BA (Hons)

Business Management

NP29

In a fast-moving and complex global economy, the role of management has never been more exciting and challenging. Over 750,000 companies were founded in the UK in 2022, the second highest year on record. 

Person in suit reading business newspaper

Course overview

Whether you envisage life at a FTSE 100 company, or want to run your own start-up, at Winchester we’ll equip you to be a confident, responsible and innovative leader of the future able to meet the shifting demands of the contemporary business world. 

This broad-based degree is closely linked to industry and will introduce you to the latest management theory and practice. You will explore finance and economics, marketing, design and innovation, business enterprise, supply chain management, international communications, and ethical leadership. 

The programme’s flexibility enables you to pursue personal learning goals and career aspirations by selecting your own journey through a range of engaging business disciplines. Depending on the optional modules you choose, you may graduate with a specialism in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Project Management, Finance, or Marketing. 

Before moving on to the final year, you may choose to spend a year on a paid work placement in a business relevant to your ambitions, increasing your professional confidence and employability. 

The wide range of real-time business knowledge and skills gained will enable you to pursue a career in a diverse range of organisational sectors. You are also equipped with the skills suitable for self-employment and the confidence to set up your own business. 

What you need to know

Course start date

September

Location

On campus

Course length

  • 3 years full-time
  • 6 years part-time

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NP29

Typical offer

104-120 points

Fees

From £9,250 pa

Course features

  • Study a diverse and flexible range of business modules, enabling you to pursue a career in a wide variety of sectors or immerse yourself in an area of specialism that fires your passion 
  • Learn how to optimise business for the future, with ethical and sustainable practices taught as a core principle - The University of Winchester Business School is a United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Champion 
  • Develop your innovation and creativity skills to enable you to create your own business start up and become an entrepreneur 
  • Option for a one-year paid work placement, with past graduates placed at BMW, Intel, Siemens and Microsoft 

Course details

Our aim is to shape 'confident learners' by enabling you to develop the skills needed to excel in your studies here and as well as onto further studies or the employment market. 

You are taught primarily through a combination of lectures and seminars, allowing opportunities to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups.

In addition to the formally scheduled contact time such as lectures and seminars etc., you are encouraged to access academic support from staff within the course team and the wide range of services available to you within the University.

Independent learning

Over the duration of your course, you will be expected to develop independent and critical learning, progressively building confidence and expertise through independent and collaborative research, problem-solving and analysis with the support of staff. You take responsibility for your own learning and are encouraged to make use of the wide range of available learning resources available.

Overall workload

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity.

While your actual contact hours may depend on the optional modules you select, the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each level of the course.

Year 1 (Level 4): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*

Teaching, learning and assessment: 288 hours
Independent learning: 912 hours

Year 2 (Level 5): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*

Teaching, learning and assessment: 252 hours
Independent learning: 948 hours

Year 3 (Level 6): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*

Teaching, learning and assessment: 168 hours
Independent learning: 1032 hours
Placement: 0 hours

*Please note these are indicative hours for the course.

Teaching Hours

All class based teaching takes places between 9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday during term time. Wednesday afternoons are kept free from timetabled teaching for personal study time and for sports clubs and societies to train, meet and play matches. There may be some occasional learning opportunities (for example, an evening guest lecturer or performance) that take places outside of these hours for which you will be given forewarning.

Assessment

Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.

We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

The assessment balance between examination and coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by different assessment modes is as follows:

Year 1 (Level 4)*:

87% coursework
13% written exams
0% practical exams

Year 2 (Level 5)*:

71% coursework
16% written exams
13% practical exams

Year 3 (Level 6)*:

100% coursework
0% written exams
0% practical exams

*Please note these are indicative percentages and modes for the programme.

Feedback

We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.

Modules

Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing. The University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed. For further information please refer to winchester.ac.uk/termsandconditions

Modules

Discovering Your Subject

Whatever a student’s future career, there are certain professional skills that are required in the workplace. This module provides opportunities to acquire and apply essential skills for academic success, while also developing digital skills that are a prerequisite for a successful career.

