Stage 1: University Foundation

Modules

Click below for more information on each module

• Interactive Learning Skills and Communication*

  Throughout this module you will learn about:

  • Time management
  • Public speaking techniques
  • Listening skills
  • Appropriate language styles
  • Clear writing techniques (plain English, factual and persuasive writing)
  • The importance of writing style
  • How to create appropriate and effective document layouts
  • Professional communication and presentation
  • Examination techniques and skills
  • How to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences
  • How to work effectively as a team member and as an individual
  • How to apply basic research and referencing techniques to formulate reasoned academic opinion so as to avoid plagiarism

  You will be assessed via a variety of methods, including:

  • A research project – referencing a topic and using a variety of techniques and resources
  • An individual presentation
  • Two group presentations
  • A listening assessment
  • A 2-hour closed book exam

• Business Studies*

  You will learn to define what a business is and its functions in relation to the different types of business costs. You will also be introduced to marketing, the marketing mix and product life cycle.

  You will be assessed via a variety of methods, including:

  • A written business plan, and group presentation of the business plan
  • A 1-hour test in class
  • A written marketing research report, and group presentation of the report
  • A 2-hour closed book exam

• Critical Thinking

  You will be introduced to the basic fundamentals of critical thinking. You will learn how to examine and comment on components of an argument, so that you can develop a structured and analytical response.

  You will be assessed via a variety of methods: three 1-hour tests in class, and one 2-hour closed book exam.

• Composition and Style*

  This module will define the core concepts and principles of effective academic writing – including how to argue a position coherently and appropriately, distinguishing between descriptive and analytic writing, and identifying academic systems of researching and referencing.

  You will be assessed via three methods:

  • First draft of essay (1,000 – 1,500 words)
  • Final draft of the essay
  • A 2-hour closed book exam

• Accounting*

  This module will introduce you to basic accounting and finance, as well as accounting definitions, calculations and costings.

  You will be assessed via three methods:

  • A 40-minute closed book exam in class
  • A coursework project
  • A 2-hour closed book exam

• Business Mathematics*

  You will be introduced to basic arithmetic, and the application of mathematics to real life problems in the business and everyday world.

  You will be assessed via two closed book exams: one 90-minute in class, and one 2-hour.

• ICT Skills

  This module will introduce you to the concepts of ICT skills – including applications and reporting mechanisms.

  You will be assessed via a variety of methods, including:

  • Four 20-minute multiple choice tests in class
  • An assignment on key Microsoft Word and Excel skills
  • A 2-hour closed book exam

• Globalisation

  You will explore how the concept of Globalisation has evolved, looking at the economic, political, technological and social forces involved – as well as local/regional beliefs that become global.

  The module also covers economic globalisation, such as the integration of national economies into the international economy via the mechanisms of trade, investment, capital flow, immigration and migration.

  You will be assessed via a variety of methods, including:

  • Two 15-minute oral presentations
  • A 15-minute test in class
  • A 2-hour closed book exam

^*Modules covered in the one-semester variant

Stage 2: First Year Degree

Modules for Business

• Business Foundations

  The aim of this module is to enable students to explore the operational activities of a business through its value chain from its suppliers to its customers by utilising activities that draw on the themes of problem-based learning, employability, reflection and professional development.

• Business Environment

  This module seeks to give you a firm grounding in the philosophies underpinning basic economic/market approaches, why organisations exist, and how and why industries take particular forms at any given time.

• Principles of Marketing

  As part of this module, you will explore: the marketing concept, the customer, the marketing environment, the marketing toolbox, and social impacts of marketing. Whether or not you plan to specialise in marketing, the topics covered here will prove valuable in all aspects of business.

• Developing Your Personal Brand

  This module aims to kick-start your personal journey of continuous professional development, helping you to develop the types of competencies that organisations are looking for in their employees. It also provides opportunities for you to gain experience of the job application and recruitment process in order to optimise your chance of success when applying for graduate roles.

• Essential Analysis for Business

  This module introduces you to a range of methods and techniques for calculating and analysing data applicable to business. Where possible, the calculations are based on real-world data and will include some large and complex data sets. You will learn various statistical techniques such as correlation, regression and hypothesis testing to forecast and solve business problems.

