MODULE HANDBOOK

Programme:

BA (Hons) Business Management with

Foundation Year
Course:

Introduction to Business studies (FY-021)

Academic Year
2024 – 2025
September 2024
Contents
1. Forward .............................................................................................................................................. 3
2. Module Specification ........................................................................................................................... 4
3. Module Schedule ................................................................................................................................ 9
4. Teaching schedule ............................................................................................................................ 10
5. Module Assessment.......................................................................................................................... 11
6. Core Text and Additional Reading ..................................................................................................... 12
 Forward

I would like to welcome you to the Introduction to Business Studies module and wish you the best of
luck in your studies at London School of Science and Technology. The Introduction to Business
Studies module aims to help you understand the major topics and themes related to the business
management, marketing, HR and finance. In addition, the module will help you to enhance your
knowledge and skills which will enable you to improve and develop your current working practices.
You will also gain an insight into what will be taught in future modules as you progress. This
foundation course will enable you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in
your abilities as a potential businessman or women, identifying your own strengths and what is
needed for progression to gain your undergraduate degree.

This module will allow you to find new research tactics so that you can implement them in your
career. Through inquiry-based learning, professional development, problem-solving, critical and
creative thinking, this module will help you to learn about and be-ready for employment in the
twenty-first century and preparing you for successful advancement to Level 4 academic study.

The subject will be delivered through a combination of lectures and tutorials. In addition to the
sessions focused on assignment requirements, additional writing and computer workshops will be
arranged.

Module Leader: Diana Mladin

Email: diana.mladin@lsst.ac
 Module Specification

Module Specification
Introduction to Business Study
Part One: About the Module
1 Module Title Introduction to Business Study
2 Module Code FY021
3 Module Level and Credit Level 3 (A full academic year)
Rating
4 Faculty Elephant and Castle Campus
Luton Campus
Wembley Campus
Aston Campus

5 School School of Business and Law

6 Teaching Site for Course London School of Science and Technology
(LSST)
7 Teaching Period 15 weeks
8 Mode of Study/Attendance Full-Time/Day/Evening
9 Required Prior Learning Introduction to Business Study
10
Module Description

This module enables students to begin developing the Bucks Graduate Attributes
associated with business management and its applications, which are essential for
success in higher education and in the world of work. It encourages students to
see the significant overlap between study skills and employability and business
skills as well as providing the opportunity for students to reflect on and develop
their existing abilities in business management.

The module will prepare students for successful progression to Level 4 academic
study while allowing them to learn about and prepare themselves for employment
in the twenty- first century through inquiry-based learning, professional
development, problem solving, critical and creative thinking.

This module complements FY026 and FY028 (Preparing for success: knowledge
and creativity and Preparing for success: self-development and responsibility
modules): identifying their own strength and responsibility, which develops the
Bucks Graduate Attributes associated with leadership and self-development and
social and ethical awareness and responsibility.

FY021(Introduction to business studies) is designed so that students can take the

remaining modules as arranged by LSST.

11 Module Learning Outcomes (LOs)

 On successful completion of the module, the student will be able to:

1 Demonstrate the roles of HR, Marketing and finance functions within

organisations.
2 Develop an understanding of collaborative working practices.
3 Demonstrate an understanding of the main factors,
both Internal and External environments, which impact on
businesses.
4 Demonstrate your knowledge of the role of financial management
and reporting within organisations.

Not all modules will necessarily cover all attributes.

(S) Social and ethical awareness and responsibility;

(L) Leadership and self-development.

Note: The University also recognises the following types of Learning

Outcomes which are linked to its Graduate Attributes:

(K) Knowledge and its application;

(C) Creativity;
12 Indicative Syllabus
Communication for academic and professional contexts – e.g., writing skills,
presentation skills:

Business Environment Business and Economics

Internal and external factors (PEST and SWOT analysis)
Globalisation of business
Corporate Social Responsibility
How business functions work together

HR/Managing people
Management and Leadership Motivation
Role of line manager and HR manager

Marketing
Marketing in Business
4 Principles of marketing
Digital Marketing
Market research

Finance
Introduction to Accounting and finance
Sources of finance for different business purposes
Budgets and financial planning

Business Skills - Teamwork, Communication Skills, Emotional

intelligence

All of these business concepts can be applied to different contexts within

business.
13 Learning and Teaching strategy for the module including approach to blended
learning, students’ study responsibilities and opportunities for reflective
learning.

