Book for Beds Business and Management

STUDYING BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

Business and Management (Luton and Bedford)

With Business Analytics

With Digital Marketing

With Finance

With Law

With Placement (Milton Keynes only)

University of Bedfordshire Business School

School of Leadership and Management

WELCOME TO BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT AT

THE UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE

Welcome to Business and Management at the University of Bedfordshire.

Hello, my name is Dr Steve McPeake and I am the Head of School for Leadership and Management where the Business and Management courses are based. I am delighted you will be joining us this academic year.

I am proud to lead a diverse and talented team of academics to deliver exceptional teaching and learning. The Business School is a supportive and close-knit community where we place great emphasis on supporting your academic development, building your confidence and preparing you for the world of work.

This booklet provides you with important information that will help you prepare for your course and for your first few weeks and months at university. Have a read through, and if you have any questions, get in touch with a member of the team.

I look forward to welcoming you to the University very soon.

Dr Steve McPeake Head of School of Leadership and Management

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Student Information Desk (SiD) beds.ac.uk/sid sid@beds.ac.uk

Student Support beds.ac.uk/studentsupport

BedsSU (Students’ Union) bedssu.co.uk

help@bedssu.co.uk

Welcome from the Portfolio Lead

Hello, my name is Dr Golda Word Komanapalli and I am the Portfolio Lead. We are excited that you will be joining us this academic year. The first week in the Academic Calendar is Welcome Week where you will be introduced to your course, course team and fellow students.

We are committed to supporting and inspiring you to achieve your goals through inspiring teaching, promoting creativity and creating a safe environment in which to study. Our aim is for you to graduate as a professional, confident, independent and competent person who is ready for the workplace.

During your studies, you will have a course coordinator, unit coordinator, tutors and a personal academic tutor (PAT) who are here to support you. Course teams have weekly office hours so you can book an appointment if you need to chat to them. We will be with you every step of the way as you start your academic journey.

Dr Golda Word Komanapalli Portfolio Lead

ESSENTIAL CONTACTS

Course Coordinators

Business Management

• Dr Claudette Kika, claudette.kika1@beds.ac.uk

Business Analytics

• Balal Qayum, balal.qayum@beds.ac.uk

Business Administration

• Priya Gunathilake, priyangani.gunathilake@beds.ac.uk

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING WELCOME WEEK

Welcome Week gets underway on Monday 18 September

Our academic induction follows four key sessions which happen at the same time for all Business School students.

We start the week with an online session to say hello, (this will be at lunchtime on Tuesday 19 September for an hour). This is also an opportunity to hear from Faculty Executive Group members. On Thursday and Friday, we host four sessions designed to help you get ready for your studies. You will meet and work with your course team and meet other members of the faculty. You should attend the following sessions which will run for the full day:

Session 1

Meet your course team – get to know members of the teaching team and understand how your course operates

Thursday

Session 2

Take part in the Big Business Challenge – meet faculty executive members and some of the employers we work with, who will host a fun team challenge

Friday

Session 1

Meet your personal academic tutor (PAT) – get to know them and find out how they can support you throughout your studies

Session 2

Prepare for your first week of study – learn how to access our systems and resources so you can have the best possible start

All the details about the different activities and where they will be held are included on our Faculty Academic Welcome pages. Check this page closer to the time for any changes to the sessions. But be assured that the sessions will take place on Thursday and Friday so you can start planning your week now.

Our colleagues in the student support and learning resources teams will also host sessions for all new starters. These are designed to help you become familiar with all the essential services you will use throughout your time with us.

Of course, Welcome Week wouldn’t be Welcome Week without the Freshers’ Fayre, which is run by the University of Bedfordshire Students’ Union. They will host plenty of events and activities, so keep an eye on their website and follow them on social media to find out more (see p.5).

UP TO DATE HOW YOU CAN KEEP

We use an online noticeboard called Padlet to help our students keep up to date with everything that’s happening. This is linked from BREO, our virtual learning environment, and each subject cluster has its own individual space.

You can only access BREO once you are registered with us as a student. However, the Padlet noticeboard for Business Management students can be accessed now via this link

Feel free to take a look and become more familiar with the exciting events, trips and discussions happening in your subject area.

ESSENTIAL LINKS

How to find your Timetable

Information about your learning with BREO

Get support with your learning and assignments Study Hub

Visit the Library

Begin@Beds Start your student journey

Thrive@Beds My Beds Life

Succeed@Beds Careers and Employability Service

HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED

The course assessment strategy is closely aligned to the University’s teaching and learning strategy which is designed to:

• Have an immediate relevance to practice

• Draw on expertise by experience

• Foster active learning and be learner-centred in approach

A distinct feature of the course is the range of assessment tasks including workplace assessments that can have an immediate impact in practice. This helps put into practice what you are learning in university and can help increase your confidence.

