Management Practice Business Skills
BSc (Hons)

About this course

About

This programme of study is about learning for business. It is intended that participants will use their learning to enhance not just their own personal and professional development but to stimulate business improvement in their own organisation.

The programme begins with an induction, which acts as an excellent icebreaker and affords participants the opportunity to get to know each other quicker than a more formal workshop session would allow. The building of rapport is critical at this early stage as heavy emphasis is placed on peer group learning and practical examples drawn from participants’ experiences. Work-based assignments capture the immediate application of theory to practice. There are NO exams.

Tailored for anyone . . .

• who would like to reflect on their leadership and management effectiveness and take steps to develop further as a leader and manager, or

• wants an academic management qualification, or
• who wants to develop existing business skills

• with experience in a management or leadership role, possibly involving leading teams, managing projects, bringing about change and managing individuals, or

• where the requirement to lead and influence people is becoming increasingly significant in determining success.

Attendance

Based at the Ulster University’s Belfast campus, participants will undertake several learning modules, each will be delivered either online or face to face over two full days.

Start dates

• September 2022

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

A primary degree is comprised of modules amounting to 360 credit points. It will be made up of modules from different levels, i.e. at levels 4, 5 and 6. The BSc Hons Management Practice comprises levels 4, 5 and 6 modules. Those who have completed the AdvDiploma in Management Practice will "cash in" their qualification for the higher award. Where no level 4 modules have been studied, a portfolio of evidence may be submitted and used. Students must undertake modules amounting to 120 credit points at level 6, ie, there are no exemptions in the final year.

The course is structured into modules and typically there are 6 x 20 credit point modules at each level.

Year 1 includes topics such as managing effectively, managing resources and project management.

Year 2 includes modules relating to leadership, contemporary marketing, the future of work, business coaching and mentoring, entrepreneurial practice, and personal effectiveness and resiliency.

Year 3 focuses on strategy, change management, accounting for non-accountants, people performance, business research and digital transformation.

Accreditation of Prior Learning may be used to meet the learning outcomes of level 4 and level 5 modules.

All modules are assessed by coursework only.

Content

The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.

Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:

• the relevant generic national Qualification Descriptor
• the applicable Subject Benchmark Statement
• the requirements of any professional, regulatory, statutory and accrediting bodies.

Attendance and Independent Study

As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.

Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10- or 20-credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate course typically 15- or 30-credit modules.

The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.

Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.

Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.

Assessment

Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessment. The precise assessment will depend on the module and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification and the assessment timetable. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised.

Calculation of the Final Award

The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).

Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.

All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study. In Master’s degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.

Academic profile

The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.

Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (18%) or Lecturers (57%).

We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.

The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.

Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.

Figures correct for academic year 2019-2020.

Modules

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.

Year one

Managing Effectively

Year: 1

Status: C

This module enables students to identify, develop and apply personal, team and organisational management knowledge and skills and to present evidence of how they can apply this to their own working experience.

The module is theory based but practitioner focused and utilises a blend of participative learning strategies and methods.

Managing Resources

Year: 1

Status: C

This module enables students to understand principles for managing resources within their own sphere of influence and to make recommendations for improvement.

Introduction to Project Management

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of the core elements of Project Management. It focuses on developing the practical and evaluative skills required to undertake inquiry-based learning while utilising project management tools. Subjects covered include the stages of project management and planning, report writing and presentation skills.

Introduction to Finance

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

Business Accounting provides an introduction to financial and management accounting. The module introduces the student to the study of accounting as it impacts on business and economic activity. In particular it considers the interpretation of the key financial statements.

The module is theory based but practitioner focused and utilises a blend of participative learning strategies and methods.

Digital Business Environment

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

This module aims to provide students with an introduction to business in a digital world, and the impact and application of technologies in different organisations. On successful completion of this module students will have introductory knowledge of digital business; the digital environment and understand the concepts and models underlying digital business; analyse how organisations apply business technologies to improve their operations.

