MSc Management

BEAM045: Accounting for International Managers

Summary:

Managers are constantly making decisions which have financial consequences:

• How much to charge for X?
• How much does Y cost to make?
• How much profit could be made if...?
• Should there be investment in this new venture, product, or market?

Questions are always being asked by a wide range of stakeholders:

• How successful is the business?
• Should I invest in it?
• Work for it?
• Buy from it?
• Sell to it?
• Lend to it?

Management and financial accounting information support internal and external business decision-making by all those with an interest and influence.

BEAM045 recognises that good managers need to be able to appreciate and use a variety of accounting information and techniques with professional scepticism in business decision-making.

This module also introduces and encourages skills in providing and professionally communicating content that is relevant and understandable to a range of non-financial clients.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation:

• The concepts and techniques explored in this module have global application; Learning is undertaken in an international context, and you are encouraged to share knowledge and experiences from your own and other countries.

Ethics and Corporate Responsibility:

• These are embedded within all topics studied: concepts and techniques are taught to reflect that it is the responsibility of all organisations to make ethical financial decisions and actions, and to provide financial information so that stakeholders can make their own informed decisions.

Employability:

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BEMM149: Business Project

Summary

Available only to students on the MSc Management,

This module offers you the opportunity to tackle a real organisational problem via an applied research approach. Working in a group, your consultancy team will investigate an authentic business challenge specified in a partner's research brief. From initial discussion and design, you will conduct an in-depth investigation using appropriate methods, concepts and theories, culminating in interpretations and the dissemination of your findings to the partner in a report and presentation. You will engage and liaise with the partner (assisted by the module lead), with the intention of offering a set of recommendations and/or a solution relevant to the partner's needs. At the end of the module, you will reflect on your experience and the next steps in your professional development.

Additional Information

Internationalisation

The module considers international perspectives on management consultancy and some of inter-cultural challenges faced by this 'global' form of business.

External Engagement

You will engage with a company or organisations as your client.

Employability

You will develop skills, knowledge and experience that are highly transferable, beneficial and valuable in a number of career paths including, but not restricted to, consultancy and contract research.

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BEMM170: Global Career Management - Theory and Practice

The Global Career Management module is designed to develop students’ capacity to understand, articulate, and evidence their personal competencies, attributes, and career motivations in ways that clearly demonstrate value to potential employers. Through structured engagement with employers, alumni, and industry professionals, students analyse and evaluate a range of career options and develop an informed understanding of postgraduate recruitment processes across different global contexts.

The module supports the application of critical and analytical reasoning to career planning and employability-related outputs, including a learning portfolio, career resources, career plan, and associated professional documents. Students are introduced to established career management frameworks and global career resources, which are used to support evidence-based decision-making and the effective application of research skills to practical career-related challenges. Reflective practice is embedded throughout the module, enabling students to explore, evaluate, and critique their skills, experiences, and learning in relation to career development and progression. Delivery across Terms 1 and 2 combines lectures, workshops, independent study, group discussion, and one-to-one career coaching, supporting students to work independently, manage deadlines, and take responsibility for their own development.

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BEMM389: Business Analytics and Research Skills

Data is the cornerstone of many businesses. The ability to make good business decisions relies on the availability, precision and application of data in a number of forms. For many enterprises, data and analysis is the business as they sell solutions, insights and intelligence to their clients and customers. This module builds your knowledge and understanding of business analytics; the main principles, ideas and approaches relating to the term; and the major issues associated with using analytics in practice. Although the module will increase your confidence with data, mainly quantitative in nature, the module makes no assumptions of your prior knowledge of, or training in, research methods.

The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge and skills in business analytics and the broader research skills that underpin them. Specifically, we will cover:

• The different types, roles and contexts of business analytics
• The main principles and practices behind different types of quantitative analytics
• Research design as the foundation for analytics and decision-making
• Data visualisation and infographics and their roles in communicating business analytics

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BEMM456: Organisational Management and Leadership

People play a large role in how businesses operate. From the smallest enterprise to the largest corporation, organisations are created and designed by people to achieve organisational objectives. Given that people can be unpredictable and complex, the study of organisational behaviour (OB) seeks to understand how people think, feel, and act within organisations. This module will introduce you to a number of foundational theories of organisational behaviour that help us better understand the intricacies of human behaviour at work.

