Business Management (Top-up)BA (Hons)

Critical Management

Critical Management Studies (CMS) offers a vital framework for questioning mainstream assumptions about management, work, and organizations. Emerging from Marxist labour process theory in the 1980s and later shaped by critical theory and post-structuralism, CMS explores how power, identity, and discourse operate in organizational life. More recently, it has expanded to critique broader societal issues such as colonialism, patriarchy, heterosexism, and global capitalism—often treating management as a reflection of deeper ideological structures.

This undergraduate module introduces you to the critical, interdisciplinary tradition of CMS, encouraging you to challenge conventional thinking about management. You will develop an understanding of key theoretical approaches in CMS, for example Marxist, Foucauldian, and postcolonial perspectives. You will critically analyse contemporary issues such as power relations, identity politics, and the global context of work and organizations. You will learn to question managerial practices and discourses, exploring their ethical and political implications. You will also strengthen your ability to construct well-reasoned arguments and engage with complex texts and ideas. Finally, you will gain the tools to connect academic critique with real-world social issues, preparing you to become a more reflective and socially aware graduate.

Leading Innovation

By the end of this final-year core module “Leading Innovation”, you will have studied, and applied in practice:
• a range of leadership theories and techniques to critically evaluate and develop your own personal leadership style
• a range of leadership theories and techniques to critically evaluate contemporary innovation practice in organisations in a range of companies and industries engaged with innovation
• a range of innovation theories and techniques to critically evaluate contemporary innovation processes in organisations in a range of industries that innovate
• the synergies between leadership and innovation in a range of business contexts

The Module will be based around two themes:
(i) Theme 1: Leadership, where students will study, reflect on, and use leadership theories and techniques to assess and develop their own personal leadership style. By doing this, students will be closely engaging with and evaluating classic and contemporary theories, and directly applying the ideas from these theories to their own experience and ambitions.

(ii) Theme 2: Innovation, where students will study, analyse, and evaluate the innovation processes of selected organisations and industries (by critiquing, for example, Case Studies), and how innovation is achieved and operates within the contemporary economy (by critiquing, for example, classic and contemporary examples).

In addition, students will study the synergies between leadership and innovation, an emerging area in academic research and in practice. By doing this, students will be closely engaging with and evaluating innovation practice and performance, informed by leadership theories and techniques, covered in Theme 1.

Each theme will conclude with a task / assignment: Theme 1 will conclude with a team-based Seminar Task, and Theme 2 will conclude with a pairs-based summative assignment.

Once complete, this Module aims to enable students to understand a long-term timeline.
• Firstly, students will ‘look back’ and be exposed to classic and contemporary leadership texts, so they can critically evaluate and develop their own personal leadership style.
• Secondly, they will ‘look forward’ and critically evaluate how innovation can further emerge in the economy and society, and how contemporary and future organisations and industries can ensure sustainability through enhanced innovation, blended with enhanced organisational leadership.

In addition, this Module has been designed following University guidelines and policies on:

- Artificial Intelligence:
https://student.londonmet.ac.uk/your-studies/student-administration/guidance-on-the-use-of-artificial-intelligence/#
- Education for Social Justice Framework (ESJF):
https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/about/centre-for-equity-and-inclusion/a-fair-outcomes-approach-to-teaching-and-learning/the-degree-awarding-gap/education-for-social-justice-framework/
Sustainability:
https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/about/sustainability/

Practising Business Strategy (with simulation)

By the end of this final-year core module “Business Strategy”, you will have the ability to:

- Develop your knowledge and understanding to critically apply a range of practical strategic management tools for analysis, choice-making and implementation across public, private and not-for-profit organisations of all sizes across all sectors internationally;
- Translate your analysis of contemporary organisations and contexts into persuasive, creative and realistic proposals for an international organisation’s future strategic direction
- Apply structured insight into the realities of an international organisation’s internal and external context in order to develop implementation plans which help maximise achievement of their strategic objectives; and
- Enhance your employability by developing transferable skills such as research, analysis,
evaluation, decision-making, team-work, presenting, and influencing others, across different cultures

Strategy is a crucial subject, concerned with the development, success and failure of all
kinds of organisations, from multinational corporations (MNCs) to entrepreneurial start-ups, from international charities to global agencies, and many others. Accordingly, strategy constitutes a key element of all professional business and management qualifications:

- It equips aspiring managers and leaders with the knowledge, skills and techniques required to critically analyse contemporary organisations within changing environments nationally and globally; and
- to formulate, evaluate and defend realistic and creative proposals for future
strategic direction; and
- to plan for the effective implementation of the strategy selected.

