Business Management BA (Hons)

 

Course Code

UCAS Code: N221
International Code: FBLU046

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

 

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

Start date

September 2022
January 2023

How to apply
Book an Open Day
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Course overview

Study level: Undergraduate

This course has been designed to give you the broad range of business skills required to run a successful organisation in the public, private or charity sector. 

The knowledge and behaviours you develop will be valuable in organisations of all sizes and sectors, from start-up social enterprises to multi-national operations working across the globe, making you attractive to a wide range of employers. In your final year you can specialise in one of 3 areas: supply chain management, leadership, and globalisation.

  • Gain an understanding of a wide range of business knowledge, tools and techniques including economics, accounting, organisational behaviour, and human resource management to become a well-rounded business graduate
  • Industry experts demonstrate how your knowledge is used in the real-world
  • The optional placement year can add an international dimension to your degree or enable you to gain graduate level work experience valued by employers2
  • Networking events and employability skills are embedded throughout the course to enhance your career prospects2
  • Social responsibility, ethical behaviour and sustainability in contemporary business activities are key components of business success and therefore this is reflected this course. 
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Global Ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities
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Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
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Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

Tailor your studies
Opportunity to select optional modules in your second and third years, designed to help tailor the course to focus on the areas of business that interest you the most.

Hands-on learning
You will also use our Business Simulation Suite4, where you have the chance to develop business skills through dynamic simulation games, role-play activities, and scenario-based learning by putting theory into practice. The simulation suite is equipped with modern technology, including VR headsets.

Expert staff and industry insight
Current staff have experience of senior management and consultancy, working for the likes of PwC, Barclays and the NHS. Networking opportunities and insight from regular guest lectures from professionals and industry experts. In the past, these have included representatives from IBM, Nissan, Mastercard and Bentley. (Staff may be subject to change)

Career ready
After successfully completing your degree, you will be well-prepared to start your career in a range of business disciplines and be able to demonstrate your work-ready commercial skills and experience. Throughout your studies, we support planning for your potential career options and help you with the opportunity to develop your communication, presentation, and interview skills through our internal Continuing Professional Development (CPD) modules, which include workshops on personal branding and networking skills

A global perspective
International field trips to many different countries, to allow you the chance to explore different cultures and examine different business practices found across the globe2 

Memberships

Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS)

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools., which has a membership of over 120 business schools and higher education providers and supports its members in maintaining world-class standards of teaching and research.  

European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD)

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the European Foundation for Management Development, a global membership organisation dedicated to management development, covering over 900 members across 91 countries.

Coventry Business School is recognised by the above memberships for the 2022/23 intake.  

The support I receive from my staff is astounding, everyone goes the extra mile to help out. All the lecturers are approachable and help you to achieve the best work possible.

Sunny Kumar Sharma Business Management Student 2021 
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What you'll study

During the first year of the Business Management course, you will explore a wide range of business subjects that provide the foundation of your business knowledge, including organisational behaviour, marketing and business economics. You will also start to explore the professional and academic skills necessary for a successful career in business, such as professional etiquette and managing your professional online presence. 

Modules

  • The aim of this module is to give you the underpinning knowledge of contemporary business management.  You will develop your understanding of traditional business functions such as Marketing, Finance, Operations and Human Resource Management. You will gain insights into how these functions work together for the success of an organisation but also how there can be conflicting agendas which can cause friction between departments. You will also explore the   ever-changing competitive business landscape and its effects on internal business functions with an appreciation of the legal and political influences on business. 

    Compulsory

  • The overall aim of the module is to introduce you to concepts of management in a global business context. You will explore the basic theories related to contemporary management, roles, settings, structures and interactions. You will also examine organisational behaviour, including motivation, human resource management, organisational culture, leaders, teams and communities.  You will gain knowledge and understanding of why individuals within a global business context interact or react as they do in given scenarios or situations. This should help to develop your analytical skills and critical thinking in order to understand the dynamics and complexities of relationships in organisations.  

    Compulsory

  • Focusing on both the microeconomic and macroeconomic environment, you will study the external environment in which a business organisation operates. The module helps you to view economics as an integral part of business by starting with the problems that international businesses face every day and using economics to help understand and solve these problems. There is an emphasis on real world applications of economics to business, such as the cause and impact of the credit crunch on firms and you will also use interactive business simulation software.  

    Compulsory

  • Business analytics refers to the way in which enterprises such as global business, non-profit organisations, and governments utilise data to obtain insights for their decision-making. This module introduces you to the fundamental concepts of business analytics, and teaches business analysis techniques such as data mining, modelling, forecasting, and data visualisation. Business cases will also be discussed to help contextualise the application of theoretical business analytics models.  