RANGE OF ASSESSMENTS

These can vary depending on the course you are studying, but here’s an example of what your assessments might include:

Essays

Leaflets and posters

Case studies

Audits

Presentations

In-class tests

Skills documents – practice based learning

Assessments are purposefully diverse and created to relate to industry practices.

PREPARATION FOR YOUR

FIRST WEEK

REGISTERING FOR YOUR COURSE

Once you have met the conditions of your offer, you will receive an email to complete your online registration. Keep an eye on your emails and junk box to ensure you don’t miss it!

SOMETHING TO WATCH

• Can one person change a big business?

• Read the CIPD’s report ‘People Profession 2030: A Collective view of future trends’ which brings together insights from hundreds of people about the future world of work

• Enjoy an amazing virtual tour of our campus

ABOUT THE CAMPUS

Take time to familiarise yourself with the layout of our campus and the names of buildings. This will help you get around with ease when you arrive.

• Luton campus

• Bedford campus

• Milton Keynes campus

SOMETHING TO EAT

• Eating and drinking on-campus

ESSENTIAL LINKS

To find out how to access your timetable go to beds.ac.uk/timetable

Academic information

Guide to referencing Study Hub

TEACHING TIMETABLE

EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDYING THIS SUBJECT

A typical timetable would require you to be on campus between two and three days a week.

Below is a sample timetable showing how your week might look. Your term timetable can be accessed via our website once you have fully registered as a student.

Sample timetable – semester one Business and Management Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

Study day Study day

QUESTIONS FREQUENTLY ASKED

When will assessments take place?

All units have at least two assessments with the first taking place in the middle of the semester and second at the end of the semester. See page 11 for the different types of assessments you will be expected to complete.

What is expected of me during the course?

Students are expected to undertake the set preparatory reading, attend all seminar sessions and lectures and be actively engaged in their seminars and tutorials.

What happens if I miss class due to illness or have difficulties with childcare or travel?

We understand that everyone will face some difficulties now and again and we aim to be flexible. You are encouraged to discuss ongoing issues with your personal academic tutor or unit lead. For independent advice or for ongoing attendance issues you can contact studentengagement@beds.ac.uk

Who can help me with my assessments?

The academic team is always available to guide you with the theory based content and you can book a one-to-one tutorial with your unit lead. If you need more time to complete an assignment, please contact the Student Engagement and Mitigation team (SEAM) who deal with assessment extensions. Their email is: mitigation@beds.ac.uk. You can find our Mitigation Policy and form on our website

What support is available for students with a learning difference or disability?

Our Disabilities team supports students with a range of disabilities including sensory and physical impairments, mental health difficulties, specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, and medical conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, sickle cell anaemia and arthritis. You may be eligible for a Learning and Teaching Agreement, where you can discuss any reasonable adjustments needed for classroom learning and examinations. You can email disability@beds.ac.uk for further information and advice.

Is there any support to help me manage my finances?

Our dedicated Student Money Advice team offers confidential financial advice, information and support. They can advise you on a range of funding options such as grants, loans, bursaries and scholarships, as well as guiding you on the best way to manage your finances. You can contact them by emailing studentmoney@beds.ac.uk

Are there clubs and activities I can get involved with?

Yes, the Students’ Union can tell you everything you need to know about sports clubs, activities and events for all our students. You can even set up your own society! Contact Beds SU by emailing beds.su@beds.ac.uk

THOUGHTS FINAL

Always remember, our team is here for you!

We know there’s a lot to take in when you start university. We’ll support you throughout, especially at the beginning. Some students adjust to university life more readily than others, and it can take time to feel at home, but this is normal and you’ll soon make friends. Remember, many of your fellow students will be feeling the same.

We are confident that you’ll love our friendly campus and everything the University of Bedfordshire has to offer.

Our teaching is practice based so you will get plenty of hands-on experience with simulation games, consultancy projects and marketplace showcases.

You will work with local businesses on your assessments.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE STUDYING BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT AT BEDFORDSHIRE

The course is uniquely designed to allow you to work in an integrated way with fellow students from Human Resource Management, Accounting, Marketing, Economics and Tourism to solve business issues together.

Throughout the year, you will hear from business leaders from different industries and sectors, enhancing your learning experience and building your professional network.

Each unit explores different aspects of managing a business which will help you whether you go on to work in a corporate environment or set up your own business.

You will have the opportunity to meet people from across the globe, which will help you learn about different cultures and ways of doing business.

As you progress through the course, you will develop employability skills in incremental stages which will help you become career ready.

Luton

University Square

Luton

Bedfordshire

United Kingdom

LU1 3JU

Bedford campus

Polhill Avenue

Bedford

Bedfordshire

United Kingdom

MK41 9EA

Aylesbury campus

Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Mandeville Road

Aylesbury

United Kingdom

HP21 8AL

Milton Keynes campus

2nd Floor Exchange House

Midsummer Boulevard

Milton Keynes

Buckinghamshire

United Kingdom

MK9 2EA

Putteridge Bury campus

Hitchin Road

Luton

Bedfordshire

United Kingdom

LU2 8LE