Business Management
BSc (Hons)

Our broad-based business management programme gives you the expertise to understand the changing world of business on national and global levels.

Compulsory modules in your first year cover the broad foundations of management, developing your understanding of the functions and processes involved in managing complex organisations and establishing your leadership skills.

You will study across our full-spectrum management school, learning from world-leading researchers and experts to develop fundamental skills in areas including management theory and organisational behaviour, accounting and finance, marketing strategies, business analytics, entrepreneurial thinking, and economic environments.

Whether you want to work in large private organisations, the public sector, or start up your own business, you can personalise your degree to acquire the analytical, quantitative, presentation and other transferable skills needed to succeed and stand out.

Did you know? Lancaster University Management School (UK) is quadruple-accredited by AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA and the Small Business Charter.

Programme structure: Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Introduction to Financial Accounting for Managers

In this module, you will be introduced to the analysis and use of published financial statements. You will explore the concepts underlying financial reporting by companies and gain an understanding of the financial environment in which they operate, developing the skills to work effectively as a future non-accounting manager alongside your accounting colleagues in cross-functional management teams.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Analyse and record basic transactions using double entry bookkeeping and prepare basic balance sheets and profit and loss accounts for simple organisations
• Interpret simple financial reports, including the statement of financial position and the income statement
• Understand the role of judgement in measuring and reporting financial position and performance
• Appreciate the relationships between financial reporting, its regulation, the management of companies, and the commercial pressures that managers face, including an awareness of managers’ responsibilities for reporting on the performance and position of their company

Economics for Business

In this module, you will be introduced to the discipline of Economics, exploring how a modern economy functions at both the microeconomic level, by examining the behaviour of individuals and firms, and the macroeconomic level, where aggregates such as national income, unemployment, and inflation are the focus of attention.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Use appropriate theoretical and analytical tools to understand economics, with particular emphasis on the behaviour of individuals and firms, the implications of government action, and the macroeconomic environment
• Calculate, solve, and interpret quantitative economic problems relating to consumers (such as elasticities of demand), firms (such as cost and revenue analysis and profit-maximising equilibria), and the macroeconomy (such as national income)
• Communicate and present economic arguments in both written and oral form with clarity and conciseness

Entrepreneurship: Innovating New Futures

In this module, you will develop an introductory understanding of entrepreneurship and innovation, exploring key concepts such as creativity and customer need, understanding value, accessing resources, new venture creation, scenario planning, and learning from failure.
You will gain hands-on experience of a range of entrepreneurial skills that are transferable across many contexts, whether you are establishing a startup, taking an entrepreneurial approach to your own career, or working within government or the social enterprise sector. You will also develop broader skills in communication, presentation, writing, and reflecting on your own practice.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Critically discuss the role of entrepreneurs in society and their importance to the economy
• Apply key techniques in venture creation, including creativity, opportunity recognition, and the presentation of business ideas
• Formulate a coherent and well-founded case to investors to back a new venture or project
• Identify and mobilise appropriate resources to launch new products or a new business

Principles of Marketing

In this module, you will examine the key elements of marketing theory and practice and how these connect with other aspects of business management. The module is organised around three themes. The first introduces the fundamentals of marketing, including the branding and pricing of products and services. The second explores the competitive marketplace, focusing on how organisations understand and engage with consumers, including recent developments in digital marketing. The third consolidates your learning by considering how marketers obtain and use information to inform innovation and the marketing planning process.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Appreciate the role of marketing both as the social process of exchange and as a management function within an organisation
• Critically evaluate and discuss marketing theories to construct coherent and evidence based arguments
• Critically evaluate and reflect upon marketing practices through the use of different contexts and examples
• Communicate ideas and persuasive recommendations to address marketing issues and challenges faced by organisations and society

Introduction to Management

In this module, you will be introduced to both traditional and contemporary ideas about management and leadership, exploring a range of theories and practices relevant to the organisation of work. You will examine and contrast major trends in management and leadership thinking, considering the relationship between theory and practice in key emerging areas, and engaging with current issues and debates in the field. The module also provides a supportive environment in which you can develop, test, and explore your own theories and managerial and leadership skills.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Explain the nature of management and leadership and distinguish between the two
• Compare and contrast major trends and theories in management and leadership thinking
• Explore the relationship between theory and practice in key emerging areas of management and leadership
• Engage critically with current issues and debates in management and leadership
• Reflect on and develop your own managerial and leadership skills

