Business and Finance subject guide 2015

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WELCOME

www.beds.ac.uk

The University of Bedfordshire has won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2011, the most prestigious corporate award that any UK business can win.

Welcome. Let’s get down to business.

If you want to find out everything there is to know about the world of business or finance, then you’ve come to the right place.

Just take a look at our amazing facilities, specially designed to give you an executive-style experience.

Plus, we’ve spoken to students past and present who’ve told us about their exciting areas of study and how they got ahead…

© University of Bedfordshire, 2014. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part strictly prohibited without the permission of the publishers. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the University of Bedfordshire or Axon Publishing Ltd. Information correct at date of publication, but subject to change.

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con t e n t s 3

NEWS

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IMPORTANT MEETINGS

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INSIDE JOB

The latest in UoB commerce

Students, graduates and staff on how to reach the top A closer look at our fabulous campus facilities for business brains

10 WORKING IT

Students give us the lowdown on our work placements

11 COURSE LISTINGS

Our wide range of degree courses to help you get into a first-class job

Subject Guide Business & Finance

Business Management Graduate shortlisted in the Cosmopolitan Blog Awards Sophia Meola, a BA (Hons) Business Management graduate has been shortlisted for a second year in a row for the Cosmopolitan Blog Awards. Sophia runs her blog as part of her ‘Sophia Meola’ brand which includes an online boutique and social media presence with more than 15,000 followers.

Sophia started her beauty, fashion and lifestyle blog during her first year at the University of Bedfordshire as a creative outlet alongside her studies. Last year’s awards had Sophia shortlisted in the ‘Best New Beauty Blog’ category out of 43,000 applicants. This year Sophia has been shortlisted again, this time under two different categories, ‘Best Established Beauty Blog’ and ‘Best Social Media Blog’.

Sophia said: “To be nominated with a magazine I read regularly feels like a complete dream. To be shortlisted and going to the awards is an achievement in itself, however, if I actually won it would just be the cherry on top, it would be a dream come true!”

“As a business student, I have an overall impression of running myself as a brand. I have always been very entrepreneurial and my Business Management degree is so versatile I try to apply my knowledge wherever I can,” said the graduate.

100% overall satisfaction on the Business Studies - Finance cour se (National Stud ent Survey 2014)

Personal Blog → sophiameola.blogspot.co.uk Business Student Blog → bedsbusinessstudent.blogspot.co.uk/

Business School Scoops Awards A James Bond star helped add to the glitz and glamour of this year’s Vice Chancellor’s Student Experience Awards, which celebrated the very best in achievement and practice across the University from students, to academics, support staff and departments.

University of Bedfordshire Honorary Doctor of Business Arts Colin Salmon, who is best known for this role in three 007 films, was on hand to help present the awards at a fantastic evening celebrating the Vice Chancellor’s Student Experience Awards.

Following last year’s hugely successful inaugural awards, more than 700 nominations were received by the Student Experience team between January and March 2014.

Colin, who starred in 2012’s Strictly Come Dancing, opened the event by saying what a pleasure it was to be back at the university which presented him with his honorary degree. “As both a local boy and Doctor of

this University, I very much feel a part of the University community. It’s inspiring to see so much commitment, dedication and excellence in all the University does for its student, staff and wider communities”.

The awards were a great success and even more so for the Business School who scooped up three awards. The Inspirational Teaching Award (Business School) was awarded to Simon Reilly who is a senior lecturer at the Business School, who has dedicated his time plus more to advising his students. The second award was the National Student Survey (NSS) Course of the Year Award. This award was shortlisted to seven courses and the Business School, LLB came out on top. Finally, the award for Student Personal Development was awarded to Sebastian Bosslet, a BA Business Management Studies student (class of 2014).

Business Management students work with StEPs during Practice Week Practice Weeks are an innovation developed by the Business School; enabling students to gain valuable experience working on real projects with experiences practitioners. The approach is aimed at helping students develop confidence to make a real impact in shaping both their communities and their own future careers.

For the 2014 final year Business Management undergraduates it was compulsory for them to complete their Project Management unit by planning and executing an event at the University of Bedfordshire. A specific group of students, decided to pitch an idea to the university StEPs (Student Experience Projects) programme. The event consisted of a BABM battle which looked at challenging students from all aspects of their business knowledge, with a slight twist, looking at SWOT analysis, a business quiz and Dragons Den experience. The committee adored the ideas so much they decided to action them to take place during the first year Business Management Practice Week in March 2014.

According to Alexander Kofinas, the Principle Lecturer of Business Systems and Strategy, “it was one of the most successful Practice Weeks to date”.