• Interactive Learning Skills and Communication

  Throughout this module you will learn about:

  • Time management
  • Public speaking techniques
  • Listening skills
  • Appropriate language styles
  • Clear writing techniques (plain English, factual and persuasive writing)
  • The importance of writing style
  • How to create appropriate and effective document layouts
  • Professional communication and presentation
  • Examination techniques and skills
  • How to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences
  • How to work effectively as a team member and as an individual
  • How to apply basic research and referencing techniques to formulate reasoned academic opinion so as to avoid plagiarism

  You will be assessed via a variety of methods, including:

  • A research project – referencing a topic and using a variety of techniques and resources
  • An individual presentation
  • Two group presentations
  • A listening assessment
  • A 2-hour closed book exam

• Consumer Behaviour

  This module delivers the theoretical underpinning necessary for successful marketing, focusing on the centre of a business – the consumer. Consumer behaviour is moulded by a multitude of individual and group influences, and is linked to a variety of disciplines including sociology and psychology, all of which you will explore.

Modules for Business Management

• Finance for Managers

  You will gain an appreciation for how basic financial statements are prepared and how you can assess both the performance and position of a business; this will help you understand financial information presented to you in business management roles. You will also gain an insight into the preparation of budgets and how profit is affected by changes in selling prices, costs or the volumes of products or services sold.

• Principles of Marketing

  As part of this module, you will explore: the marketing concept, the customer, the marketing environment, the marketing toolbox, and social impacts of marketing. Whether or not you plan to specialise in marketing, the topics covered here will prove valuable in all aspects of business.

• Developing Your Personal Brand

  This module aims to kick-start your personal journey of continuous professional development, helping you to develop the types of competencies that organisations are looking for in their employees. It also provides opportunities for you to gain experience of the job application and recruitment process in order to optimise your chance of success when applying for graduate roles.

• Insights into Management

  This module will introduce you to the field of business management with the focus on the processes and actions within an organisational context. Concepts like management theory, organisational behaviour and the HR role of a manager will be explored. You will learn to challenge the traditional models of management and explore them in today’s business environment.

• Introduction to Entrepreneurship

  You will study the basic concepts and theories in entrepreneurship, considering how entrepreneurs develop and grow individually. There will be a range of case studies of successful/unsuccessful entrepreneurs, and you will explore the extent to which success of entrepreneurs is based on traits, styles and behaviours.

• Operations Management

  During this module you will develop an understanding of supply chain, logistics, operations management, and their implementation in real businesses. You will gain an understanding of each operational function including procurement, manufacturing, inventory, distribution and delivery, and customer service following the supply chain, learning how each works together to run the business as a whole.

• Interactive Learning Skills and Communication

  Throughout this module you will learn about:

  • Time management
  • Public speaking techniques
  • Listening skills
  • Appropriate language styles
  • Clear writing techniques (plain English, factual and persuasive writing)
  • The importance of writing style
  • How to create appropriate and effective document layouts
  • Professional communication and presentation
  • Examination techniques and skills
  • How to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences
  • How to work effectively as a team member and as an individual
  • How to apply basic research and referencing techniques to formulate reasoned academic opinion so as to avoid plagiarism

  You will be assessed via a variety of methods, including:

  • A research project – referencing a topic and using a variety of techniques and resources
  • An individual presentation
  • Two group presentations
  • A listening assessment
  • A 2-hour closed book exam

Stage 3: Second Year Degree

Stage 4: Final Year Degree

Birmingham City University Degree Pathways

Click below for more information on each pathway

• BA (Hons) Business with Marketing

  • The course is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).
  • You will be studying in the Curzon Building – part of the University’s £260 million city centre campus redevelopment.
  • Previous graduates have gone on to work in rewarding roles such as Account Manager and Managing Director.
    Find out more

• BA (Hons) Business Management

  • The course is aligned to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
  • This course offers a professional placement year, allowing you to spend a whole year gaining valuable industry experience. Some students even return to the same employer after graduating!
  • The course is delivered in the £63 million Curzon Building – which features a library of over 135 million print and online resources.
    Find out more

• BA (Hons) Human Resource Management

  • The course has been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
  • You will be taught by lecturers boasting experience of working with industry names including Marks & Spencer, Selfridges, Nestle and Jaguar Land Rover.
  • Previous graduates have gained employment with companies such as Superdry and National Express.
    Find out more

Special entry requirements

• For First Year, students must have a Mathematics qualification equal to GCSE Grade C/4 (or equivalent in a different qualification).