Year in Business Management at Kent

How do modern organisations work? What are the dynamics of decision-making? You'll understand the theories and contemporary practices shaping today’s businesses. From classical management theory to modern approaches, fostering an inclusive learning environment that cultivates leadership styles and advocates sustainable business practices. Through immersive case studies, you’ll develop critical thinking and ethical introspection, evaluating fairness in contemporary work practices, understanding a nuanced perspective, essential in today’s business landscape. So you can build better business for a better tomorrow.

What are the key policies and practices that shape how we manage people in organisations? You'll learn about all areas of human resource management theory and practice - from planning and recruiting for your human resource requirements through to effective performance and reward management, employee relations and the ethical treatment of staff. 

By the end of the module, you will have increased your awareness and developed your knowledge and skills in effective management by looking at practices currently applied within organisations. This skill set is crucial as you progress in your career in HR management through this module, you should have everything you need to thrive in your career. 

Operations management is the highly important activity of managing the resources devoted to production and delivery of products and services. 

We'll explore conceptual, analytical, and practical aspects of how to effectively manage operations in manufacturing and service companies. We'll look at various types of businesses including in the private, public, and third sector as well as start-up organisations. 

You'll develop highly sought after knowledge, understanding, skills and abilities in analysing, judging and decision-making in these areas. All of these will be very valuable when starting out in your career. 

Project management has rapidly emerged as an essential discipline for businesses seeking to achieve strategic and sustainable goals. It can be applied across industries, offering indispensable tools for organisational development. Whatever field you are working in, project managers are in the driving seat of progress. 

This module provides in-depth insights into project management concepts, principles, and applications, giving you essential approaches, tools, and techniques which you can apply to various contexts. 

You'll enhance your analytical, critical and reflective thinking skills. By integrating project management expertise with discipline-specific knowledge, you'll have a competitive edge when you finish the module, enabling you to succeed in both project and non-project-oriented careers. 

Are you interested in starting your own business? What are the tools and skills you need to do so? Why are startups becoming more popular? We'll delve into the social and economic changes that have raised the status of enterprises, small businesses, and entrepreneurial ventures in the global economy. 

We'll consider entrepreneurs, their characteristics and motivations, and the barriers and issues that they face when planning and establishing a new startup venture. You'll learn what makes new ventures grow and succeed, and evaluate the practical decisions that entrepreneurs need to make to maximise the chances of their business succeeding. 

Yes, if you are a University of Kent undergraduate student who:    

• is currently in Stage 2 or Stage 3 of your degree 
• averaging 50% or above in your current degree programme 

Students that are not eligible: 

• students currently studying at Kent Business School 

If your degree is accredited with a professional body e.g. Psychology, you will need to confirm with your home School that this can include the option of a Year in Business Management. 

Students who successfully complete the Year in Business Management and their home degree will graduate with the addition of ‘with a Year in Business Management’ to their main degree title. The full transcript of your degree results will include your marks for the Year in Business Management, as evidence of your achievement for potential employers.   

Your degree classification will depend on your main degree subject and not the Year in Business Management which is a pass/fail year. If you pass the year, you will get ‘with a Year in Business Management’ added to your degree title. If you fail, your degree title will remain as your current degree. You do not risk your current degree classification by doing the Year in Business Management. 

Please talk to staff in your home School about whether adding a Year in Business Management will affect any accreditation you may be eligible for. 

The Year in Business Management should be viewed simply as an additional year of study, making a three-year degree into a four-year degree. If you pay your own tuition fees, then you will have to pay for an extra year. For those eligible, student loans should normally be available for all four years. However, it is your responsibility to check with the Loan Authority that they will continue to give you financial support on the new programme.     

International students wishing to add the Year in Business Management will be approved on a case-by-case basis in accordance with UK immigration regulations and the University’s Tier 4 policy on Academic Progression and Change of Course.   

We know that different students excel in different areas and that different students need different support to develop the skills that they’ll need to succeed in the world of work. As such, the course has some exams, some individual reports, some essays and, some group presentations. We think that a good mix is necessary to be a good student.    

Students can opt to take one of our conversion MScs if they have obtained a good degree in another subject. However, the content you study and the way each course is funded are quite different. The Year in Business Management isn’t a substitute for doing a Master's degree ,but it will give you an introduction to the world of business and management – and is a good option for those worried about postgraduate funding or looking for a different way to stand out on your CV.    

Unfortunately not. The programme is only open to current Kent undergraduates, not Master’s or PhD students.    

Unfortunately, no. This course is only available to students who studied outside of Kent Business School on degrees where significant proportions of the provision are not serviced by Kent Business School. However, we do also offer a range of Progression Masters courses that might be better suited to you.