Business and Marketing Management (with Foundation Year)

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Marketing in a Digital World

  This is your introduction to the general principles of marketing. Through practical activities supported by lectures, you will learn to apply the tools and techniques used by professional marketers. You’ll gain understanding and appreciate the inter-relationships between different marketing and business concepts and be able to build upon the knowledge you develop in your subsequent second year modules.

• Essential Management and Leadership Skills for Marketing

  Gain the key management and leadership skills you’ll need in a marketing environment. You will actively engage with the study of key management and leadership approaches by being exposed to the essential characteristics of organisations operating in a global context and the role of management within this. 

  Also you will explore the functions of business, their interrelatedness and the impact of management and leadership styles on their operations. By examining how theoretical concepts and frameworks are applied in practice you will be exposed to a number of different scenarios so you build your awareness of how management decision making impacts business performance and also look at and learn the skills successful managers and leaders use to meet the challenges of a dynamic marketing environment.

• Academic and Professional Practices for Marketing

  This module supports your transition from your school/college to now studying an honours level undergraduate course. Through the lens of real business problems, you will acquire the necessary research, critical analysis, team working and communication skills that will be the foundation of your academic and future professional success. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills in specific areas, based on tutor feedback. This module will prepare you for your other first year modules, helping you to flourish in an academic environment.

• Customer and Marketing Insights

  To understand customer needs and market trends is intrinsic to the success of any business. On this module, you will look at the concepts and tools required by professional marketers to understand customer and market needs including a brief overview of consumer behaviour. Through traditional and contemporary techniques you’ll explore the process of marketing research and its role in gaining understanding of consumers and markets to meet organisational objectives.

  You’ll learn the academic concepts underlying marketing research and develop practical research and analytical skills. You will gain sufficient grounding in marketing research techniques and data analysis and its interpretation to enable you to carry out projects involving marketing research and data analysis.

• Finance for Marketing

  You’ll look at finance for marketing and focus on its importance in a variety of business contexts. You will learn how to interpret and analyse simple financial statements in order to assess an organisation's performance and its financial strength. You’ll understand the basics of planning and budgeting and short-term decision making. Also you’ll develop your confidence in your ability to deal with the internal and external financial information important to marketing.

• Sustainable and Ethical Marketing

  You are the marketers of tomorrow, so it is key you understand and are able to respond to the ethical and environmental sustainability challenges that will be faced. As such, your learning is tied to the Business School’s commitment to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management. 

  You will discuss the meaning of ethical marketing and key environmental issues such as:

  • global warming
  • pollution
  • biodiversity loss 
  • freshwater depletion.

  Including the role of marketing in causing as well as responding to such issues. You’ll look at a variety of stakeholder perspectives and frameworks to aid the analysis of marketing responses.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Contemporary Marketing Communications

  The communications environment is rapidly changing and you’ll look at contemporary approaches to integrated marketing communications in a wide range of contexts. You’ll also be introduced to Digital asset management as a concept for curation of digital artefacts and assets in the context of marketing communications, building your understanding of marketing communicative methods.

• Consumer Behaviour

  On this module, you will be able to identify and evaluate the latest developments in consumer behaviour. Which will include emerging consumer behaviour trends across different consumption contexts through the application and development of appropriate research methods and tools. You will also build a deeper understanding of

  • diversity
  • inclusivity
  • ethics
  • sustainability 

  and skills in responsible marketing within different consumption contexts.

• Introduction to People Management

  This module is designed to introduce you to the operational role and functions of people management and how it supports organisations to manage their diverse workforce in an international context. People management is an essential tool for all line managers as it provides them with the skills, knowledge and competencies that equip you to be effective in how you recruit, motivate and reward your staff. This module offers you an operational ‘toolbox’ that covers all the core, fundamental features of people management.

  On successful completion of this module, you will be able to identify the essential components of viable people management policies whilst also illustrating their effectiveness and engage in appropriate and accurate communications amongst different business contexts.

• Applied Marketing Consultancy

  This is your introduction to marketing consultancy through action (or experiential) based learning methods. In action learning, you’ll be part of a team to solve a real and relevant problem for a client. Through this approach to learning you’ll experience and analyse marketing as it happens in a work based context.

  In the lectures, you’ll develop marketing theory, skills and knowledge to support you in the second part of the module (i.e. workshops, lab work and field work) to work on behalf of a client organisation.

• Customer Experience and Relationship Management

  This module introduces the interlinked concepts of Customer Experience (CX)/Customer Relationship Management (CRM) as they are practised now. You will explore the strategic importance of these concepts to the modern marketer and their contribution to customer engagement and loyalty. As well as adding value to the product/service offering in order to create a competitive advantage. You’ll focus on the customer journey and how marketers can control/influence it to improve the customer’s overall experience.