    Compulsory

  • In this module you will take an integrated approach to the understanding of the key operational aspects of marketing. You will be introduced to the theoretical issues that underpin the marking concept and discuss the fundamental issue of analysing the environment in order to understand customers and their needs. You will also explore the marketing mix and the key issues of corporate social responsibility (CSR), consumerism and marketing ethics.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to equip you with the professional skills required to gain access to your chosen graduate employment or other positive career destination. In this innovative module you can choose from a range of professional development activities, including C.V building, preparation for assessment centres, networking and development of soft skills, which will best prepare you for your chosen career. Staff will be available to provide advice on the types of activities which would be most beneficial to each student.   

    Compulsory

  • The Add+vantage2 module allows you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that may not be directly related to your degree, enabling you to demonstrate to prospective employers that you are a well-rounded graduate with a wider knowledge base than just your degree subject.

    Add+Vantage modules are arranged around themes including: Global Perspectives; Professional Development; Creativity and Enterprise and Entrepreneurship; Work Experience, Global Experience Field Trips, Project and Skills; Professional Accreditation and Research Skills. These additional skills and experiences give you a wider perspective, develop independence, problem solving and can set you apart from other graduates. (Add+vantage module is subject to availability and change). 

    Compulsory

In your second year, you will gain a deeper understanding of responsible management, as well as accounting and finance skills, project management and a focus on international business. 

You will also develop the interpersonal skills needed to be a successful business leader.  

Modules

  • You will be introduced to the main financial statements produced by businesses worldwide, and develop the knowledge and skills required to draw up a basic set of financial accounts including Income Statement and Statement of Financial position. Using these statements and more, you will be able to make an evaluation of the performance of the firm, with the use of management accounting tools and systems. To aid your understanding you will use annual reports of real-world global public companies.  

    Compulsory

  • Project management is a competency which is now used to help organisations manage change, deliver against strategic objectives and achieve competitive advantage. In this module you will examine the theory and practice of project management in a global business environment. You will develop your understanding and skills in the use of project management tools and techniques, using a variety of real projects as case studies to investigate the opportunities and challenges of managing global projects.   

    Compulsory

  • This module will provide you with a strong foundation in global supply chains and operations management and prepare you for future studies or careers in this area. You will examine the management principles, processes and wider global environment in which contemporary supply chains operate. Core to the module will be an exploration of strategic management decision making, and the range of tools and techniques you can use to support global supply chains.  

    Compulsory

  • The objective of this module is to develop your skills at undertaking a work-based project for a real organisation. Working as a team, you will prepare and agree a project brief with the client and develop a project plan to successfully plan and deliver a project. 

    Compulsory

  • Building on the skills gained in Continuous Professional Development 1, you will enhance your employability skills further. There will be a particular focus on the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME): sustainability, social responsibility, responsible leadership and ethics.   

    Compulsory

  • The Add+vantage2 module allows you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that may not be directly related to your degree, enabling you to demonstrate to prospective employers that you are a well-rounded graduate with a wider knowledge base than just your degree subject. Add+Vantage modules are arranged around themes including: Global Perspectives; Professional Development; Creativity and Enterprise and Entrepreneurship; Work Experience, Global Experience Field Trips, Projects and Skills; Professional Accreditation and Research Skills.These additional skills and experiences give you a wider perspective, develop independence, problem solving and can set you apart from other graduates. 

    Compulsory

  • Choose from one of the following:

    Innovation, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship - 20 credits 
    In this module you will develop your entrepreneurial and innovation skills by blending theory and practice to enhance your understanding of the processes of innovation and entrepreneurship practice within an organisation. You will be encouraged to adopt an entrepreneurial mind-set to utilise in setting up your own business ventures or equally, in creating value through entrepreneurial action within an established organisation.    

    Global Trade and Emerging Markets - 20 credits 
    In this module you will gain the knowledge and skills required to identify and evaluate the key issues affecting world trade and its impact on the exporting firm.  You will develop an enhanced understanding of the principles and legal tools of the regulation of international trade, towards creating an export plan for a business. 

    Optional

You have the option to apply for a placement, or study abroad year, which can be spent overseas (studying with one of our participating universities or working) or on a placement in the UK2. 

If you wish to undertake the optional study abroad/placement year2, you will take either the Placement Year module or the Study Abroad Year module which both typically run for a full academic year between years 2 and 3 of your course.  Following successful completion of this assessment, the module selected will appear on your final academic transcript

Coventry Business School’s employability team can provide you with a wide range of support services to help you identify and apply for placement opportunities, and use the university’s contacts to arrange study abroad opportunities in Europe, North America, Asia and Africa  Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our placement/study abroad offering here, it is often tailored for each course every year and depending on the length of placement or study abroad opportunities that are secured2. Therefore, the placement and study abroad arrangements vary per course and per student. 

