Programme And Module Handbook
 
Programme Specification


Date Specification Approved 09/10/2020
College College Social Sciences
School Birmingham Business School
Department Management
Partner College and School
Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title B.Sc. Business Management with Communications and Year in Industry Full-time
Programme Code 758B
Delivery Location Campus
Language of Study English
Length of Programme 4 Year(s)
Accreditations This programme has no outside accreditations
Aims of the Programme This programme aims to address the, corporate communications, marketing, and public relations requirements of today’s businesses whether UK or international. It combines a broad-based business degree with a specialist communications, marketing and public relations, element. It also aims to develop business communications skills thereby acquiring a distinct advantage in the graduate market. As a rigorous analytical, academic degree, it provides students with a solid foundation of business knowledge and context, via a common first year. The programme also provides students with the media and communications skills necessary to navigate a career in business, marketing, communications, corporate communications, or public relations. Using various teaching techniques such as workshops to produce marketing communications collateral e.g. video for the web and social media campaigns. The role of communication in business management, including building trust and reputation are also central themes. The underlying philosophy of the programme is that students study all aspects of business management whilst developing a specialism in communications, public relations and marketing in the second and final years of the course.

The degree distinguishes itself from other variants of the BSc Business Management suite of programmes, through the provision of a dedicated compulsory communications element from year 1 2. Employers tell us that they value the broad based knowledge and transferable skills that our graduates bring to their graduate schemes. The Year in Industry allows students to understand that application of theory is about praxis. Students spend a minimum of 33 weeks on an industrial placement. The main purpose of the industrial placement is for the student to gain an understanding of how theoretical business and communications models can be applied in the real world and can be challenged and revised through practice; to develop the transferable skills that employers today, and students, are increasingly seeking.

Business communications is conducted today in a global environment; it is necessary to be able to interact with other markets and cultures, therefore an international underpinning is to be found in most modules. In addition, an appreciation of other contemporary issues such as global multimedia developments, , digital and social marketing, creative campaign production, and knowledge management is provided throughout the programme, which will also endeavour to impart a sense of corporate social responsibility.
Programme Outcomes
Students are expected to have Knowledge and Understanding of: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
A broad and analytical integrated study of business and management.
Relevant knowledge and understanding of organisations including the role of individuals in organisations (internal aspects, functions and processes including diverse nature, purposes, structures, governance, operations and management).
Relevant knowledge and understanding of the external environment in which organisations operate, including the role of business and individuals in society.
Relevant knowledge and understanding of management (processes, procedures, theories, models, frameworks, tasks and roles, together with rational analysis and other processes of decision making.)
Within these 3 frameworks (2-4) and understanding of markets, customers, finance, people, operation, information systems, communication and IT, business policy and strategy, contemporary and pervasive issues.
The interrelationship among organisations and the external environment and the integration of these areas (ethical, economic, environmental, legal, political, sociological and technological – at local, national and international levels)
An in-depth knowledge of how businesses utilise communications techniques to assess and address stakeholder interests in a changing environment.
Expertise in marketing concepts current trends in marketing communications, campaign planning and delivery across a range of media
In-depth knowledge of how corporate communications processes are utilised to build strategic marketing and communications programmes.
1) Lectures, workshops, writing groups, case studies. Industrial visits to media organisations and interactive guest lectures from marketing communications professionals.
2) Lectures, case studies, small group working, corporate story writing, podcast script writing workshops and production.Online quizzes.
3) Lectures, case study analysis.
4) Lectures, case studies, cross module case studies, online case studies
5) Lectures
6) Lectures, case study, podcast script writing and production
7) Lectures, workshops, video deconstruction, webcast workshops, production and editing, communications/marketing placement, reflection.
8) Lectures, seminars, blog writing, individual and group presentations, online discussions, interactive guest lectures
1) Media workshops, press release writing, written assessments.
2) Examination, individual podcast & group presentation.
3) Coursework & examination
4) Coursework & examination
5) Examination
6) Coursework/ podcast. Examination
7) Written report/ assessment/ webcast production examination.
8) Individual presentation, blog writing, group presentation
Students are expected to have attained the following Skills and other Attributes: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
The ability to think critically in relation to the knowledge base outlined above, the ability to analyse issues using different theoretical viewpoints and synthesis these viewpoints.
An understanding of how to approach and instigate effective discipline related problem solving and decision making using appropriate qualitative and quantitative skills.
An understanding of how to produce and communicate convincing arguments, individually and in groups, across a range of channels, including orally and in writing.
The ability to interpret numerical data; knowledge of how to conduct commonly used statistical analyses.
Effective use of communication and IT across a range of relevant channels.
Effective self- management and ethical citizenship (demonstration of awareness of ethical practice in business, academic study, research and communication and develop awareness of individual and collective citizenship.
Reflective, adaptive and collaborative learning
Self awareness, openness and sensitivity to diversity.
Teamwork, including leadership, team building, influencing, adaptive and collaborative learning and project management skills.
Effective communication including listening, negotiation, persuasion, and presentation across a range of contemporary media.
Lectures, workshops, video deconstruction, webcast workshops, creative campaign production and editing, communications/marketing placement, reflection; preparatory classes, canvas online assignments, self-directed study and experiential and reflective learning.
1) Coursework, individual campaigns. Media based interviews.
2) Coursework, class-based work, written assignments and examination.
3) Coursework. Written assignment, podcast and webcast production.
4) Presentations & written assessment.
5) Group coursework.
6) Dissertation