Organisations in Context

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

The module has the overall aim of introducing students to the study of organisations and their role in the work environment. It also introduces the concept of organisational behaviour and provides students with an overview of the role of management practice and the impact of individual differences and individual behaviour on organisational performance.

Entrepreneurial Practice

Status: O

Year: 1

This module is optional

This is a dynamic module which develops professional practice through examination of what it means to 'be entrepreneurial' including an examination of its application in practice to a range of contexts.

Year two

People Development

Year: 2

Status: C

Managing and developing people is an important part of all managers' jobs. Successful management and leadership can make a significant difference to the performance of teams and individuals and to the achievement of organisational objectives. This module is designed to provide students with an introduction to people management strategies which can help achieve high performance within the hotel industry.

Business Development

Year: 2

Status: C

This module presents a professional learning and development opportunity for emerging leaders in hotel/hospitality organisations to gain a greater understanding of how business development will contribute to the profitability and competitiveness of individual properties and the overall portfolio. The module introduces the key concepts, techniques, tactics and tools of business development, and examines their practical application to the business.

Finance

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

Organisations need to obtain, manage and plan for the resources required to achieve their objectives. Accounting is a system which assists them in doing this and is seen in the context of a financial representation of the organisation; an economic model. This module enables participants to critically evaluate and appraise the performance of the organisation as it attempts to achieve its objectives. It also considers and reviews the accounting approaches to decision-making and planning and control.

The module is theory based but practitioner focused and utilises a blend of participative learning strategies and methods.

Leadership Practice

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

The aim of this module is to provide students with the knowledge of the leadership literature to enable them to assess their leadership skills and attributes. To assist with this process, students will be introduced to self-assessment and reflective practice to provide them with a holistic and objective view of their leadership abilities and practice which will inform a personal leadership development strategy.

Personal Effectiveness and Resiliency

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

The aim of this module is to provide the skills and capabilities required to undertake effective self-management and to understand and develop resiliency. It focuses on developing personal and interpersonal skills and resiliency. Subjects covered include achieving objectives through self-management, team working, effective communication skills, personal development, managing time and self, gratitude and resiliency.

Management Project

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

Managers are often required to solve complex, non-recurring problems and to do this
effectively they require high-level research skills and an ability to effectively project manage. The Module will develop high-level research and project management skills through application to organisational challenge.

The Future of Work

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

The Future of Work module will allow students to gain new insight into the changes that are taking place for individuals, organisations and the wider world. This module will allow students to explore and understand those changes as well as the implications to businesses. They will also learn about the skills needed to navigate the future of work. Students will understand the importance of sustainability and being a socially minded organisation as well as being a global citizen. Students will have the opportunity to understand the future of work and how they can take advantage of the opportunities it presents to individuals and organisations.

Effective Business Operations

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

This aim of this module is to provide the skills and capabilities required to demonstrate an awareness of effective operational management in implementing sustainable change and delivering sustainable outcomes. It will focus on developing practical skills to implement various concepts, methods and theories within operational and marketing management.

Management Practice Visit

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

This module enables students to gain an increased and practical understanding of best practice in a range of organisations that are acknowledged as leaders in their field. It is designed to supplement the knowledge and understanding provided in complementary programme modules.

Business Coaching and Mentoring

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

This module will provide the student with the opportunity to learn the importance of the business coaching process, develop their practical coaching skills and to evidence their reflective practice. The student will be able to evidence and present a reflective, ethical and professional approach to the coaching relationship in a business improvement context.

Big Data Analytics

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

This module will introduce you to Big Data, covering the sources and lifecycle of data, along with legislation and other issues. Over the course of this module you will learn how to process conventional data (relational) and non-relational data. You will also analyse data and document your finding in reports.