Optional modules

• Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

  The module has been designed to help develop the knowledge and understanding as well as the related skills and capabilities associated with enterprise in its broadest sense. This module addresses the subject of entrepreneurship in a holistic manner, one in which the range of contexts; from entrepreneurship to intrapreneurship, and from high tech spin out to social and public enterprise is considered. The module focuses on both macro and micro dimensions, to help you understand both the dynamic nature of the entrepreneurial economy and their own employment opportunities within it.

  On successful completion of this module, you will understand the theoretical underpinnings of enterprise and entrepreneurship, be able to identify the perspectives required for entrepreneurial success and be able to evaluate the contribution of government policies designed to develop an enterprise culture.

• Digital Advertising and Creative Content

  This is your introduction to the world of digital marketing in a global context. It builds on your earlier module Contemporary Marketing Communications and will help give you insights into a range of contexts including mobile advertising, in-game advertising and user generated advertising.  

  This will help to prepare you for your final year modules and also enhances your employability skills with the opportunity to engage you with practical and written assessments linked to creative industry scenarios.

• Contemporary Omnichannel Retail and Marketing

  This is your introduction to the nature, scope and characteristics of the various marketing and sales strategies used in the retail industry and how they are evolving, in line with changing customer buying habits and expectations. 

  You will look at the drivers impacting on the sector and the interaction between digital platforms and physical outlets, combined with new technologies, to enhance the customer experience and bring new efficiencies to retail sales and marketing. You’ll build your knowledge of how these various factors can combine to create the ideal Omnichannel retail experience for the customer.

• Purchasing and Supply Chain Management

  Supply chain management is concerned with managing and controlling the activities along a chain of supply. From procuring materials to delivering finished goods that satisfy customer orders. 

  This module will help you study, in a global context, the processes necessary to strategically manage the flow of materials and products in order to achieve a competitive advantage. You’ll examine how effective logistics and purchasing systems can become key business enablers. Also you’ll look at how the management of international supply chains must form a significant element of the strategy of any organisation operating on a global basis. By the end of the module you’ll gain a deep understanding of the various threads in a supply chain and that an improved supply chain can be of a significant benefit for a whole business.

Optional Placement Year

Optional modules

• CHOOSE ONE MODULE FROM:

• Placement

  On this placement you will be able to access a 40-52 week work-based learning / placement opportunity to help develop your employability and enterprise skills. You will gain first-hand knowledge and experience of making applications to and working in a placement role. You will set your own work-based targets and reflect upon your progress in the role you have on your placement. Halfway through your placement you will make a presentation to your line manager and placement tutor which summarises your gained knowledge on your placement and the tasks you have/ will complete in your placement role.

• Full Year International Study Abroad

  This is your opportunity to study Business topics abroad in order to experience a different national, educational and business culture and to build on your knowledge, understanding, skills and competencies you’ve gained so far. You will undertake an international study exchange at a university outside the UK, arranged with the University’s exchanges office. This international study exchange lasts for one academic year and is taken after your second year of studies (Level 5).

• OR CHOOSE THESE TWO OPTIONS:

• Short Placement

  This 24-week placement is your opportunity to develop your employability and enterprise skills. In the UK or Europe you will gain first-hand knowledge and experience of making applications to and working in a placement role. You will set your work based targets and reflect upon your success in your placement role. At the end of the placement, you will make a presentation to your line manager and placement tutor which summarises the knowledge and skills you have developed on your placement.

• Work-based Learning

  This module is also a 24-week work-based learning opportunity for you to develop your employability and enterprise skills. As on the other modules you will have the opportunity to obtain first-hand knowledge and experience of making applications to and working in a placement role. This could include employment, volunteer work experience or undertaking a consultancy type project.

  You will agree a brief before your work-based role begins,set work based targets and reflect upon your success in your placement role. At the end of the placement, you will make a presentation to your line manager and placement tutor which summarises the knowledge and skills you have developed on your placement.

Final Year

Compulsory modules

• Personal Branding

  Harness your knowledge of brands, communication strategies and business types gained through your degree. This module will help you to understand your potential future career paths, based on your strengths, skills and interests. You’ll get the support to be focused, differentiated and successful in planning your future careers through developing your:

  • personal brand purpose
  • brand story
  • brand communication plan.

  in a way that is consistent and authentic. You’ll look at theoretical and professional perspectives relating to management, professional ethics and other areas relevant to careers in business, marketing, events and related areas.

