Please note the entry requirements for this top-up degree.
The content of the course builds on the skills and knowledge developed on the Foundation Degree in Business with Project Management. Specific and specialised areas in Business Management are further developed with some organisational aspects of implementing Project Management techniques and management approaches. The assessments are applied in nature to strengthen your employability following graduation. There is no specific requirement for work based learning but seeking such an opportunity would provide extensive additional learning opportunities, for example in the Independent Project. The course will provide opportunities to engage with industry through guest lectures, site visits and case studies to ensure that students who do not have access to an appropriate employment opportunity can gain experience and contextual knowledge.
The programme aims to explore the factors contributing to business success, particularly in the role of management. Emphasis is placed on the applications of models, techniques and application necessary to achieve outstanding performance in business organisations. The programme develops skills in analysis and planning, develops the ability to solve business and management problems, and provide a good grounding in project management theory and application to manage projects in a wide range of sectors and environments and to contribute to business effectiveness.
Business Management and Project Management are seen as complementary, with the Business Management aspects concerned with incremental improvements and wide-scale innovative change and Project Management aspects deals with the implementation of such change. Students will be given the knowledge to take an overarching perspective, through the study of the key processes, systems and practices that contribute to the effective management operations and projects, including an understanding of the importance of individual and corporate behaviours, cultures and dimensions within different sectors. Skills will be developed for applying business-specific tools for analysis, decision-making and evaluation to a range of scenarios and problems concerned with the planning, controlling and integration of business activities.
The delivery model for this programme is face-to-face teaching supported by directed study and independent study. You will have access to our Furness College Virtual Learning Environment, library services and resources, appropriate software applications and study facilities to enable you to get the most out of your studies.
This course is approved by the University of Cumbria.
The BA (Hons) Business Management with Project Management Studies is delivered mainly through class-based sessions which will include such things as lectures, workshops, seminars, practical activities. Alongside the face–to–face delivery, there will be supporting information and learning materials made available through Furness College’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This mix of face-to-face and on-line delivery is referred to as blended learning and reflects that your time on College premises is only one element of your overall learning experience.
Intellectual, professional and key transferable skills are central to learning opportunities and assessment. Students are encouraged to critically reflect on their skills development in learning and practice contexts in order to develop their ability to make sound professional judgments.
The students’ academic progression, within the programme, is seen both in terms of complexity and independence. As the programme develops so also will the tendency to be a self-directed learner able to make wise decisions about the nature and process of their learning.
The use of a VLE will be used to disseminate lecture and workshop material. This is available to all students and is especially useful resource for part-time students who may not be able to work at college on a regular basis.
At a general level the range of learning and teaching strategies used on the programme includes:
• Development of academic skills
• Independent study skills
• Online Learning/blended learning
• Personal Development
• Work Based learning or learning using case studies
• Group / team-work tasks
More specifically these teaching & learning strategies are implemented in many ways including:
• Case studies to explore real-world projects and business management strategies
• Engaging with the professional body for example entering competitions, encouraging student membership, attending events such as the FSB (Federation of Small Businesses), guest speakers,
• Simulated business and management exercises
• Active learning environments which promote student engagement, stimulate learning and create an atmosphere whereby students share responsibility for learning
• Work based/authentic learning and assessments
• Opportunities for local community engagement through management of voluntary sector
projects, such as the CandoFM radio station, St Marys Hospice.
• Varied Independent Project options to suit students in a range of situations with their major study activities
• Guest speakers with varied and relevant industry experience.
• Level 6 Understanding Innovation & Change in an organisation
The aim of this module is for students to be able to gain an understanding of the need for innovation and change in a commercial environment in what is becoming an increasingly globalised world which itself increases the speed for which innovation and change is required by ever fast paced market forces. The module will focus heavily on the effects that these innovations and changes have on people within these organisations and how to manage these people through the changes.
• Level 6 Analytics and social media in the business environment
This module will allow students to understand the difference between historic and current methods of gaining information and how this is translated into tangible benefits. The student will also consider the moral and ethical implications of obtaining and managing personal data from a business perspective.
• Level 6 Project Supply Chain Management
The aim of this module is for students to understand, through research and practical examples, how the supply chain on current key projects is managed, what lessons have been learned from poor oversight and assurance and aims to develop student skills to enable them to design an effective supply chain strategy and associated structures and methodologies within a project organisation.
• Level 6 Organisation and Governance in a Project
The aim of this module is to provide students with an understanding of the need for project governance and the application of governance across the range of PM3 organisational constructs. The students will be able to understand how effective governance is demonstrated through good project management practice, improving the frequency and level of project delivery success. They will understand the key project organisation structures and relationship management necessary for sustainable governance and the methodologies that can be used to achieve this. Students will also gain an understanding of how project knowledge management practices such as LFE (learn from experience), can increase the percentage of future project success.
• Level 6 The Independent Project
The module aim is for the student to be able to initiate, plan, research, sustain and evaluate an extended piece of independent intellectual work based on an individual initiatiated project.
Fees for part-time study in 2020/21 are £1,100 per 20 credit module. Typically this will be £3,300 per 60 credits. There is also a small annual inflationary increase as determined by the Government.
For more details on additional costs, please refer to the HE Tuition Fees Contract.
September 2020.
Timetable to be confirmed.
Part Time students can apply directly to the college using our online application: Furness College Application Form.
PLEASE NOTE Applicants may be invited in for interview with the course tutor.
Shaun O'Leary achieved a first-class degree in his BA (Hons) Business Management with Project Management Studies. Shaun said: “My group supported and helped each other on the journey, so you won't be alone in learning something new, and the people you meet become a part of your life for a number of years. When I started in BAE Systems, I was given a role in the Project Management Office of the IT Department so the course was an obvious choice. The course has helped me get to my current position as it has shown I am willing to stretch myself to improve my knowledge. My current role is amazing! It is never boring, I am always learning new things and being able to deliver my work to different teams is really gratifying. It has taken me many years to find a job like this, working with the people I do, and I am really happy.”