HRM students have got talent Five BSc (Hons) Human Resource Management (HRM) students have been offered work experience within the HR sector following their success in a Practice Week challenge – a Business School initiative that provides students with the opportunity to work alongside businesses and other organisations.

The students had three days to create a process to overcome one of the four challenges, each group then had to present their solutions to a panel of Bedfordshire Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Group Committee members.

“The presentations were all excellent, offering thoughtful, appropriate and legal advice to their organisations,” said Sarah Jones, Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management at Bedfordshire.

Photo (left to right): Cynthia Awolesi, Susan Vaughan, Tian Charlery-Douglas, Denise Mensah and Althia Hemans www.beds.ac.uk 3

important meetings

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in good company

Want to reach the top? Our staff, students and graduates tell you how you can achieve your goals

Subject Guide Business & Finance

Name

Blayke Sargeson course

BSc Accounting & Finance JOB

Staff Auditor at PRGX Q Why did you choose to study your course?

A I chose this course because I had always enjoyed and excelled at accounting. I suffered an illness whilst taking my A Levels so I didn’t get the grades I needed first time around.

However, I did well when I re-sat my exams and decided to apply to the University of Bedfordshire.

With 6,000 students based around the world, and more than 100 teaching and research staff in the UK, the University of Bedfordshire Business School (UBBS) is also the largest in the region. UBBS offers a wide-range of business- and tourismrelated courses relevant to the industry.

It also has a well-founded reputation for preparing students for the world of work with their practice based learning approaches.

We have industry links with some 4,000 organisations (including names such as TUI, BBC, and Channel 4) through our

business arm the Knowledge Hub and our award-winning Careers and Employment Service. We have also been working in partnership with major local tourism businesses including Woburn Enterprises to develop brand-new courses. So, you can be confident you’ll be joining a university that’s well-connected.

What’s more, the University is pioneering an innovative new approach to business education that makes learning fun, as well as improving employability levels for graduates. So, the University of Bedfordshire really is the place to be.

Q What are the best aspects of the course and why?

A During the first year all business students were put together into small classes called PODs. These sessions enabled us to work with students from different disciplines such as HR, business, marketing, finance and banking – just as in the real business world. The POD sessions, and further group projects during my second and third year, really helped me to develop my team working and leadership skills.

Q Do you have any advice for new students?

A Take this opportunity and do the best that you can. I never thought I would be able to go to university after all the problems I had at sixth form but now I’ve got a job that I genuinely enjoy. That’s all thanks to the University for giving me the opportunity to prove myself.

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important meetings Name

Sophia Meola COURSe

BA (Hons) Business Management JOB

Marketing Administrator Q W hy did you choose to study at Bedfordshire?

A T hey offered me everything I wanted in a Business Management degree and it was on my doorstep.

Name

Katie Marsh course

BSc (Hons) Human Resource Management Q Why did you choose University of Bedfordshire?

A I live locally to the University so that was one reason why I chose the University of Bedfordshire, but also when I looked around before I started I just had a really good feeling about it and liked what I saw.

Q What made you choose your course?

A My interest in Human Resources started when I was at college. I really liked the content of the University’s Human Resource Management course and that fact that it covered practical and theory.

Q What are the best aspects of the course?

A The best aspects of the course is the: content that you cover; its both interesting and practical in preparing you for a working life in Human Resources, the people you meet on the course; you make some good friends throughout the three years you are studying, and the lecturers on the course; they are all really supportive through your studies.

Q Your advice for prospective students…

A If you are interested in Human Resources and knowing how to get the best out of people this course is definitely for you; it enables you to become a specialist in Human Resources and prepares you for the working world. As long as you are motivated and put a 100% into the course you will gain a lot from it; you will not only gain a degree but you will evolve into a true Human Resource professional Q Three words to sum up University of Bedfordshire…

A Dedicated, Supportive and Enjoyable…

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Q W hat did you think about your course and how has it helped your chosen career path?

A M y course covered all areas of business knowledge so I felt that I was getting a full understanding of real business life. Some of my favourite units were e-business, small business planning and entrepreneurship and marketing. The course has really opened my eyes and I feel I have learnt so much as I was able to participate in many business activities and now feel confident applying for jobs and working in a strong business environment. Whilst at the university I had the opportunity to work with businesses, become a student representative and secure a blogging internship which developed into a role within the MARC department at the University.

Q W ould you recommend Bedfordshire?

A I would definitely recommend Bedfordshire to anyone looking to attend university, even more so if you are thinking of studying a Business degree. I think I had the perfect combination of working hard and having fun… I thoroughly enjoyed all areas of my course and studying at the University.

