This is a 40-credit core module running in the first semester of the MSc Business with programme and is developed for those of you who have little or no prior business and management subject experience. The aim of the module is to introduce you to the main business functions – Finance, Marketing, HRM, Operations, Strategy – and show how each can contribute to the competitive advantage of a firm and hence enable the firm to achieve its strategic objectives. The content of the module comprises six key parts which are listed below.

This module engages you in personal and professional development in order that you develop and hone your team working, management and leadership skills, capabilities and attributes, and in so doing, enhance your employability. On this module, you will not only prepare for your first job after you graduate but also kick-start your commitment to life-long personal and professional learning. In the first part of the module you will be supported in a self-analysis by a range of activities, including the completion of self-administered tool-kits to demonstrate an increased self-awareness and self-understanding. A key outcome of this process is how you will be able to exploit this development in order to lead, and manage, more effectively in your future careers. The second part of the module contains activities which enable you to build on your self-analysis and explore further your strengths, weaknesses and areas for development in the context of your career development plans. This will also include the development of knowledge into the global graduate market, (including routes such as self-employment and developing your career with an existing employer) drawing upon local, national and international examples.

This module will provide you with essential knowledge and analytics skills needed for you to complete a high quality Masters’ Dissertation, or Consultancy Project. By undertaking and reflecting on practical research-based activities you will understand the process of designing and carrying out a research study, also you will engage in activities that involve understanding of data and analysis of data. This will place you in a strong position to undertake your own Masters’ level research or Consultancy Project. At the end of the module you will write a research proposal, this will be assessed and will contribute to your final mark. In the dissertation you will work under the supervision of a member of academic staff and your proposal will also help to ensure you get the most from this relationship.

The hospitality industry has developed a critical role in the world economy and represents a major source of income for many developing countries. The industry is dynamic and is greatly influenced by many external factors that affect modern management practice. In this module, you will explore a number of relevant contemporary issues and opportunities facing international hospitality organisations and the impact of these issues and subsequent management responses.

The module is delivered in themes; including managing resources, managing the experience, managing technology and sustainability.

A constant theme within this module the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to hospitality management in order to meet the challenges and opportunities explored in these issues.

In this module, you will develop a general understanding of tourism as both as an area of business economics and as a social phenomenon, and will gain an advance knowledge of some of the main theories and concepts in tourism studies. You will also become aware of the state of tourism in the 21st century as well as the different components that constitute the tourism complex including its tourists, destinations, business and attractions.

The management of tourism and tourists will receive special attention. As future managers in the contemporary industry you will gain familiarity with the structure and management of the business overall and a range of appropriate business types, the issues facing the industry and the management principles that are relevant to tourism.

You will cover a range of topics in four areas, the understanding of tourism as both a social phenomenon and as a sector of the economy, the nature of tourist experience, the planning of tourism destinations and attractions and responsible tourism futures.

The aim of this module is to support your study, language and communication skills for academic purposes in the study in your chosen discipline at postgraduate level.   The module is designed to enable you to become an advanced independent learner. The module is supported by a teaching and learning plan which outlines the formal sessions. Interactive workshops will be tailored to address some of the specific issues that you meet within your discipline.  You may also be asked to complete some preparation tasks for some seminars but these will be kept to minimum.  You will be expected to identify those skills which you need within your postgraduate programme, and to develop these independently through a range of learning activities that might include extended reading, and reflection.

You will design a research project of 15000 words while working under the supervision of a member of academic staff who will give you appropriate guidance and support throughout the dissertation process whilst encouraging learner autonomy: this is your dissertation and you will have responsibility for decision making as the dissertation proceeds. You will use appropriate research methodologies and data collection methods to critically synthesise a body of knowledge relevant to the taught programme.

For successful completion of this module, you will conduct research and organise the findings into a comprehensive and explicit structure that is critically assessed and is linked to the conclusions drawn.  You will demonstrate this by identifying a topic, critically selecting and applying an appropriate research methodology and data collection method(s) to your chosen research topic, demonstrating a rigorous understanding of the relevant theory and literature and showing how these link to the research method(s).  You will also critically reflect on how your research contributes to the understanding of the topic area.

On this consultancy based module you will enhance your individual effectiveness and employability skills by locating the learning and development in an organisational context. In doing so, you will promote personal and group development, commercial awareness, and a range of inter-personal, intellectual and practical skills and knowledge centred on and demonstrated through a group negotiated real-time work-based project.

The content of the management report will be unique. The nature and scope of the area of your investigation will be defined and agreed in collaboration with the organisation and the University supervisor.

In undertaking this project based module, you will critically reflect and evaluate upon organisational practices and their relation with academic theory, and in doing so, provide practical and actionable recommendations through an investigative management report.