COURSE: B usiness Ma nagemen
t
DIARY
What will my first year of university be like?
Will I get support with my assignments? What kind of teaching can I How much independent study will I have to do?
expect?
Whether or not you’re moving away from home, going to university is a significant milestone in your life. It can seem like a big step up from sixth form or college, so naturally you’ll have a lot of questions about life as a university student. We’ve put together a snapshot of what your first year as a Business Management student at the University of Salford might look like. As well as taking a detailed look at the modules you’ll study, we’ve enlisted Raisha, a current student to take you through an average day on campus. Our Business Management course is delivered predominantly on the Peel Park campus. If you have visited us before, you might have already had the chance to explore. However, there are plenty of hidden gems, places to eat and useful facilities to be aware of if you’re joining us in September. We’ve listed a few for you to learn more about at the end.
Welcome to Salford University isn’t just about what happens in the lecture theatre. Before getting stuck into your studies, take time to find out about the amazing activities and clubs you can get involved with through the Students’ Union, USSU. Students’ Union events, socials, parties and sports clubs are a great way to make new friends and seek out new experiences. The SU also organises tours and trips in case you’re feeling a little lost on campus or in the city. Keep up to date with the latest info, events and any changes to activities by following us on Twitter and Facebook. @UoS_Students
@salfordsu
What will I study in my first year? In your first year of our Business Management course you’ll study the following modules:
- Underst a
nding Org anisations
- Digital a nd Busine ss Skills - The Fut ure of B usiness - Business Finance in Practice - Data An alysis for Business - Creative Problem S olving and Decision
Making
But what do I actually study in those modules? Whether by offering exemptions on industry qualifications, helping you develop practical skills or providing opportunities for real-world experience, we ensure you graduate with far more than just your degree. In each year of your course, you need to obtain 120 credits. The academic year is divided into two terms or ‘semesters’ and in your first year, you’ll study three 20 credit modules in each semester. In this section, we are going to give you a bit more information on each of those first year modules, so you have a better understanding of not just what you will study, but how and the assessments involved. The amount of time you spend in lectures and seminars can vary throughout the year, you are expected to do assignments, reading and independent study as well as your scheduled activities. All your activities should add up to about 35 - 40 hours a week (the same as a full-time job).
MODULE: Understanding Organisations The business world is made up of various types of businesses in a range of industry sectors. Though some challenges will be specific to the business, most have common issues. These organisations are also made up of different functions – finance, marketing, HR etc – ideally all working together for a common goal. On this module, you will develop an appreciation of the different types of business organisations, learn to recognise the common functional areas and develop a basic understanding of the core areas of people management, finance, marketing and operations. / One-hour lecture each week – your tutor introduces the concepts and guides you through the module / T wo-hour seminar each week – you will work individually or in small groups and get feedback from your tutor to help your understanding / I ndependent study – support your learning using module-specific online content available through the University’s virtual learning environment (VLE), in the University library or as directed by the tutor. Every course also has an online programme hour each week when you meet as a programme group with your tutor. At level 4, in the first term, you will focus on the academic skills you need to move successfully from college to University; in semester two, you will look at how to develop the soft skills you need for your career path. You will also visit one of our partner organisations to support your learning. Where possible these will be face to face visits but may be virtual tours. This is a core module which is studied by all first year Business Management students. However, seminars will be delivered in your pathway group so that you can work on cases and examples drawn from your area of specialism.
Aims and objectives of the module: Undertake comparisons of different businesses types, sizes, structures and the challenges that each uniquely face Describe the purpose of each function within a business and understand the necessary interrelationship between these functions in order for a business to succeed Identify the ways that changes in the external environment affect different types of businesses
What will the assessments be like? You will be assessed via a poster report (worth 30% of your result) and a business report (worth 70% of your result). These will demonstrate your ability to gather and analyse information from diverse sources and present your work in visual and report formats.
Who will teach me? The number of tutors on a module can vary, but you will usually have three to four tutors teaching you throughout this module.
