BA (Hons) International Business Management

Level One

Business Planning and Forecasting

This introduces some quantitative techniques 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. 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

Students are introduced to a range of economic concepts and basic analytical techniques. Upon successful completion students are able to:

• Explain the workings of the price mechanism, the labour market and various forms of market failure
• Explain the relationship between the firm's costs, revenues, prices and outputs within various market structures
• Analyse the interaction between entrepreneur, the firm and its external environment
• Analyse the inter-relationships between government and key macro-economic indicators
• Understand the links between the internal and external economy and how this impacts on the firm and its external environment.

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 develops students’ ability to understand and comment upon issues which will arise when pursuing a business career. It examines the underlying reasons behind why organisations spend considerable time and money producing ‘financial communications’, and the extent to which these communications achieve their objectives.

Introduction to Business Law

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

Modern Language

Students can choose to study French, German, Spanish, Japanese or Mandarin Chinese and will be placed in a class at the level which is most appropriate for them.

Principles of Marketing

This module is designed to provide an introduction to the theory and practice of marketing. We aim to familiarise students with the key concepts and issues of marketing, giving them a thorough grasp of the sort of marketing decisions there are to be made and what factors affect them. Learning is somewhat directive and progressively students will be required to become more independent in their work. There are two different assessment types: individual essay writing and a group presentation. These prepare students for future modules in the course.

Organisational Behaviour: Evolving Perspectives on Management (Option)

A number of competing and contrasting perspectives of past and present thinking on management are explored. In considering the changing and evolving roles of management and managers, the module acknowledges that the study of organisational behaviour is multi-disciplinary and draws in particular from psychology, social psychology, sociology, economics and political science.

Organisational Behaviour: Management in Context (Option)

This module focuses on the impact of group dynamics on the individual, the impact of personality when working with others, and considers the impact of both group dynamics and personality on the workplace from a management perspective. The module seeks to consider the impact of groups on individual behaviour, while observing the impact of individual personalities. The programme introduces theories and models relating to group work while the extent to which students already perceive themselves as managers is explored.

Level Two

Contemporary Issues for Business

This module explores a range of issues that emphasise the increasingly international business environment. These issues are underpinned by appropriate theory so that students can explain and analyse them using appropriate conceptual tools. For operational efficiency, the module is split into two elements. The first focuses on the international business environment and the second on domestic contemporary issues.

Critical HRM: 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 are key elements of this module. Critical examination of the role of "social justice" and "competitive business" are also incorporated. Social, ethical and philosophical dimensions of diversity in terms of gender, age, race, sexuality and disability will be explored, along with their practical implications.

Modern Language

Students continue to study their chosen language.

Management Finance (Option)

The 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. Furthermore, students thus have a platform in the principles, models and issues that underpin the advanced aspects of the subject area.

Marketing in Practice (Option)

This module considers the key influences on marketing, helping students to understand the issues involved in making marketing decisions, the relevance of competition to marketing decisions, the implementation of marketing in the organisation and selected applications of marketing. It 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.

Study Period Abroad

The exchange programme is a compulsory requirement for the award of the BA (Hons) International Business Management. The study placement takes place in Semester B of Level Two. During the semester abroad, students share classes with local students. The study placement will allow students to benefit from the opportunity to examine the nature of business in their respective countries and to 'socialise' in another culture.

Level Three

Optional Work Placement Year

Level Four

International Business

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 from the nature of international business, the international environment - from the role and function of international organisations to the international payments systems, in addition to the environmental forces faced by the international firm. In so doing it brings forward new issues, both internal and external, which impact on business activity.

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. The module examines the overall challenges, issues and solutions, which are associated with the running of modern organisations.

Business Project Management (Option)

Business project management is considered an important management philosophy for how organisations manage changing business environments. All projects have to be managed to a successful conclusion, which relies on complex and important decisions being made through phases of planning, monitoring and controlling. The module focuses on the issues of planning, organisational, procedural, systematic and financial management in order to create a project management structure for a modern business context.

Dissertation (Option)

The dissertation is a major independent piece of work intended to develop a student’s ability to actively engage with core disciplinary issues. Students should demonstrate the ability to identify, organise and select from a large body of material in order to produce a coherent, well defined and internally consistent representation of their findings. Students work with their supervisor to research, develop and present their study for assessment following the agreed formats as prescribed by Lincoln Business School.

Entrepreneurship (Option)

The entrepreneurship route has been designed so that students are prepared to pursue careers as owner/managers and contemporary business managers, and understand the issues of modern entrepreneurial activities in contemporary environments. Students also examine the general principles of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial activity, within a variety of settings.

Venture Creation (Option)

This module enables students to develop their understanding of the business environment within both a rural and urban context. This helps them to understand differences within the academic context of starting a new venture and the practicalities that affect the level of success.

European Business (Option)

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.

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 some lectures. These are designed to inspire and motivate students, introduce them to particular topics and give an overview of current issues and debates within the discipline. 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 typically involve numbers of fewer than 20, 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 for the rest of 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 student’s varying learning styles. It also believes that the 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, it is expected that students will be much more autonomous and reflexive individuals 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. Studies will be organised around core business subject areas, for example 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 the small and medium sized organisations as well as those wishing to work for multinational businesses.

A real interest in the world of business and management combined with a desire to experience a different culture.

This may be combined with a burning desire to learn a modern language or to study or work in a completely different environment.

Our students have an inquisiteness about the world and are fascinated by the possibilities.

No specific skills are required, although an interest and curiosity about the world of business and management is valued.

The course is contemporary and practical and involves a good deal of participation and problem-based learning.

Students need 260 UCAS points across at least two full A Levels, preferably three (or equivalent) to gain entry onto this course. 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.