BSc International Business, Finance and Economics

Dr Reza SalehnejadProgramme Director

Hannah CousinsProgramme Administrator

Congratulations!

Now

the

hard

wor

k st

arts

… the hard work will be worth it in the end

Let’s start with the basics….

A short introduction to Undergraduate Services

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Your Arrival Pack

• Welcome Week Timetable;• Teaching Timetables – lectures and Academic

Advisor seminars;• Seminars via the student system;• Health & Safety course information;• Student Notebook;• Societies booklet;• Snack stations.

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Maths and Economics Courses• You have been assigned a level of Maths and

Economics course based on your previous qualifications.

Economics

ECON10081 & ECON10082 If you have A level economics or equivalent

ECON10041 & ECON10042 If you do not have A level economics or equivalent/ no economics qualifications

Maths

ECON10071 & ECON10072 If you have A level maths or equivalent

ECON10001 & ECON10132 If you have AS level maths or equivalent

ECON10061 & ECON10062 If you have GCSE maths or equivalent

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Maths and Economics Courses

• Maths and Economics course enrolment drop in session: Tuesday 16th September, 1pm, B8

• Drop in session available to students to check they are enrolled onto the correct level of Maths and Economics courses.

• Alternatively, you can email hannah.cousins@mbs.ac.uk to check.

• After Friday 3rd October, you cannot change levels so please contact me as soon as possible if you are unsure.

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Where to find information

• My Manchester;• Student System (Campus Solutions);• Online Undergraduate Handbook • Blackboard;• Facebook – facebook/mbsundergraduate;• Twitter - @MBSUndergrad.

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IT Information

• IT Account;• Register via the Student System;• Note your University of Manchester email address and

check it every day!• Storage – p-drive 200mb of space;• Printing - £20 print credit;• PC labs;• Student Group Study Room – C11;• Wifi – eduroam;• IT Support – itservices@manchester.ac.uk

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Who are Undergraduate Services?

• Professional Support Services;• Undergraduate Office – D20• Assessment & Student Support Office – D14• International Office – via D20• Admissions Office – via D20

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Communication from Undergraduate Services

• e-Bulletin every fortnight• emails• Texts• Online Undergraduate Student Handbook• Blackboard• Notice boards• Plasma screens (in MBS East)

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The Programme

Learning Outcomes (Knowledge & Understanding)

• Understand the principles and theory of micro and macro economics as applied to business and management

• Understand financial concepts and accounting practices for business• Understand the context within which business operates. This includes

knowledge of recent literatures on globalisation, the changing organisation of business and the impact of new technologies

• Understand the different economic, political and sociological perspectives on the workings of the UK and other economies.

• Understand the main current approaches to business strategy and broader debates about the impact of the ‘new economy’ on management decisions.

Learning Outcomes (Intellectual Skills)

• Critically analyse arguments, theories and policies in relation to business

• Solve problems and provide individual argument in relation to particular business scenarios

• Synthesise and evaluate data from a variety of different sources

• Think through and assess the impact of economic and organisational contexts on business performance

• Reflect on ones own work, as well as that of ones peers

Learning Outcomes (Practical Skills)

• Locate/process/collate data or literature in a suitable form for analysis

• Input primary sources of information into database format• Use basic mathematical and statistical techniques to

understand the decision making process within businesses• Present quantitative and/or qualitative information, together

with analysis, argument and commentary, in report form• Correctly cite, acknowledge and reference sources• Present data and argument in oral form, both individually and

in groups.

Learning Outcomes (Transferable Skills and Personal

Qualities)

• Apply research skills to the analysis of new and different companies

• Apply research skills to the analysis of new and different companies

• Use interpersonal skills to orally communicate ideas and arguments

• Write reports• Manage time and work to deadlines

Your Programme• BMAN10501: Financial Reporting

• BMAN10512 Introductory Management Accounting

• BMAN10522M Financial Decision Making

• BMAN10780 Academic and Career Development

• BMAN10770 Financial and Digital Innovations in International Business

• AND ONE COMBINATION FROM EACH GROUP

ECON10041 Microeconomic Principles

and

ECON10042 Macroeconomic Principles

OR

ECON10081 The UK Economy – Microeconomics and ECON10082 The UK Economy – Macroeconomics

ECON10061 Introductory Mathematics and ECON10062 Introductory Statistics

OR

ECON10001 Further Mathematics 1 and ECON10132 Statistics for Economists

OR

ECON10071 Advanced Mathematics and ECON10072 Advanced Statistics

SOCY10912 Work, Organisations

and Society

OR

POLI10601 Introduction to

International Politics

Teaching, Learning & Assessment

• Each year is 120 credits• Courses are either 10 (one semester) or 20 (two

semesters) credits– Exception BMAN10780

• Semester 1 exams take place in January and semester 2 exams take place in May/June

• Some courses are assessed by exam only, some by coursework and exams and some by coursework only

• Attendance is mandatory for all lectures, tutorials, etc

Need extra help with maths?

