Undergraduate Diploma in Business

This course provides a broad introduction to economic principles at both micro and macro levels. In the microeconomic component, students study how households and firms make decisions, and how markets determine prices and quantities through demand and supply. In the macroeconomic component, students examine key aggregates such as output, unemployment, inflation and economic growth, and consider the role of government policies. Current examples are used to illustrate how economic ideas apply to realworld issues. By the end of the module, students will be able to use basic economic concepts to interpret everyday economic events and policy debates.

This module serves as a basic introduction to the properties and applications of functions, linear systems, and probability for students in business and the social sciences.

Topics covered throughout the module are derived from algebra (linear equations, quadratic equations, functions and graphs, inequalities), mathematics of finance (simple and compound interest, annuities), linear programming, matrices, systems of linear equations. The modules will focus on mathematical applications to management, economics, and business.

This module introduces students to the role of marketing in organisations and the wider business environment. It covers core concepts such as customer value, market segmentation and targeting, positioning, consumer behaviour and the marketing mix. Students learn how organisations use marketing information to understand customers and design basic marketing strategies. Real-world examples and short case studies are used to link theory to practice. By the end of the module, students will be able to explain key marketing concepts and outline a simple marketing plan for a product or service.

This unit is designed to help students develop the skills and understandings needed for successful participation in undergraduate diploma studies. It introduces key aspects of higher education, including the structure of the education system, expectations of college-level learning, and students’ roles and responsibilities. Through activities on study skills, time management, academic integrity, and adjustment to college life, students learn how to manage their own learning and adapt to the academic environment. By the end of the unit, students should be better prepared to meet the demands of higher education and to engage confidently in their subsequent studies.

This module develops essential mathematical knowledge and skills required for further study in business and related disciplines. Topics include numbers and operations, algebraic expressions and equations, basic functions and graphs, simple geometry, and an introduction to statistics. Emphasis is placed on problem-solving, logical reasoning and the application of mathematics to real-life and academic contexts. By the end of the module, students will be able to select and use appropriate mathematical techniques, interpret quantitative information and approach subsequent quantitative modules with greater confidence.

Industry Experience I is a form of experiential learning that enables students to apply their academic knowledge in a professional context. Students engage with real-word issues related to business by completing an approved internship. During the internship, students work on tasks that meet the needs of the organisation, guided by an on-site supervisor. Internships must entail significant leadership opportunities. Students complete online modules under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Pre-work includes instruction in communication, goal-setting, and professional development. During the industry experience, students submit bi-weekly written reflections on their personal goals and challenges. At the end of the term, students obtain written feedback from their organisation supervisor. They also submit a final report which describes the problem statement, approaches/methods used, deliverables, and skills gained. Industry Experience culminates in a final presentation which is shared as a public blog post.

In this module, students will gain the capacity to appropriately apply a broad repertoire of communication skills in business, professional, and social contexts. Throughout the module, students will develop managerial communication skills required for leadership in a wide variety of industries. Focus will be placed on speaking, calling, motivation techniques, problem solving, negotiating, and general aspects of professionalism. The communication requirements of different contexts are studied, including informational, persuasive, and relational forms of communication.

In general terms, financial accounting is the measurement of economic activity for decision-making. Financial statements are a key product of this measurement process and an important component of firms’ financial reporting activities.

The objective of this module is to help students become intelligent readers of the financial reports of most publicly traded companies. Students will learn the development, analysis, and use of these reports by focusing on what these reports contain, what assumptions and concepts accountants use to prepare them, and why they use those assumptions and concepts. Topics include: balance sheets, income statements, statements of cash flows, and statements of stockholders’ equity. Particular attention is paid to how these four statements relate to each other and how they provide information about the operating performance and financial health of a company. The module also covers specific items from the financial statements and applies tools of analysis whenever possible.

This module prepares students for university-level study by strengthening their academic English in writing, speaking, listening and critical reading. Students learn to analyse academic texts, take effective notes, plan and draft assignments, and use appropriate structure, style and referencing. The module also develops skills for seminars and presentations, including expressing and justifying opinions, responding to questions and engaging in group discussions. By the end of the module, students will be able to produce more coherent and well-supported academic writing and participate more actively and appropriately in university learning activities.

In this introductory module, students will be introduced to the field of business administration and its various sub-disciplines. The interdisciplinary components of business will be a focus of this module as viewed through context-based study that is informed by organisational structures and market environments.

Because business is a problem-oriented discipline focusing on issues within organisations (how does an organisation set different goals and objectives?) and the interaction and relationship of the business with its surrounding (how do political factors affect the business?), this module will be context-based, using cases and examples presenting current developments and challenges faced by businesses.  Topics may include: the global context of business (business environments and business types); the business of managing; people in organisations (Human Resource Management, leadership and teams); managing information (IT); principles of marketing and finance; and political, social, economic, technological and ethical considerations affecting business. This module will provide basic knowledge on business preparing students for more specialised modules.

This module is designed to develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of the effective management of people. Students will learn the theoretical origins of human resource management, the emergence of HR strategy and the relationship between business strategy and HR management strategy.

The module will focus on discussing and analysing important HR management activities such as planning, recruitment and selection, training and development, absence and retention management, reward and performance and exit management. Students will develop the knowledge and skills required for the integration of HR policies into an effective HR management strategy.

This module develops students’ capacity to think clearly, logically and creatively in academic and professional contexts. Students learn how to identify issues, analyse arguments, evaluate evidence and recognise common flaws in reasoning. The module also encourages creativity in generating solutions and alternative perspectives. Written tasks focus on constructing coherent, well-supported arguments and justifying opinions with appropriate evidence. By the end of the module, students will be able to approach problems more critically, make better-reasoned judgements and communicate their ideas more persuasively.

In this module, students will practise the skills needed to communicate about business with different types of audiences through effective writing. Students will develop their understanding of rhetoric, audience, and conventions to improve business communication skills. The module will focus on the practical uses of clear and effective writing that can be applied to a variety of fields and disciplines.

Focus will be placed on the types of documents necessary to make decisions and take action in a business setting, such as proposals, reports, instructions, policies and procedures, e-mail messages, letters, and descriptions of products and services. Students will also gain practice in individual and collaborative processes involved in the creation of ethical and efficient documents.