Global Online BA Business Top-Up programme:
Module details:
Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise
Starting a new business
Business Processes
Business Growth Issues
Work-based learning project
Bachelor Programs
Global Online BA Business Top-Up programme:
The Global Online BA Business Top-Up programme was specifically designed to give the opportunity to professionals to build on their previous experience and develop skills and knowledge at a graduate level. Through case studies, reports, projects, and other learning activities, you will be equipped with the necessary tools to enhance your career opportunities and tackles the challenges of modern businesses and organisations.
This online distance-learning programme is built so as to work around your day-to-day life commitments without interrupting them, all the while providing you with a recognised qualification from a well-known UK university.
Duration: 1 calendar year.
Entry dates: January, May or September.
Entry requirements: Associate degree or equivalent in relevant area.
On completion of this programme of study you will be able to:
Knowledge and understanding
● Evaluate organisations, their purposes, functions, processes, operations and management, and their cultures and behaviours.
● Assess both external and internal environments of organisations, and their effects on strategy, behaviour and management of organisations.
● Assess the various processes, procedures and practices for the efficient and effective management of organisations.
● Demonstrate critical awareness of the role of rational analysis and other processes of managerial decision making.
● Understand and apply a range of contemporary business and management perspectives as they impact on organisations.
Skills and other attributes
● Communicate effectively
● Research information and present findings in a clear and logical manner
● Identify and apply appropriate analytical and problem solving skills
● Evaluate and reflect upon your individual performance and that of others
● Be able to work effectively as an independent learner
The programme’s structure revolves around the following modules:
Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise (20 credits)
Starting a New Business OR Business Processes (20 credits)
Business Growth Issues (20 credits)
Work-based learning project (60 credits)
Each module is designed to be completed over a trimester (15 weeks), while the work-based learning project extends over all 3 trimesters.
The whole BA can be completed over a year (minimum) up to three years (maximum).
Module details:
Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise
What you will learn and what this module is about
Think of yourself as the creative type? Interested in innovation in business? This module will introduce you to both. It also explores entrepreneurship and considers entrepreneurs working in organisations. The class format is highly interactive, allowing students to contribute and guide their learning experience. Personal creativity and entrepreneurial behaviour is also examined and unleashed. Use is made of live case studies, quizzes and lateral thinking techniques.
Description of module content
● Definitions of creativity, innovation and enterprise
● Consideration of the range of tools and techniques used in organisations to encourage creativity
● Characteristics of the innovative organisation, and how to create an appropriate environment for creativity
● Consideration of barriers to creativity and how to overcome them
● The planning process of New Product / Service Development within enterprising organisations
Learning Outcomes for module
● Comprehend the role of creativity and innovation in enterprising organisations
● Comprehend the tools and techniques of creative and innovation management
● Examine the barriers to creativity and how successful organisations overcome these challenges
● Evaluate the process of planning from creativity to the implementation of innovation in enterprising organisations – in private, public and the voluntary sectors
Starting a new business
What you will learn and what this module is about:
Want to start your own business, social enterprise or club? Don’t know who, where or how to start?
This module will take you from ideas generation and evaluation through the business planning process to develop a potential business model for your idea. The learning is highly interactive using short lectures, group work and one to one discussions. You can work in teams or alone to apply your learning to your idea. Assessment is via presentations and the creation of a practical and realistic business plan.
Description of module content:
The module covers the following:
● The business planning process
● Idea generation / development / evaluation
● Market identification including exposure to market players
● Researching the resources required including equipment, people, funding
● Segmentation / positioning & differentiation / targeting
● Developing the marketing mix (7 P’s),
● Financial planning leading to development of financial statements and realistic related assumptions
Learning Outcomes for module:
LO1: Examine the fundamental aspects of business start up in various contexts (business, social enterprise, sports club)
LO2: Demonstrate an understanding of the key elements of the business planning process
LO3: Construct and effectively communicate the business idea and business model
Business Processes
What you will learn and what this module is about:
You will learn to analyse and gain insight into an organisation’s operating environment through an examination of the functions, processes, and capabilities, which contribute to its success.
Description of module content:
● Internal analysis within the business: functions and value chain activities; capabilities, core competencies and the significance of cross functional processes.
● The organisational functions of operations, marketing, human resource management, and information management: within each area the essence of the functional activity, its strategic role and measures of effectiveness will be examined; at least one key cross functional process within each area will act as a ‘focal point’ or ‘catalyst’ e.g. operations and supply chain management
Learning Outcomes for module:
● Evaluate the role of an organisation’s internal capabilities and how these may be structured to attain competitive advantage
● Appraise the role and scope of specific business functions and their contribution to an organisation’s success
● Analyse and evaluate the significance of key, cross functional processes essential to the delivery of customer value
Business Growth Issues
What you will learn and what this module is about
During this module you will learn and identify the reasons why some businesses remain small and others grow. It is expected that if selecting this module you are part-time and or distance learner who is working in an organisation where you will have the opportunity to apply much of your learning. You are required to analyse the current business situation, and analyse the growth to date.
Description of module content:
Emphasis will be on entrepreneurial leadership of small and growing businesses and the key issues facing them.
The module workshops will include:
● Growth models to understand the phases of growth and seek evidence in organisations
● Identifying and reviewing examples of building growth businesses, and the role of the entrepreneur in the leadership of these businesses
● The growth of businesses will be evaluated by utilising the strategic management tools including strategic analysis, strategic choices and strategic implementation options
Learning Outcomes for module
● Evaluate entrepreneurial aspirations and reasons for growth
● Analyse the importance of growth businesses in the economy
● Discuss and critique the characteristics of the growth stages of developing a business
● Analyse and review successful growth strategies of entrepreneurial businesses
Work-based learning project
What you will learn and what this module is about
This module offers you the opportunity to use the workplace as a source of personal development, through application of learning, personal reflection and on-going feedback. You will be able to improve your personal effectiveness, self-confidence and ability to learn from experience and external sources.
Description of module content
The module is based around three sets of learning objectives, namely ‘Job’ (J); ‘Personal’ (P); and ‘Course’ (C). There are four learning objectives in each set, with clear linkages with the Module
Learning Outcomes.
Students will establish a personal development plan and, over a 12-month period, apply learning from the course and other related areas, reflect on application and evaluate results. Students will complete monthly reflective diaries, on which formative feedback will be given, providing them with an on-going reflective learning loop that will build their knowledge, understanding and application. The learning objectives are as follows:
Personal objectives:
● P1 Communicate effectively within a range of business or organisational contexts
● P2 Apply the skills necessary to effectively lead a team
● P3 Plan and prioritise work in order to achieve business / organisational outcomes
● P4 Demonstrate self confidence and initiative in a range of business / organisational situations
Job objectives:
● J1 Take responsibility for specific business / organisational outcomes and learn from their achievement
● J2 Demonstrate understanding of business / organisational functions, processes and structures
● J3 Analyse problems and suggest strategies to overcome them
● J4 Analyse the needs of internal / external customers
Course objectives:
● C1 Relate current theory of business and enterprise to workplace practice and problems
● C2 Analyse the business or organisational environment faced within the workplace
● C3 Evaluate how academic study interacts with and influences the workplace
● C4 Evaluate the impact of enterprise, management and leadership skills and styles within the workplace
Learning Outcomes for module:
● Demonstrate understanding of application of key principles of personal effectiveness in business leadership and management
● Demonstrate understanding of enterprising business / organisational structures, processes and procedures
● Analyse key issues relating to delivery of business / organisational outcomes
● Evaluate practices in the workplace in relation to academic learning
● Develop analytical thought processes and evaluative skills