The purpose of this module is to provide you with a general understanding of the foundations of organisational theory. The module also aims to prepare students to be effective members and managers of organisations; particularly through understanding the nature of work performance and by having an awareness of the behavioural levers that managers can apply to improve the performance and job satisfaction of individuals.

This module examines the central issues of organisational behaviour and aims to:

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BEMM807: Strategic Marketing and Management in a Sustainable World

In this module we explore different aspects of marketing and strategic management within a global context. It is critical for anyone aspiring to manage their own business, become a marketer, senior executive or consultant to have a clear understanding of the concepts and ideas needed to effectively craft and execute strategy and marketing plans. This module will teach you the fundamentals of strategic management, marketing planning and tactics, giving you a clear understanding of how external drivers impact on organisations, how markets operate, how customers behave in different contexts and how organisations can develop resource and capabilities to gain competitive advantage. We cover classical and current theory but also provide a practical focus with a simulation and a number of international case studies

You do not need prior knowledge or experience of marketing and strategic management for this module.

This module is AI integrated, which means there is an expectation that you will use AI during classes and as part of the assessment process.

The aims of this module are to:

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BEMM808: Sustainable Business Challenges

The purpose of this module is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of fundamental factors that are influencing the future of business. You will have the opportunity to explore complex sustainability issues and acquire knowledge about innovative methods of management that foster responsible environmental practices and societal influence. Students will examine innovative ideas and emerging patterns that connect sustainability with efficient business strategies.

The curriculum incorporates authentic case studies, promoting the development of analytical reasoning and the ability to solve complex problems. You will connect with professionals from the industry, take part in collaborative projects, and cultivate an advanced awareness of the intricate relationship between business and sustainability. By collaborating with industry professionals, you will gain valuable networking opportunities and acquire insights into the current trends and challenges in the business and sustainability sector.

This module encompasses not only theoretical knowledge but also focuses on equipping you with the essential skills needed to excel in the future. It places particular emphasis on the significance of critical thinking and decision-making abilities. By acquiring expertise in concepts that are progressively essential for global companies, you will obtain a clear advantage in your postgraduate career.

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BEAM033: Banking and Financial Services

Summary:

Banks and financial institutions facilitate transactions between savers and borrowers, enabling the efficient allocation of financial resources without the need for direct interaction. This module examines the process of financial intermediation and the evolving financial services through which it takes place, including commercial banking, insurance, pensions, and mutual funds. Theoretical and applied concepts are used to develop an understanding of how financial institutions operate, their economic significance, and their role in financial stability. Contemporary developments in financial innovation, digitalisation, and sustainable finance are integrated throughout. There are no pre- or co-requisites, although prior knowledge of introductory finance would be an advantage.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

Students engage with up-to-date examples from international banking and financial markets, enabling them to apply concepts across different regulatory, institutional, and economic contexts globally.

External Engagement

The module features guest speakers from industry. Previous contributors have included the South West Agent of the Bank of England and financial services practitioners.

Employability

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BEMM126: Purchasing and Supply Chain Management

In today's global business environment, firms compete through complex supply chains rather than as isolated entities. Purchasing & Supply Chain Management (PSCM) is crucial for cost efficiency, supplier collaboration, risk management, and sustainability. This module provides a structured approach to PSCM, equipping students with both theoretical knowledge and practical industry applications, focusing on value creation, strategic sourcing, and supply chain resilience.

Through lectures, case studies, and interactive exercises, students will analyse procurement decisions, risk mitigation strategies, and supplier management, exploring challenges faced by companies as well as public sector complexities. The module integrates cutting-edge research on low-carbon procurement and closed-loop supply chains.

Designed for students from diverse backgrounds, it balances academic research with industry best practices and aligns with Chartered Institute for Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) standards. By the end, students will be equipped to drive sustainable and competitive supply chain strategies.

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BEMM265: Sustainability and Behaviour Change

This module provides a comprehensive understanding of sustainability, social change, and behaviour change theories and their real-world application in promoting social and environmentally responsible behaviour and sustainable choices at personal, organizational, community and institutional levels. It covers cutting-edge research in fields such as marketing, economics and psychology that examine the most effective strategies for promoting sustainable behaviour, including promoting ethical consumption and healthy lifestyles. The module utilises the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically responsible consumption, gender equality, and quality education, as a framework for introducing course content.