NOTE: the deadlines for completion of the formative Seminar Task, plus the final summative Assignment, are deliberately early, in order to allow students to focus on their final projects and exams

In addition, this Module has been designed following University guidelines and policies on:

- Artificial Intelligence:
https://student.londonmet.ac.uk/your-studies/student-administration/guidance-on-the-use-of-artificial-intelligence/#

- Education for Social Justice Framework (ESJF):
https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/about/centre-for-equity-and-inclusion/a-fair-outcomes-approach-to-teaching-and-learning/the-degree-awarding-gap/education-for-social-justice-framework/

Sustainability:
https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/about/sustainability/

The Practice of Management

By the end of this final-year core module “The Practice of Management”, you will have:

- studied and applied a range of management theories and techniques to critically evaluating your personal development and management style

- studied and applied a range of management theories and techniques to critically analyse large PLCs, plus wider global issues (such as the UN’s SDGs)

The Module will be based around two themes:
(i) Theme 1: Personal and Academic Development, where students will study, reflect on, and use management theories and techniques to assess their own creative qualities and career ambitions. Alongside this theoretical work, you will take part in practical activities that mirror real recruitment processes, such as developing a professional CV, crafting a personal statement, and practising interview techniques. By doing this, students will be closely and creatively engaging with and evaluating classic and contemporary theorists, and directly applying the ideas from these theorists to their own experience.

(ii) Theme 2: Professional Development, where students will study, analyse, and evaluate the management and performance of large corporations, and, looking ahead, consider these corporations in light of the UN’s Global Sustainability Goals 2030, justifying ways in which their selected PLCs will need to be strategically re-aligned and managed internally in order to contribute to these long-term external goals. By doing this, students will be closely engaging with and evaluating management and business strategy and performance, and creatively re-designing corporate strategy to contribute to wider social, political, and cultural objectives.

Each theme will conclude with an assignment: Theme 1 will conclude with a team-based formative Seminar Task, and Theme 2 will conclude with a pairs-based summative assignment. The summative assignments will include demonstrating how graduate recruiters can assess candidate’s management approaches and personal self-reflection on how to demonstrate leadership in professional job applications.

Once complete, this Module aims to enable students to understand a long-term time line.
- Firstly, students will ‘look back’ and be exposed to classic and contemporary texts, theories, and techniques, which they will apply to their personal and professional development.
- Secondly, they will ‘look forward’ and evaluate how contemporary PLCs can contribute to future wider global socio-political objectives, namely the UN’s Global Sustainability Goals 2030, which will strengthen their professional development.

In addition, this Module has been designed following University guidelines and policies on:

• Artificial Intelligence:
https://student.londonmet.ac.uk/your-studies/student-administration/guidance-on-the-use-of-artificial-intelligence/#

• Education for Social Justice Framework (ESJF):
https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/about/centre-for-equity-and-inclusion/a-fair-outcomes-approach-to-teaching-and-learning/the-degree-awarding-gap/education-for-social-justice-framework/

Sustainability:
https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/about/sustainability/

Consultancy Project

The Professional Consultancy / Project module serves as a capstone experience, requiring students to undertake a business-focused project designed to enhance their employability and support ongoing professional development.
As part of this module, you will complete and document an individual project that not only consolidates your learning throughout the programme but also allows you to apply your knowledge in a real-world context. It provides a valuable opportunity to demonstrate the professional competencies you’ve developed over the course of your studies.
If you are currently employed, you may choose to base your project on a work-related consultancy initiative, subject to your employer’s approval. Alternatively, you may opt for a research-based project.
You will present your project through an online presentation. This module offers a platform to showcase your professional credibility while applying your academic, business, and technical skills in a practical setting