Introduction to Business Analytics

In this module, you will be introduced to the core ideas and practical tools of business analytics, exploring how data can support better decisions in organisations. You will examine what data is, how it is collected, and how sampling works, before learning how to visualise data using charts and graphs and describe patterns using measures of averages, variation, and relationships. As the module progresses, you will model links between variables through simple and multiple regression and apply basic forecasting techniques to support planning.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Visualise data effectively and describe patterns using appropriate measures of averages, variation, and relationships
• Build and interpret simple and multiple regression models to analyse links between variables
• Apply basic forecasting techniques to support organisational planning
• Use spreadsheet software to carry out analysis and present findings clearly to decision makers

Employability & Careers

In this module, you will take the first steps in preparing for your future career as a Business Management graduate. Combining insights from visiting employers with structured employability preparation, the module focuses on two interconnected themes: Opportunity Awareness, exploring the career opportunities available to you as a Business Management graduate, and Self-Awareness, reflecting on your personal interests, motivations, values, and skills. You will also be introduced to the graduate labour market and the careers information, resources, and support available to you throughout your studies.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate an awareness of your own skills, interests, values, and preferences, and begin to form clear career preferences through career exploration
• Begin to develop a career planning action plan for the remainder of your time at university
• Utilise careers information and resources effectively -Engage with the graduate labour market and the career management process
• Produce a graduate style CV and cover letter using appropriate language and format in preparation for internship applications

Programme structure: Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Management Accounting for Business Decisions

In this module, you will be introduced to the use of management accounting information for management purposes. You will examine cost-volume profit analysis, the concepts of direct and indirect costs, and a range of costing methods. You will also explore the importance of budgets to organisations and their impact on performance.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Describe the role of management accounting in an organisation
• Identify different elements of cost behaviour and explain their implications for decision making
• Apply management accounting techniques including budgeting and activity-based costing
• Understand the potential motivational and organisational effects of management accounting and accounting systems

Microeconomic Analysis

In this module, you will be introduced to key aspects of consumer and firm behaviour, bridging the gap between the theoretical foundations of microeconomics and their practical applications. You will explore how core microeconomic concepts underpin decision-making by consumers and firms across a range of market structures and contexts.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how key concepts from microeconomic theory underpin consumer and firm decision-making
• Analyse consumer choice and the factors that shape it
• Evaluate firm behaviour under differing market structures
• Explain the concept of general equilibrium
• Understand strategic behaviour and its implications for market outcomes
• Analyse the informational aspects of transactions, including the role of auctions
• Examine externalities, public goods, rent seeking, and the policy responses available to address them

Entrepreneurial Mindset

In this module, you will develop your entrepreneurial mindset through an active pedagogy of vicarious learning. You will also develop an understanding of how entrepreneurs learn and develop their mindset, with the aim of provoking reflection on your own mindset in the context of your professional career.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the core dimensions that constitute the entrepreneurial mindset
• Recognise the core dimensions of the entrepreneurial mindset across a range of entrepreneurial contexts, including startups, small and large organisations, charities, social enterprises, and governments
• Conduct an interview with an entrepreneur confidently within an academic or professional context

Employability and Careers II

In this module, you will build on the foundational employability knowledge and skills developed in your first year, progressing your preparation for the graduate job market. You will deepen your career research skills, develop your professional network, and refine the practical tools and techniques needed to compete effectively for graduate roles.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Research different career paths and identify the education and experience required for each profession
• Build and develop professional relationships and utilise networking opportunities, including through social media platforms
• Prepare effectively for job interviews through practice, feedback, and an understanding of the questions and formats you are likely to encounter
• Search for job opportunities, tailor your CV and cover letter for specific roles, and make effective use of online job search resources
• Establish a professional online presence through personal branding, social media channels, and portfolio development

Introduction to Operations Management

In this module, you will be introduced to operations management as a core managerial discipline applicable across all kinds of organisation, from private sector manufacturing to public sector services. You will examine the organised processes that underpin the modern world, including transportation, energy generation, retailing, the production of goods, and the provision of medical and educational services. The module combines analytical and constructive approaches, encompassing both qualitative and quantitative methods.
By the end of this module, you will be able to engage competently in the kind of problem solving characteristic of operations management, including:

• Applying basic principles such as lean production
• Demonstrating a fundamental understanding of entities such as supply networks
• Using mathematical models to optimise inventory policies
• Applying systematic techniques of control such as those needed for quality management