Module aims - intentions of the module

1. Provide students with a comprehensive understanding of sustainability, social change, and behavioural change theories, and how to apply these theories to real-world situations to promote sustainability and behaviour change at different levels: personal, organizational, community and institutional.
2. Introduce students to cutting-edge empirical research in fields such as marketing, psychology and economics that examine the most effective strategies for promoting sustainable behaviour.
3. Encourage students to take a critical approach and designing effective interventions to promote sustainability and behaviour change in real-world situations.
4. Help students understand the role that behaviour changes play in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

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BEMM394: Entrepreneurship: New Venture Creation

This module introduces both the theoretical and practical aspects of entrepreneurship and new venture creation. It adopts various perspectives to provide a holistic picture of the entrepreneurial process, including, but not limited to, the practical aspects of the intellectual, behavioral, and emotional demands of starting a new venture. The module is intended to provide rigorous insight into the realities of entrepreneurial activity and an understanding of the role that small and medium-sized businesses play in the modern economy. This may be achieved by creating a new independent firm or organizing a new enterprise within an existing firm.

If you already have an idea for a new business or are working on one, this module offers an opportunity to develop, refine, and test it.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

You will have the opportunity to develop the ability to think globally and understand international cultures through working on global sustainability problems with classmates from diverse cultures. Diverse teams enable understanding of global problems from multiple perspectives and the development of viable solutions.

External Engagement

This module draws on academic and entrepreneurial experts to enrich your learning journey.

Sustainability

You are encouraged to tackle sustainability-related issues in your group activities and individual assignments.

Employability

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BEMM801: Entrepreneurship: Business Simulation

This module is integrated with a sophisticated simulation package that allows you to gain an authentic learning experience whilst running a business as an entrepreneur. Underpinned by experiential learning and gamification, this module is designed to allow you to learn a wide range of aspects about running and growing a business in a simulated environment.

This practice-based module will focus on the various functions of a business at different stages of development to equip you with tacit knowledge of the complex nature of running and growing a business. You will have the opportunity to enhance your understanding on how the decisions you make will generate impact on the various aspects of your business by running the day-to-day activities for your business in the simulation.

No prior knowledge skills or experience required to take this module as the simulation itself offers very detailed instructions and explanations for various concepts. No pre-requisite and co-requisite modules needed.

This module is suitable for business specialist and non-specialist students; however, it is worth noting that those without a business background may find that it takes longer to get familiarised with the business concepts.

This module is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.

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BEP3172: Future 17: Sustainable Development Goals Challenge

Future17 is designed to develop the skills needed to collaboratively tackle 21st Century global challenges and to work with professionals to create pathways towards innovative solutions to real-world issues that relate to one or more of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Future17 enables students to collaborate with learners from a consortium of global partner universities in international, interdisciplinary and multicultural teams to tackle challenges through projects defined by third-party organisations (businesses, charities, NGOs etc.). Students will first undertake an online induction programme that will develop skills for collaborative, challenge-based and inter-cultural learning, which promotes forms of Design Thinking for tackling global challenges. They will then work with academic and third-party mentors to diagnose a sustainable development challenge and develop an approach for developing one or more solutions. They will be assessed on the basis of a 1500 project report and presentation to a panel including representatives of the third-party organisation that set the challenge and academic staff from the partner universities along with other student groups at a showcase event.

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BEMM392: Summer School

This module enables postgraduate students' participation in international summer school programmes at one of the school's approved international partner institutions. Credits will be assessed by a combination of assessment taken during the summer school programme and assessment set by the Business School. The summer school experience provides a multitude of advantages that can enhance both academic and personal development, including:

• Academic development: access to specialised courses unavailable in the Exeter programme, providing in-depth expertise in specific areas
• Professional networking: opportunities to connect with diverse academic and professionals, fostering collaboration and career development
• Global perspective: cross-cultural immersion that enhances intercultural competence and facilitates intellectual exchanges across cultures
• Credential development: demonstrates initiative and commitment to continuous learning

The distinctive features of this module offer several unique pedagogical attributes:

• Personalised academic exploration allowing students to select and investigate topics with both intellectual significance and professional relevance to their career pathway.
• Intensive collaborative learning with an international student cohort, encouraging comparative perspectives and diverse educational approaches.
• Cross-cultural competency enhancement through formal academic contexts and informal social interactions.Immersion in alternative academic systems and pedagogical traditions while simultaneously earning academic credits applicable toward their University of Exeter Master's qualification.

