Cardiff School of Management>Courses>Business and Management (with specialist pathways) - BA (Hons) Degree

Business and Management (with specialist pathways) - BA (Hons) Degree

Entry Year

The BA (Hons) Business and Management aims to prepare students with the skills and knowledge to operate as successful managers, within the ever changing world of modern Business and Management.

The department endeavours to provide students with a learning experience that is stimulated by and reflective of these changes. We consciously seek to integrate theory and practice and this includes a variety of work placement opportunities.

The degree offers the following specialist pathways of study:

  • BA (Hons) Business & Management (Entrepreneurship)

  • BA (Hons) Business & Management (Finance)

  • BA (Hons) Business & Management (Human Resource Management)

  • BA (Hons) Business & Management (International Trade)

  • BA (Hons) Business & Management (Law)

  • BA (Hons) Business & Management (Marketing)

  • BA (Hons) Business & Management (Sustainability)

Other exit awards are BA (Ordinary), Diploma in Higher Education, Certificate in Higher Education​​.

This degree will undergo a periodic review in 2023/4 to ensure the course content is and remains current. Should any changes to course content be made as a result of the review, all applicants will be informed once changes are confirmed.


​Course Content​​

​Foundation Year (Year 0):​​​

This programme incorporates a foundation year, which is intended for students wishing to enrol onto the three-year honours degree, who fall into one of the following categories:

​​1. Students who have not achieved the required A-level points (or equivalent) score to enter the first year of the degree programme.
2. Mature students who ​have been out of the formal education system for some time.

Further information about the foundation year can be found by clicking here.


Degree:

The course structure develops from a compulsory first year, consisting of six modules, to only two compulsory modules in the final year of study. This will enable you to direct your interests into a specialised pathway or specific set of option modules, whilst ensuring that you receive a sound understanding and appreciation of the central tenets required of all business and management students.

The programme also allows for considerable flexibility to ensure that you are academically guided in your ultimate choice as to whether to graduate with a BA (Hons) Business and Management degree, or a BA (Hons) Business and Management degree with one of the available named pathways.

You will undertake a compulsory work placement module in the second year as this is considered an essential requirement for all business and management students. For those who wish, there is the additional opportunity to take a sandwich year between years two and the final year which counts towards the credit requirement of the full honours degree.

All modules are taught in English and there is provision for the Welsh language equivalent in a number of modules in Levels 4, 5 and 6. These are indicated below * and whilst every endeavour will be made to ensure that these run every year it is not, unfortunately, possible to guarantee this.​

​Year One (Level 4)

​All modules are compulsory and designed to give you sound grounding in business and management studies and your personal development.


Compulsory modules for all pathways:

  • Business Economics

  • Business Information Systems

  • Finance for Managers*

  • Introduction to Marketing*

  • Law and the World of Business

  • Managing People at Work*

Year Two (Level 5)

At Level 5, students taking the generic degree (BA Business and Management) study 100 credits of compulsory modules and choose a 20 credit option module this option module is the first stage of the pathway choice.

Compulsory modules for all pathways (* available in Welsh):

  • Business in Action*

  • Contemporary Operations Management

  • Ethical and Sustainable Business Practices*

  • Business Research and Reporting*

  • Skills Development and Application - either: Work Experience* or Volunteering Project*


Option modules for the Business & Management degree (worth 20 credits each):

  • Creativity and Innovation Management (Entrepreneurship / Sustainability)

  • Business Law for the Digital Age (Law)

  • Marketing Communications for Managers (Marketing)

  • Money & Investment (Finance)

  • People Management and Engagement (Human Resource Management)

  • Intercultural Awareness for Business (International Trade)

Year Three (Level 6)

At Level 6, students studying the generic degree (BA Business and Management) study 40 credits of compulsory modules and choose 80 credits of option modules. Students studying a pathway at Level 6, take a minimum 40 credits of compulsory modules, 40 credits in their subject specialism and 40 credits of option modules (20 of which may be pathway related).

