International Year One in Business and Management

Academic English Skills

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at university. Our Academic English programme is validated by UK ENIC, the UK government agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on qualifications and skills worldwide.

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related academic skills, including the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context.

Alongside your classes, your studies will be supported by an online learning platform, providing you with a range of tasks and activities specifically designed to develop and extend your language and academic skills outside the classroom and to give you more control over your own learning.

Fundamentals of Digital Enterprise

This module will provide extensive knowledge about the importance and application of IT, digital technologies, and information systems in organisations in addition to its impact on organisational performance and competitive advantage. Furthermore, this module will explain the importance of digital technologies in the creation of new products, services, and business models and how organisations can effectively manage and maximise digital technologies.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: recognise the dynamic nature of the online environment and its impact on organisational performance; identify and recall digital technologies and communication strategies used by organisations; apply knowledge on digital technologies, IT, and information systems to real-world contexts; describe the role of social media and the impact of emerging technologies on decision making in business and evaluate the ethical and privacy concerns associated with the operations of digital enterprises.

Fundamentals of Accounting 

This module aims to equip you with the skills to understand the fundamental basics and concepts of accounting. It will enable you to understand the nature and purpose of basic financial statements, create Income Statements, Balance Sheets and Cash Flow Statements, and analyse financial accounting information. The course will introduce the key concepts and importance of accounting to business and society and also outline how to apply these concepts in the recording of financial information. You will develop an understanding of the use of financial information in the preparation of financial statements, and how to interpret and analyse financial statements.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: outline the basic principles of financial decision-making; explain the importance of accounting information to business and society; prepare basic financial statements – Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statements; analyse financial reports and interpret results to aid management decision-making in management and discuss the nature and purpose of Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement.

Fundamentals of International Business

This module will provide in-depth knowledge about the nature of international business, the influence of national culture on managerial decision making, the impact of the international business environment on multinational operations, and the various modes of entry into international markets. The course will introduce you to international business operations and the nature of multinational organisations; provide you with knowledge on the historical dynamics of operating in different countries including globalisation, trade, and foreign direct investment and enable you to understand the components of the international business environment including political, legal, and cultural dimensions, among others.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: explain the theories of internationalisation and its impact on international business organisations; summarise the components of the international business environment especially economic, sustainable, political, legal, linguistic, and cultural elements and recognise the nature of international business environment and the difference between international and domestic business.

Fundamentals of Sustainable Business 

This module will help you to develop in-depth, robust, and well-grounded knowledge on management theories and practice which will complement the learning outcomes on co-requisite modules. It will also help to develop your awareness and ability to comprehend contemporary business and management practices on one hand and develop your critical reasoning and analytical skills needed to enhance your preparation for employability on the other hand. Additionally, this module will enable you to have detailed information on management theories with a focus on their application to current management practices.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: identify internal managerial processes within organisations and external influences on managerial decision-making; list the advantages and disadvantages of various management practices in the 21st century; compare and contrast key management theories and apply these to contemporary management practices; outline and provide examples of management styles and dimensions of understanding managerial behaviour; evaluate the nature of business organisations and key management problems using appropriate academic and corporate frameworks and assess the effectiveness of real-life managerial practices within various organizations.

Professional Skills

This module will introduce you to important professional and employability skills valued by employers. It will also explore existing trends in business and management with an emphasis on personal learning and development. It will enable you to evaluate your personal skills, identify skills needed for internships, placements, and graduate jobs and develop skills to fill any skill-gaps. Additionally, this module will enlighten you on the use of the library, referencing styles, and accessing online resources.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: summarise current trends in business and management organisations; identify individual strengths and weaknesses and the importance of personal development plan comprising of short- and long-term career and academic goals and objectives; list different library resources, online resources, and recall referencing skills needed for successful academic essay writing; create a personal Curriculum Vitae (CV) and LinkedIn profile using professional templates; explain and discuss the importance of employability skills and how they can be developed during the undergraduate study and practise mock interviews and describe the interview process and the dos and don’ts of interviews.

Principles of Marketing 

This module will provide extensive knowledge about the role of marketing in business organisations and its contributions to economic development. Specifically, you will be exposed to basic marketing concepts that can be applied to management practice. You will explore the role of consumers, markets, and the nature of consumer consumption in various contexts.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: recognise the importance of marketing to economic development and the evolution of marketing orientation over time; identify and recall the elements of the product and service marketing mix including product, price, place, promotion, process, people, and physical evidence; list and explain the components of the STP framework: segmentation, targeting, and positioning; differentiate between qualitative and quantitative marketing research techniques and provide examples of each; describe the factors that influence a firm’s decision to go global and the ways in which a firm can enter foreign markets and discuss consumer behaviour in both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) contexts.

People and Organisations 

This module will provide in-depth knowledge about the nature of organisations, kinds of organisations, internal and external influences on organisational culture, strategy, and decision making. It will also provide information on organisational strategies and introduce you to micro- meso- and macro- levels of organisation studies with emphasis on its interdisciplinary nature. Thus, you will be exposed to current debates in organisational studies, understand organisation as both an organisation (business entity) and as a process, and gain insight into organisational theories.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: list the nature and types of organisations, organisational structure, and the societal impact of organisations; identify the elements of the organisational environment and their impact on resource allocation and decision making within organisations; distinguish between organisation as an entity and organisation as a key management task within firms; outline and explain both historical and contemporary organisational theories, distinguish between them, and apply both theories to real-life organisational practices; discuss current trends and debates in organisation studies and assess various management styles and list their advantages and disadvantages.

Quantitative Methods for Business and Management 

This module will provide extensive knowledge about various quantitative methods used in business and management studies. You will be equipped with key numerical, statistical, and financial skills. Specifically, skills will be developed in basic mathematical operations and the use of Excel. Additionally, this module will focus on basic statistical theory, data collection techniques, and sampling techniques. The course will introduce you to basic arithmetic and quantitative methods used in business and management studies; provide you with knowledge on various mathematical approaches and techniques used in solving organisational problems; and enable you to understand the importance of data presentation and analysis.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: recall the various sampling techniques used in business and management studies; name and describe basic statistical theory such as data summary, correlations, hypothesis testing, and linear regression; explain and distinguish between the different methods of data collection and sampling techniques; conduct data analysis and present findings using descriptive statistics and interpret correlation, linear regression, pie charts, and diagrams.