A varied approach to teaching will be used in this module based around lectures,
tutorials, practical activities and workshops. The students will also be given guided
self- study and will be required to supplement this with independent learning and
research.
Lectures:
The term ‘lecture’ is used here in its broadest sense, to include tutor-led
presentations and demonstrations of the core content, which is further explored in
a range of interactive and integrated student activities; this may include the
discussion of case studies and real-life problems to link theory and practice.
Related exercises will be distributed so enabling students to both reinforce and
evolve their appreciation of the material covered, incorporating a mixture of
individual and group work.
Project Supervision:

One of the learning outcomes for the module is about collaborative working. In
order to encourage this and ensure students have time and space to meet and
work together, there will be timetabled sessions where the tutor will be available,
but this time will be used to focus on the collaborative elements needed for the
assessments.
Guided Independent Study:

It is acknowledged that there are challenges to developing the ability to study

independently; accordingly, this process will be incrementally structured and
scaffolded via appropriately designed activities. The module will also be fully
supported by the ‘Virtual Learning Environment’ (VLE) in a blended approach.
This will enable the module participants to obtain access to material and
resources on a 24/7 basis along with opportunities for further tutor and peer
support, for example via the VLE’s group discussion facilities.
Tutor Advice and Feedback:

Tutors will offer students frequent opportunities to discuss their progress,

including reviews of their work, where relative strengths and weaknesses are
examined, and areas requiring reflection and further improvement are identified.
This supportive engagement helps to clarify what “good performance” is, and also
encourages, motivates and directs students towards achieving their full potential.
It is critical for these students those formative assessments (linked to the
summative assessment) are used throughout the module to ensure there are
opportunities to assess learning and therefore guide students to relevant support
should it be deemed necessary. Also, LSST has provided opportunity for one-to-
one teaching sessions known as (PAT).

Personal Academic Tutors support student’s progress through their studies,

encourage, provide advice and guidance which can help students succeed in their
studies. PAT opportunity is one-to-one forum created to allow students to express
concerns at an early stage and explore solutions together.
14 Indicative learning and teaching hours for module. Learning hours comprise face-
to-face
and virtual contact hours plus self-managed and directed learning and time spent
on placements (where relevant).

Note: 1 credit is equivalent to 10 notional learning hours (i.e., 15 credits = 150

learning hours). All hours should be calculated on the basis of what an individual
student might be expected to receive.

Scheduled Activities:

Lectures 45 hours (15 x 3-hour lectures)

Seminars 45 hours (15 x 3-hour lectures)
Guided Independent Study 210 hours (Independent reading and preparation,
research activities and writing up of report)

Total Learning Hours for Module 300 hours

Note: Activities denoted by an * include both virtual and face to face teaching.
Guided Independent Study (ᵻ) records the number of hours’ students are
expected to study outside scheduled teaching; this includes preparation for
scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, revision and
completion of assessment tasks (See: Workload Hours below).

15 Arrangements for formative and summative feedback

The formative feedback will be provided during the tutorial sessions and
personal meetings. Through the formative assessments and feedback, the
student and lecturer form a detailed understanding of a student’s abilities and will
increase engagement and motivation. This will enhance a student’s substantive
knowledge as well as developing their analytical, research, communication,
intellectual and organizational skills.
The summative feedback will be provided on the student’s final individual course
work at the end of the term.

16 Description of assessment items:

Activity Components % or P/F Size of Outcomes Length/Duration

Type Assessment assessed

CW1 Task 1 - Group 100% 9-12 slides LO: 2 10 min

Portfolio Presentation LO: 3

Task 2 - 1 page LO: 1 n/a

Individual
Poster
Task 3 - 1500 words +/- LO: 1 n/a
Individual 10% LO: 2
Report LO: 4
 Module Schedule

1. Week beginning:
30/09/2024 Week 1 Introduction to Module and assessment
(Timetabling Week 1)
Week 1 Lecture 1 - Business Economics

Week 1 Lecture 2 - Micro and Macro Environment/SWOT

2. Week beginning:
07/10/2024 Week 2 Lecture 2 - PESTLE and Porter’s Five Forces
(Timetabling Week 2) Week 2 Lecture 1- Digital Businesses