Request further information about going on a placement or study abroad year. 

In the final year, you can choose modules from our three specialist focus areas - supply chain management focus, leadership focus or global focus. This can tie in directly to the area of business you want to work in after graduation.  You will also have the opportunity to gain essential skills for modern business such as ethical leadership, globalisation, and strategic thinking.  

Modules

  • During this module you will examine the theoretical and practical aspects of strategic management, particularly focusing on the process, content and context of strategy and the problems associated with implementing strategic decisions. The wide-ranging debate on the variety of approaches to strategic management is investigated and you are encouraged to tackle complex issues, understand the inter-related aspects of organisational change, and develop solutions to multi-faceted problems.   

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to prepare you for an ever-changing digital world through a variety of operational and functional management concepts and practices. You will explore Industry 4.0 and explore new technologies used to support industry to increase productivity. This emerging relationship has created interconnected manufacturing systems that can communicate, analyse data and make decisions without the need for human involvement, a cyber-physical age. Through this module you will have the opportunity to explore the latest technological advancements and learn the strategic skills to lead in a changing environment.  

    Compulsory

  • Building on the skills gained in Continuous Professional Development 1, you will enhance your employability skills further throughout this module. There will be a particular focus on the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME): sustainability, social responsibility, responsible leadership and ethics. 

    Compulsory

  • The Add+vantage2 module allows you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that may not be directly related to your degree, enabling you to demonstrate to prospective employers that you are a well-rounded graduate with a wider knowledge base than just your degree subject. Add+Vantage modules are arranged around themes including: Global Perspectives; Professional Development; Creativity and Enterprise and Entrepreneurship; Work Experience, Global Experience Field Trips, Projects and Skills; Professional Accreditation and Research Skills. These additional skills and experiences give you a wider perspective, develop independence, problem solving and can set you apart from other graduates. (Add+vantage module is subject to availability and change)

    Compulsory

  • You will identify and use a specific need, problem or issue within a real organisation as the basis of your project. You will examine the issue, search for and analyse potential solutions and then communicate your proposed solution. This develops the skills you will be required to demonstrate in business and the problem solving analytical, reasoning and creative attributes valued by graduate employers.    

    Compulsory

  • Choose 2 modules from across the following three focus areas:

    Global Focus:

    • Critical Issues in Globalisation - 20 credits
      International business now touches the lives of everyone across the globe; therefore it is important to understand the events, trends and forces that play a vital role in International Business. The module is designed to help you to understand the dynamics of international business, world trade patterns and the functions of international institutions relating to international trade. The business strategies used by organisations to achieve their international objectives will be brought into the context of the global economic and political environment. Influences in the international business environment will also be assessed in relation to the formulation of global business strategies.  
    • Europe Through a Global Lens - 20 credits
      This module is designed to give you a better understanding of the business environment within Europe. You will study the development of the EU, the impact of enlargement and the Euro, and the functioning of the common market. In addition, you will explore the main variations between and within European countries in relation to aspects such as communication and culture, marketing, the role of governments, approaches to innovation and product development, and the effects of regionalisation and globalisation.  

    Leadership Focus:

    • Cross Cultural and Ethical Leadership - 20 credits
      You will draw on the experience you have gained in prior modules and use the underpinning principles of behaviour in organisations and how people are managed to consider organisational leadership. You will be given the opportunity to study leadership theory, particularly authentic and ethical leadership, and to apply the theory to high profile cases. You will be encouraged to be reflective and to consider your own skills development in relation to ethical leadership and also to explore the concept that everyone sees the world through a different lens.  
    • Managing Change and Corporate Governance - 20 credits
      In this module you will explore the implications of change for organisations.  You will examine current approaches to managing change and develop an understanding of how change may affect corporate governance. It will be studied from the perspective of change as an ongoing social process, rather than an event. As a consequence, you will focus on social processes and your ability to take responsibility for promoting or denigrating certain types of organisational action/change.
      The module will lead to the development of participative styles of organising and management in ongoing change. The social skills of negotiation, co-ordination and collaboration in teams will be practiced in seminars. Throughout the module you should develop a number of employability skills, in particular critical thinking and analysis, writing texts from more than one perspective and developing and using an argument to convince others.  