Students will practice, and build confidence in wide ranging skills, as part of their transition into higher education. By establishing and pursuing a personal development plan, students develop a set of personal qualities such as self-awareness, confidence and resilience; and professional skills such as communication, teamwork, risk management, coaching and feedback. Whilst students learn to construct outstanding CVs and professional LinkedIn profiles, this module also aims to raise students’ digital skills competencies. The module will cover the general Microsoft Office suite and specific digital skills of particular relevance to the discipline that the student is studying. This module is taught as a mix of lectures, practitioner guest lectures, hands-on skills seminars and computer lab sessions.

Finance and Economics for Business

This module equips non-accounting students with the basic financial skills and understanding of economics at both personal and macro levels. This will support their learning through their management-related degree studies, and also the management of their own finances. The module introduces principles and concepts of economics and this sets the scene on markets and the motivations of human beings and their decisions in becoming ‘better off’: the module will examine how the economics relates to and can determine a person and a country’s well-being. Fundamental financial processes will include analysis of financial statements, knowledge of cost behaviours and forecasting, financial decision making such as how to price a product or service. The module allows students to bring together their financial skills by preparing extracts from a business plan as part of an application for finance.

Business and People

An important aspect for a contemporary business is to adhere to the requirements of responsible and ethical management. Due to the rapid changes and current dynamics in the environmental and social arenas, shareholder demands develop swiftly. This module prepares the students as future managers and business owners to react to these demands in a prompt, agile and responsible manner. Even in a world of AI and technological advancement, work is not possible without human planning and interaction. Much what is at stake in business organisations depends on the behaviour of groups and their individual members. Late developments in the disciplines of psychology and organisational behaviour help us to understand the significance of considering human behaviour in recruiting and retaining skilled workforce and talent. Apart from the above, the module provides practical insights into the foundations of the entire process of human resource management by addressing major contemporary issues such as diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity at the workplace.

Introduction to Marketing

This module introduces the concepts, theories, and practices of marketing. It explores the meaning and scope of modern marketing as both a management philosophy and a business function. The module contains three components:

1. MARKETING PRINCIPLES

Marketing concepts are examined in depth, emphasising the importance of aligning marketing strategies with market demands. Students are encouraged to develop a critical marketing perspective, considering the broader impact of marketing on the economy, society, and the environment.

2. MARKETING RESEARCH

Students will learn the fundamental methodologies and techniques collecting, analysing, and interpreting data. It equips them with the necessary skills to conduct valuable research and contribute to evidence-based marketing practices in today's fast-paced business environment. Students will gain a deep understanding of how marketing research offers valuable insights into consumer behaviour, market trends, and competition.

3. CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR

Students will explore contemporary consumer behaviour theory and its relevance in marketing management, decision-making, and societal contexts. Various disciplinary perspectives, including economics, psychology, sociology, and cultural anthropology, are examined to reveal the motivations underlying consumer behaviour.

 

Modules

Researching Your Subject

More information about this module will be available soon. 

Creativity, Design and Innovation

The ongoing success and sustainability of established organisations often depends on their ability to generate innovative products and services. New and early-stage ventures typically rely upon radically different ideas to gain a critically important foothold in the market. Without creativity, design and innovation many organisations would lose a critical source of competitive advantage. The processes through which creativity, design and innovation occur, and how these can be encouraged at individual, team and organisation level, are therefore important concerns for founders, managers and investors, regardless of business age, type, size, location or sector. In the modern knowledge-based economy, they are often critical to success. The module will challenge students to develop their creative and critical thinking skills, to engage in design-thinking processes and to employ a user-centred approach to innovation. Students will apply the processes to both generate, and critically evaluate, innovation concepts, to ensure they are practical, viable and market focussed.

