This module focuses on consumer behaviour and customer relationship building in the service economy. The module will develop your critical understanding of the decision-making process, and how the role of digital tools are vital in influencing the customer journey. 

You will explore a range of influences on buying decisions, including internal, group and cultural influences, and how broader societal factors inform decision-making. You will also consider the role of marketing and digital marketing in enhancing customer experience and how firms can generate brand loyalty. 

This module offers a dynamic learning experience through workshops, experiential opportunities, masterclasses, and interactive events, aimed at developing practical business skills. You will engage with design thinking, ideation, prototyping, and the creation and refinement of new business ideas in a team.

You will develop your knowledge and skills in a variety of creative areas which include the creation of an innovative product or service for the market, which will be prototyped, and presented to a panel and to potential customers. The assessment involves creating a 4000-word reflective portfolio, documenting key learnings, challenges, and the application of concepts in business idea development and implementation. This comprehensive approach prepares you for entrepreneurial success and real-world business challenges.

This module will include a range of financial and data based topics. 

This module will cover key areas of business finance which will include budgeting, tax (personal & business), depreciation and sources of finance for investing and capital structure. 

This module will explore financial data gathering, data mining, and data collection. Explore how to assemble databases using relevant sources (such as FAME, Yahoo Finance and Investing.com), types of financial data, and ethics in data handling.

This module will include analysis data for ratio analysis, breakeven analysis, investment appraisal (projects), loan amortisation and forecasting. Providing students with the skills required to collect and analyse data; and its presentation by means of relevant methods and tools. 

These key areas will be applied through business case studies, activities and projects. 

Topics:

• Introduction to Finance & Data
• Financial Budgeting
• Tax
• Depreciation
• Sources of Finance
• Data
• Data Visualisation
• Ratio Analysis
• Breakeven Analysis 
• Investment Appraisal
• Loan Amortisation 
• Forecasting 

The People Management module will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of key human resource management (HRM) principles and practices, particularly in the context of contemporary organisations.

Students will gain a solid foundation in upholding the standards and ethical behaviours outlined in the CIPD Code of Professional Conduct, ensuring that they develop a professional approach to people management. It will deepen their knowledge of HRM functions, allowing them to recognise and carry out critical activities such as resourcing, retention, reward management, employee engagement, and supporting the employment relationship.

Throughout the module, students will engage with both theoretical and practical aspects of people management. They will be encouraged to evaluate and improve the techniques used in managing people in the workplace, developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Real-world application of academic concepts will be a key focus, with students exploring case studies and presenting solutions to practical HR challenges.

Assessments will allow students to demonstrate their grasp of HRM concepts and their ability to apply them to real-life scenarios.

This module provides a structured, university-level work placement for 4, 5 or 7 weeks as one continuous block / period with a placement provider (i.e. a local employer from the private, public, or charitable sector). It is designed to enhance your professional skills in a real-world job setting.  

The placement can either be organised by you or with support from university staff.  

All work placements within this module must be university-level; this means:  

• Undertaking high-skilled work commensurate with level 5 study (e.g. report writing, attending meetings, delivering presentations, producing spreadsheets, writing content on webpages, social media, marketing services/products etc)  

• Physically placed (albeit part of it can be hybrid) within an employer setting in one continuous block / period for 5 weeks for a minimum of 140-147 hours over the course of the entire work placement 

• Where applicable, your existing part-time employer can be approached/used as the placement provider, if the high-skilled work criterion above is fulfilled for the full duration of the placement.   

• All quality assurances/agreements provided by the University are adhered to, by you and the employer.  

The work placement context may not necessarily, reflect your degree discipline per se, but rather, it will give you an enriched experience to enhance your professional skills in a real-world job setting. 

This module will enhance your employability through experiential learning. This may be achieved through live marketing projects and collaboration with various organisations. You will develop a real-life appreciation of a range of activities carried out by marketing professionals. This may include market research, social media marketing, brand development and communications planning.