    Supply Chain Management Focus

    • Purchasing, Procurement and Sustainability - 20 credits
      Purchasing and procurement management makes a strategic contribution to the organisation by enabling it to operate successfully in a dynamic, complex environment. In this module you will be introduced to a range of concepts and techniques that are employed within the purchasing and procurement departments of both public and private sector organisations. On successful completion of the module you will understand the concepts, frameworks and techniques of purchasing and procurement decision making to enable you to assess and evaluate competitive conditions, identify the appropriate processes for international organisations to establish sustainable competitive advantage in its industry sector.  
    • Global Logistics Management - 20 credits
      This module aims to enhance your understanding of the physical distribution channels used to deliver goods in both industrial and retail contexts. You will examine planning at the strategic level and analysis of the operational techniques available to logistics professionals.  By exploring contemporary practices in the logistics field, you will develop real-world problem-solving capabilities and competences in such fundamental areas of logistics management as unimodal and multimodal freight transportation, warehousing, materials handling and packaging.
      You will also examine strategically important aspects including integrated logistics, logistics service providers and logistics outsourcing, inventory management, information systems and sustainable logistics. You will study total logistics and supply chain management perspectives, enabling you to expand your understanding from solely functional and organisational to cross-functional and inter-organisational levels of global logistics management.  

    Optional

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

This course uses a variety of teaching and learning methods to keep your experience dynamic, engaging and relevant to developing the skills you will need for a career in business. Teaching methods include:

  • Real-life case studies,  
  • Interactive, problem-centred learning, 
  • Business simulation exercises  
  • Lectures with associated seminars  
  • Tutorials 
  • Workshops  

Teaching contact hours

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 12 contact hours per week in the first and second year dropping in the third and final year as you become a more independent learner.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study which will vary, depending on the demands of individual modules.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials. 

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

The assessments are often designed to replicate real-world business situations, such as reports and presentations. You may also have formal examinations, coursework, essays, practical or project work, and group work

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor your progress towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes. 

International experience opportunities

Once you have completed your second year, you have the option to apply for a work placement year or to spend 12 months studying abroad2 to broaden your international experience. This course also offers a wide variety of field trip opportunities, both UK and abroad. These trips are designed to enable you to understand business within different cultural environments and the chance to develop networks with a wider range of students and organisations. Past trips have been to destinations such as New York, Peru, China and Belgium.  

Coventry University aims to give you the global opportunities needed to become a truly global graduate, enhancing your employability on a global scale. Choose from language classes, studying or working abroad, international field trips, summer schools, leadership development or work experience. Opportunities such as these have enabled previous students to obtain higher starting salaries and develop the global skills employers require and achieve better career progression.  

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2022 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
A level BBB
GCSE Minimum 5 GCSE's graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English
BTEC DDM
IB Diploma 30 points

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Are you eligible for the Fair Access Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background.

Fair Access Scheme

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Europe

Americas

Middle East

South Asia

South East Asia

East Asia

Africa

Russia and Central Asia


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation year. Upon successful completion our International Foundation Year - Business will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall (with at least 5.5 in each component area)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

2022/23 Tuition fees

Student Full time Part time
UK £9,250 per year Not available
International £15,300 per year Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

Facilities

At Coventry Business School, our facilities and technology are close to what you would expect in real-world business environments.

When studying the Business Management course, you will have some teaching in our Business Simulation Suite that facilitates strategic problem solving in life-like simulated business environments. 

You could also have access to our Trading Floor, one of the largest of its kind in Europe and our DigiComm Lab, which recreates the atmosphere of working for a contemporary marketing agency.  

Hear from student Mateusz 

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Careers and opportunities

The structure of the course, the experiences and support made available to you are all designed to develop the skills, competencies and understanding you will need to contribute in the rapidly changing work environment. 

The optional modules available give you flexibility to shape your degree as your potential future career options become clearer.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your potential future career options and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. You will have the support of the faculty’s dedicated Talent Team which has an extensive network of employers with a wide range of internship possibilities2. The Talent Team will also support you (subject to availability) with workshops and guidance on the various aspects of the employment process such as preparing your CV, interview practice and mock assessment centres, as well as putting on frequent employer events, which should allow you to network with potential future employers offering graduate roles, internships and placements.

Our graduates have progressed to a wide range of exciting roles in management, HR, and marketing, often working with well known brands such as JCB, Siemens and EON Energy Solutions.

Where our graduates work

Recent graduates have gone on to join graduate schemes at National Grid, Ford, Opel and Royal Mail, while others have secured graduate positions as a commercial analyst for TNT, a commercial manager at Marks & Spencer, an assistant manager at Mitchells and Butler and a programme analyst at Jaguar Land Rover.  

Further study

How to apply

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Your next steps

Student life
Accommodation
Fees and funding

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  • Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2021/22 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

    Tuition fees

    The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.

    For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.

    Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. 

    Facilities

    Facilities mentioned on this page may not be relevant for every course. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    Placements and study abroad opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.

    Additional costs

    This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas).