BBA Business Administration

Level One

Business Planning and Forecasting

This module introduces some quantitative techniques which are fundamental to analysis, planning and forecasting in business. It promotes a critical awareness and understanding of some of the processes, techniques and technology by which numerical information can be collected and communicated, which also prepares students for later, more advanced modules. Students practise the systematic use of appropriate industry-standard computer technology for the acquisition, analysis and presentation of data (for example, Excel or SPSS).

Contemporary Business Analysis

This module introduces students to a range of economic concepts and basic analytical techniques needed in the later years of the course. Topics covered in the year-long module include the meaning of economics and the economic problem, the market system and the market economy, the firm and market structure, the labour market, macroeconomic environment of the firm, macroeconomic objectives, national income accounting, the levers of the national economic mechanism, international economic environment of the firm and financial communications.

Financial Communications

This module provides students with an understanding of the relevance of finance and accounting and some of the current issues facing business people. It is not an introduction to the technical side of accounting, rather it gives the non-specialist the ability to understand and comment upon issues which will arise for all of those wishing to pursue a business career. Most organisations spend a considerable amount of time and money producing 'financial communications' the unit examines the underlying reasons behind this behaviour and the extent to which these communications achieve their objectives.

Introduction to Business Law

This module serves as an introduction to the English legal system and English contract law. Each country in Europe has its own nationally determined contract law and this module is designed to give students a basic understanding of contract issues in England. The module will enable students to appreciate when a legally binding agreement comes into existence, the obligations involved and the consequences of breaking such agreements.

Organisational Behaviour: Evolving Perspectives of Management

Recognising there are no boundaries and no linearity in the field, the module draws an 'historical map', introducing the notion that there are many ways of categorising writing on management and organisational behaviour. A number of key themes are addressed, including the principles of organisational structure, social conditions and human relations. Throughout the module, the political nature of the workplace is taken into account, considering various management 'control mechanisms' and recognising culture as a characteristic of organisations. To support the core themes, and to recognise the importance of 'adaptive reorganisation' (Mayer 2002), a number of peripheral issues such as organisational change, leadership, power and conflict are also addressed.

Organisational Behaviour: Management in Context

The module seeks to consider the impact of groups on individual behaviour, whilst observing the impact of individual personalities. Utilising a range of appropriate resources, including videos, the lecture programme introduces theories and models relating to group work, going on to consider the 'nature/nurture debate' of the 1960s and 1970s, and the biological and genetic thinking apparent since the 1990s. The extent to which students already perceive themselves as managers is explored, whilst simultaneously offering an opportunity for enhancing skills in 'managing'.

Principles of Marketing

This module is designed to provide a basic introduction to the theory and practice of marketing, preparing students for more specialist modules at higher levels. We aim to familiarise students with the key concepts and issues of marketing, giving them a thorough grasp of typical marketing and what factors affect them.

Level Two

Contemporary Issues for Business

The aim of this module is to explore systematically a range of issues linked to, and arising out, of the Contemporary Business Analysis module at Level One that emphasises the increasingly international business environment with a set of ever-changing complex challenges. Given the contemporary nature of the module, topics will change but issues will be underpinned by appropriate theory so that students are able to explain and analyse these using appropriate conceptual tools.

Critical Human Resource Management: Managing Diversity

This module engages critically with diversity and equality issues in contemporary organisations. Evaluation of current organisational strategies to promote and manage equality and diversity is a key element of this module. Critically examining the role of 'social justice' and 'competitive business' embedded in HRM discourses of managing diversity. Social, ethical and philosophical dimensions of diversity in terms of gender, age, race, sexuality & disability are also explored.

Operations Management

This module responds to the need for students to understand the issues surrounding the management of resources and operations. The module sets these issues in the context of: understanding organisations as 'systems' seeking to remain viable within their environments; and the notion of 'operations management' as the act of aligning processes and systems to deliver an overall strategy and its marketing objectives, in both the service and the manufacturing environments.

Management Finance

This module includes revision in financial analysis, cash flow planning, budgets and variance analysis, finance and contemporary performance management. At its conclusion, students should have a solid understanding of the key elements of financial accounting, management accounting and finance that inform and affect the manager.

Marketing in Practice

This two-semester module builds on the concepts introduced in Principles of Marketing. Marketing in Practice takes students from the 4Ps of Principles of Marketing, product, price, place and promotion, to the edge of strategic marketing in preparation for their final level studies by emphasising the 3Cs: customers, competitors and company competence. The module considers these key influences on marketing, helping students to understand the issues involved in making marketing mix decisions, the relevance of competition to marketing decisions, the implementation of marketing in the organisation and selected applications of marketing. The module is both theoretical and applied in nature, requiring students to use relevant concepts, models and frameworks both in the analysis of case material and when developing their own product concept. 

Level Three

Work Placement Year (Optional)

Level Four

Cross Cultural Management

This double length semester module engages critically with cross cultural issues, diversity and equality issues in contemporary organisations. Students will be encouraged to be self reflexive and include a critical self awareness, openness and sensitivity to diversity in terms of people, cultures, business and management issues. The module is intended to familiarize students with underlying theory and research on intercultural encounters, to heighten students' awareness of common difficulties that emerge in intercultural interactions

Strategic Management

Strategic management draws upon and integrates a range of business disciplines in examining both theory and practice. In so doing, it bridges the gap between discrete functionalist perspectives and the broader issues involved in general management activity. In the business world there is increasing recognition of the contribution of strategic management to the long term viability, efficiency and continuing success of organisations. The module examines the overall challenges, issues and solutions, which are associated with the running of modern organisations. The essence of this module is to enhance awareness, understanding and management of complex strategic issues facing organisations.

Business Project Management (Option)

Within the context of modern business changing rapidly, tools and techniques are developing, being implemented and are themselves changing. Change has to be project-managed as the emphasis in business is on flexible, rapid response to customer demands. The module focuses on the issues of planning, organisational, procedural, systematic and financial management so as to create a project management structure for a modern business context. The qualities of the project manager and the composition of the team are also examined.

Entrepreneurship and Venture Creation (Option)

The module has been so designed that upon completion, participants will be able to use entrepreneurial skills gained through study and pursue careers as owner/managers. The module has been designed to equip students with a depth of entrepreneurship theory that forms a foundation which builds within the second semester for practical examination. Adopting this route does not confine the participants to the confines of small business and its related activities, it aims to examine the rise in popularity of third sector organisations of which the social entrepreneur plays a large role. It supports the full development of entrepreneurial skills and sensitivities for use in existing organisations, to facilitate the management of change and / or the achievement of organisational goals. In addition, it will prepare the student for involvement in inter-organisational relationships and joint ventures requiring the mobilisation of entrepreneurial skills and knowledge.

European Business (Option)

European Union policy exercises extensive influence over both the European and the international business environment. However, the rationale for the European Union is not well understood and key decisions concerning the European Union continue to be made. The first part of the module aims to provide students with an understanding of the economic and political rationale for the European Union. The module then considers the development of key policies and themes as they affect business, for example, liberalisation, and industrial and enterprise policies for small, medium and large-scale enterprises. It also examines policies that have proved to be particularly controversial, such as social and labour market policy, EMU, as well as the current challenges arising from recent and future enlargements. Finally, the module examines the regional dimension of the European Union in the external context, including the challenges of competing in the global business environment and the role of the European Union as a key participant in international governance.

Financial Management for Business (Option)

This module introduces students to the concepts and practise of Financial Management. It is designed to familiarise students with some of the major theoretical developments and practices in the areas of corporate finance.

Global Marketing Strategy (Option)

The aim of this module is to assist the student in becoming equipped with a range of skills which will enable them to think strategically in the context of this globalised business world. This module considers the strategic marketing implications for companies operating in a rapidly changing and dynamic global business environment. For many organisations, the importance of a global perspective and strategy is vital to long-term success. Competitive marketing strategy, examined in a global context, is a market oriented approach that establishes a profitable and sustainable position for the firm against all the forces that determine industry and ultimately international conditions of trading. This module is about how organisations create and maintain a viable position in today’s complex business world. The unit seeks to examine the kind of thinking that can underpin successful marketing strategies and their practice. Successful marketing organisations are the ones which now and in the future, will be ones which have the skills to manage multiple strategic processes. In the course of this module, students will have full opportunity to examine and think about this multifaceted perspective on marketing.

Human Resource Management (Option)

The major function of the module is to locate the Human Resource function in the organisational context. The module explores and examines strategic as well as operational aspects of the function in the light of the contemporary business environment and social context. The practices associated with the management of human resources e.g. recruitment and selection, appraisal, training, reward systems etc are examined within what constitutes 'good practice' and, more significantly, the issues of implementation are explored and addressed. Human Resource Management is increasingly seen as having a strategic role in today's organisations therefore areas such as HR Strategy, the management of change and the development of organisational culture are also examined. Their impact on the process, practices and policies of HRM are analysed.

International Business (Option)

The study of international business relates to the operation of business organisations across national boundaries. In order to develop an understanding of international business this module examines how internationalisation has occurred principally through trade and investment. From both a theoretical and practical perspective the module investigates the international environment through international business and the environmental forces faced by the international firm.

Internet and E-Commerce (Option)

This module explores the way in which organisations can take advantage of Internet technologies to develop new ways of doing business. The module develops students' understanding of electronic commerce (E-Commerce), enhances their competencies in business analysis and introduces them to the practical skills of website development.

Managing (Option)

This module adopts a praxis approach to managing. The complexity of the relationship between knowledge, theories and action is explored. Managing is regarded as not only a practical and pragmatic phenomenon but also as philosophical and sociological in kind. In this context, managing is viewed as problematic involving challenges, ambiguities and contradictions. From a Functional perspective, the activity of management is assumed to be an established historical, social and technical fact with a coherent set of theories and practices. In this module functionalist facts of managing are revealed as social constructs built upon underlying ideological beliefs about rationality and capitalism. The module sets out to identify and deconstruct these beliefs and practices and to provide students with analytical skills to better understand and respond to the challenges of managing.

Marketing Communications (Option)

The module places marketing communications in the context of business and marketing strategies, and the development of marketing communications objectives that are based on this context.
Theories of information processing and buyer behaviour are explored and applied in the development of communication plans. Particular emphasis is placed on the discussion of the elements of the communications mix, media selection and the evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of communications.

Students are encouraged to develop independence in their thinking and managing their own time within a framework of direction and support offered by teaching staff.

Throughout the course, students are sensitised to issues of codes of professional conduct and ethical behaviour. Most modules include lectures. They are designed to inspire and motivate students, introduce them to particular topics and give an overview of current issues and debates within the subject. Some are given by visiting practitioners who provide live case material and offer students industry contacts and careers advice. In addition to tutor-directed seminars, students are encouraged to form their own learning and support groupings.

Our approach is one of collaboration between staff and students. Emphasis is put on using the student group as a resource for learning. In seminars, which are typically around 20 students, students are able to articulate their own thoughts and clarify ideas through discussion with others. A variety of learning methods used including in-class group exercises, discussions, presentations, evaluation of sample material and case study analysis.

Student participation is encouraged from the start and set as the norm throughout the course. Students are expected to prepare prescribed material for seminars as well as generally keep abreast of current developments in their discipline.

A wide range of assessment strategies are used both to facilitate the testing of a wide range of learning outcomes and to reflect the students varying learning styles. The teaching team believes that students benefit from the opportunity to undertake more, and earlier, formative assessment, especially in their Level One studies.

Students are expected to move in a continuous process from a dependent learning state to one of independence. At the end of the degree course, the result is that students become much more autonomous and reflexive; they are equipped with a set of skills which will enable them to operate successfully in society and the world of work.

Lincoln Business School is based in the David Chiddick building alongside Lincoln Law School.

The building was completely refurbished in 2010 and provides students with teaching and learning space including lecture theatres, workshop rooms, an IT/language lab and a mooting chamber, along with places to meet and eat with friends and staff.

The building provides high quality spaces for teaching and group learning and is the perfect setting for successful Business School students to learn and develop.

The aim of all the courses in the Business School is to produce independent, enquiring, knowledgeable graduates who enjoy learning, are enterprising, employable, self-aware, able to take career and other opportunities in life, and able to make a positive contribution to society.

All courses run by Lincoln Business School offer students work placement opportunities.

These fall within two broad categories:

• A short placement of up to 12 weeks. This is designed to fit in the break between the second and final levels of the degree course
• A full year (academic year) of work placement, funded by full-time paid employment. This is designed to last between 40 and 46 weeks. 

Each student’s experience can include one of these types, and preferably also other work experience such as relevant casual work, voluntary or social enterprise activity or leadership within student clubs and societies.

Students will gain a sound grasp of the principles of both business and management in the international context. Their studies will be organised around core business subject areas, for example economics, finance, marketing, operations, strategy and around core management subjects.

The course provides the opportunity to gain a range of contemporary business and management skills and knowledge which can be employed within a variety of contexts, addressing the needs of those seeking employment in both small and medium sized organisations as well as those wishing to work for multinational businesses anywhere in the world.

Our students are highly valued by employers and are prepared to excel in management careers across a wide range of industries.

Past students have worked in global environments such as the oil industry, retail, investment banks, computing and airlines. Others work in small and medium-sized enterprises.

Some of our graduates work in the public sector taking roles in local government, NHS and the police services.

A real interest in the world of business and management combined with a desire to study in what may be a very different culture. Our students have an inquisitiveness about the world and are fascinated by its possibilities.

No specific skills are required, although an interest and curiosity about the world of international business and management is valued. The programme is contemporary and practical and involves a good deal of participation and problem-based learning.

Students need 260 UCAS points to gain entry onto this course (2012 entry). These should be from at least two full A-Levels, preferably three (or equivalent). They will also need at least five GCSE’s Grade A-C which must include English Language and Maths.

We encourage applications from mature students and we will give special individual consideration to those who are in this category and do not have the standard entry requirements.

Students whose first language is not English will also need British Council IELTS band 6.0 or above or equivalent.

2012 Entry	UK/EU	International
Full-time	£9000	£10499
Part-time	£75 per credit point	£88 per credit point
Placement (optional)	Exempt	Exempt
Assessment Only	£38 per credit point	£44 per credit point

 

2013 Entry	UK/EU	International
Full-time	£9000	£11130
Part-time	£75 per credit point	£93 per credit point
Placement (optional)	Exempt	Exempt
Assessment Only	£38 per credit point	£47 per credit point

For further information and funding your study please see our Fees & Funding pages.

Fees and Funding