The Professional Consultancy Project aims to:
1 , Demonstrate the ability to utilise and contextualise knowledge by applying analytical skills to a business situation or problem
2 , Demonstrate the ability to assemble a coherent and sustained piece of writing that evaluates a business/project problem/solution
3 , Create an opportunity to continue the development of a range of skills associated with research, including analysis, interpretation, written expression, formal report writing, and self-managed study
4 , Engage students in a complex, integrated activity that will consolidate and integrate previous skills and learning
5 , Provide students with a ‘showcase’ opportunity that allows them to demonstrate their ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course to a significant and specialised task

Those studying on a Student Visa will only be able to complete work-based project option of this module if it meets UKVI monitoring requirements including: approval of the placement dates and hours by a Placement Officer prior to starting the placement, submission of weekly timesheets for the hours undertaken, signed by their contact at the business and continued engagement with the Placement Officer as well as the International Student Support and Compliance Team.

Consultancy Project

The Professional Consultancy / Project module serves as a capstone experience, requiring students to undertake a business-focused project designed to enhance their employability and support ongoing professional development.
As part of this module, you will complete and document an individual project that not only consolidates your learning throughout the programme but also allows you to apply your knowledge in a real-world context. It provides a valuable opportunity to demonstrate the professional competencies you’ve developed over the course of your studies.
If you are currently employed, you may choose to base your project on a work-related consultancy initiative, subject to your employer’s approval. Alternatively, you may opt for a research-based project.
You will present your project through an online presentation. This module offers a platform to showcase your professional credibility while applying your academic, business, and technical skills in a practical setting

The Professional Consultancy Project aims to:
1 , Demonstrate the ability to utilise and contextualise knowledge by applying analytical skills to a business situation or problem
2 , Demonstrate the ability to assemble a coherent and sustained piece of writing that evaluates a business/project problem/solution
3 , Create an opportunity to continue the development of a range of skills associated with research, including analysis, interpretation, written expression, formal report writing, and self-managed study
4 , Engage students in a complex, integrated activity that will consolidate and integrate previous skills and learning
5 , Provide students with a ‘showcase’ opportunity that allows them to demonstrate their ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course to a significant and specialised task

Those studying on a Student Visa will only be able to complete work-based project option of this module if it meets UKVI monitoring requirements including: approval of the placement dates and hours by a Placement Officer prior to starting the placement, submission of weekly timesheets for the hours undertaken, signed by their contact at the business and continued engagement with the Placement Officer as well as the International Student Support and Compliance Team.

Consultancy Project

The Professional Consultancy / Project module serves as a capstone experience, requiring students to undertake a business-focused project designed to enhance their employability and support ongoing professional development.
As part of this module, you will complete and document an individual project that not only consolidates your learning throughout the programme but also allows you to apply your knowledge in a real-world context. It provides a valuable opportunity to demonstrate the professional competencies you’ve developed over the course of your studies.
If you are currently employed, you may choose to base your project on a work-related consultancy initiative, subject to your employer’s approval. Alternatively, you may opt for a research-based project.
You will present your project through an online presentation. This module offers a platform to showcase your professional credibility while applying your academic, business, and technical skills in a practical setting

The Professional Consultancy Project aims to:
1 , Demonstrate the ability to utilise and contextualise knowledge by applying analytical skills to a business situation or problem
2 , Demonstrate the ability to assemble a coherent and sustained piece of writing that evaluates a business/project problem/solution
3 , Create an opportunity to continue the development of a range of skills associated with research, including analysis, interpretation, written expression, formal report writing, and self-managed study
4 , Engage students in a complex, integrated activity that will consolidate and integrate previous skills and learning
5 , Provide students with a ‘showcase’ opportunity that allows them to demonstrate their ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course to a significant and specialised task

Those studying on a Student Visa will only be able to complete work-based project option of this module if it meets UKVI monitoring requirements including: approval of the placement dates and hours by a Placement Officer prior to starting the placement, submission of weekly timesheets for the hours undertaken, signed by their contact at the business and continued engagement with the Placement Officer as well as the International Student Support and Compliance Team.