Contemporary Marketing

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

This module:
1. Introduces the concepts, theories and techniques of marketing, and examines their practical application to organisations
2. Introduces students to Digital Business Skills concepts to enable students to study and develop digital literacy skills in order to collect, analyse and report on data from a variety of digital sources.

Digital Marketing

Status: O

Year: 2

This module is optional

This module introduces students to Digital Marketing. It investigates both hardware and software tools, e-communications mix, ethics and legalities in digital marketing and metrics. It will give students an insight into how digital marketing is used in a 'real' world context and gives them an opportunity to develop a personal brand through social media.

Year three

Accounting For Non-Accountants

Status: O

Year: 3

This module is optional

This module will introduce non-accounting students to the basic concept of both financial and management accounting. As well as learning the theory behind the main financial statements they will also be taught how to apply some basic computational techniques. Students will also learn how to carry out some fundamental accounting practices such as costing, budgeting and project appraisal. The module is theory based but practitioner focused and utilises a blend of participative learning strategies and methods.

Business Research

Status: O

Year: 3

This module is optional

Research is imperative for informed business decision making. The aim of this module is to facilitate an understanding of the main concepts and principles of research in a business and organisational context. The module develops the student's understanding of how to source, interpret and analyse business information and data. It considers how the information is reported and utilised for the purposes of business or organisational development.

People Performance and Corporate Advantage

Status: O

Year: 3

This module is optional

The aim of the module is to enable students to critically evaluate how the People Management function is evolving in response to the future of work and the contribution it can make to organisational success. The module also provides the opportunity to reflect on the approach to people management across a range of sectors and the changing roles and competencies required by the line manager and the People Management professionals.

Business Project

Status: O

Year: 3

This module is optional

The business project module provides an opportunity for students to assimilate the knowledge and learning through their supervised study. The study will result in a bespoke piece of individualised research to add to their overall body of knowledge. The process involved will include investigation, analysis of an identified area and recommendations for identified organisation. It focuses on developing the practical, exploratory, complex problem solving, curious and analytical skills required to contextualise real business issues or opportunities in the workplace.

Digital Transformation

Status: O

Year: 3

This module is optional

This module will introduce and equip students with the key concepts, theories and approaches to Digital Transformation within the organisational context. Specifically it will examine key organisational capabilities needed to examine digital transformation initiatives or programmes such as Digital Strategy, Business agility, People, Processes, Tools/Technologies, Culture and the focus on the Customer which are necessary for effective digitisation efforts.

Strategy

Status: O

Year: 3

This module is optional

Strategy consists of the analysis and decisions an organisation undertakes in order to create and sustain competitive advantage in the 21st Century. Understanding these interrelated processes is crucial for creating and developing organisations. This module explores these decisions areas from a range of contemporary perspectives and contexts.

Change Management

Status: O

Year: 3

This module is optional

Change is always with us. People, not organisations, bring about change. The people element of change management is core. Managing people effectively through change is critical to success. This module examines some tools and techniques, models, frameworks and concepts related to change management. Resistance to change is common. Sources of resistance and ways to address resistance are examined. The ultimate goal of the module is to enhance personal, professional and organisational change management.

Project Management

Status: O

Year: 3

This module is optional

The aim of this module is to provide students with the skills to manage a project end to end. It focuses on the skills required by project managers to successfully manage a project through the application of project management tools and techniques to a specific project. Subjects covered include the stages of project management and planning, report writing and presentation skills.

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

There is no A Level requirement for this course. Please refer to the additional entry requirements for further information.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

• English language requirements
• Your country

Additional Entry Requirements

Applications must satisfy the University’s general entry requirements or demonstrate their ability to undertake the programme through the accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL). The initial offer standard may vary from year to year. In addition, all applicants must:

(a) be in employment and be working in, or aspiring to work in, a supervisory/ management role;

or

(b) if unemployed, have previously been employed in a supervisory/management role normally within the last three years

and

(c) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent - this requirement may be met within (a);

or, as an alternative to (a) and/or (c);

(d) provide evidence of their ability to undertake the programme through the accreditation of prior experiential learning.