Project Initiation and Planning for Business Enterprise

From the construction of churches, temples, roads and pyramids to the development of today’s most complex business systems and construction projects, projects have existed. It is over more recent years that Project Management has developed to an academic discipline and a Chartered Profession. Project Management is commonplace and there are many areas within a business where projects are identified and managed to create new products, systems and outcomes. Initiation is the first stage of a project where a business case provides justification for the project, and this is the basis to ensure that a project stays on track as it begins and is managed. The business case sets out what the project is intended to achieve, how that will be achieved and the scope of the work; this is important for controlling subsequent change requests. In this module the focus is on initiation and planning of projects.

International Business Communications

International business communications is increasingly important for businesses, entails working effectively with others, often across linguistic and cultural boundaries. This entails, for example, building effective working relationships. This module helps students develop the descriptive and analytical tools to analyse instances of spoken and written business communication. It is influenced by performance, behaviour and by the way organisations communicate with all stakeholder groups. Students will also develop reflective abilities for inquiring into complex professional situations and identify solutions. 

This module will provide students with the key skills and knowledge to allow them to apply international business management communications principles to industry led international scenarios. It analyses the use of communications across a range of contemporary channels which influence perceptions of organisations. The pedagogic approach involves extensive analysis of highly contemporary, international case studies which track reputation through different international business strategies through verbal and non-verbal communications, PR, negotiations and organisational crises. In doing so the module encourages a multi-perspective approach to case studies and so builds student understanding of the challenges of international business communications.

Grounded in theoretical frameworks, the module builds insight into, and understanding of the way in which international business communications is used to engage and influence a range of different stakeholders with different needs. It further encourages students to think critically about how international organisations manage the flow of information to stakeholders, using a range of contemporary media channels to develop and manage their relationships.

The module includes demonstration of how international business communications can be managed through use of successful planning techniques and strategies, due concern for ethical decision making at international level, issues tracking and crisis communications planning and the use of key tools . The module therefore equips future business leaders and communicators with core knowledge and frameworks to understand how to manage successful international business communications in relation to international business relationships, PR, employee behaviour and ethical values.

The module will be delivered through interactive workshops, guest lectures and practical seminars where students will have the opportunity to apply what they have learnt to real-world international business communications case studies and examples. Students will appraise and evaluate a range of real-world international business communications cases in a variety of situations of cross-cultural communications, developing critical analysis and synthesizing skills.

 

Operations and Supply Chain Management

This module explores the role and purpose of Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management and provides students with an understanding of the principles, practices and strategies involved. Students will explore the major principles of operations and supply chain management within and beyond an organisation, and analyse how they are applied in different organisations. The module will provide students with the opportunity to develop an understanding of the challenges associated with the management of operations within an organisation plus the opportunity to gain a professional lean foundation qualification.

Through interactive lectures, case studies, and practical exercises, students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to implement and manage sustainable practices in operations and the supply chain. The module explores the concept of the sustainable supply chain and its significance in today's business environment. Students gain insights into the drivers, benefits, and challenges of sustainability, exploring environmental sustainability, and examining hotspots such as energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, and resource depletion. Strategies for achieving green and reverse logistics, eco-friendly packaging, and carbon footprint reduction are explored encompassing Lean philosophies and methodology following the guiding tenants of continuous improvement and respect for people.

The module also addresses the social and performance aspects of operations and supply chain management. Students learn strategies for improving social performance, including fair labour practices, ethical sourcing, and diversity and inclusion initiatives. They explore performance indicators and measurement frameworks to assess and track progress in implementing sustainable practices.

Throughout the module, students engage in interactive activities, discussions, case studies, and simulations. Guest lectures by industry experts and site visits to sustainable organisations provide real-world insights. By the end of the course, students possess a strong foundation in sustainable operations and supply chain management, enabling them to contribute to the development and implementation of sustainable practices in various organisational settings. This module prepares students to become catalysts for sustainable innovation and leaders in shaping a more resilient and sustainable global supply chain ecosystem.