• Marketing and Business Dilemmas

  Focus on the critical understanding of issues and dilemmas related to organisational business and marketing strategies. You will explore the ever-evolving dilemmas faced by marketing practitioners. These issues include but are not limited to:

  • ethics
  • sustainability
  • equality
  • privacy
  • and security. 

  To address these issues, you will engage with various case studies that highlight the dilemmas organisations have to face regarding collecting personal data for profits, maintaining the impact of businesses on the environment, etc. Helping you to look at business and marketing practices with different perspectives.

• Marketing Strategy and Innovation

  On this module, you’ll have the opportunity to develop, evaluate and implement both traditional and contemporary marketing strategy theories in as realistic a situation as possible. In parallel with lectures, you will be involved in workshop format sessions that will further consolidate and deepen your understanding of strategic marketing theory and concepts. In your workshops, a marketing strategy simulation game will run throughout the semester. Within the simulation, you will work in teams running brands that are competing with each other. This will help you to shape and implement strategic marketing plans with an innovative solution-oriented mindset within the context of a competitive environment.

• Experiential Marketing

  This is your introduction to Experiential Marketing and how it combines digital platforms, new technologies and Artificial Intelligence to engage with its customers in unique, emotional, and immersive ways across both physical and digital (hybrid) settings. 

  You’ll explore how Experiential Marketing has evolved from the product and service focus of the traditional marketing mix to the point where customers and businesses are co-creating new products and immersive experiences. You will examine the effectiveness of Experiential Marketing in real businesses and in doing so, apply theory to practice.

Optional modules

• Project (academic or sustainability and enterprise)

  You’ll receive appropriate supervision and guidance, on a topic you select to study in depth from your course. You will engage in research and employ methodologies which will progress your understanding of the process of research, and you’ll also use material that is at the forefront of the topic you’ve selected.

• Campaign Planning and Management

  You will practise marketing problem-solving using marketing communications throughout this module. Also from taught input and practical exercises you’ll develop a holistic view of marketing communications campaigns, their role and how they are developed, managed and evaluated in a variety of sectors and situations. You will progress your knowledge of marketing communications tools, and your ability to conduct independent research into a variety of markets and sectors. You’ll further develop, sharpen and utilise your skills that can be used and applied to a marketing communications-focused area.

• Entrepreneurial Business Management

  This module provides you with an in-depth focus on the skills involved in evaluating business ideas, the practical steps involved in launching a business and the necessary processes of winning the finance. The module also addresses those issues that ventures must consider when planning an exit strategy and so focuses attention on the purpose of business enterprise. In Semester 1 this module explores contemporary theories of entrepreneurship and applies them to real life case studies. In Semester 2 the module focuses upon the preparation of a complete plan for a new business, capable of attracting funding.

  On successful completion of this module, you will be able to apply appropriate analytical concepts to provide support for untried venture proposals, understand the range of technical issues faced by those in start-up ventures and reflect on application of entrepreneurship theory, based on experience in a practical setting.

• Business to Business Marketing

  Business to Business (B2B) marketing is increasingly operating on digital platforms and it is predicted to further grow but also to rapidly and continuously evolve. You may go into employment in a B2B context, for example an Advertising agency is in the B2B business and therefore it is very important for you to understand and evaluate how the Marketing concepts, that normally we refer to the consumers, are applied to the Business-to-Business environment. On this module, you’ll gain analytical skills and develop a data analysis mindset to evaluate the various stages of an effective marketing process and mediate between theory and reflections on significant case studies in B2B marketing.

• PR and Crisis Management

  You will explore the main concepts and theoretical models that underpin Public Relations (PR) and crisis management. Also you’ll look at the role of PR campaigns to influence and change consumer’s behaviour and consider what goes into creating a successful PR plan. Examining how organisations manage and respond to crises. You will learn how to conduct a crisis audit, and plan a response strategy across different communication channels.

• Social and Non-profit Marketing

  An effective society is arguably one where people are civically engaged. It is one where they not only know about and are conscious of social and environmental issues and imbalances, but are also motivated to step forward: whether through managing nonprofit organisations, leading social campaigns or through consumer behaviour such as donating, volunteering or boycotting. 

  On this module, you will deepen your knowledge of the role of marketing in strengthening engagement with the nonprofit sector, and how behaviour change is achieved through social marketing campaigns.

• Leading and Managing Change

  After completing this module, you will have an understanding of the nature of change and key theories, frameworks, principles and practices relevant for the management and leadership of change. You'll be able to evaluate critically the actions taken by those leading change. You will be better prepared to lead and manage change in your own managerial careers and have an increased awareness of your own potential for ongoing personal development in leading and managing change.