Name

Thomas Wiggins-Wilson COURSE

BA (Hons) Business Management JOB

Analyst for Morgan Stanley Q H ow did your course help you secure a job?

A In the third year of my degree, I did a work placement at prestigious American investment bank Morgan Stanley at London’s Canary Wharf. I applied the skills and knowledge I learnt through my degree in the workplace which helped me land a permanent job with the Bank.

Q H ow important was the work placement in helping you secure a job?

A Very! The work placement year is pivotal in today’s job market. Solid work experience and a good degree make you stand out from the crowd.

Q W ould you recommend Bedfordshire?

A Definitely, especially the Business Management course. It revolves around the main aspects of everyday business and teaches you transferable skills applicable in the workplace.

Subject Guide Business & Finance Name

Diane Richardson title

Principal Lecturer in Business Systems

education for more than 20 years and was awarded a Teacher Fellowship for excellence in teaching and supporting learning. I have experience in software engineering, project management and event management.

Q W hat opportunities does the University offer prospective students?

A Business Pods let students work on real-life business projects in an office environment.

Q What’s the best thing about your job?

A The variety is challenging and interesting.

Developing successful new courses to help students in their careers is most rewarding.

Q What is a student’s typical week?

A Business Studies students spend class time in the Business Pods in years one and two.

Business Management students have more traditional lectures and small seminars.

Students work outside of class as well, working either individually or on group projects.

Q H ow do you help graduates find jobs?

A Our courses are highly vocational with a focus on employability. Career management is embedded in the courses. We support students to undertake the work placement year, which helps many of them into jobs with their placement employer after graduation.

We also facilitate links with professional bodies and host events to encourage students to network with employers.

Q What is your background?

A I’ve been a lecturer and manager in higher

Name

Howard McCalla COURSE

BA (Hons) Accounting JOB

Financial Analyst and Controller, BP

PHOTOGRAPHY: LAURIE FLETCHER

QW hy did you choose Bedfordshire?

A I chose to study here because I knew people in Luton and I chose accountancy because of the prospect of a well-paid job at the end of it.”

Q What did you think of your course and how did it help you with your career?

A The course content was good and so were the lecturers – real people who had expertise and experience in the workplace. I learnt skills such as how to adapt to pressure, meeting deadlines and how to give presentations – all which helped me get a job in BP. I love being involved in decision making and driving the business forward. It’s not all about number crunching!

Q Would you recommend Bedfordshire?

A Definitely! Be prepared to work hard but to enjoy yourself too!

And welcome to Luton.

Name

Ashley Ellis COURSE

BA (Hons) Business Studies graduate Progressed to MSc Finance & Business Management Q H ow would you sum up your experience at the University of Bedfordshire?

A Highly positive. The staff are great; they are always on hand and always have time for you.

You have regular allocated time slots with your tutors so you can ask any questions you have, to make you feel more confident when approaching your studies.

Q T ell us about the facilities…

A The facilities are great, the investment the University has put into the facilities for their students is second to none. They have the unique ‘Business Pods’ which emulate what a working environment is like. So you are constantly developing skills for the world of work, so when you do venture out you won’t find it as daunting. You can instantly be ahead of your peers in that aspect. www.beds.ac.uk 7

INSIDE JOB

we mean business

Our cutting-edge equipment, a respected Research Institute and supportive staff all add up to offer you a great experience

Following a £1.2m refurbishment, our unique facilities set us apart from other UK business schools. We pride ourselves on pioneering a new approach to business education, in which students have the opportunity to perform executive roles in work-based projects for local firms. The wealth of resources and the enjoyable real-life experiences lead the way to employment.

Business Pods

Providing work and chill-out areas, as well as brainstorming, meeting and boardroom areas, our Business Pods recreate a 21st-century hi-tech office environment. The Pods enable first-year students to take on the role of junior executives, carrying out a series of work-based projects for local organisations. Not only does this practical approach improve our students’ employability, it also makes learning more fun.

Gemini Suite

The Gemini Suite allows our students to develop their ideas in state-of-the-art surroundings. One of the rooms has subdued lighting, sofas, armchairs and interactive whiteboards to encourage creativity, while the other has cutting-edge equipment to help students complete their projects.

Links with industry

All our students benefit from the Business School’s excellent links with companies such as easyJet, the BBC, Wrest Park and AstraZeneca. Some business and tourism courses offer the opportunity to do work placements and there are dedicated staff at both Luton and Bedford to help organise this, whether it’s abroad or in the UK (see page 10 for more details of work placements).

opportunity to be involved in real-life work projects during Practice Weeks.