Spreadsheet Modelling for Management

In this module, you will develop the practical skills in spreadsheet modelling, problem structuring, and analytical thinking that organisational recruiters consistently identify as priorities in graduate recruitment. Working with Microsoft Excel, you will be introduced to the basics of dynamic model building, including data handling, filtering and analysis, and the use of functions and charts. You will also develop more advanced skills including optimisation, simulation, and the use of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) to automate models and construct decision support tools.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Apply analytical and abstraction skills to structure and solve organisational problems
• Build and use dynamic spreadsheet models to support business decision making

The Changing Role of Management

In this module, you will examine the changing role and position of management and managers in organisations and society. You will explore how modern forms of management control have shifted from traditional hierarchical authority towards more horizontal approaches that seek to incorporate employees into the organisation and its goals in ever closer ways.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Identify trends in the changing context of management, including shifts in the organisational environment and at the level of the organisation itself
• Discuss management as a social process rather than simply a technical or rational activity
• Explain the identity work that managers undertake as part of their role, both in relation to themselves as managers and in their interactions with other employees
• Analyse day-to-day organisational experience as it relates to management, including emotions, humour, resistance, and inequalities

Optional Modules (to choose 2 from)

• Accounting Information Systems & Auditing
• Principles of Financial Accounting
• Social Media Marketing
• Statistical Methods for Business
• Techniques for Management Decision Making

Programme structure: Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Principles of Strategic Management

In this module, you will develop an understanding of strategy that enables you to discuss real-life business activities within a framework of contemporary strategic management thinking. You will be encouraged to develop a personal and distinctive understanding of strategising across different industries and in uncertain environments.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Understand and critically discuss contemporary strategy frameworks and concepts
• Apply and adapt strategy concepts and frameworks in complex organisational contexts
• Identify key strategic issues and options in real organisational contexts
• Work effectively in an international team to plan, structure, and communicate strategy analysis in a comprehensive yet concise way

Rethinking Leadership

In this module, you will re-examine leadership dynamics through a range of contemporary perspectives, exploring their respective strengths and weaknesses. You will engage with leader-centred, follower-centred, cultural, and critical approaches to leadership. Throughout, the module critically examines the facilitators and challenges to effective leadership that frequently exist in contemporary organisations and societies.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Explore and critically evaluate different ways of defining, conceptualising, and understanding leadership, followership, and the dynamics between them
• Critically apply leadership perspectives, theories, and concepts to diverse empirical contexts
• Critically evaluate the deep-seated structures and processes that underpin organisational and societal dynamics

Business and Management in the 21st Century: central questions and evaluations

In this module, you will explore the key challenges facing management in the 21st century, developing a broader understanding of the issues you will encounter in your career. You will examine how cultures of employability and performativity are shaped and how the labour market operates, before investigating the knowledge economy and the global reach of management. The module also addresses the pressures of the current economic environment, its major ethical and cultural dimensions, and management’s responses to environmental challenges.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Thoughtfully question, explore, and evaluate the complex thinking required for the proper grounding of managerial decisions and ethically-sensitive action
• Thoughtfully question, examine, and evaluate the key characteristics of the modern managerial/organizational context, and the perplexing character of the choices managers face
• Thoughtfully examine and explore the political-ethical character of managerial work;
• Thoughtfully question, explore, and evaluate the ecological bases, and limits, to the current economy and human culture, and the inter-relationships between them

Optional Modules (to choose 5 from)

• Environmental Economics and Climate Change
• Digital Business and Organisational Transformation
• Project Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Financial Accounting I
• Advanced Management Accounting
• Sustainability, Values and Ethics
• Global Classroom (Media)

Programme structure: Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Teaching is delivered via a combination of small group lectures and group-based tutorial coursework. Students are evaluated using various forms of assessments including: group assignments, oral presentations, individual coursework, and written examinations.

You will be encouraged throughout to undertake independent study to supplement what is being taught/learnt and to broaden your personal knowledge.

All BSc (Hons) Business Management students will receive their undergraduate degree from the quadruple-accredited Lancaster University Management School in the UK.

A degree in business management can open up a range of exciting career avenues, including the following roles:

• Business Analyst
• Marketing Manager
• Operations Manage
• Project Manager
• Management Consultant
• Entrepreneur / Start-up Founder
• Human Resources Manager
• Financial Analyst