Semester 1

Core modules:

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Sustainable Development
• Enterprise and Innovation Portfolio - Semester 1-2
• Accounting For Decision Making

Optional modules:

• Leadership
• International Business Context
• Contemporary Marketing Research
• Marketing Management in the Digital Age
• Employee Resourcing and Development

Semester 2

Core modules:

• Creativity and Personal Development
• Developing an Investable Business Plan
• Enterprise and Innovation Portfolio - Semester 1-2

Optional modules:

• Strategy and Information Management
• Contemporary Challenges in Global Business
• Branding

Semester 3

Core module:

• Research Methods

After you have completed the taught core module, Research Methods, you will undertake a large independent project to further develop your knowledge in a specific area of management or to tackle a specific management issue within an organisation, all of which is designed to enhance your employability. You will choose one of the options below:

• Research dissertation
• Consultancy project
• Placement
• Entrepreneurship

The dissertation is a formal written academic project of approximately 15,000 words, making it ideal preparation for future academic research at MPhil or PhD level or for the report-writing and scrutiny expected of senior management professionals. Taking inspiration from your own interests, and with support throughout from a supervisor with relevant expertise, you’ll choose a topic to research in HRM.

Previous students have researched subject matter as diverse as the factors affecting teacher retention in state-funded education or the high labour turnover in the IT Industry, to the effectiveness of training at a decoration company in China and gender discrimination in the retail sector.

From June to September, you will spend eight to 12 weeks undertaking a management research project on behalf of an organisation (chosen by Keele Business School). You’ll put into practice what you’ve learned, developing and applying your skills to solve a business problem, issue or focus on a specific project. As part of the eventual assessment, you’ll present your findings to the host organisation, exactly as you would do within the workplace. For example, one student looked at the process for dealing with performance issues and, by streamlining communications and exploring the use of ‘soft’ HRM methods (team boards), managed to bring down delivery times substantially making significant cost savings as a result. Another previous student analysed how employee engagement levels affect a working organisation, while another sought to identify best practice for a local council as part of its large-scale event management.

At the end of the year, Keele Business School presents one student with the ‘Student Consultant of the Year’ award. Please note that participation in the Consultancy Project is only available after a comprehensive selection process

An excellent opportunity if you have an idea for a new business venture, this module will provide you with the time, space and expertise to develop it. For between eight weeks to 12 months, you’ll be given the option of a base within the University’s incubator and have access to workshops and guidance from a network of entrepreneurs and business advisers. During this time, you’ll complete a portfolio of evidence on your idea and present this to an external stakeholder. Places are limited, and you will be required to undertake an interview prior to acceptance on this module.

Please note: The Entrepreneurship pathway is available to UK Students only.

In an increasingly competitive job market, employers are looking to recruit employees who have high-level knowledge, skills and workplace experience. With support from the Faculty Placement Officer, you will gain first-hand professional experience on a suitable, paid work placement for between eight weeks to 12 months. During your placement, you will be required to complete an extended project on behalf of the organisation. As part of the eventual assessment, you’ll present your findings to the host organisation, exactly as you would do within the workplace. Your placement can be based anywhere in the UK giving you the opportunity to work with local, national and international organisations.

Students who require a visa to study in the UK may be able to add in a work placement depending upon the programme. The ability to add a work placement is dependent upon the UK Immigration rules at the time of the request. It may be that for some programmes students will not have the option to request a placement period to be added to their programme before they arrive in the UK and would need to apply for a new visa. There is no guarantee that a placement will be provided and that students who have a visa are subject to a number of restrictions on the type of work, including placements they can undertake.