UWE Bristol Business Studies and Related Awards at University

1. UWE BristolBusiness Studies and Related Awards at University Presentation Name: Deborah Sturge Title: Leader of Bristol Business School Student Support and Guidance

2. Why choose a Business Degree? • Employability and diversity of jobs • Transferable skill set • International orientation • Flexible degree structure • Choice of full-time or sandwich degree

3. What kind of job do students progress into on graduation? • Accounting – Chartered, CIMA exemptions • Management • Marketing and Marketing Communications • Personnel/Human Resources • Financial Analysis eg. City trader, Fund Management • Insurance & Banking, Stock broking, Financial Advice • Entrepreneurship • Administration • Event Management • The list is endless…..

4. Business degrees include…. • Business Studies • Management • Business with ……. • Marketing • International Business • Accounting & Finance (Financial Management) • Entrepreneurship • Economics • For example……..

5. UWE Business School Programmes • BA (Hons) programmes in Business Studies Business Studies with : • Accounting & Finance • HRM • Marketing • Economics Accounting and Finance Business Enterprise Economics Economics of Money, Banking & Finance International Business Marketing Marketing Communications • BSc (Hons) Management

6. Related Programmes • BA (Hons) Agricultural Business Management • BA (Hons) Equine Business Management • BA (Hons) Sports Business Management • BA (Hons) Business Decision Analysis • BA (Hons) Business Information Systems • BSc (Hons) Management Science • BSc (Hons) Business in Property • Joint Honours degrees in: • Business and Law

7. Entry Requirements What ‘A’ levels (or equivalents) are recommended? • Normally Business Studies and/or Economics or BAF Diploma • Others might include Maths, IT, Management, Leisure & Tourism, Sociology/Psychology, Law, Languages • Extended project (1/2 A level equivalent) • No fixed pre-requisites at BBS UWE • 280 points entry level at BBS 2011/12 What else are Admissions staff looking for? • Evidence of business awareness in personal statements • Evidence of some business interests eg: • the Young Enterprise scheme, entrepreneurship projects, volunteering or paid work experience

8. What should you look for in a business degree? • Pathways for specialisation, flexibility • Strong research and knowledge exchange • Tutors experienced in both business practice, research and teaching • Strong employability focus & strong links with industry • International environment & opportunities • Excellent placement support

9. What is a placement? • A chance to put theory into practice & gain real work experience • Usually year 3 of a 4 year degree programme, home or abroad • Usually Minimum 40 weeks in paid employment • Fully supported by a Placements Officer

10. Placements at UWE are a priority “My year on placement has been invaluable…I would strongly recommend it to other students” Sebastian Weller, Marketing student “ My placement was such an exciting experience and gave me chance to put the skills I’d learnt on my course into practice” Simon Wood, Business student • Develop your business awareness • Develop your confidence • Better final results • Investigate future career options • Make yourself more marketable • Graduate job opportunities • Earn some money!

11. Some examples of where UWE students have been working… Your placement can be in the UK or overseas

12. Course specific considerations • Quality and content of course • Module cores and choices • Quality and accessibility of student support • Student services • Contact hours - how many? • Placement support and employability • External contacts & International opportunities • Quality of library resources • Entry tariff

13. Study environment • Tutor contact & Size of cohort - course identity • Lectures, Workshops, Tutorials • Independent study and Research • Assessment • Essays , reports, projects, dissertation • Presentations, posters, videos, podcasts • Individual and group work • Exams

14. What should you look for in a University? • Institution more broadly: • Location, location, location – always visit • Campus or not, old or new • Cost of travel • Cost, location, quality of accommodation • Student experience • Representation • Leisure activities & social life • Volunteering & work opportunities • International environment

15. Sources of Information • University websites • UCAS – www.ucas.com • Unistats provides lots of course and institution information and the results of the National Student Survey: http://unistats.direct.gov.uk/ • Times Online Good University Guide http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/tol_gug/gooduniversityguide.php • Beware league tables – don’t use as your sole resource!

16. What should students gain from a degree? • Fundamental and specialist subject knowledge • Knowledge of business theory and how to apply it • Critical evaluation and analysis skills • Transferable skills for employment and lifelong learning • A diverse study environment • A supportive study environment • A great deal of fun!

17. Business makes sense • Among the best employment prospects of all degree subjects • Sets you up for entry to a range of professions with good long term prospects • Develops strong transferable skills & provides flexible choices • Encourages lifelong learning