The details
Location: Online Mode of study: Part-time Qualification: BA (Hons) Indicative duration: 4 years
Start date: Awarding body: University of Essex Delivered by: Kaplan Open Learning For queries: Call +44 (0) 1206 489 358

How does management impact the way a business operates? How do the theories of management relate to the practice?

This course will help you adapt to the ever-changing world of business. We’ll examine a range of real-world business examples and use them to develop the broad skillset that a good manager should be able to draw from.

At level 4 you will begin by building a foundation in key topics, which you will expand on throughout later modules. Areas of study include:

  • leadership and teams within different organisations
  • management of projects and working with stakeholders
  • legal challenges that are faced by businesses
  • international marketing strategy and opportunities
  • human resources within organisations in the 21st century
  • facilitating effective financial decision making

In your final year of this business management degree, you will have the opportunity to leverage all your new skills in an independent and in-depth investigation on the topic of your choice, culminating in the creation of a business research project. You will also critique and provide feedback on others’ reports, developing the critical evaluation and communication skills that you will need in collaborative meetings throughout your career.

In our interactive discussion forums and live Q&As you will collaborate with professionals around the world, learning not just from us but also from each other. You’ll develop new ways to approach business problems and will be able to apply the skills you learn from the very first day.

Why we’re great

  • As one of the longest running online higher education providers we have a track record of success and improvement.
  • Our assessment processes are designed for online and mature students to reflect real-life situations and issues.
  • Receive your degree from the University of Essex, a top 40 UK university (Complete University Guide 2023).

The BA (Hons) Business and Management is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 360 credits.

Optional modules: choose two at Level 6.

Build your proficiency, grow in confidence and familiarise yourself with the key areas of business in this exciting module. You’ll also develop key academic skillssuch as report writing, research, referencing, writing and reflective learning that will be beneficial in your future career. 

Distinguish between the role of leader and manager, and understand how to establish effective teams to increase motivation in the workplace. This valuable module will also develop your understanding of effective communication channels leaders employ, as well as the overall communication process. 

This valuable module examines the modern marketing environment and the four main decision-making areas to consider in business. You’ll then progress into interesting psychological aspects, such as buyer behaviour and consumer influence, while developing an understanding of the role of marketing in society as a whole.  

Explore the complexities of human resource management in this insightful module. You’ll gain a critical understanding of HR theories and practices in a global context, as well as a deeper awareness of ideologies within a wider social, political and economic setting. You’ll also consider the strategic influences of stakeholders on business performance. 

What role does finance play within an organisation? Find out in this valuable module. You'll cover topics such as budgeting, cost management and capital investment analysis, while developing your ability to analyse and evaluate performance. That way, you can make decisions based on financial information. 

How do businesses work within an international economy? In this insightful module, you'll learn about the internal and external environment of organisations and explore how it impacts people, technology and resources. This module will also provide you with a grounding in approaches to organisation management.  

This in-depth module will introduce you to the core skills currently in demand in the global labour market – while giving you a greater understanding of how to better prepare your skillset for today’s fast-paced job market. Evaluate your current core skills and plan to develop them in-line with fluctuating labour market demands.  

Gain a solid grounding of business planning with this valuable module. From business strategy to risk management and financial basis, you’ll cover a range of topics – allowing you to assess risk and its impact on a business. You'll also be able to apply your understanding to key business functions, including finance, marketing and human resource management. 

This comprehensive module introduces selling as an element of the marketing process, alongside marketing and sales planning strategies. You'll also explore a wide range of topics, including consumer buyer behaviour, key account management strategies, sales management responsibilities and selling techniques from personal to relationship and multi-channel.  

What role does operations management play in the success of an organisation? Find out in this exciting module. You'll learn how to maximise scarce resources to produce goods and services in an efficient and cost-effective way, while developing the skills required to recommend changes and improvements to strategic operations and supply chain.  

This fascinating module provides insight into organisational culture and contemporary models of leadership. You’ll examine effective leadership attributes and approaches to managing change across people, processes and culture – so that by the end, you’ll be able to successfully evaluate the leader’s role in change management.  