Student eligibility

Participant selection will be determined as part of an internal application process and selected students must receive approval from the with Module Convenor. Approval. Programme options will be advertised to students during the academic year. Assessment combines partner summer school evaluations with Business School requirements.

This module aims to develop students' capacity to:

• Critically analyse and evaluate their selected summer school topic (primarily focused on business or language & culture, with potential extensions to other academic disciplines, subject to Module Convenor approval)
• Examine and assess their cross-cultural awareness and communication competencies through analytical frameworks
• Evaluate global perspectives and theoretical paradigms applicable in their specialised field of inquiry
• Engage in structures reflective practice to enhance self-awareness and professional development throughout the module duration

The final assessment therefore will encourage students to:

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BEMM806: Designing Global Business Solutions

Global Business Challenge: As a capstone module, this represents the culmination of the Master’s in Management programme. It requires students to synthesise the entirety of their learning into one substantive consulting assignment with a global scope. By navigating contemporary global issues and systems thinking, students establish a direct link between academic theory and professional practice.

This module provides a unique opportunity for students to work within remote, international project teams to analyse and solve "live" social, environmental, or business challenges. By collaborating with partner universities and global business entities via digital platforms, the module mirrors the operations of international consulting firms.

Core Objectives

Working in multinational teams, students apply their academic knowledge, critical thinking, and creative intelligence to real-world problems. Using a solution-focused approach, we draw upon imagination and innovation to design commercially viable outcomes. Students are supported in generating diverse solutions and presenting their findings in a compelling, persuasive manner.

Skills and Expertise

The module bridges theoretical knowledge with the practical skills essential for excelling in global consulting. Key emphasis is placed on:

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BUSM005: Career Management Skills for "with Industrial Experience" Students

This module is designed to support the employability and personal development skills needed to explore career opportunities and to source and apply for an industrial placement. Delivery is through subject-based lectures and workshops, interactive e-learning resources and personal guidance. An understanding of the key elements of the selection and recruitment process, raising self-awareness of key skills and competencies and developing the reflective skills required for Continuous Professional Development and future career management will be provided.

Following this module, you are required to participate in an approved work placement (BUSM002/004), organised by yourself, for a minimum of 33 weeks + annual leave. Ultimate responsibility for finding and scheduling a placement lies with you; however, there will be advice and support from the Careers and Employability team, particularly on how to approach employers and identify suitable opportunities. International placements are acceptable but must be approved by the Careers and Employability Team before starting the placement. It is important that all placements are deemed at a 'degree' level, for you to gain useful experience for the future. Low-level part-time jobs will not be approved.

This non-credit-bearing module will enable you to study a dedicated career management module whilst undertaking tasks and activities related to finding and securing a suitable degree-level work placement (minimum 33 weeks).

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BUSM006: Business School Industrial Experience

This module allows you to undertake and to learn from an extended work placement as an additional year of your eligible Business School Masters programme.

To progress to this module, you will have:

• Completed the BUSM003 Postgraduate Career Management Skills for ‘With Industrial Experience' module.
• Found a suitable placement for a minimum of 33 weeks.
• Passed the academic progress checks after the January and June Exam Boards.

Having developed the careers management skills necessary for a competitive graduate labour market, this is an invaluable opportunity to put the theory learned into practice in the workplace and to focus on your professional skills development.

During your “industry” year you will be supported by an academic WIE tutor and the Employability team.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

You can undertake a work placement in the UK, Europe or elsewhere in the world. Overseas placements will be considered on a case-by case basis

External Engagement

The placement provides the chance for you to develop professional relationships with new colleagues, and connections within your placement organisation and with other stakeholders. You will have the opportunity to research and examine the context of your placement organisation in assignment 2.

Employability

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