These projects give you the opportunity to apply classroom learning in different contexts and develop the attributes and behaviours that employers wish to see, such as analytical ability, building commercial awareness and negotiation.

Just a few of the organisations that students have recently worked with include Sport England, Luton Borough Council and Luton Town Football Club.

Getting personal

We have more than 100 lecturing and research staff, each with a range of teaching and commercial experience. They’re friendly and approachable, and students have a personal tutor to support them throughout their course.

An excellent resource

Open 24 hours, seven days a week, the Learning Resource Centre at the Luton campus has more than 300,000 books and 19,500 periodicals. There are 1,000 seats, video-viewing rooms and 300 networked PC’s. Students can communicate with each other and their tutors through podcasting, voice email and voice discussion boards using the Collaborate suite of voice tools.

The library at the Bedford campus contains more than 120,000 loan and reference materials, plus an IT training suite and 120 networked computers. In addition, the Learning Hub offers a dynamic environment that encourages interaction and group learning.

Set to open in 2015 is a new £46m state-ofthe-art library at our Luton campus. Head over to the website to see artist impressions and for an interactive tour.

Beyond graduation

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

The Business School provides you with a practice-based education giving you the 8 www.beds.ac.uk

If you want to study a postgraduate degree the Postgraduate CPD Centre which opened in 2013 offers a wide range of courses and

includes two Harvard-style lecture theatres, the latest AV equipment and social spaces.

ENHANCING EMPLOYABILITY

The University of Bedfordshire Business School aims to equip you with the skills and experience you need to succeed in your chosen career.

We offer a range of extra-curricular activities including masterclasses from industry experts and work placements.

Students benefit from the unique opportunity to attend CV workshops run directly by employers, and gain relevant advice on how to improve them, in addition to guidance on how to excel at interviews. It is also a chance for students to meet prospective employers..

Employability record

We maintain an excellent graduate employment rate with more than 92 per cent of our graduates in work and/or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE 2014). For some courses we have higher rates, including HRM which has an impressive 100 per cent employability rate.

Subject Guide Business & Finance

Our Business courses are taught at the Bedford and Luton campuses.

The Business Pods (at Luton) feature project halls, chill-out areas, creativity suites and networked PCs.

The Learning Resources Centre at the Bedford campus (below) has extensive facilities.

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working it

pole position Our work placements will give you the skills and experience you need to succeed Our Business School has built up excellent links with industry, so that you can benefit from experience in the real world, as well as making great contacts to help you get your career off to a flying start.

Some of our courses offer the opportunity to take up work placements and graduate schemes.

We have a dedicated team that can give advice and help you organise your placement, whether local, national or international.

“My placement has helped me to gain a clear perspective of global business, and the challenges and opportunities that can bring”

name

David Sibley course

BA (Hons) Business Management

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When David Sibley decided he wanted to do a work placement between his second and final year of study, the University directed him to apply for an internship at Microsoft.

To David’s delight he was successful in obtaining his work placement with Microsoft UK as a ‘Readiness Information Announcement (RIA) Co-Ordinator and CS Release Manager’. The internship started with a week long induction followed by on the job training and bespoke skills training.

He says: “I found Microsoft UK to be a fantastic place to work. The company has a very unique, positive, driven and people friendly culture.” Every year, Microsoft accepts around 70 students on its internships. They are given ‘real’ business tasks and accountabilities as part of their roles.

For example, as a member of the Contents Release and Readiness team, David created training documents for Windows 7 which were then supplied to customer supporter representatives at Microsoft’s contact centres. David Says: “My placement helped me gain a clear perspective of global business and the challenges and opportunities that can bring.” David completed his MCAS (MS Certified Application Specialist) exams and is pleased he has a recognised qualification is Office 2007, all for free. David believes his placement provided him with valuable, real-world business skills, which complement the knowledge that he has gained within his degree.

Now, a few years later, after achieving a very good Honours degree in Business Management, David has returned to Microsoft UK and is working as a licensing sales specialist, working in the public sector, specifically covering public safety, national security and central government customers.

name

Matthew Tuffnell course

BSc Human Resource Management Q W hat company have you done your placement in and what was your role?

A My placement was with Cawleys, a waste management and recycling company based in Luton, with the role of Business Development Assistant.

Q H ow did you find out about it?

A There were various announcements on BREO (Bedfordshire Resources for Education Online) and we were also encouraged to apply by our level-one Business Pod tutors. Advertisements for the placement and accompanying scholarship were placed in locations around the Business School so I didn’t have to look too far.

Q H ow long was the placement?

A One year. Like many placements, it was sandwiched between the second and third years of my course.