Dissertation

Since this module will be taught in the final year of a three-year degree, students will be required to build on previously gained knowledge and research skills. It requires students to pick up research threads introduced and developed in previous analytical modules, identify a topic of their interest and deepen their knowledge further through research.

Their research will involve the review of a wide range of publications (secondary data sources) around the broad area of investigation, and this will lead to the formulation of a research proposal for their dissertation. Students will pursue a robust enquiry into a theme emerging from their investigations in their chosen industry, and as the theme emerges, the research methodologies, appropriate methods of data collection, data processing and analysis are evaluated. Both the process and the knowledge and skills gained will inform their approach to their future career. For example, students will be required to identify whether secondary data sources alone will be sufficient to satisfactorily answer their research question. Their ability to critically analyse, synthesise and present data in a useable format will contribute to their management capability. This process will therefore inform their research, as well as potentially their future path. The undertaking of an investigation into a management topic, analysis of data, evaluation and synthesis will help them to prepare for the graduate job market or post-graduate studies.

The module aims to allow students to:
• Decide on a suitable research area
• Propose a feasible study investigating their field of interest
• Present their plan and defend it accordingly
• Conduct extensive literature research into their chosen topic
• Develop a suitable proposal including a literature review and methodology

Dissertation

Since this module will be taught in the final term of a three-year degree, students will be required to build on previously gained knowledge and research skills. It requires students to pick up research threads introduced and developed in MN6P07S and continue their research by deepening their knowledge further through data collection, analysis and write-up of a dissertation.

Their research will have already involved the review of a wide range of publications (secondary data sources) around the broad area of investigation and this will have lead to the formulation of a research proposal for their dissertation in MN6PXXS. Students will pursue a robust enquiry using the research methodologies, appropriate methods of data collection, data processing and analysis designed. Both the process, the knowledge and skills gained will inform their approach to their future career. Their ability to critically analyse, synthesise and present data in a usable format will contribute to their management capability. This process will therefore inform their research, as well as potentially their future path. The undertaking of an investigation into a management topic, analysis of data, evaluation and synthesis will help them to prepare for the graduate job market or post-graduate studies.

The module aims to allow students to:
• Conduct the study accordingly by analysing and interpreting data
• Report their investigation in the form of a professional dissertation

Dissertation

Since this module will be taught in the final year of a three-year degree, students will be required to build on previously gained knowledge and research skills. It requires students to pick up research threads introduced and developed in previous analytical modules, identify a topic of their interest and deepen their knowledge further through research, data collection, analysis and write-up of a dissertation.

Their research will involve the review of a wide range of publications (secondary data sources) around the broad area of investigation and this will lead to the formulation of a research proposal for their dissertation. Students will pursue a robust enquiry into a theme emerging from their investigations in their chosen industry, and as the theme emerges, the research methodologies, appropriate methods of data collection, data processing and analysis are evaluated. Both the process and the knowledge and skills gained will inform their approach to their future career. For example, students will be required to identify whether secondary data sources alone will be sufficient to satisfactorily answer their research question. Their ability to critically analyse, synthesise and present data in a useable format will contribute to their management capability. This process will therefore inform their research, as well as potentially their future path. The undertaking of an investigation into a management topic, analysis of data, evaluation and synthesis will help them to prepare for the graduate job market or post-graduate studies.

