Essential Professional Skills
| Module title | Essential Professional Skills |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEF1024DA |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 70 |
|---|
Module description
This module is designed to support the development of your existing skills to become a more effective financial service professional in your team and organisation. You will be supported to evidence and apply a systematic understanding of the advanced skills and behaviour required for work within the financial services. This module focuses on developing advanced computing and information skills, including spreadsheet modelling, database management, advanced word processing, and PowerPoint applications, all tailored to the needs of the financial industry. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the techniques or methods needed to demonstrate, reflect on and critically analyse the impact of your activity and behaviours on your team and organisation.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of this module is to equip students with the core professional skills necessary for academic success and effective workplace performance. It focuses on developing key competencies such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, critical thinking, and digital literacy. The module also fosters critical thinking, digital and financial literacy, ethical awareness, and adaptability—skills that are vital for navigating the complexities of modern business practice and for building a strong platform for career development and professional growth in a dynamic and diverse global business environment.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills: Gather and organise the appropriate facts and evidence, evaluate information quickly and draw accurate conclusions in order to solve problems and implement effective decision making.
- 2. Utilize digital tools and platforms relevant to contemporary business practices, including data management and presentation software.
- 3. Develop advanced spreadsheet modelling skills to analyse and interpret financial data effectively.
- 4. Collaborate productively in teams, showing an understanding of group dynamics, leadership, and conflict resolution, in order to build/maintain strong, positive working relationships with clients/colleagues/suppliers as appropriate; support colleagues and collaborate to achieve results.
- 5. Manage time and tasks efficiently, demonstrating the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines in a business setting.
- 6. Communicating and Networking: Apply strong interpersonal skills and communicate well through a range of media, using language that is clear and meaningful to the recipient.
- 7. Recognize and apply ethical and professional standards, understanding their impact on business practices and decision-making.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills suitable for professional business contexts.
- 9. Develop critical arguments both of self and of module-related theories that support and deepen learning.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. Self-Awareness and Personal Leadership: Take ownership for self-development by reflecting upon professional practice to identify, evaluate and modify own behaviours using self-analysis and constructive feedback, identifying opportunities for taking a leadership role in the team; and acting as a role model and supporting others in their development as appropriate
- 11. Apply critical reflection to professional practice through an integration of theory, frameworks and models into evaluating and improving behaviours. These behaviours include but are not limited to: Honesty and Integrity, Adaptability, Innovation and Creativity, Resilience and Enthusiasm, Attention to Detail.
- 12. Integrate module learning with apprenticeship portfolio requirements and prepare effectively for the end-point assessment interview
Syllabus plan
Indicative topics:
- Spreadsheet analysis for financial research
- Advanced word processing, visualisation, PowerPoint applications and report presentation
- Professional communication (emails, reports, presentations)
- Business writing and interpersonal communication
- Critical thinking and decision-making
- Digital literacy (productivity tools, online professionalism)
- Ethical decision-making and workplace conduct
- Self-assessment, goal setting, and personal development planning
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 270 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 30 | Masterclasses (in-person and online) |
| Guided independent study | 270 | Research, reading contents on ELE, assessment preparation and web-based activities including external resources if applicable. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mock EPA | 10-15 minutes | 1-12 | Academic or peer feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Produce a powerpoint presentation | 50 | Equivalent to 2000-word report or a 15-minute online presentation | 1-12 | Marks and individual feedback |
| Coursework assignment | 50 | 3000-word report | 1-12 | Marks and individual feedback (written) |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Produce a powerpoint presentation | 50%, Equivalent to 2000-word report or a 15-minute online presentation | 1-12 | In line with university regulations |
| Coursework assignment | 50%, 3000-word written assignment | 1-12 | In line with university regulations |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
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Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Recommended text:
- Cottrell, S. (2021) Skills for success: personal development and employability. Palgrave Macmillan
- Narayana, D., Ranjan, Sharad and Tyagi, Nupur (2023). Basic Computational Techniques for Data Analysis. An Exploration in MS Excel. Routledge.
- Day, T. (2018) Success in Academic Writing. Palgrave Study Skills. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Kahneman, D. (2012) Thinking Fast and Slow. Penguin: UK
- Miller, D. (2015) Brilliant Personal Effectiveness: What to know and say to make an impact at work. Pearson: UK
Supplementary text:
- Cottrell, S (2017) Critical Thinking Skills; Developing Effective Analysis, argument and reflection. Palgrave Macmillan
- Paul, D., Cadle, J., & Thomas, P (2012) The Human Touch: Personal Skills for Professional Success. BCS: UK
ELE – Web-based and electronic resources will be posted and made available throughout the module
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 12/05/2025 |