MODULE: Digital and Business Skills In this module, you will learn the digital tools and develop the technological skills that you will need both for your University studies and for your business career. You will learn to identify and evaluate the most appropriate tools for business so that you can process and present information to communicate your ideas. Teaching will be delivered in a variety of ways such as weekly lectures, student-led seminars, discussions and a mini conference. By the end of your first year, you will have built an E-portfolio of work representing your business and digital business competencies which you can use in interviews for a work placement or job. / One-hour lecture each week – your tutor introduces the concepts and guides you through the module / Two-hour seminar each week – you will work individually or in small groups and get feedback from your tutor to help your understanding / Independent study – support your learning using module-specific online content available through the University’s virtual learning environment (VLE), in the University library or as directed by the tutor. Every course also has an online programme hour each week when you meet as a programme group with your tutor. At level 4, in the first term, you will focus on the academic skills you need to move successfully from college to University; in semester two, you will look at how to develop the soft skills you need for your career path. This is a core module which is studied by all first year Business Management students.
Aims and objectives of the module: Recognise key workplace technologies Analyse and identify the key elements of professional communications Create a portfolio of professional communications, presentations, and a professional profile Understand the relationship of digital business communications in the wider business context
What will the assessments be like? You will be assessed via a digital portfolio of your work, which builds across 10 weeks (9 marks available for each week, and 10 marks available overall for attendance/engagement). Once you have completed these online workbooks, you will also complete a 500 word summary of the work you have completed and a 500 word self-reflection of what you have learned.
Who will teach me? The number of tutors on a module can vary, but you will usually have three to four tutors teaching you throughout this module.
MODULE: The Future of Business This module introduces you to economics and the influence of the economic environment on businesses and their opportunities for growth. You will learn the skill of horizon scanning for a business manager to understand the external environment, looking at ways in which this might influence your business activities and provide opportunities to innovate. You will also develop an understanding of the role of digitisation and industry 4.0 and their impact on businesses. / O ne-hour lecture each week – your tutor introduces the concepts and guides you through the module / T wo-hour seminar each week – you will work individually or in small groups and get feedback from your tutor to help your understanding / Independent study – support your learning using module-specific online content available through the University’s virtual learning environment (VLE), in the University library or as directed by the tutor. Every course also has an online programme hour each week when you meet as a programme group with your tutor. At level 4, in the first term, you will focus on the academic skills you need to move successfully from college to University; in semester two, you will look at how to develop the soft skills you need for your career path. This is a core module which is studied by all first year Business Management students.
Aims and objectives of the module: Learn to use the principal theories in economics to assess the impact of change Analyse current economic issues and use techniques of economic analysis within a problemsolving context Identify alternative forms of economic systems and structures and their translation into different business models Define the meaning, purpose, impact and promise of Industry 4.0 and digitisation
What will the assessments be like? In your first assessment, you will undertake a horizon scanning exercise for a sector or industry appropriate to their pathway area. You will then go on to analyse a specific business issue in the second assessment, to consider how business could respond.
Who will teach me? The number of tutors on a module can vary, but you will usually have three to four tutors teaching you throughout this module.
MODULE: Business Finance in Practice Whatever area of business you work in, it’s vital to have a basic understanding of finance and how it relates across the business. You’ll learn the key elements of finance for business and its role in decision-making. You will work in teams on a business project, using simulations to explore and practise the application of finance ideas to business problems. You will get practical experience, not just of finance but also of working together to find creative solutions to business problems that are ethical, sustainable and responsible. / One-hour lecture each week – your tutor introduces the concepts and guides you through the module / T wo-hour seminar each week – you will work individually or in small groups and get feedback from your tutor to help your understanding / Independent study – support your learning using module-specific online content available through the University’s virtual learning environment (VLE), in the University library or as directed by the tutor. Every course also has an online programme hour each week when you meet as a programme group with your tutor. At level 4, in the first term, you will focus on the academic skills you need to move successfully from college to University; in semester two, you will look at how to develop the soft skills you need for your career path. This is a shared pathway module. It covers a core Business Management skill but you will study with other students from your pathway.
Aims and objectives of the module: Gain a grounding in the key elements of finance for business Understand the role of budgeting within an organisation and evaluate how working capital can be managed Appreciate the implications of financial planning, control and decision-making within business organisations
What will the assessments be like? There will be two assessments of your learning: a group assessment based on the practical simulation project; and an individual coursework report in which you will provide an overview of the project stages including a reflective element to demonstrate your individual contribution and support your personal development.