There are extra drop in maths surgeries each semester for students who want more help. Look out for details in the e-Bulletin

Options in Year 2 and 3

Information about course choices and programme structures is available in the online undergraduate handbook

You are responsible for ensuring that you have the necessary pre-requisites and co-requisites for the courses you want to take

Options talks will be held towards the end of semester 2

Placement Year

• Students will be offered the opportunity to undertake a work placement in their third year of study. The criteria for being able to progress onto a 'with industrial/professional experience' route will be set at 1st year (60% or higher) including a pass in BMAN10780 Academic and Career Development and no resits at 2nd year.

Assessment and Progression

Assessment: What to Expect

Semester 1 exams take place in January

Semester 2 exams take place in May/June

Some courses are assessed by exam only, some by coursework and exams and some by coursework only.

It is your responsibility to check your coursework deadlines and your exam dates, times and venues.

Progression

Year 1 Receive a mark below 40% in more than 40 credits = compensation and REASSESSMENT

Year 2

Pass everything (40%+ in 120 credits)

Pass 40%+ in at least 80 credits and a “compensatable mark” (30-39%) in a maximum of 40

credits

If you fail any course below 30% = REASSESSMENT You can be reassessed in courses up to a maximum of 80 credits

Resits

Resits take place in August in Manchester

Resits are for progression only. They are not a second chance to get a better mark

If you fail resits you may be allowed to take additional courses in your second year, may have to retake exams and wait a year to join the second year, or be

excluded from the university

Degree Weightings First year – need to pass to proceed to second year

– Marks do not count towards degree classification, but do appear on a transcript of marks.

– Marks may be important when applying for internships/work experience

Academic levels Level 2 = 33% Level 3 = 67%

Prizes

There are several prizes for high achieving students at the end of each year.

Recognition of achievement Useful for your CV

Expectations of you

Expectations

Approaches to teaching and learning

University teaching is different from school/college – Some very large lectures– Some small group seminars/workshops– A range of teaching styles– Lecturers, senior lecturers, professors, graduate teaching

assistants (GTAs), seminar leaders

You are expected to be an independent learner

You are responsible for your own learning

Attendance and Engagement

You are expected to attend all scheduled teaching session (lectures, seminars, labs, workshops etc)

You are expected to engage in all scheduled teaching session (lectures, seminars, labs, workshops etc)

You are expected to avoid any behaviour that would interfere with the learning and engagement of others.

Seminar attendance will be monitored, and spot checks may be conducted in lectures.

Academic Advisors

Every student will be assigned an academic advisor

An academic advisor is a member of staff who you will get to know over your first year, and who will remain with you throughout your time on the programme.

You will meet your academic advisor every fortnight as part of the Academic and Career Development course (BMAN10780)

Your academic advisor will provide you with:– A point of contact regarding academic issues– Support in developing a personal development plan (PDP)– Feedback on your progress– A reference should you need one for a job, internship or further study

FeedbackFeedback is developmental and should enable you to enhance your knowledge and understanding, personal qualities and intellectual, transferable and practical skills.

Informal advice and discussion during a lecture, seminar, workshop or lab.

Online exercises and quizzes delivered through the course Blackboard space

Responses to your emails and questions from a member of staff, including feedback provided to a group via an online discussion forum

Specific course related feedback sessions

Written and/or verbal comments on assessed or non assessed coursework

Written and/or verbal comments after you have given a group or individual presentation

Generic feedback posted on Blackboard regarding overall examination performance

Group and individual discussions/meetings with your Academic Advisor

Discussions and meetings with your Programme Director

Feedback

Academic staff aim to provide feedback which is:– Prompt– Individual– Constructive– Related to progression– Related to the learning outcomes

of the course unit

Office hours

Office hours are times when academic staff are available to meet students

Academic staff should display their office hours on their door.

And finally…

Student Representatives

Student representatives are the voice of the students on MBS committees

Staff-student liaison Committee IBFE Programme Committee Student Rep Focus Groups

Nomination forms are available from D20Deadline 3 October

Meet current reps at the Student FairH

Contacts for the IBFE Programme

Undergraduate Office (D20 MBS East)– Email: undergraduate@mbs.ac.uk

Assessment and Student Support Centre (D14 MBS East)– Email: studentsupport@mbs.ac.uk

Dr Reza Salehnejad, Programme Director (6.04 Harold Hankins building)– Email: reza.salehnejad@mbs.ac.uk

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Competition

• Look out for an email giving details about a competition to win your first semester books!

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Good luck for the forthcoming year(s)

Any questions?