Exemptions and transferability

Studies pursued and examinations passed in respect of other qualifications awarded by the University or by another university or other educational institution, or evidence from the accreditation of prior experiential learning, may be accepted as exempting candidates from part of an approved programme provided that they shall register as students of the University for modules amounting to at least the final third of the credit value of the award at the highest level. There are no exemptions in the final year.

Careers & opportunities

Career options

Graduates of the programme will be equipped to progress to more advanced programmes of study. In addition, they will be in a better position to progress within their organisation, or indeed, within another organisation/sector. Academic progression may largely depend on the individual’s previous experience as well as their accumulated studies. Future study may include programmes such as the MSc in Business Improvement or MSc in Executive Leadership.

Students who exit with the award of Associate Bachelor’s Degree will have a secure platform from which to further their careers by pursuing appropriate academic or professional qualifications and/or by developing their skills within the context of their current role, their organisation or another organisation/sector.

Apply

Start dates

• September 2022

Contact

For further information on this programme, please contact:

Course Director: Dr Joy Taylor

T: +44 (0)28 9036 8317

M: +44 (0)77 0297 1441

E: j.taylor@ulster.ac.uk

Or

Ms Janette Sheerman

T: 07793539280

E: ja.sheerman@ulster.ac.uk

For more information visit

• Ulster University Business School
• Department of Management, Leadership and Marketing

Disclaimer

1. The University endeavours to deliver courses and programmes of study in accordance with the description set out in this prospectus. The University’s prospectus is produced at the earliest possible date in order to provide maximum assistance to individuals considering applying for a course of study offered by the University. The University makes every effort to ensure that the information contained in the prospectus is accurate but it is possible that some changes will occur between the date of printing and the start of the academic year to which it relates. Please note that the University’s website is the most up-to-date source of information regarding courses and facilities and we strongly recommend that you always visit the website before making any commitments.
2. Although reasonable steps are taken to provide the programmes and services described, the University cannot guarantee the provision of any course or facility and the University may make variations to the contents or methods of delivery of courses, discontinue, merge or combine courses and introduce new courses if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Such circumstances include (but are not limited to) industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key staff, changes in legislation or government policy including changes, if any, resulting from the UK departing the European Union, withdrawal or reduction of funding or other circumstances beyond the University’s reasonable control.
3. If the University discontinues any courses, it will use its best endeavours to provide a suitable alternative course. In addition, courses may change during the course of study and in such circumstances the University will normally undertake a consultation process prior to any such changes being introduced and seek to ensure that no student is unreasonably prejudiced as a consequence of any such change.
4. The University does not accept responsibility (other than through the negligence of the University, its staff or agents), for the consequences of any modification or cancellation of any course, or part of a course, offered by the University but will take into consideration the effects on individual students and seek to minimise the impact of such effects where reasonably practicable.
5. The University cannot accept any liability for disruption to its provision of educational or other services caused by circumstances beyond its control, but the University will take all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant disruption to such services.

Testimonials

“My recent success in securing a Director role was only possible due to the Management Practice course. Even though I am an experienced manager, if it wasn’t for the course I know for a fact that I would not have approached the interview with the level of confidence, nor answered the questions to the required standard to be offered the role. The course has undoubtedly helped me, or enabled me to secure this position which with my new learnings along with my experience, fills me with positivity and excitement that I can go in and make a difference.” Barry class of 2021

“Partaking on the BSc programme has given me the rare opportunity to learn on subject matters relating to my work and future work, guiding me on my way to a degree which I can obtain while still being able to work full time” Conall McQuaid, Class of 2018/19

“A few months after commencing the BSc Programme I was promoted to General Manager of our company and the skills and knowledge I have gained on this course has come a long way in supporting me in this new position”. Shari Wilson, Class of 2018