Optional modules
  • Volunteering - 15 credits
  • Project Management in Practice Applications and Implementation - 15 credits
  • Project Management, Monitoring and Control - 15 credits
  • Be Your Own Boss - 15 credits
  • Disruptive Business Innovation - 15 credits
  • Information Management and Data Analytics - 15 credits
  • Web Development - 15 credits
  • Personal Income Taxation - 15 credits
  • Financial Management - 15 credits
  • Relationship Marketing - 30 credits
  • Consumer Behaviour - 30 credits

Modules

Strategic Management

This module provides a holistic overview of strategic management from a global perspective. Drawing upon traditional academic theories and current debates, the module evaluates the relationship between strategic analysis, strategic formulation, strategic implementation, and business performance in the global arena. The module examines how external and internal factors influence strategic decisions and how strategic choices contribute to an organisation’s performance in an increasingly dynamic and hypercompetitive environment. In the module, students will apply different strategic management tools to analyse and evaluate the strategic position of firms, develop a set of alternative strategies that will enable a firm to become or remain competitive in the national and global marketplace and recommend how organisational systems should be aligned to support a firm’s national and international strategic direction.

Ethical Leadership and Change Management

Sun Tzu said ‘Amid the chaos, there is also an opportunity and opportunities multiply as they are seized’. For organisations to survive in a constantly changing market landscape (financial crisis, pandemic, Brexit, climate change impacts), they need to analyse the probability and consequences of crises which involves assessing the likelihood of a crisis occurring (and the frequency) and then determining its possible impact on business operations. Ethical leadership is guided by the goal of creating the most value for society, therefore, it goes beyond the obvious ethical rules (‘don’t lie’, ‘don’t cheat’) as rooted in the work of the philosophers Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, and Peter Singer—this provides the much needed clarity for leaders to navigate through crises, organisational change, strategic alliances, and organisational politics to shape a more value-focused culture.

This module aims to develop informed, critical and responsible managers who can lead others in an effective, ethical and consistent way, aligned with their values. The students will have both a systematic understanding of the key issues and concepts in the leadership, change [including formulating and executing change as well as overcoming resistance to change], and crises with a critical perspective. On completion of the module, students should be able to critically evaluate why and how ethical leadership is important and how it guides organisations through change and crises from a practical, ethical and international perspective.

Optional modules
  • Capstone Business Management - 30 credits
  • Capstone Project: Project Management - 30 credits
  • Programme and Project Management Implementing Strategy - 15 credits
  • Complex Projects and Megaprojects - 15 credits
  • Design & Develop It - Your Business Startup - 15 credits
  • Pitch & Launch It - Your Business Startup - 15 credits
  • The Startup Accelerator - 30 credits
  • Strategic Analytics - 15 credits
  • Investments - 15 credits
  • Financial Risk Management - 15 credits
  • Disruptive Technologies - 15 credits
  • Brand Identity - 30 credits
  • Social Media - 30 credits
  • Capstone Project: Marketing - 30 credits
  • Capstone Project: Finance - 30 credits
  • Non-profit Organisations - 15 credits
  • Social Enterprise - 15 credits

Entry requirements

104-120 points

Our offers are typically made using UCAS tariff points to allow you to include a range of level 3 qualifications and as a guide, the requirements for this course are equivalent to:

  • A-Levels: BCC-BBB from 3 A Levels or equivalent grade combinations (e.g. BBB is comparable to ABC in terms of tariff points)
  • BTEC/CTEC: DMM from BTEC or Cambridge Technical (CTEC) qualifications
  • International Baccalaureate: To include a minimum of 2 Higher Level certificates at grade H4
  • T Level: Merit in a T Level

Additionally, we accept tariff points achieved for many other qualifications, such as the Access to Higher Education Diploma, Scottish Highers, UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma and WJEC Applied Certificate/Diploma, to name a few. We also accept tariff points from smaller level 3 qualifications, up to a maximum of 32, from qualifications like the Extended Project (EP/EPQ), music or dance qualifications. To find out more about UCAS tariff points, including what your qualifications are worth, please visit UCAS.