Q W hat were your duties?

A Tasks undertaken were wide and varied and grew as the placement progressed. These included everything from administration; larger projects including market and competitor research; data analysis and even financial modelling.

Q W hat was most enjoyable?

A It was a fairly relaxed atmosphere whilst still challenging. This environment made it easy to get a feel for the industry, ask questions and learn new skills whilst developing and utilising those learnt during the first two years of the undergraduate programme.

Q Advice for prospective students…

A If students get the opportunity, I would recommend taking a placement. It will help you synthesise theory and practice, a definite help when you return to your studies in your final year. It also enables networking and looks good in a CV, both important in a competitive labour market.

Subject Guide Business & Finance

ON COURSE

100% overall student satisfaction on the Business Stud ies – Finance cour se (National Stud ent Survey 2014)

Make a big splash in the world of commerce and choose from our exciting courses BA (Hons) and BSc (Hons) refer to three or four year Bachelor’s Honours degrees. FdA and FdSc refer to two year foundation degrees, some of which are run at our partner colleges, intended for people already in relevant employment, or students looking for practice-based learning with an employment focus. A final year (stage 3) can be completed at the University in order to ‘top-up’ to an Honours degree.

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES BA (Hons)

Accounting The course is ideal for those who seek career within the accountancy profession. You will begin with a general introduction to the business environment, which will lead to a more advanced study in accounting, auditing, taxation and financial management. The breadth of coverage makes this course both challenging and rewarding.

BSc (Hons)

Accounting & Finance This course is designed for those seeking a career in accounting or finance. You will be introduced to fundamental accounting concepts and principles and the theory that underlines the operation of financial markets. This will lead to more advanced study in financial and management accounting whilst gaining an understanding of the role that accountancy plays in corporate behaviour.

BA (Hons)

Accounting with Management This course is designed for those seeking a career in accounting in a business organisation.

Through tasks in each year of your course you will address real, live problems brought to us by our partner employers. You will understand some of the real challenges of business and how to tackle them with a rigorous approach to practice informed by relevant theory and learning.

BA (Hons)

Business Administration This top-up course is for those with a HND, FdA or 240 credits. It will provide you with an advanced, broad based education for a career in business. Graduates will be equipped for a career in industry, commerce or the public sector, and you can expect to progress quickly to higher levels of responsibility.

BA (Hons)

Business Economics This course provides you with a detailed knowledge of the main ideas, concepts and principles of economic analysis as they prove relevant to the behaviour of individuals, businesses, institutions and governments.

You will develop the necessary analytical, quantitative, communication, and information technology skills and be able to apply those skills in real life situations by modelling economic relations and interpreting economic policies and business behaviour.

degree will provide the insights you need to meet and manage it.

(Also available as a sandwich course) BSc (Hons)

International Finance & Banking This course will introduce you to the theory of financial markets and the role that they play in the macro-economy. You will then examine the role accountancy plays in corporate behaviour and look at how regulation can assist in financial intermediation.

FOUNDATION DEGREES

BA (Hons)

Business Management This course meets the analytical needs of business. It focuses on ways an organisation uses its data to derive meaningful information to manage the business. Students will produce management reports and plans, develop presentation skills and learn how to work effectively in a group.

(Also available as a sandwich course) BA (Hons)

Business Studies The course is specifically designed to meet the needs of businesses and gives you a through grounding in key disciplines. The following Business Studies specialisms are also available: • BA (Hons) Business Studies (Business Analytics)

FdA Beauty Therapy & Spa Management Barnfield College FdA Business Management Tresham College; UCMK FdA Leadership, Innovation & Management University of Bedfordshire* PROFESSIONAL COURSES ACCA Bedford campus *subject to validation

Full details for all our courses are available to download at www.beds.ac.uk/courses

• BA (Hons) Business Studies (Decision Modelling) • BA (Hons) Business Studies (Finance) • BA (Hons) Business Studies (HRM) • BA (Hons) Business Studies (International) • BA (Hons) Business Studies (Marketing) • BA (Hons) Business Studies (Project Management) (Also available as a sandwich course) BSc (Hons)

Human Resource Management People need to be recruited, developed, trained, motivated and paid to meet the requirements of organisations around the world. If that sounds like your kind of challenge, the Human Resource Management

100% overall student satisfaction on the International Finance course (Natio nal Student Survey 2014)

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Luton campus University Square Luton LU1 3JU

Bedford campus Polhill Avenue Bedford MK41 9EA

University Campus Milton Keynes Avebury Boulevard Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK9 3HS

To apply and find out more, call our Admissions Team on: +44 (0)300 3000 073