Business Studies and Economics: The University of Manchester

Course description

The Business Studies stream within the wider BA(Economic and Social Studies) degree is a modern interdisciplinary programme focused around relevant topics found in the Economics, Accounting, Finance, Politics and Sociology subject areas. It is run by the School of Social Sciences and Manchester Business School.

The first year introduces the majority of the transferable and intellectual skills required as a base for progressing on the Business Studies stream. Subject-based material relating to different disciplines is also presented. Economics, for example, is essential in understanding business, whilst mathematics, statistics, computer applications, accounting and finance provide basic building blocks for many of the courses which follow in years two and three. While such topics are useful for analysing business performance, a knowledge of Politics is required to enable understanding of the political and institutional contexts in which business operates. This contextual understanding of the business environment is also enhanced by studying one of the qualitative social sciences, such as Sociology, since appreciation of the organisational and behavioural dimension of business is essential.

The second year allows you to extend this base as required, within the framework of this interdisciplinary stream. You could, for example, decide to pursue statistical or operations research options (extending numeracy) or undertake language courses (further transferable skills). It is, however, at this second level that options delivering subject-based outcomes focused towards the stream arise (business economics, business studies extended essay and presentations). While the third year delivers a greater number of subject-based options, it also includes further development of generic skills (interpersonal and team environment) by the inclusion of a compulsory business analysis project.

The flexible structure of this stream means that many other modules (inc. those in Accounting and/or Finance) are also available to you within the second and third years of the degree. These can be taken alongside classical Business Studies options such as Business Law, Marketing, Human Resource Management, and Management of Knowledge and Technology. All of these can also be taken together with newer options based around subjects such as Globalisation, Information Technologies, or dealing with aspects of appropriate European and international issues.

Career opportunities

The career options are as wide ranging as the choice of courses available. For example, if you take forecasting or operations research options you could pursue a career in strategic resource management in the Government Economic Service; while choosing to specialise in structural, political and governance topics (different aspects of globalisation for example) opens up the opportunity to work as a business development officer in an international charitable NGO (non-government organisation).

Entry requirements

• A level: ABB. Applicants sitting A-Levels over a three year period may be asked for higher grades
• Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications. Unit grades will not normally form part of offer conditions, except for Mathematics programmes.
• GCSE: Minimum grade C in English Language and Mathematics.
• Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification. However, as the opportunities to take these modules are not open to all applicants, currently this is not an essential requirement of the University.
• International Baccalaureate: 34 points overall. 6,6,5 at Higher Level. No lower than 5 in any subject.