverse, dynamic and uncertain contexts
• use and practise business communication techniques including digital and on-line methods
• reflect on experiences leading to personal and professional development
• appreciate the existence of cultural differences and their impact on professional life
• work co-operatively and participate in multicultural and diverse teams, demonstrating personal initiative.

Transferable skills

A graduate of this course will gain:

• self-management and learning skills, developing the capacity for autonomous and reflective self-directed learning
• problem-solving skills, including the ability to manipulate financial, numerical and statistical data
• verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present and evaluate arguments in a form appropriate to the audience
• teamwork skills, including the ability to work productively as part of a group
• ability to use information technology effectively and demonstrate digital literacies appropriate to the business profession.