Study at Cardiff | Undergraduate

Cardiff offers a range of programmes for students who want to pursue a career in business and management, reflecting the breadth of research expertise of the Business School‘s academics and current developments in the business world.

Business-related degrees at Cardiff focus on developing a solid core of knowledge in the area of business management. Students then build on this strong foundation to specialise in areas they find interesting and which reflect their career aspirations. The School also offers the opportunity to combine the study of Business with German, French, Italian, Spanish or Japanese, with a year spent abroad at a partner institution.

Flexibility

The BSc Business Management three-year courses share a first year and there is a relative amount of flexibility in their structure, so students may apply to transfer programme at the end of their first year if they discover a particular aptitude for a specialism during their studies.

Key Facts

The BSc Business Management (Human Resources Management) programme builds on the general foundation of business modules by examining the design and functioning of work and organisations, the regulatory environment and the societal context surrounding the workplace, and the techniques that are used to manage people at work. Alongside this, the programme covers strategy, information, finance and accounting, operations and marketing to ensure that students have a general foundation in the business disciplines as well as the HRM specialism. The programme reflects the growth of the HR profession and the increased focus on people management in many organisations in both the public and private sectors.

Year 1

Please visit the Business Management profile for more information about the common first year.

Year 2 – Requirements

Five compulsory double modules

• Employment Relations
• Marketing and Strategy
• Managing People
• Organisational Behaviour
• Managerial Accounting and Finance

and one double module from

• Business Information Systems
• International Management
• Management Theory and Practice
• Managing Public Services
• Buyer Behaviour
• Cross-cultural Management
• Operations Management

Year 3 – Requirements

Four compulsory double modules

• International Human Resource Management
• Organisational Analysis and Change
• Strategic Management
• Work and Employment

and two double modules from

• Advanced Operations Management
• Advertising and Marketing Communications Management
• Accounting Theory and Practice
• Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development
• Ethics and Morality of Business
• Japanese and Asian Management Systems
• Marketing Decision Making
• Management and Public Policy in the European Union
• Services and Relationship Marketing

Optional Single Modules

• Exploratory Data Analysis
• Modelling in Management Science

Cardiff Business School’s teaching is research-led, combining academic rigour with practical relevance. Our faculty consists of world-leading academics who are at the forefront of knowledge within their field. They bring the lessons from their most recent research into the classroom, giving students access to the latest information and business thinking.

You will find that the phrase ’learning and teaching’ is commonly used in UK universities. This phrase emphasises the two-way nature of the process in which you will be taking part. You, we hope, will be doing the learning; we will be providing not only teaching, but also many other things which contribute to a good environment for learning, such as computer resources, a well stocked library, suitable lecture rooms, and so on.

Unless both sides of the ‘learning and teaching’ equation are in place, satisfactory educational outcomes cannot take place. It follows that the responsibility is divided equally between staff and the University as a whole on the one hand, and students on the other. The Business School and University will provide good quality teaching and learning resources, and will be responsive to the needs and views of you, our students. For your part, you will need to put in the necessary amount of work both during and outside formal teaching sessions, and to make good use of the facilities provided. Only when both these aspects are present will you be able to reach your full potential in your chosen subject.

Methods of teaching

Most modules involve a mixture of lectures and small group teaching (classes/seminars/workshops/tutorials). In the lecture, the lecturer will mainly be giving an overview of an aspect of the module content (as well as giving opportunities for the student to ask questions and be reflective), while in classes and workshops you will have an opportunity to practice techniques, discuss ideas, apply concepts and consolidate your understanding in the topic.

Independent Study

All modules will require a considerable element of independent study alongside the formal scheduled teaching. Independent study is designed so that you can expand on the knowledge given to you during lectures, seminars and tutorials. Independent study is an important component of Higher Education because it helps you to develop the ability for enquiry and critical evaluation, which in turn leads to you developing transferable skills, helps you to learn how to respond to change and it is key to ensuring that you have sufficient understanding of the subject you are studying. The amount of independent study you are expected to undertake will increase throughout the duration of your degree as your expertise also increases.

Office Hours

All academic staff in the Business School have designated office hours when they are available to meet with students and these are posted on their office doors along with their contact details. Office hours provide an important source of contact with your lecturers and enable you to ask questions you may not wish to ask in a large class setting. This time can help you to clarify anything you have been taught that is unclear or can give you advice on further reading or preparation for assignments.

Personal Tutors

You will be allocated a Personal Tutor at the beginning of your studies. Normally, your Personal Tutor will teach on your own degree programme and you will keep the same Personal Tutor throughout your course.

Your Personal Tutor will be able to give you advice on academic issues, including module choice and assessment. If you encounter any problems which affect your studies, your Personal Tutor should always be your first point of contact; she/he will be able to put you in touch with the student support services provided by the University and the Students’ Union as appropriate. It is normally the Personal Tutor who writes references for job applications and therefore you should keep your personal tutor informed about how you are getting on. Students are required to meet with their personal tutors at three points during the year but you are also encouraged to get in touch with them at any other point if you need help or advice.

A list of commonly accepted alternative entry qualifications and admissions and selection criteria for this degree programme can be read here.