University of Bedfordshire Business School
School of Aviation, Marketing and Tourism
The University of Bedfordshire Business School (UBBS) 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.
I encourage you to make good use of all the opportunities we offer and become an active member of our supportive School culture. For example, you could become an ambassador for our vibrant student society which provides an extra value-added experience to your course.
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. If you have any questions before you arrive on campus, please contact a member of the team.
I look forward to welcoming you in September.
Dr Annie Danbury Head of School, Aviation, Marketing and Tourism
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
I am excited that you will be joining us in September and I hope that you are looking forward to studying with us.
Your induction will take place during Welcome Week, where you will learn about your course structure and approach and meet your course team and fellow students. There will also be plenty of events and activities taking place across the campus, so do get involved.
We are committed to supporting and inspiring you to achieve your goals. During your studies, you will have a coordinator, unit coordinator, tutors and a personal academic tutor who are all 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 begin your academic journey.
Sallie Phillips Portfolio LeadCourse Coordinators
International Business
• Dr Afifah Ramlee, afifah.ramlee@beds.ac.uk
Intercultural Communication
• Dr Leszek Wypych, leszek.wypych@beds.ac.uk
• Ijaz Ahmed, ijaz.ahmad@beds.ac.uk
Marketing
• Dr Long Vo, long.vo@beds.ac.uk
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).
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 International Business 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.
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.
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.
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!
• Meet our student Elsie Vivian who talks about the highlights of studying International Business at Bedfordshire
• Enjoy an amazing virtual tour of our campus
It is important that you keep up to date with the latest business news. We recommend that our students read the following:
• The Financial Times covers a wide range of global business and economic news, offering in-depth analyses of current events and trends
• The Economist provides insightful articles on global economic and political developments, as well as their impact on business and trade
(Both the FT and the Economist offer some free articles and they offer students subscriptions)
Books
• The BBC’s business section covers international business news, trade, and economic developments from around the world
• International Business: The Challenges of Globalization, Global Edition by John Wild and Kenneth Wild
• International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace, by Charles W.L. Hill and G. Tomas M. Hult
• Global Business Today, by Charles W.L. Hill and G. Tomas M. Hult
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of international business concepts, strategies, and challenges.
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
• Eating and drinking on-campus
To find out how to access your timetable go to beds.ac.uk/timetable
Academic information
Guide to referencing Study Hub
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 International Business
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 to see the different types of assessments you will be expected to complete.
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
Yes, students can express their views through the Portfolio Executive Committee (PEC). PEC meetings give student representatives the opportunity to engage directly with staff and feed into decisions about educational provision and support throughout the academic year.
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
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.
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
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
You will meet local businesses and guest speakers from various industries, all of whom bring a wealth of knowledge and insight to your learning experience.
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 international business courses provide students with a broader understanding of the global economy, cultures, and markets. As well as being intellectually stimulating, this global perspective helps students see how the world is interconnected.
You will have the opportunity to look at current international business challenges and provide solutions.
You will develop professional relationships that help pave the way to your future career.
The skills and experiences you develop on the course will prepare you for working in multinational corporations, global consulting firms, international organisations, and more.
Studying international business helps you to step out of your comfort zone and learn about unfamiliar cultures and business practices.
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