Finance is key to keeping a business on-track and how you decide how to use your budget is crucial. With a strong focus on accounting matters in financial decision-making, this helpful module allows you to successfully analyse management control – as well as the conflicting implications of challenging budgeting decisions. 

Explore the theories and concepts utilised for effective project management and the use of contemporary project management software. In this valuable module, you’ll gain insight from case studies and delve into project management knowledge areas and process groups while using specialist project management software. 

Explore a wide range of practical and theoretical issues relating to research in business, their applications and how they can be employed by different organisations. This fascinating module also allows you to conduct your own research into an area of interest, using appropriate methodology and professional research material.  

Immerse yourself in the key elements of the global business environment with this comprehensive module. You'll review international trade theories, the global financial marketplace and discover the organisations which support it. You’ll also learn to critically analyse the motives for and barriers to internationalism. 

Examine the development of international marketing strategy as a planned response to the global business environment. In this defining module, you’ll develop a solid understanding and appreciation of the underlying theories of international marketing, and critically assess the various steps taken by an organisation when looking to internationalise.  

Hone your strategic management skills with this exciting module. You’ll benefit from an engaging introduction to the key theories, approaches and concepts which form business strategy. Not only that, you’ll learn to critically evaluate the limitations of emerging schools of thoughts and how to they best work in practice. 

Immerse yourself in the research process by generating research ideas with clear objectives. Understand the differences between key data collection techniques and analysis procedures and explore why these are not mutually exclusive. 

Develop your understanding of the role strategic human resource management plays in organisational effectiveness. In this insightful module, you’ll explore processes that include workforce planning; performance management; employment relations and reward; and learn how these processes contribute to the overall operational success of the business.  

In this engaging module, you’ll identify the core foundations of law that regulate businesses and evaluate the changing legal environment and how this affects businesses on an operational level. Dive into the fundamental issues that face all businesses, contract, employment, tort and business operations. 

Identify the key concepts of e-commerce and e-business marketing in this exciting module. You'll learn how to attract customers through digital media channels; develop a solid understanding of search engine marketing, campaign performance and metrics; and discover how each of these channels interacts with the overall customer journey.  

Develop an understanding of business finance and its applications to the decision-making process in organisations. In this valuable module, you’ll work through the theoretical concepts and approaches to finance management within a domestic context – before critically analysing opportunities for expansion and divestment. 

Teaching methods

Studying online gives you the freedom to study when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or anywhere else you have internet access.

Our courses are delivered through a virtual learning environment (VLE) instead of a traditional campus. This means you will have access to your study materials 24/7, including:

  • multimedia lecturecasts made up of written content, short videos, animation, audio recordings, infographics, short tests and mini-assignments
  • discussion forums for you to chat about the course content with fellow students
  • live Q&A sessions with your tutors
  • a comprehensive eLibrary of textbooks and academic journals
  • support from academic staff and your dedicated Student Support team

To ensure you receive the support you need from your tutor, we cap our class sizes at 20 students.

 

Assessment methods

Rather than fretting about exams, you will be assessed exclusively through assignments. This can be by engaging in discussion forums throughout your modules, completing reflective journal entries, or by submitting longer written pieces.

We are committed to providing frequent and transparent feedback through the following ways:

  • Our assessment criteria are designed to be simple and transparent.
  • You will always be aware of your current provisional grade, right from the start of the programme.
  • You will be able to view your marks clearly in your gradebook whenever you log onto the learning platform.
  • There is a 7-day turnaround for marking and feedback of assessed work.
  • You will have regular contact with your Student Support team, with whom you can discuss any concerns as soon as they arise.

 

Study duration

Our BA (Hons) Business and Management has an indicative study duration of 4 years, which is a guide to how long your course will take to complete. The actual duration may be longer or shorter depending on your speed of study, study options chosen and module availability.

It’s possible to complete your studies faster than the indicative course duration by doubling up on modules at certain times; however, minimum study durations do apply.

Our academic year is organised into modules, typically with a one- or two-week break between modules and a structured three-week break for the Christmas period. Students will receive a course timetable during the application process.

All of our courses have regular start dates throughout the year.

On successful completion of your degree, you will be invited to attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Essex, Colchester Campus.