Who will teach me? The number of tutors on a module can vary, but you will usually have three to four tutors teaching you throughout this module.
MODULE: Data Analysis for Business On this module, you will develop the ability to make numbers meaningful and therefore aid informed decision-making. We will focus on understanding the concepts of mathematical and statistical modelling in business, recognising the demands for dealing with big data. You will learn to use and interpret quantitative methods, to analyse business data and to critique articles and news stories that include statistical and quantitative information. Teaching is delivered via formal lectures, small group seminars, tutorials in a computer room and problem-based drop-ins in a classroom. These will be augmented by activities from the University’s virtual learning environment (VLE) and relevant course-based websites. / One-hour lecture each week – your tutor introduces the concepts and guides you through the module / Two-hour seminar each week – you will work individually or in small groups and get feedback from your tutor to help your understanding / Independent study – support your learning using module-specific online content available through the University’s virtual learning environment (VLE), in the University library or as directed by the tutor. Every course also has an online programme hour each week when you meet as a programme group with your tutor. At level 4, in the first term, you will focus on the academic skills you need to move successfully from college to University; in semester two, you will look at how to develop the soft skills you need for your career path. This is a core module which is studied by all first year Business Management students.
Aims and objectives of the module: Select, organise and present relevant information clearly and logically Discuss and interpret results and present a well-structured report (written and verbal) in support of findings Present data in a variety of formats Formulate, derive and assess quantitative modelling approaches to solving problems
What will the assessments be like? You will be assessed via a computer-based assessment and an exam at the end of the module. The assessments will use real or realistic data and include a mixture of computer-based questions, calculations, interpretation and drawing reasonable conclusions.
Who will teach me? The number of tutors on a module can vary, but you will usually have three to four tutors teaching you throughout this module.
MODULE: Creative Problem Solving and Decision Making In this module, you will gain an understanding of the problems that businesses face, as well as the processes used to reach decisions that solve these issues and support future development. This industry focussed module will teach you how to think of creative solutions to complex problems, a skill highly sought after by employers. / O ne-hour lecture each week – your tutor introduces the concepts and guides you through the module /
wo-hour seminar each week – you will work individually or in small groups and get feedback T from your tutor to help your understanding
/ Independent study – support your learning using module-specific online content available through the University’s virtual learning environment (VLE), in the University library or as directed by the tutor. Every course also has an online programme hour each week when you meet as a programme group with your tutor. At level 4, in the first term, you will focus on the academic skills you need to move successfully from college to University; in semester two, you will look at how to develop the soft skills you need for your career path. This is a Pathway Module. You will share this module with other students from your course.
Aims and objectives of the module: Develop an understanding of different approaches to problem analysis and the areas in which they can be applied Provide a detailed understanding of systems and thinking concepts Provide an opportunity to undertake detailed analysis of a complex business problem, applied through case study analysis Develop skills in problem solving and decision making
What will the assessments be like? Over the course of the trimester, you will work to develop a portfolio analysing problem definitions as well as identifying challenges, problem solving techniques and solutions. The portfolio will be made up of written elements and other media, supporting the development of key skills including information presentation, diagrams, tables, models and infographics.
Who will teach me? The number of tutors on a module can vary, but you will usually have three to four tutors teaching you throughout this module
How does my week look? Don’t put these in your calendar just yet, timetables change each year and you will get your actual timetable during your induction week!
9 Mon
Tue
MORNING 10 11 12
1
Digital and kills Business S Lunch w ith 10-11 Chaz Underst anding Organisa tions 11-12
Meeting with Employability
Wed Library!
Thu Understanding Organisations 9-11
AFTERNOON 2 3 4
Group project; meet Business society meet-up in library
Digital and Business Skills 2-4
Chat through group presentation
Creative Problem Solving 5-6
Football training 2-4
ess Busin nt geme Mana e ramm prog hour Coffee
Fri
5
Creative Problem Solving 4-6
Stan
with
Bandioke night!
Sat Sun
Lectures
Seminars
Day in the life
aisha Meet R
How does your typical day start? As a student, there is no typical day, each day is different! But here’s a brief taster of what an average day is like for me as a second-year Business and Management student, here at the University of Salford. I am up usually early around 5:30 am. I get dressed, complete my prayers, grab everything I need for my day, head to Sainsbury’s and usually grab my Artic Coffee Café Latte – It’s becoming my habitual habit now! Then I head straight to the train station and take the train to Salford Crescent. The University is literally a stone’s throw away from the train station. I usually head to my lecture early and will sit and drink my coffee, catch up on my emails and scroll through my social media channels before contemplating on whether I should run to Starbucks and grab a Frappuccino before the lecture starts!
