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Where Are You Applying From?
Why choose the School of Leadership and Management
Over 95% of full-time UK business and management graduates are in employment or further study, 15 months after graduating (source: HESA Graduate Outcomes for 2020/21, pub 2023).
Over 1,000 Business School students worked on live knowledge-exchange projects 2022/23 (KEF, 2023).
We are 1st in the UK for successful graduate social-enterprise start-ups still trading after three years; 3rd in the UK for all business start-ups (HESA, 2023).
About the course
This one-year course is for those with existing qualifications (Level 4 and 5 or 240 credits) or experience in the field of international banking and finance. It provides you with comprehensive understanding of the main accounting and finance principles for individuals, businesses, institutions, and governments. Blending theory and practice, you address current global issues while building your financial, analytical, communication, and IT skills. Your final project has an international focus, preparing you for the global marketplace.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- New business analytics suite to support data analytics, 'big-data', data mining, digital marketing, SEO and other management skills needed in today's workplace
- Access to Sage, Refinitiv Workspace, the econometrics software STATA and Vensim simulation software for analysing complex and messy business problems
- Harvard Business Publishing - international learning resources providing advanced business simulations \
- Reuters trading room give you the chance to react to live 鈥榮tock-market鈥� data and building investment portfolios using data on listed international companies
- Gain competencies in key digital skills such as Excel through SIMnet, our Microsoft Office training platform
Your student experience
Develop a strong foundation in business management, accounting and business modelling.
Your specialty studies in international banking and finance prepare you to respond proactively and creatively to contemporary issues in an increasingly global marketplace.
Benefit from regular engagement with industry and authentic assessment opportunities, dealing with real-world problems and issues. Learn from academic teams who are either industry experienced or still working in their field; involved in consultancy on real-world projects; active in research; and keep at the leading edge through regular CPD, conferences and industry events. Attend masterclasses from industry experts so learn from their experience and keep at the leading edge in your field of business.
Take the opportunity offered by our annual conference to learn from professionals and explore the latest thinking in the sector.
Benefit from field trips to see finance and business in action at companies and organisations such as the Bank of England, John Lewis, Volvo, PW Gates Logistics, Luton Recycling and RAJA Packaging.
What will you study?
This course has covered several key areas of business, finance, and strategy. The Banking and Financial Intermediation unit focused on understanding the critical role of banks and financial intermediaries in economic growth and resource allocation. It examined the relationship between international financial systems and economic performance, emphasizing how these institutions support efficient resource allocation, foster economic growth, and contribute to financial stability. It also explored modern financial structures, financial crises, and risk management strategies, with a focus on the influence of these elements on financial regulation and monetary policies.
In the Business Finance unit, the course developed an understanding of how financial resources are managed to meet corporate objectives. Key topics included the efficient allocation of resources, the importance of matching investors鈥� needs with those seeking funds, and the role of corporate finance in sustaining business operations. It also provided insights into how financial management impacts corporate and individual wealth generation, with an emphasis on both long-term and short-term decision-making in a corporate context. This unit highlighted the strategic role of finance in business sustainability and growth.
The Strategic Management for Business unit emphasised the significance of strategy in achieving organisational success. It provided the tools and frameworks to analyse complex business issues, identify trends, and evaluate their potential impact on business and industry. You will develop the skills to design and implement effective strategies that create unique value propositions and avoid direct competition. This unit is also focused on building employability skills, preparing you for the workplace by developing the competencies necessary for success in strategic decision-making.Finally, you will be equipped with the skills required to produce an excellent dissertation in our New Advancements in Business unit. Here, you will be taught to apply various research techniques and to source and reference information correctly based on a topic of your interest.
How will you be assessed?
The underpinning philosophy of all assessments is to develop both your knowledge and skills to enter employment as a confidently with a strong base from which to meet your own aspirations. The aim is for you to become an independent and self-directed lifelong learner. Apart from the formal assessments there will be an emphasis on self peer and group assessment.
Tutors will provide feedback on formative assessments to support your development of good academic practice.All assessments are rooted in authentic and practical scenarios are designed to ensure that no credit can be awarded for work that cannot be confirmed to be that of the student submitting.
To facilitate learning for all students a range of assessment methods are used throughout the course including:Business Reports to demonstrate contextual insight and professional practice;Individual written reports based on gathering and analysing information using a subject specific methodology are used to assess case studies or group work.
Formative group presentationAt level 6 you are treated as an independent learner and both the dissertation unit (New Advances in Business) and the Strategic Management unit provide opportunities for you to draw together your business knowledge in an individual and more independent manner. In all units you will find assessment support in terms of careful briefing and the completion of formative stages with detailed feedback designed not only to benchmark your performance but also to give you insights into how you can improve your work.
Careers
You will focus on employability throughout your studies starting with working on real life case studies in your first few weeks. The practice-based part of the curriculum continues throughout your studies with guest lecturers optional weekly discussion groups and case studies in seminars to help you develop your knowledge and understanding of a wide range of industry sectors.
The approach adopted in this course helps you to develop and enhance your transferable skills as well as interpersonal skills and in turn enhance your employability. This means that whilst you are gaining academic knowledge in addition you are also developing practise expertise.