Compulsory modules for all pathways:

  • Strategic Management / Rheoli Strategol*

  • Change Leadership / Arwain Newid*


A core advantage of this degree is the ability to change pathways. This allows you to decide your final year study at the end of the second year rather than being set in stone now or during your first few months at University. Students on the Generic Pathway will chose from a range of options taken from the various pathways giving these students a very wide choice of subjects although it is not possible to guarantee that every module will run every year

Level 6 Students staying on pathway from L5 take 2 from 3. Students switching pathways take all 3:

Entrepreneurship:

  • Applied Entrepreneurship and Business Development

  • Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Culture

  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship


Finance:

  • Investment Management

  • Capital Markets & Derivatives

  • Contemporary Finance


HRM:

  • Contemporary Employee Relations

  • International People Management

  • Talent Resourcing & Development


International Trade:

  • International Trade Law

  • International & Global Marketing

  • International Business and Cultural Diversity


Law:

  • Contemporary Business and Consumer Protection

  • Legal Managerial Responsibilities in Employment

  • Business Obligations


Marketing:

  • Startegic Brand Management

  • Contemporary Business Communications

  • International and Global Marketing


Sustainability:

  • Ethical Supply Chain Management

  • Leading Change for Sustainability

  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Learning & Teaching​

Lectures
Lectures are a major part of the teaching strategy for the programme. Lectures are an effective way of delivering core material and establishing a framework for a module against which other material can be set.

Seminars
Seminars involve students presenting previously prepared work to peers and a lecturer. This strategy is used to extend specific theoretical or practical concepts as well as introducing problem solving exercises. Seminars are used in most modules and provide students with valuable experience in presentational skills, blogs, wikis or podcasts, as well as providing staff with a method or assessing student-centred learning, while virtual learning environments such as Moodle, webinars, recorded lectures, allow uploading of course content, in cases where this may occur students will continue to benefit from staff contact/expertise.

Practical Workshops
Practical workshops are used extensively in a number of modules throughout the programme. In these classes students are able to practise and refine their skills in a supportive environment where they can get feedback from a member of academic staff. Practical workshops represent a valuable transition between theory and practice.

Case Studies
Case studies are a teaching and learning strategy which are employed in a range of modules. They also are a useful assessment tool. Students are presented with or asked to develop real or simulated complex problems which they are required to analyse in detail and then synthesise/present their own solution in writing or orally.

Business Experts
A key component of the learning experience is to invite business experts, academic and in practice, to provide insights into their research work or business activity. A network of experts help provide specialist knowledge as well as bolstering and promoting the credentials of the programme. Such experts might be invited as guest speakers or requested to provide a more interactive workshop experience where appropriate.


Support for students in learning:

Personal Tutors

All students studying in Cardiff School of Management benefit from the team of dedicated tutors who provide a point of personal and regular contact for students. They guide students in such matters as, finance, welfare, career development as well as helping where needed with the planning of effective study patterns, exam preparation and a range of other important issues. The Personal Tutors work closely with the Programme Director and Year Tutors to ensure that the needs of the students are met effectively and that their time at Cardiff Metropolitan University is a pleasant and successful experience.

In addition to the Personal Tutors, the individual course specific academic support and guidance is provided by the Programme Director and the respective Year Tutor. This is particularly important in relation to both the choice of options which are available at level 5 and 6 and the selection of pathways. To ensure that the students make an informed decision, there is a dedicated webpage accompanied by podcasts available. This is further supported by a compulsory plenary session for each year of the programme, together with an Options Fair to give further individual guidance.

The programme provides further general support to the students through the following:

  • An induction programme for level 4, level 5 and level 6 students

  • Student handbook, programme handbook and individual module handbooks

  • The Moodle Virtual Learning Environment

  • Library and study skills packages

  • Library and learning resources of both Cardiff Metropolitan University campus

  • Specialist computing facilities including interactive and multi-media labs

  • A 24-hour open access IT facility on the Cyncoed and Llandaff campuses

  • Unlimited worldwide web access

  • Access to student services including those offered by careers, welfare, disability, counselling, chaplaincy and medical centre.


The University operates an outward mobility programme and funding is available to encourage cultural visits to other countries in support of understanding business in its global and political contexts.

Assessment

The assessment strategy covers a wide spectrum of approaches. Each module has its own aims, objectives, learning outcomes and methods of delivery and assessment. Assessments may therefore take the form of assessed written papers/essays/reports, oral presentations, group and individual research projects, posters, reflective papers which may involve compiling scrapbooks, case studies as well as open/closed book formal examinations.

Preparation and support is available for assessment through various activities designed by module leaders, personal tutors and library.

Employability & Careers​

Knowledge and understanding of business management, in conjunction with the development of graduate employability skills required from employers is paramount. From the moment of induction, to completion of your final year, employability is an important aspect of your degree programme.

As well as a compulsory work experience module in year two, which we can help you arrange, we hold careers fairs and social networking events with employers. Alternatively, if you intend to become a young Entrepreneur and start your own business, the Centre for Student Entrepreneurship will aid you in business practice and help develop your business idea while you are a university student. The work experience module in year 2 (level 5) seeks to offer you real world experience. A module is also available between years 2 and 3 where you can take a placement in industry for one year which is awarded 40 credits in your third year. Our work placement officers can assist in finding year long placements.