3. Week beginning:
14/10/2024 Week 3 Lecture 1 - Types of Business
(Timetabling Week 3)
4: Week beginning:
21/10/2024 Week 4 Lecture 1 - Market research
(Timetabling Week 4) Week 4 Lecture 1 - Marketing Mix

5: Week beginning:
28/10/2024 Week 5 Lecture - Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
(Timetabling Week 5) Week 5 Lecture - Globalisation

6: Week beginning:
04/11/2024 Formative feedback to be provided to students on Task 1 -
(Timetabling Week 6) Group presentation
7. Week beginning:
11/11/2024 Presentation week
(Timetabling Week 7)
8. Week beginning:
18/11/2024 Week 8 Lecture 1 - Introduction to Accounting
(Timetabling Week 8) Week 8 Lecture 2 - Budgeting and Budgetary Process (Budget
Case Study)
Formative feedback to be provided to students o n Task 2 -
Individual Poster
 9. Week beginning:
25/11/2024 Week 9 Lecture 1 – Human Resource Management
(Timetabling Week 9) Week 9 Lecture 2 – Motivation

10. Week beginning:

02/12/2024 Week 10 Lecture 1 – Management and Leadership
(Timetabling Week 10) Workshop on Task 3 – Individual report
11. Week beginning:
09/12/2024 Week 11 Lecture 1 – Organisational Culture
(Timetabling Week 11) Workshop on Task 3 – Individual report

12. Week beginning:

16/12/2024 Drop-in session for providing formative feedback on Task 3 –
(Timetabling Week 12) Individual report.
Lecturer’s feedback
session
Week beginning:
23/12/2024 – Christmas
05/01/2025 Break
13. Week beginning:
06/01/2025 Week 13 Lecture 1 – Business Skills
(Timetabling Week Week 13 – Workshop on CW1
13)
14. Week beginning: CW1 Submission week
13/01/2025 Submission of IBS CW1 (Portfolio) for September 2024
(Timetabling Week 14) cohort, Deadline: 17/01/2025 before 2pm.
Week 14 – Course Revision
15. Week beginning:
20/01/2025 Week 15 - Recap on contents covered this term and
(Timetabling Week 15) Academic concerns

Teaching schedule

FY021 Introduction to
Business
Academic Date Module Activity Comment
Week commencing
Number
1 30/09/2024 Teaching
2 07/10/2024 Teaching
3 14/10/2024 Teaching
 4 21/10/2024 Teaching

5 28/10/2024 Teaching

6 04/11/2024 Teaching Formative feedback on Task 1 - Group

presentation
7 11/11/2024 Teaching Group Presentation
8 18/11/2024 Teaching Formative feedback regarding Task
2 - Poster
9 25/11/2024 Teaching Poster supposed to be ready

10 02/12/2024 Teaching
11 09/12/2024 Teaching
12 16/12/2024 Teaching Formative feedback on Task 3 –
Individual Report
- 23/12/2024 Christmas break

- 30/12/2024 Christmas break

13 06/01/2025 Teaching Workshops and Independent Study
14 13/01/2025 Teaching CW1 Submission week!
15 20/01/2025 Teaching Recap and Academic Concerns

Module Assessment

There are 3 elements to this assignment which are all detailed in the assignment task. There will be
opportunities within the module to get feedback on each element, before you need to submit them.
Please check the module scheme, which will detail when each task needs to be done, so that
feedback can be given. The completed CW1 have to be submitted on the submission link provided
before the submission deadline-17/01/2025, 2 pm. To have full details of your assessment, students
are therefore advised to download the Assignment Brief from VLE (LSST CONNECT).

Assessment One

Assessment Number One (1)

Assessment Weighting 100%
Due Date 17/01/2025

Assessment Method Portfolio (Group presentation, Poster and

Individual report)

Word Limit
1500/+- references and appendices are not
included in the word count
Core Text and Additional Reading

Boddy, D., (2018) Management: An Introduction, 7th ed., London: Pearson

Brassington, F. and Pettit, S., (2012) Essentials of Marketing. 3rd ed. Harlow: FT Prentice
McLaney, E. and Atrill, P., (2017) Accounting and Finance for Non-Specialists. 9th ed. London:
Pearson. (e-book available through library)
Mullins L., (2016) Management and Organisation Behaviour 12th Edition FT Prentice Hall
Worthington, I., Britton, C. and Thompson, E. (2018) The business environment: a global perspective,
London: Pearson Education