You will also refine your transferable skills to maximise your work readiness and employability prospects within the marketing industry, develop your graduate-level employment skills and appreciate the importance of life-long learning. 

This module will allow you to network, build organisational relationships and gain valuable insights about the marketing industry. 

This module will enable students to apply academic learning to real business case studies and scenarios through the completion of 'consultancy' projects, business scenario role-play and associated reflective learning. The module is designed to prepare students to become competent and knowledgeable professionals in the dynamic field of business consultancy. It aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to pursue successful careers across a variety of organisations, industries, sectors or contexts.

This module is designed to enhance learners’ professional skills in a real-world job setting and is structured to bridge theory and practice, featuring engagement with industry through guest lectures, business networking and practical case study applications. This module enhances practical skills and broadens professional networks, aligning with the university's goal of preparing students for impactful graduate careers. This module will provide learners with hands-on experience of real-world business scenarios, which will help them understand business expectations, build confidence and prepare them for the world of work.   

This module is designed to provide experiential learning opportunities to enable students to apply academic learning to real business case studies and scenarios through a combination of group and individual learning. The primary objective is to equip students with professional skills and experience essential for graduate career roles enhancing their employability, professional effectiveness and subsequent professional advancement.

Throughout this module, there will be a strong focus on sustainability, ensuring learners are equipped with the skills and mindset to meet business demand for sustainability literate graduates

Choose one of the following:

1. Professional Placement (40 Credits) Optional
2. Term abroad (40 Credits) Optional
3. One of the following Language options

Advanced Language Development and Global Sustainability (40 Credits) Optional

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at advanced level. The second half of the module includes a placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a sustainability issue in a target language country. The first half of the module will prepare you for placements abroad where appropriate as well as a deeper understanding of sustainability in target language contexts. 

Developing Intercultural Literacy and Cross-Cultural Skills (40 Credits) Optional

• The multiple facets of global citizenship
• Ethical engagement and practice
• The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
• Intercultural communication
• Culture shock
• Cultural adjustment
• Self- assessment of needs: identification of the range of transferable skills, competencies and attitudes employees need and employers expect graduates to possess-with a strong focus on understanding the intercultural competencies (ICC) needed to live and work abroad.
• Critical analysis/evaluation of individual requirements in relation to culture/cultural adjustment/culture shock/visas/medical.
• Critical analysis/evaluation of skills already acquired in relation to key skills related to ICC.
• Devising strategies to improve one’s own prospects of working abroad in the future.
• Devising an action plan to address gaps in transferable skills based on organisational analysis and sector opportunities.

Experiential Overseas Learning (40 Credits) Optional

Preparation for Experiential Overseas Learning will take place at the University of Chester during level 5 and will include:  

• The multiple facets of Global citizenship
• Ethical engagement and practice
• Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
• Intercultural communication
• Theories, models and strategies of learning

Theories and models Intercultural competence

• Theories and models of Integration and Multiculturalism
• Critical thinking skills and models of Reflection
• Experiential learning models
• Self-directed experiential learning

Personal and placement-related skills

• Enhanced independence
• Improved command of multicultural behaviour
• Increased knowledge and confidence in their individual facets of personal identity
• Effective time management and organisational skills
• Project management – working away from University and independent study
• Self-management and personal development
• Team building and team work

Part B: Overseas

Students will engage in experiential learning activities overseas for at least 150 hours 

Post Beginner Language Development and Global Cultures (40 Credits) Optional

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at beginner level. The first half of the module includes intensive taught sessions in interactive workshop mode which will prepare you for placements abroad or self-directed language development. The second half of the module includes a placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a cultural issue in a target language country. 

Upper Intermediate Language Development and Global Employability (40 Credits) Optional

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at intermediate level. The first half of the module includes intensive taught sessions in interactive workshop mode which will prepare you for placements abroad or self-directed language development. The second half of the module includes an placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a business or tourism issue in a target language country. 

Or you can choose ONE of the following:

• University Placement Year Optional
• Subject Placement Year Optional
• International University Placement Year Optional