Leadership and Management BA (Hons) Top-Up

Modules may include:

Research Methods

You will develop research and evaluative skills and knowledge.

Strategic Leadership and Enterprise

You will develop an understanding of strategic leadership in relation to the implementation of strategy within an organisation.

Marketing Management and Strategy

You will acquire the skills needed to undertake a marketing audit for a selected organisation in order to develop a strategic marketing plan including use of the integrated marketing mix.

Contemporary Human Resource Management

You will focus on human resource management and be provided with an insight into contemporary employment practices within commercial organisations and develop essential skills in securing and retaining employees.

Global Contexts and Operations

You will develop your understanding of the global context in relation to the management of the relevant organisation.

Dissertation/Research Project

You will produce independent research.

Benefits/ Skills you will develop

This course is ideal for those considering managing or owning a small or medium sized business. Students will find the course to be practical, delivering real-world business skills, whilst developing a real depth of knowledge of management and leadership in their sector.

In addition to the contemporary nature of the curriculum content, one of the key strengths of this programme is the support that is provided for students. A robust communications system functions to give students access to lecturers and management; this includes e-mail, the VLE and course notice boards. Each student is allocated a personal tutor for regular tutorials and personal development planning. In relation to the Dissertation, support is provided from a dissertation supervisor. There is an extensive range of learning resources in the library, supported by the specialist business librarian who can support effective research by students and also provide bespoke study skills sessions for students either on a group or individual basis.

Assessment

Formative activities include, group discussions, direct and indirect questioning, simulated practice, analytical tool practice, research tasks, and role plays, for instance. Summative assessments have been designed to reflect employability skills and occupationally-related tasks. Assessment methods adopted on the programme include individual, group and poster presentations, case studies, reports, business plans, audits, class-based assessments, portfolios and reflective statements.

Entry requirements

This programme is predominately offered to those students who wish to continue their studies after successful completion of a Foundation Degree or HND in Leadership and Management, Retail, Marketing or Business. The standard entry requirement is normally a merit grade profile at HND level or FD level from a UK Institution, however, where students have not met this grade and may have some mitigating circumstances, individual cases will be considered. Where appropriate, interviews will be used to ascertain the applicant’s suitability for entry to the course.

Ideally, part time students need to be currently working preferably in a supervisory or management role or have some working experience in their relevant sector. Where appropriate, interviews will be used to ascertain the applicant’s suitability for entry to the course.

International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria. Speakers of other languages will need to possess an IELTS band score of 6.0 (with no-less than 5.5 in any one element) or a recognised English Level 2 qualification.

What’s next

Upon successful completion of the course, you will have the skills to take advantage of job opportunities involving managerial positions in a broad range of sectors and be eligible for graduate programmes with national and international organisations or further study to Masters level. You will have developed your employability skills in order to obtain employment in your chosen area or you can use your knowledge and confidence to start up your own successful business.

Programme Specification

Course Handbook

The Open University Regulations

Staff Profiles

Student Testimonies/ Case Studies

BA (Hons) Leadership and Management (Top-Up)