Business skills are incredibly transferable to virtually any field. As well as management, you could apply your new commercial knowledge to roles in finance, consultancy, project management, advertising or marketing – to name a few.

Gaining an undergraduate qualification with the University of Essex Online also puts you in good stead for your career prospects. Results from our 2021 student survey showed:

  • 92% of students said their course helped develop their research skills
  • 89% of students say their studies fit with their future plans
  • Almost 60% said their studies had a positive effect on their career
  • 25% of students saw their salaries increase by up to 10%

We know that many people from non-traditional backgrounds would succeed on our courses! That’s why we offer two different entry routes, taking into account your prior work experience and relevant qualifications. You will also need to meet our English language requirements.

You will need to pass your first assignment set within the first three weeks of the course in order to continue with your studies.

 

Academic entry route

In order to satisfy the academic entry route requirements for our BA (Hons) Business and Management, you must have the following qualifications as a minimum:

  • two A-levels or equivalent

 

Work experience entry route

In order to satisfy the work experience entry route requirements for our BA (Hons) Business and Management, you must meet the following criteria:

  • GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above, or equivalent
  • three years’ relevant work experience

 

English language requirements

As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency with English is required. If English is not your first language, your English ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.

You don’t need to prove your English ability if you are a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries.

Full tuition fee:

£18,500 UK / £19,425 International (2023-24) Δ 

  • Designated for undergraduate student loans in England. 
  • Simple monthly payment plan available, enabling you to spread the cost over the duration of your studies. 
  • Full payment discount of 5% if you pay upfront. 
  • Regional scholarship available for international students based overseas in eligible countries. 
  • 10% corporate discount available when three or more of your employees study with us.   

Please note, a maximum of two discounts or scholarships can be applied. The corporate discount can only be used in combination with our upfront payment discount, but not in conjunction with any other discount or scholarship. Find out more information about our discounts and scholarships here. 

Our course fees are fully inclusive – all teaching materials and required reading are included, and there are no hidden charges for assessments or resits.  

Δ All tuition fees shown are net of any applicable sales tax payable by you in your country of residence. Where we are required to add sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the tuition fees shown and confirmed during the payment process. 

Subject specialists, industry authorities and experienced academics: the tutors who teach modules on our BA (Hons) Business and Management are experts in the field of business.

What our students say

testimonials

Katie Mitchell - BA (Hons) Business and Management

I joined the Army at sixteen years old having only taken the three GCSEs that I needed for my chosen trade. I am a Sergeant within the Royal Signals. Having worked as a Troop Sergeant (manager) for the last four years, I am about to start training to become a supervisor within my trade, which will involve promotion to Staff Sergeant in completion. I decided to start studying because I felt that I was wasting my evenings just going home and watching TV every night. I also wanted to be prepared for the inevitable career in ‘civvy street’; although my intention was to complete a full career in the military, I knew that my circumstances could change and so I wanted to make sure that I could get a good and interesting job regardless of when my military service ended.  

Why did you choose online studying specifically, rather than just studying on a normal...

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Matt Clifton - BA (Hons) Business and Management

I had a large interest in business, and after finishing college I wanted to pursue studying a degree. Before starting the University of Essex, I had already studied both a first and national extended diploma (BTEC) in Business Studies. Along with this, I had studied a CMI junior management qualification. After my four years at college, it became largely known to me that I wanted a career in business, so I decided to apply for the Business Management BA.  

Why did you choose online study specifically, rather than just studying on a campus?

Largely down to time commitments. At the time of starting the BA, I was 18 years old, and in my last year of college. It would have been really tough to access a campus-based university over an online study option. I have taken on an LLB on campus now, so this was another commitment I had too. If I did attend the campus for four...

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Paul Nicholson - BA (Hons) Business and Management

I was a project leader in the oil and gas industry, wanting to take my career to the next level. Learning through an online programme provided me with the flexibility I needed to manage my work and family life. Studying in the evenings and at weekends worked well for me, but without the support and understanding of my wife and daughter, it could have been very difficult. Summer holidays saw me sitting in air-conditioned rooms writing assignments while my family entertained themselves. I would say family ‘buy-in’ and support is crucial to succeed! However, while I've made sacrifices, I'll definitely reap the rewards in the long term.

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