In addition to level 3 study, the following GCSE is required:

GCSEs in Mathematics at grade 4 or C, or higher. Functional Skills at level 2 is accepted as an alternative, however Key Skills qualifications are not. If you hold another qualification, please get in touch and we will advise further.

If you will be over the age of 21 years of age at the beginning of your undergraduate study, you will be considered as a mature student. This means our offer may be different and any work or life experiences you have will be considered together with any qualifications you hold. UCAS have further information about studying as a mature student on their website which may be of interest.

If English is not your first language, a formal English language test will most likely be required and you will need to achieve the following:

  • IELTS Academic at 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all four components (for year 1 entry)
  • We also accept other English language qualifications, such as IELTS Indicator, Pearson PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and TOEFL iBT

If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by contacting our International Recruitment Team via our International Apply Pages.

2024 Course Tuition Fees

  UK / Channel Islands /
Isle of Man / Republic of Ireland 

International

Year 1 £9,250 £16,700
Year 2 £9,250 £16,700
Year 3 £9,250 £16,700
Total £27,750 £50,100
Optional Sandwich Year* £1,850 £3,340
Total with Sandwich Year £29,600 £53,440

Additional tuition fee information

If you are a UK student starting your degree in September 2024, the first year will cost you £9,250**. Based on this fee level, the indicative fees for a three-year degree would be £27,750 for UK students.

Remember, you don’t have to pay any of this upfront if you are able to get a tuition fee loan from the UK Government to cover the full cost of your fees each year.

UK Part-Time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £77.08 and a 15 credit module is £1,156. Part-time students can take up to a maximum 90 credits per year, so the maximum fee in a given year will be the government permitted maximum fee of £6,935.

International part-time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £139.14 and a 15 credit module is £2,087.

* Please note that not all courses offer an optional sandwich year.

**The University of Winchester will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year.

Additional costs

As one of our students all of your teaching and assessments are included in your tuition fees, including, lectures/guest lectures and tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and specialist teaching facilities. You will also have access to a wide range of student support and IT services.

There might be additional costs you may encounter whilst studying. The following highlights the mandatory and optional costs for this course:

Optional

Core Text

Multiple copies of core text are held within the library and e-books are identified where possible, however due to limited availability students are recommended to purchase a copy for their own use. It is possible for students to purchase second-hand copies. Indicative cost: £50 - £300 per year.

Volunteering and Placements

Students may incur travel costs on optional volunteering placements in the second and third year of study. Indicative cost: £5 - £30 per day.

There may be an additional contribution for optional school trips. Indicative cost £5 - £30 per day.

Printing and Binding

The University is pleased to offer our students a printing allowance of £5 each academic year. This will print around 125 A4 (black and white) pages. If students wish to print more, printer credit can be topped up by the student. The University and Student Union are champions of sustainability and we ask all our students to consider the environmental impact before printing.

Smart Wear

Students may be expected to dress formally for oral assessments. Costs will vary depending on the students existing wardrobe. Indicative cost: £0 - £50.

SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES AND AWARDS

We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course. To see if you’re eligible, please see our Scholarships and Awards.

CAREER PROSPECTS

Students pursue careers within strategic planning, project management, business development, product development, finance, human resources and marketing.

The wide range of real-time business knowledge and skills gained will enable you to pursue a career in a diverse range of organisational sectors. You are also equipped with the skills suitable for self-employment and the confidence to set up your own business. 

The University of Winchester ranks in the top 10 in the UK for graduates in employment and further study according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021, HESA.

Pre-approved for a Masters

If you study a Bachelor Honours degrees with us, you will be pre-approved to start a Masters degree at Winchester. To be eligible, you will need to apply by the end of March in the final year of your degree and meet the entry requirements of your chosen Masters degree.

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