What lecture/seminar does your day start with? Project Management, this module is fantastic as I learnt many transferable skills such as planning, communication, team leadership. Yiannis & Stylianos are industry experts and the lecture/seminar sessions are very interactive. They explain everything clearly and simply – you really gain a strong grasp of the subject being taught. I find the Lecture and Seminar teachers at Salford very friendly and approachable, they’re always willing to go over anything you’re unsure about. In Project Management I also found learning MS Project very useful as it’s a practical element in the module and understanding how the fundamentals work was very useful to me.
The Digital Workplace module was interesting as you learn about challenges faced during digital transformation and the future workplace. Our lecturer, Dr Marie Griffiths, arranged a trip to ‘WeWork’ and ‘Kellogg’s HQ’. This was a great experience to explore their workplace and gain a further understanding from industry experts.
Lunchtime Between the reading and assignment writing, I like to spend my time with my friends going to the media city campus and go for a little walk when the weather’s nice. When the weather’s not so nice – then we would grab a tasty lunch from Chapman Building, walk to the Comms room and enjoy lunch. After that I usually practice our next TikTok video!
Afternoon lectures/seminars During the afternoon, I have a Business Research and Analysis seminar session, we learn various aspects of report writing and it’s useful as we can use this for other modules too. I learnt how to critically analyse and structure my research topic. I learnt a variety of skills and ‘the research onion’ was very useful to understand and use in my work.
After university Most of my time outside of University I spend studying, working and travelling. I prefer working from the library and acquiring different types of information on topics of interest. I am also a course representative for my course programme – I meet students often and take on their concerns about the course and work with the programme leader to raise these concerns and find ways to help resolve this. The Student Union is a great lively place to hang out they have some great societies to join and get involved in from faith to exploring the great outdoors! I also love travelling and enjoy going away exploring different parts of the UK and travelling abroad taking part in excursions and eating cultural food!
Find out more about life as a Salford student, read the student blog at blogs.salford.ac.uk/made-in-salford
Peel Park campus Our main campus, Peel Park, offers you the best of both worlds: state-of-the-art learning facilities within minutes of a world-class city, set against beautiful green spaces to relax and socialise in. As well as being home to the ornate Peel Park Building which opened in 1896, the Maxwell, Lady Hale and Chapman Buildings, where most of your classes will take place, are all on campus. With student shops, cafés, study spaces and computer labs, the Peel Park campus is a great environment for study and downtime.
Here are a few places to look out for:
rary The Lib
Clifford Whitworth Library The ‘library in the park’ is a fresh, modern learning space with PC suites, Mac computers, laptops available to loan, bookable work rooms and café. The library is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can study at a time that suits you. You’ll also find study spaces across the University, so a quiet place to study is never far away.
Peel Park Peel Park was the first public park in the United Kingdom funded entirely by the people’s subscription, to officially open. Created in 1846, it was free to use and brought all Salford residents together. Benefiting from a recent £1.6 million transformation, the park provides a beautiful green space to relax outside of lessons.
Peel Park
Student Union
Atmosphere Kitchen and Bar The central social hub of your Students’ Union! Atmosphere is open every day until late serving up amazing food and drink right in the heart of campus. Atmosphere is the place to go to get some tasty food or your favourite beverage, all at student friendly prices. Grab the best coffee on campus or head to the café for a quick bite to eat and chill after a day of studying.
Want to see more? Take a whistle stop tour of Peel Park Campus here: vimeo.com/312989861
Want to see more? Follow a video of a typical first day on campus
We hope you’ve found this information useful and you know what to expect in your first year studying Business and Management at the University of Salford now! Remember, this is just a sample of the information you’ll receive in your induction week so some of the information may change a little, especially the timetable! Meet other applicants, ask questions, share your thoughts; join the applicant Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/ salfordstudents2021
What Happens Next? Learn about your next steps at: www.salford.ac.uk/undergraduate/ applied-what-next