Most of our students enter the business world after graduation and will find employment in a wide range of organisations, in both the public and private sector. For example students have found employment as business sales executives, marketing associate professionals, financial account managers, managers and directors in retail and wholesale, estate agents and auctioneers, and human resources and industrial relations officers, to name a few.

There are opportunities for students to continue their study at postgraduate level at courses with Cardiff School of Management, such as the MSc International Business Management, LLM International Business, MSc Strategic Marketing, MSc Human Resource Management, MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, MSc International Supply Chain and Logistics Management, MSc Banking & Finance and the MBA. In addition graduates will be well prepared to undertake professional qualifications or programmes.

Entry Requirements​ & How to Apply

Typical Offers

  • Tariff points: 112
  • Contextual offer: See our contextual offers page.
  • GCSE: Five GCSEs at Grade C / 4 or above to include English Language / Welsh First Language, Mathematics / Mathematics – Numeracy.
  • English Language Requirement: Academic IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in all elements, or equivalent.
  • A level subjects: Minimum three A levels to include Grades CCC. No specific subjects required. Welsh Baccalaureate – Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate considered as a third subject.
  • BTEC National / Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: DMM
  • T Level: Merit.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma: No specific subjects required.
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 2 x H5. No specific subjects required.
  • Irish Leaving Certificate: 2 x H2 grades. No specific subjects required. Higher level subjects only considered with a minimum grade H4.
  • Scottish Advanced Highers: Grades DD. No specific subjects required. Scottish Highers are also considered, either on their own or in combination with Advanced Highers.

If you do not meet the above entry requirement, we also offer a Foundation Programme which allows progression to Year 1.

Combinations of the above qualifications are accepted if they meet our minimum requirements. If your qualifications aren’t listed, please contact Admissions or refer to the UCAS Course Search.

Further information on Overseas qualifications can be found here.

If you are a mature applicant, have relevant experience or RPL that you would like us to consider, please contact Admissions.


How to Apply

Further information on how to apply can be found here.

Contact Us

For general enquiries please contact Admissions on 029 2041 6010 or email askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

For course specific enquiries, please contact the Programme Director, Dr Kelly Young:

Email: kyoung@cardiffmet.ac.uk

Tel: +44(0)29 2041 5873

We endeavour to deliver courses as described and will not normally make changes to courses, such as course title, content, delivery, and teaching provision. However, it may be necessary for the university to make changes in the course provision before or after enrolment. It reserves the right to make variations to content or delivery methods, including discontinuation or merging courses if such action is considered necessary. Please read our Terms and Conditions for the full information.

Key Course Information

​​​UCAS Codes: 

UCAS Codes:
BA (Hons) Business & Management:
M200

Pathways:

Entrepreneurship: N1NS
Finance: M300
Human Resource Management: M500
International Trade: N1IT
Law: M600
Marketing: M400
Sustainability: N1NY

*Foundation students should also use this UCAS code and apply for entry point 0 on the UCAS website.

Place of Study: 
Llandaff Campus

School:
Cardiff School of Management

Course Length: Three years full-time or four years full-time if undertaking year long industry placement. Four years full-time if undertaking foundation year. Five years full-time if undertaking foundation year and year long industry​ placement.

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BA (Hons) Business and Management graduate Jack reflects on how his degree at Cardiff Met has helped him launch his career as a Partnerships Executive at Archers Sport Management.

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Business and Management student Ellis, blogs about starting his fitness Wear business 'The Barbell Club', whilst studying at Cardiff Met and working with the Centre for Entrepreneurship.
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Graduate Profile
Graduate Profile

"Of all the life lessons my University experience taught me, meeting new people has been the most valuable, especially when transferring into the world of work. I first started with Odyssey because I got to know Dom, the CEO (pictured right), in the Centre for Entrepreneurship at Cardiff Met.

Working with people from different backgrounds has given me confidence in my people skills and increased my cultural awareness. Today, my work involves marketing and so building relationships is key. Another experience that improved my ability to build relationships was my time studying abroad. I spent five months in Turkey on the University Erasmus+ programme. The company I now work for, Odyssey, is based in an entrepreneur space with a variety of people so the strong interpersonal skills I have developed allow me to excel in my role."

Joshua Richards (pictured left). BA (Hons) Business and Management. Marketing Executive at Odyssey

Pathways: