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Introduction
Why choose this course?
Overview
Our Business, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship course prepares you to develop your own business start-up.
You'll gain the knowledge to work in business ventures and create employment opportunities. And you'll develop skills to help you;
 take a lead and show greater autonomy
 achieve results
 engage with external stakeholders and seed fund providers.
Our Business School is known internationally for its learning and teaching. On this course you will;
 focus on the entrepreneurial self
 develop entrepreneurial skills
 immerse yourself in entrepreneurial activity.
You will be able to embark on a business start-up towards the end of your degree. You may also be able to transfer to Work Based Learning modules, and complete your degree while engaging in a business venture.
At the end of Year 1 you’ll have the option to switch to one of our other courses Business and Management or International Business Management.
Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.
Standard offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 112
A Level: BBC
IB Points: 30
BTEC: DMM
Contextual offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 88
A Level: CCD
IB Points: 27
BTEC: MMM
Applications are also welcomed for consideration from applicants with European qualifications, international qualifications or recognised foundation courses.
If you don’t achieve the required tariff points you can apply to join a foundation course, like Foundation in Business or an international foundation course to help to reach the required level for entry onto this degree.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Exploring International Business and Management (2 module credits)
In this module, you’ll be actively engaged with the study of Business and Management, through exploring essential characteristics of organisations in a global context, while assessing the role of management within this. You’ll explore the functions of business and the impact of the external environment on business choices. You’ll also use a variety of media including simulation and published accounts of decisions being enacted by businesses and managers today.
This will equip you with the core concepts required to analyse and research business and management issues. You’ll also develop your academic and employability skills, such as critical thinking, evidenced based decision-making and collaboration.
Accounting and Financial Information
This module demonstrates the importance of accounting and finance in the context of new and small businesses. In this module you will learn how to prepare and analyse simple financial statements as well as how to apply management accounting techniques in the areas of planning, budgeting and short term decision making.
In these sessions, you’ll learn financial principles and techniques for different business situations, and apply these to a combination of both in-class mini case examples and extended case examples
Digital Technology and Maths for Business
The module introduces foundations of business information management to understand the potential of digital technologies. You will gain essential numerical, modelling and IT-skills, and will learn to manipulate data in order to create meaningful and user-friendly management information. These skills are taught in a business and problem-oriented way, using simplified business problems, combining several skills for each problem.
The Entrepreneur
This module develops your entrepreneurial mindset and skills essential for success in the modern business world. You'll explore a full range of tools and techniques for innovation, creativity, and enterprise and learn to evaluate different components for success in diverse business landscapes. A multi-faceted approach to learning, combining classroom-based lectures with practical workshops, gives you the opportunity to apply behaviours, skills, and attributes associated with entrepreneurial success in a productive learning environment. This module also focuses on academic literacies, including critical thinking, analysis, and evaluation of contested knowledge.
On successful completion of this module, you will have a strong foundation in the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to succeed in various business contexts.
Business in Society
This module is designed to provide an introduction to the ideas of personal corporate responsibility, sustainability, diversity and criticality that will underpin your professional career. You’ll also practise argument construction and debate in order to use wider thinking.
Upon successful completion of this module, you’ll be able to critically analyse evidence, demonstrate critical awareness to the complexity of diverse global perspectives and construct an argument to an audience.
Foundations of Marketing
This module provides you with an understanding of core marketing principles, including an introduction to key marketing content in the context of the micro and macro-business environments.
You will gain a solid grounding in the different marketing concepts, equipping you for your further studies.
Optional modules
Exploring Economics
As an introduction of economics to students, examples from the real world will be used to illustrate economic concepts and theory. You’ll learn about the role and methods of economics, which will include developing a testable hypothesis.
On successful completion of this module, you’ll understand the basic principles of economics and the relationships between economic variables, while also developing the ability to work with graphs.
Work, Employment and Globalisation
To give you an understanding of the complex and dynamic challenges of contemporary global labour markets, you’ll explore contemporary issues about work, employment and global labour markets throughout this module. And you’ll investigate the changing nature and organisation of work, inequalities at work, migration and labour mobility, identity at work, and the digital economy. These issues will be examined using a variety of institutional, organisational and individual theoretical perspectives.
From exploring post-industrial work and society within different institutional contexts, you’ll gain a key understanding of issues of diversity and inclusion at work, while gaining the intellectual skills required to critically research and review literature.
Raising Individual Financial Awareness
In this module, you'll gain a foundational education in financial literacy and learn about personal finance issues. You'll explore the basics of saving, investment, and property, as well as income tax, National Insurance, pensions, and wills. In addition, you'll discover the role of financial institutions like the Inland Revenue, Banks, Building Societies, and the Stock Exchange. Furthermore, you'll develop skills to gather and analyse personal financial data, recommend appropriate solutions, and select strategies to manage your finance and fiscal requirements.
This module empowers you with the knowledge and skills to operate within the finance and tax framework. On successful completion of this module, you’ll be able to make informed financial decisions, manage your finances and make recommendations that align with your personal circumstances.
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Applied Financial Skills
Building on from your first year accounting study, this module allows you to critically evaluate the financial results of strategic and financial decisions as reported by different companies. You’ll develop desirable skills of financial analysis and management accounting to support the needs of future managers and marketing professionals.
This module will also allow you to develop the confidence to use financial information both independently, and collaboratively with financial specialists.
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
The module has been designed to help develop the knowledge and understanding as well as the related skills and capabilities associated with enterprise in its broadest sense. This module addresses the subject of entrepreneurship in a holistic manner, one in which the range of contexts; from entrepreneurship to intrapreneurship, and from high tech spin out to social and public enterprise is considered. The module focuses on both macro and micro dimensions, to help you understand both the dynamic nature of the entrepreneurial economy and their own employment opportunities within it.
On successful completion of this module, you will understand the theoretical underpinnings of enterprise and entrepreneurship, be able to identify the perspectives required for entrepreneurial success and be able to evaluate the contribution of government policies designed to develop an enterprise culture.
Business Strategy for Competitive Advantage
You will develop knowledge and critical understanding of the classical principles of business strategy in exploring the question 'How should organisations compete to achieve sustainable, competitive advantage in today's global business environment?’ In answering this question, the potential of an organisation to create value through effective exploitation and development of internal resources and capabilities is examined using well-established analytical tools.
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to analyse and evaluate the relative impact of the international industrial and competitive environment on organisations and the strategic choices they face, apply decision-making criteria and weigh risks appropriately.
Creativity and Innovation
This module aims to provide the underpinning theory, concepts and some basic skills to understand and engage in the processes of creativity and innovation. It uses a holistic approach to look at this subject from a variety of angles such as from an academic perspective, an organisational perspective, a management consultancy perspective, and an entrepreneurial perspective.
Evaluating Options for Entrepreneurial Organisations
Through this module you’ll develop a deep understanding of corporate entrepreneurship and the role of intrapreneurs. You’ll have the opportunity to take part in workshops where you’ll build and progress skills and behaviours as entrepreneurs.You’ll also practice project management in putting together a business case that explores innovation structures, concept development and creativity and evaluates funding options. By the end of the module you’ll demonstrate enterprising behaviours and be able to:
 seek out opportunities
 act on opportunities
 manage projects independently
 strategize
 innovate
 build trust in relationships
 and network.
Developing Professional Practice
This module will help you develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for making effective career decisions and managing your future career development, including transitions into graduate employment, self-employment or further study (including professional training courses) whether in the UK or overseas. This module will support you in taking an informed and critical view of the current and future world of work and consider your future role and responsibility, not only to yourself but also to others. This module will raise your awareness of the services and support offered by the Careers Service and OBBS WAVES team. The aim is to encourage you to further develop your career by engaging in placements, internships, volunteering and other extracurricular activities offered by the University.
Placement Search and Preparation (only compulsory for who will take the optional Year 3 work placement)
This module is designed to provide practical guidance and support in undertaking a placement search, preparing for the placement experience, and succeeding in the modern workplace. Throughout the module, you will develop critical self-awareness and personal literacy skills, enabling you to self-reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses and target your placement search effectively. Additionally, you will also explore methods of effective and targeted placement search, increasing your chances of securing a placement.
In summary, this module is an essential component of your employability journey. By integrating with co-curricular activities, the module provides a holistic approach to employability, ensuring that students have a broad range of skills and experiences to draw upon in their future careers.
Optional modules
Choose 2 Optional modules from those below:
Environmentally Sustainable Business
You’ll look at the environmental sustainability challenges facing society and businesses. You’ll discuss key environmental issues such as:
 global warming
 pollution
 biodiversity loss
 freshwater depletion
and the role of business in causing as well as responding to such issues.
You’ll explore macro (economic, policy, governance) as well as micro (organisational and individual) perspectives. You’ll also be introduced to a variety of stakeholder perspectives and frameworks for evaluating business responses. Through the module you’ll develop your key competencies for sustainability that are endorsed by UNESCO (2017) and the QAA/Advance HE (2021). The competencies are:
 systems thinking
 anticipatory thinking
 normative competency
 strategic thinking
 collaborative competency
 critical thinking
 self-awareness
 integrated problem-solving competency.
Independent Study in Business
This is your opportunity for independent study on an approved topic. It will relate to your programme learning outcomes. You’ll select and discuss a relevant topic area with your Programme Lead/Subject Co-ordinator. Your independent study may involve:
 action based learning
 be based solely on desk research
 limited primary research
 group work.
And will be self directed. Through any group work you may have a specific role and responsibilities.
Introduction to People Management
This module is designed to introduce you to the operational role and functions of people management and how it supports organisations to manage their diverse workforce in an international context. People management is an essential tool for all line managers as it provides them with the skills, knowledge and competencies that equip you to be effective in how you recruit, motivate and reward your staff. This module offers you an operational ‘toolbox’ that covers all the core, fundamental features of people management.
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to identify the essential components of viable people management policies whilst also illustrating their effectiveness and engage in appropriate and accurate communications amongst different business contexts.
Managing Business Operations
The aim of any industrial, public sector, retail, or other service organisation is to deliver goods and services of the quality, quantity, cost and availability that will satisfy customers' needs, while at the same time making the most effective use of resources.
This module will help you to develop an understanding of the issues and themes which are appropriate to company middle and senior managers. This is so you can build your understanding of the principles and techniques which are the foundation of successfully managing operations or processes to provide operational benefits for a business.
Managing Non-Profit Organisations
The module covers various non-profit organisations such as charities and social enterprises, and emphasises the unique aspects of the third sector, which relies heavily on a volunteer workforce. By taking this module, you will gain valuable insights into the day-to-day operations of non-profits and learn how to address strategic issues that these organisations face. Additionally, the module will help you develop both conceptual and practical skills that are essential for non-profit placements, independent study modules, or dissertations.
Overall, you will have a broad understanding of the third sector, its similarities and differences from the private and public sectors, and the opportunities and challenges that come with working in the non-profit sector. By acquiring this knowledge, you can pursue a career in non-profit organisations or become an informed citizen who can contribute to the sector in various ways.
Marketing Management
While this module addresses a broad range of concepts that fall under the marketing management umbrella, it will be delivered via an extremely practical task structure that facilitates an engaged and productive academic journey. The module takes key marketing principles such as customer centricity and approaches them through the lens of management, giving you a profound understanding of the pillars of marketing.
On successful completion of the module, you’ll be able to appreciate emerging marketing techniques and theories, perform critical market analysis and apply multi-faceted solutions to marketing problems.
Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management is concerned with managing and controlling the activities along a chain of supply. From procuring materials to delivering finished goods that satisfy customer orders.
This module will help you study, in a global context, the processes necessary to strategically manage the flow of materials and products in order to achieve a competitive advantage. You’ll examine how effective logistics and purchasing systems can become key business enablers. Also you’ll look at how the management of international supply chains must form a significant element of the strategy of any organisation operating on a global basis. By the end of the module you’ll gain a deep understanding of the various threads in a supply chain and that an improved supply chain can be of a significant benefit for a whole business.
Research Methods
This module will help you prepare for your final year compulsory modules and will also prepare you for other advanced modules you’ll study.
Through this module you’ll develop your evidence-based research skills and techniques. Along with those skills and techniques of problem definition, the collection, analysis and critical evaluation of data (both secondary and primary). By the end of the module you’ll be able to argue and present a case based on evidence and analysis to an audience.
Year 3 (placement year)
Optional modules
Optional work placement year
You can spend your third year on a work placement, which is a great opportunity to enhance your CV, preparing you for future employment. You will gain commercial and practical experience, and many students are offered graduate positions by their placement employer. Students have enjoyed inspiring and intellectually challenging positions at IBM, Aldi, BMW, Dyson, Ernst & Young, GlaxoSmithKline, Nestlé and PayPal. During your placement there is a fee which is paid to the university. It covers the cost of your placement tutor, and the support we provide whilst looking for a placement position and during your placement role. Whilst on your placement you will still be classed as a student. You will be paid a financially sustainable salary which will vary depending on your role, company and location.
Year 4 (or year 3 if no placement)
Compulsory modules
Entrepreneurial Business Management
This module provides you with an in-depth focus on the skills involved in evaluating business ideas, the practical steps involved in launching a business and the necessary processes of winning the finance. The module also addresses those issues that ventures must consider when planning an exit strategy and so focuses attention on the purpose of business enterprise. In Semester 1 this module explores contemporary theories of entrepreneurship and applies them to real life case studies. In Semester 2 the module focuses upon the preparation of a complete plan for a new business, capable of attracting funding.
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to apply appropriate analytical concepts to provide support for untried venture proposals, understand the range of technical issues faced by those in start-up ventures and reflect on application of entrepreneurship theory, based on experience in a practical setting.
Social Enterprise and Social Innovation
The module covers a multi-disciplinary approach to contemporary issues in entrepreneurship allowing you to develop a well-rounded skill set. Throughout the module, you will learn from experts in the field and gain practical insights into entrepreneurship. You will have the opportunity to engage in practical learning, including research and working within a community of like-minded individuals, enhancing your personal and professional growth. Moreover, emphasis is placed on interaction within a research community, providing you with valuable teamwork and communication skills.
Overall, this module offers you a unique learning experience that combines academic rigour with practical insights, giving you a competitive edge in the job market while developing essential research and self-development skills.
Strategic Management
This module is designed to provide you with a range of benefits to support your development as a successful corporate leader. Through the exploration of contemporary business themes and analysis of current cases, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the external drivers that shape organisational strategy, behaviour, and management. This understanding will enable you to recommend effective policies and strategies that align with stakeholder interests and wider societal responsibilities. Additionally, this module focuses on both national and international levels, which will help provide a global perspective on business themes and their impact on strategy.
By developing cognitive skills such as critical thinking, analysis, creative problem solving, and decision making, you will be better equipped to navigate complex business environments with confidence.
Managing Careers
This module offers unique opportunities for students to develop their career management skills, gain insights into their own knowledge, and receive guidance from industry mentors. With an emphasis on self-assessment and feedback, students will deepen their understanding of the factors behind employability and how it relates to their personal development. By participating in guided learning and development activities, students will improve their communication and teamwork skills while also improving their ability to manage career expectations and progress.
Overall, this module provides essential tools and techniques for ongoing personal and professional development which gives students an enhanced chance at success in the job market. Valuable skills like informed decision-making, communication and teamwork are nurtured and grown throughout the module.
Business Ethics
This module is designed to address our changing world that is facing social and environmental challenges. You’ll develop the capacity to make ethically defensible decisions as members of business organisations and of society in general. You’ll analyse and evaluate the ethical propositions of others. And, you’ll evaluate the ethics of different systemic models of production, distribution and exchange.
Upon completing this module, be able evaluate and apply ethical reasoning to local and global business dilemmas and economic systems, and you’ll be able to evaluate the significance of a range of western and non-western ethical perspectives.
OR TAKE THIS GROUP OF COMPULSORY MODULES
Personal Entrepreneurial Journey
On this module, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in a business start-up through a Work-Based learning suite of modules which will allow you to achieve the learning milestones of the final year under closer supervision of the programme team.
Upon completion, you will build your understanding of contemporary issues in entrepreneurship through their active involvement in the Business Faculty’s entrepreneurship research and practitioner community.
Work Based Learning: Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Project
Under close supervision by our programme team, if you are at a suitable point in your business proposal, you may be granted permission to transfer onto a Work Based Learning suite of modules which allows you to achieve the learning milestones of your final year whilst engaging in a business start-up.
The aim is to allow you to evidence learning outcomes related to the development of a new business proposal and detailed research into a related business topic.
Optional modules
Choose 2 Optional modules from those below:
Independent Study
This is your opportunity to embark on independent study of an approved topic that relates to your learning outcomes. Your study will be conducted under supervision and you will select a relevant topic area from your course and you’ll need to get approval from the module leader.
Your study on this module can involve:
 action-based learning
 solely on desk research
 limited primary research.
International Marketing
International businesses need to understand international marketing strategy to create sustainable competitive advantage. Within this context, you’ll analyse critical success factors, while drawing from a rich theoretical background. Organisations are increasingly conscious of the importance of ethics, professionalism and social responsibility, which are all issues that will be examined in depth, at an international level, in this module.
Upon successful completion of this module, you’ll understand the effects of a rapidly changing global environment on a diverse range of organisations, develop a set of professional values based upon a critical appreciation of diverse cultural perspectives, and you’ll be confident in qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
Leading and Managing Change
The module aims to develop critical thinking in evaluating the application of change management theory and normative practices to challenges taking place in organisations and wider society. The literature used in the module draws on a breadth of sources including the mainstream and contemporary literature on change management. It aims to increase personal reflexivity and self-awareness.
After completing this module, you will have an understanding of the nature of change and key theories, frameworks, principles and practices relevant for the management and leadership of change. You'll be able to evaluate critically the actions taken by those leading change. You will be better prepared to lead and manage change in your own managerial careers and have an increased awareness of your own potential for ongoing personal development in leading and managing change.
Contemporary issues in International HRM
This module enables you to review and develop disciplinary knowledge and research skills within a contemporary global context. The module adopts a broad definition of `international human resource management', to include issues relating to the impact of diversity management, national culture, the debates in the comparative HRM literature and examples of differences in the way HRM is conducted around the world. It also examines how international organisations deal with the extra complexity that operating internationally brings to HRM.
Current issues will also be examined including the foreign vs. local staffing debate, women expatriates, joint venture issues and issues surrounding cross-cultural management.
Business at the Cutting Edge
This module will equip you with the necessary skills to appreciate, understand, and cope with a fast paced, and changing business environment. Within a contextual framework of current disruptive innovations, you’ll also evaluate and challenge the norms of business models.
You’ll gain analytical skills that can be used to evaluate the impact of disruptive innovation, new technologies, modes of employment and their impact on business now and in the future. These analytical and evaluation skills can also be used to develop directed goals for career development.
Placement Learning
In this module, you'll have the opportunity to reflect critically on your competencies and develop strategies to enhance your personal and professional development through your work experience. You'll also develop critical self-reflection as a tool for personal and professional growth, while evaluating the contribution of your job role to the success of the organisation. Through work-based learning, you'll develop a range of personal competencies, evidence your progress, and apply theory to practise in assessing organisational practice and individual contribution. Additionally, you'll gain a deep understanding of the functioning of your employing organisation, including its structure, culture, and strategy.
By the end of the module, you'll be equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to critically reflect on your own personal and professional development needs, progress, and contributions to organisational success.
Learning and teaching
We want you to enjoy developing the skills you will need to succeed in the competitive business world. Your learning experience will be exciting as well as challenging. You will have the opportunity to take part in:
 problem-solving classes
 assessments in virtual teams
 sessions with local employers
 workshops to develop presentation skills.
You will also have the chance to work with business professionals and on live business cases.
Entry Criteria
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
GCSE: GCSE Mathematics (grade 4 or above), English (grade 4 or above). or equivalent qualifications.
Our standard entry requirement is three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. In some cases, courses have specific required subjects and additional GCSE requirements. In addition to A-levels, we accept a wide range of other qualifications including:
 the Welsh Baccalaureate
 the Access to Higher Education Diploma
 a BTEC National Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma at a good standard and in a relevant subject
 the International Baccalaureate Diploma
 the European Baccalaureate Diploma
 Scottish qualifications – five subjects in SCE with two at Higher level or one at Advanced Higher level, or three subjects in Scottish Highers or two at Advanced Higher level
 a recognised foundation course
 T-levels*.
 * T-levels are a relatively new qualification but are already included in the UCAS tariff. We welcome prospective students who are taking this qualification to apply. For some programmes with specific required subjects, particular subject areas or occupational specialisms may be required.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language then you will need to show that your English language skills are at a high enough level to succeed in your studies.
The entry requirement for your course will be expressed as an IELTS level and refers to the IELTS Academic version of this test. We are now also accepting the IELTS Indicator test, you can find out more about the test on the IELTS Indication site. The University however does accept a wide range of additional English language qualifications, which can be found below.
The university’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:
Course IELTS level
All other undergraduate courses 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Health and Social Care courses 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details)
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Built Environment Foundation,
Computing Foundation,
Engineering Foundation 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
International Foundation Business and Technology,
International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
International Foundation Diploma 5.0 overall with 5.0 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) 4.5 overall with 4.5 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Learning and assessment
In Year 1 you will learn about business and management and develop core management skills, including:
 problem solving
 communication
 IT skills.
We cover the international environment and the application of theory to practice. You will also examine contemporary business issues.
In Years 2 and Year 3 you will study a wide range of core modules. These cover subject areas, including;
 creativity
 evaluating options
 risk management.
This will build on your knowledge from Year 1 and prepare you for your final year. Your adviser will also support you to select optional modules.
In Year 2 you will also take a module to develop your employment skills and support graduate career opportunities.
Assessment
We use a variety of assessment methods, including:
 written exams
 practical exams
 coursework.
We pay particular attention to when and how feedback is given to support your learning. Our feedback methods include:
 audio
 face-to-face
 written feedback.
The majority of teaching and assessment activities take place between Mondays and Fridays, 9am to 7pm. There may be occasions when such activities may fall outside of these hours.
Study abroad
You may be able to go on a European or international study exchange while you are at Brookes. Most exchanges take place in the second year. Although we will help as much as we can with your plans, ultimately you are responsible for organising and funding this study abroad.
Career Opportunities
Primarily we will support you with establishing your own venture in developing the business and enterprise skills you need to work effectively, to create self-employment opportunities and employment for others.
This course will also enable you to secure positions in a range of settings, such as a multinational business which supports intrapreneurship, social enterprises, education, SMEs, healthcare or government, nationally or internationally. Those who choose graduate training schemes do so in major international companies such as Aldi, AC Nielsen, IBM, Virgin Mobile, Intel, Yell Ltd, O2 and Dell.
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