The module aims to allow students to:
• Decide on a suitable research area
• Propose a feasible study investigating their field of interest
• Present their plan and defend it accordingly
• Conduct extensive literature research into their chosen topic
• Develop a suitable proposal including a literature review and methodology
• Conduct the study accordingly by analysing and interpreting data
• Report their investigation in the form of a professional dissertation

Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Business

The business world is currently undergoing profound technological change. Digitalisation has reached new heights, and new technologies are helping tackle ever more tasks that are complex. This trend is driven by the availability of large quantities of data – big data (BD) – and by the improved opportunities for using this data through artificial intelligence (AI). The relevance of AI is growing as technology, companies, and consumers interact. First, current technological progress facilitates the extensive and practical use of AI. Second, companies are increasingly relying on data and the value they extract from it to optimise their business models and processes.

Third, consumer behaviour is increasingly shaped by digital applications, which in turn boosts the generation and availability of data. As such this module focuses on the relevance and management of AI in the business context. This module also focuses on how to lead successful AI initiatives by prioritising the right opportunities, building a diverse team, shaping the strategies and strategic experiments and continuously managing business solutions to benefit the organisations.

Brand Management

You will be provided with a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding on brands, brand equity and strategic brand management issues. In addition, you will learn about the concepts and framework of branding, which are crucial in designing, implementing marketing campaigns as well as activities to build, measure and manage brand equity. You will also learn about the tools and techniques to improve long-term profitability via creating effective brand strategies.
Aims of the module:
• Explore the role of branding from a corporate and consumer perspective.
• Examine the theory of branding.
• Develop students' understanding of the role played by marketing communications in the building and maintenance of brands.
• Develop students’ researching and analysing skills.
• Develop students’ critical writing, application of knowledge and decision-making skills.

Financial Decision Making for Managers

Financial decision-making is important for all businesses. This natural mental process needs to be informed to select a course of action from several alternative options. One of the most essential elements that help to facilitate the implementation of the business strategy in an organisation is Finance. The financial manager of an organisation plays a central role in making decisions on optimum utilisation of financial resources and assess the implications for shareholders and other stakeholders, and the need for effective corporate governance. Therefore, managers require critical understanding of key financial management concepts and techniques, performance indicators and methodologies relating to financial management frameworks. Managers use these tools when they are faced with making financial decisions in the business environment. This module provides students with knowledge about financial decision-making approaches and control systems businesses use to make managerial decisions.

The module also provides the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate the impact of financial decisions. It enable learners of today, who are managers of tomorrow, to participate in decision making processes concerning the utilisation of finances in investment, financial and risk management, and the delivery of value for money in achieving the objectives of the business. Although managers are not always required to perform detailed financial analysis, they need to have a clear understanding of how the process of financial management and decision-making work to ascertain that decisions are properly made and implemented and that apposite risk management system are in place.

The module focuses on fundamentals of financial management, the need for accounting and finance, financial governance, making capital investment decisions, balancing risk and return, tools of financial analysis, interpretations and planning, reading financial reports, cost challenges in decision making, working capital management, sources of finance, cost-volume-profit analysis and its use in managerial decisions and planning.

Language Module (Arabic, French, Spanish or English)

Please check the Open Language Centre for confirmation of language level.

Social Marketing

This module introduces you to a developing specialist new field associated with marketing. It provides you with the opportunity to build on your knowledge about marketing to apply it to situations where the aim is to help address social problems. Social marketing is a developing new science that makes use of several disciplines, in addition to marketing, to help improve the welfare of our societies. This field has been applied to many social ills ranging from obesity, drinking and driving to discrimination and domestic violence.

You will be first introduced to the history and concepts of social marketing and shown the procedures used by social marketers to address social problems. You will be encouraged to develop your critical as well as applied abilities during their studies. By the end of the module it is expected that you will not only be able to appreciate the benefits of social marketing but also learn very useful skills about how to apply it. The knowledge and skills will prove very useful to enable students to apply their marketing skills to both commercial and social situations. It will also help develop their social responsibility attitude and enable them to consider this great discipline as another career route to target.

The module will be delivered over a 12-week period (15 weeks with assessment period) consisting of a 3-hour delivery, with the final hour being devoted to practice. The module will use a blended learning delivery approach covering lectures/workshops, video demonstrations and student projects. We will use extensively Weblearn for both delivery of teaching and practice material as well as for the submission of assessment.