Course summary

We have consulted widely with prospective employers on the content and design of this completely revised programme to ensure that the skills students are learning are industry-standard. The first year of the course provides the student with a grounding in a variety of business disciplines, which underpin later learning. In years two and three the student has a choice of optional modules, providing the opportunity to tailor their degree. In the final year 30 credit Major Project on a topic of the student’s choice allows for further individual specialisation. Teaching staff have strong professional profiles, and our close partnerships with local businesses allow us to draw on their expertise and resources for both input and assessment. Case studies will be used for the learner to apply higher level intellectual skills in their analysis and problem solving, and in some cases to justify and reflect upon their business decisions and strategies to a panel of academic and industry “experts” in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style scenario, or a group presentation made in the form of a pitch to senior management. Students will be encouraged to be active learners whose knowledge and understanding is gained through a positive relationship with academic staff, who will act as mentors, rather than ‘lecturers’. The involvement of industry specialists will also be crucial, and again they will not be seen purely as ‘guest lecturers’, but as part of the university community. The courses at University Centre Peterborough are studied in smaller class sizes compared with other universities, a typical class size is under 30 students.