Business Management and Human Resources BA (Hons)

First half of Year Two – Core modules

Exploring Human Resource Management

This module will develop your knowledge of the key issues relating to the processes and practices of human resource management (HRM). You will study the role of HRM and the HR function in organisations, and also have the opportunity to critically understand research in the field of HRM.

The module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the key issues of relations between an employer and its workforce. You will also have the opportunity to understand critically the reasons and explanations behind trends such as employee voice and employee engagement and what the role of HRM is in shaping those trends. You will evaluate current and developing practice in selected areas of managing the employment relationship, with a particular emphasis on the role of employee voice.

Researching People and Organisations

This module aims to develop your critical understanding and challenge accepted views of organisational issues affecting people in their everyday work. You will develop core research skills, learn to evaluate and present research evidence and arguments, and also develop a greater awareness of the limitations of theory.

Examples of the topics that are covered include power, surveillance and technology at work, service and leisure work, organisational misbehaviour, gender and sexuality in the workplace, and changing time and place of work.

Human Resource Development

This module will increase your understanding of the key underpinning theories, principles, and practical implications relevant to Human Resource Development through the use of data analytic techniques. You will consider key ideas informing an HRD strategy, and to outline the meaning and importance of Strategic HRD in contemporary organisations. You will be asked to assess organisational data in creating learning and training activities for organisations, groups and individuals.

Throughout the module you will be encouraged to consider a range of theoretical and practical applications of HRD, and its implications for the effective management and development of individuals and the organisation. There will also be the expectation to demonstrate team-working skills and ability to structure and communicate ideas effectively both verbally and in writing.

Second half of Year Two

You can either select one of our unique opportunities initiatives below or continue with your taught modules.

Option 1 – Study Abroad

Experience life in another country by studying at one of our partner universities. Choose from a host of countries in Europe or go further afield and study in the USA, South America, Australasia and South East Asia. This is a great opportunity to develop your independence and explore another culture.

Option 2 – Enterprise Project

Explore your entrepreneurial side and start to develop the meaningful and practical skills needed to run your own business. Supported by NTU Enterprise, NTU's centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, during this opportunity you'll work alongside other young entrepreneurs and a dynamic network of mentors and advisors, to develop your own ideas into a live enterprise project.

Option 3 – Internship

Get a taste of the working world and gain some essential industry insight with a 16-18 week work placement. The experience will allow you to put your learning in to practice, with the experience gained improving your future career prospects, and sharpening your interpersonal and professional skills.

Option 4 – Continue with taught modules

If you didn't fancy doing any of the above options then you can continue your studies at university. With a mixture of both compulsory and optional modules, the first will enhance your knowledge and skills set in your area of study, with the latter allowing you to tailor your learning experience.

Students on Sandwich courses are eligible to choose the Enterprise project or continue with taught modules in the second half of their second year. They are not eligible for options 1 and 3. However, they are able to use their sandwich year to study or work abroad.

Core modules

Marketing Management

This module explores the role of marketing management and its interaction with other business functions. You will study marketing management concepts that are used during the development of sound marketing strategies, and will develop effective group and personal skills that are valued highly by organisational employers. You will learn about the application of marketing tools to different contexts, as well as segmentation, targeting and positioning. Other subjects covered include integrated marketing communications, social and ethical implications of marketing, and marketing in context (including services, business, and international).

Applied Professional Development

Following on from the Personal Development module in Year One, this module supports you to build upon and reflect on your personal and professional skills, attributes and behaviours. You will attend a conference with a varied programme of events focused on the future of work, and later in the module you will immerse yourself in a period work or work-like experience to develop a range of skills designed to enhance your employability.

Plus one optional module from:

Digital Entrepreneurship

The aim of this module is to develop your critical awareness of digital entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship within a global marketplace. Using both a critical and practical perspective, you will examine the process of developing a digital business that is enabled and / or enhanced by Internet technologies, smart and mobile phones and their applications, and other emerging technologies.

Using theory, analytical frameworks and practical examples, the module will provide you with practical skills and capabilities to explore a market opportunity, develop a digitally enhanced business idea and the requisite considerations of implementing such an idea in either a start-up, or a new market for an existing firm.

You will study E-concepts, exploring the opportunities and threats of digital commerce and doing business in a networked economy. You will also examine business models and the use of frameworks in identifying new business opportunities and challenges. In addition to this you will learn about the internet and associated technologies, understanding the widespread changes enabled by the internet and the international opportunities for new forms of competition it affords willing entrepreneurs.

Management Accounting for Decision Making

The manager and entrepreneur of the future must have sound financial skills to enable them to take advantage of their environment. Critical to this process is understanding the environment in which you operate and the financial structure of your organisation. You need to understand the information that is required to successfully manage your organisation and how to interpret it.

During this module you will examine a range of management accounting techniques that are used in business decision making, and explore how accounting and finance information could evolve to meet the needs of organisations operating in competitive markets.

You will study the value and limitations of accounting information for managerial decision making, planning and control purposes within organisations, and develop your understanding of problem solving techniques that are frequently used by teams operating in an organisational context, and how these techniques could be used within the accounting and finance framework.

International Business and Communication

This module gives an overview of how international business is conducted, focusing on what makes international business different from domestic business. You will study the major theories explaining international business transactions, the financial exchange systems and institutions that measure and facilitate international transactions, and the dynamic interface between countries and companies attempting to conduct foreign business activities. You will explore strategy, behaviour and the management of multinational corporations and the actions and policies of international regulatory bodies and agencies.

Placement year

In year three, you have the option to take a placement year. This time spent working in business provides our students with crucial work experience, which is highly prized and much sought after by employers upon graduation. We have links with a wide range of sectors, firms and organisations that offer student placements. If you have decided to undertake a placement year then this will last for a minimum of 48 weeks during your third year.

Our Employability Team is here to inspire and enhance every stage of your career planning and as a graduate of NTU, you will be able to access their services for three years after your course has finished.

Services they provide include:

• finding placements, internships and part-time work
• pursuing self-employment
• taking gap years and time out
• getting into volunteering
• providing advice on further study.

Or

Taught modules

If you have decided to continue with your studies please view the 'final year' tab for your list of modules.

Developing Professional Impact

This module is designed to expand your horizons and challenge your attitudes and behaviours both in relation to subject specific issues and wider business concerns such as global citizenship and sustainable business practices. It will encourage you to build on your strengths and explore a range of possibilities as you embark on your next steps.

Contemporary Issues in Human Resources

This module will introduce you to leading edge academic perspectives on management and human resources. It will build on your knowledge of management and human resources, introducing a more critical and creative approach to the subject. You will be exposed to a range of contemporary issues within Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour.

You will examine contemporary management theory and practice, focusing on the social, cultural and historical roots of management practice. In addition to this, you will study the emergence of modern human resource management within its historical context by examining how well established concepts have developed over time.

Comparative International Management

Influences of culture on management, and managing within and across diverse cultures, have become increasingly relevant in today’s business world. The module aims to address the issues of cultural differences and their influences on international management, largely from a human resource management perspective. During this module you will examine and explore the problems that arise from these matters and the solutions that are needed, all of which are at the heart of business and organisational life in the 21st Century.

Strategic Human Resource Management

The overall aim of the module is to help you improve your critical appreciation of the theories, principles, historical trends and practical issues relevant to human resource (HR) strategy and function. You will be able to consider and evaluate the key activities, practices and functions in managing human resources in a different organisational setting and context. You will develop an understanding of the role of HR function on improving employment relationships and achieving organisational goals.

There is also the expectation to develop critical knowledge of the skills required by HR managers for successfully managing human and knowledge capital as well as the importance of linking business strategy with strategic human resource. The module is designed to research an enhanced range of relevant information, data, and analytical materials through practical and written work demonstrate a critical awareness around strategic human resource management.

Plus one optional module from:

Research Project

For this module you will undertake a purposeful, individual, in depth study of a relevant topic, developing your independent learning, critical thinking and knowledge of research techniques relevant to your subject area. The project will develop your ability to manage a major piece of work, for which you will be completely responsible, and will be completed over a period of several months. You will learn to utilise and improve your time management and communication skills, as well as test your initiative and resourcefulness. To support your development during this module you will study essential skills such as critical thinking, conducting a literature review, understanding the appropriate research framework, practical research methods and skills, report and academic writing skills.

Sustainability in Enterprise Project

This module is designed to give you a deeper understanding of sustainability issues affecting firms. It incorporates a live consultancy experience, where you are required to apply your knowledge to critically review aspects of enterprise practice and infrastructure and recommend ways to reduce carbon emissions. You will learn how to critically review sustainability issues presented by an enterprise and analyse evidence, arguments, concepts and data to formulate sustainability and carbon management recommendations for an enterprise.

Plus one optional module from:

Managing Information and Knowledge Strategically

This module will help prepare you for future employment, by further developing your career-related and transferable skills. During the module you will critically reflect on your time at University, and develop your knowledge and understanding of leadership, as well as your consultancy and project management skills. You will also develop an understanding of how effective strategic leadership can influence organisational behaviour, strategic management and financial decision-making.

Your lectures and seminars will be delivered by specialist tutors and guests, focusing on themes such as international accounting and finance, professional practice, public service finance, strategic leadership, entrepreneurship, sustainability and ethical issues, and career management skills, including effective job search strategies, realising your full potential via ‘personal branding’ and management of your online presence, and requirements and qualifications for the various accounting and finance professional bodies.

In addition to attending traditional lectures and seminars, you will also select career related and transferable skills workshops and events that match your needs, and guest lectures from business and industry.

Corporate Governance and Risk Management

During this module you will study current recommendations and developments in the field of corporate governance both in the UK and in a selection of overseas countries. The module aims to highlight the importance of control and risk management when implementing strong governance measures, and will evaluate the ethical and moral dilemmas faced by those entrusted with these responsibilities.

International Development Economics

The principal theoretical and empirical models of trade are used to explain why countries engage in the international exchange of goods and services. The macroeconomic context of trade is also examined as the conduct of trade can be affected by exchange rates, macroeconomic policy and other policy factors.

You will be able to:

• develop a detailed knowledge and critical understanding of the microeconomic principles underpinning trade theory and trade policy
• identify and analyse the potential determining factors of trade, distinguishing between the trade patterns of the advanced countries and the developing countries
• develop a critical understanding of the macroeconomic context of international trade.