Program Overview
BSc Business Administration and Supply Chain Management (Including Foundation Year) is open to Home and EU students. It will be suitable for you if your academic qualifications do not yet meet our entrance requirements for the three-year version of this course and you want a programme that increases your subject knowledge as well as improves your academic skills.
This four-year course includes a foundation year (Year Zero), followed by a further three years of study. During your Year Zero, you study four academic subjects relevant to your chosen course as well as a compulsory English language and academic skills module. You will spend Year Zero of your four year degree studying at our Colchester Campus. For your second, third and fourth year of study, you will be based at our Southend Campus.
You are an Essex student from day one, a member of our global community based at the most internationally diverse campus university in the UK.
After successful completion of Year Zero in our
Essex Pathways Department
, you progress to complete your course with
Essex Business School
.
In the post-Covid-19 global business landscape, understanding main functional areas of an organisation and the relationship among these functional areas will play a crucial role in being able to efficiently manage an organisation. Effective co-ordination of internal processes and external partners (like suppliers) ensures smooth flow of goods and services to the right consumer at the right time. A dysfunctional supply chain could significantly impact performance and could lead to increased product cost, delayed deliveries and unsatisfied consumers.
BSc Business Administration and Supply Chain Management is designed to develop your knowledge and skillset and you to critically understand different functions of an organisation and the role of supply chain in successfully managing an organisation.
The course will provide comprehensive knowledge of both theoretical and practical aspects of business and supply chain management, and prepare students to apply this learning in context of real-world problems.
Study areas include:
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business strategy
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operations and supply chain management
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business analytics
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quantitative analysis
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logistics management
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project management
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business research methods
Group work tasks develop your team working skills and our business simulation project puts you in charge of your own virtual venture. In competition with other students, you develop your skills in problem solving, analysis and creativity as you make decisions to optimise your business’ performance.
In your final year, you'll put your knowledge into practice by producing a business plan, industry report or dissertation in an area of your choice. As well as developing the research and analytical skills needed for the workplace, you can benefit from the opportunity to make valuable business connections by gathering case studies and interviews.
The University of Essex is one of just three UK universities to have received
Q-Step Affiliate
status, including for our BSc Business Administration and Supply Chain Management, to support the way we develop the quantitative skills of our graduates.
Why we're great.
-
We are uniquely located close to two of the new UK freeports, Thames Freeport and Freeport East, making us uniquely placed in the supply chain and logistics sector.
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Combine core knowledge of a business management degree with the specific knowledge and skills required to succeed in organisational management.
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We are ranked in the Top 150 for Business and Economics in THE World University Rankings by Subject 2023.
Our expert staff
You are taught by a highly qualified, enthusiastic team of academics and practitioners with wide-ranging research interests. Their research is used in lectures and seminars so you learn about the latest issues impacting the business world.
Our
staff
specialise in areas including:
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internationalisation
-
innovation
-
ethics
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social responsibility
-
sustainability
-
supply chain management
-
business analytics
At Essex Business School we are home to academic staff who are on the cutting edge of their research areas.
Dr Debashree De
, one of our undergraduate tutors, is a Lecturer in Supply Chain Management and is passionate about solving sustainability related issues. Her research encompasses green supply chain management, sustainability, low carbon strategies and operations management, meaning that she is able to stimulate our students with relevant and topical debate.
Essex Business School is home to a number of research groups. Our
Strategy, Operations and Entrepreneurship Group
, based at our Southend Campus, are a group of international researchers with an entrepreneurial focus. This means that your teaching in business administration and supply chain management will cover the latest insights from research conducted in partnership with businesses from all over the world.
Specialist facilities
Our BSc Business Administration and Supply Chain Management is based at our
Southend Campus
, in close proximity to two of the eight freeport locations in the UK, Thames Freeport and Freeport East, making us uniquely placed geographically in the supply chain and logistics sector.
Our campus is conveniently located in the heart of Southend. Enjoy a host of restaurants, bars and shops on your doorstep..
You have access to our excellent, dedicated
facilities
, including:
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Learning hub with computer suites and study pods, open 24/7
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integrated public and academic library in the iconic modern Forum building
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employability
support, events and initiatives
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study skills
advice
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dedicated student services team
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dental practice
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faith centre
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our cosy SU Lounge, with pool tables and large-screen TV for socialising and relaxation!
Your future
Business administration skills are critical to successful business operations and developing these skills will prepare you for a career in business and management. The essential supply chain management skills of being able to plan, source, make, deliver and return which you will learn will set you up for the challenges that a role in supply chain management may throw at you.
Therefore, we embed a series of core and specific skills into our undergraduate curriculum for BSc Business Administration and Supply Chain Management to ensure that our graduates are suited to careers in business management and leadership roles.
All of our taught modules embed elements of our
skills map
which emulate the skills which are required by employers of business graduates, these generally include:
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Academic and cognitive skills
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Research skills
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Technology skills
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Communication skills
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Data analysis skills
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Soft skills
We embed a
structured approach to student development and skills support
throughout the curriculum and through additional support from the
Essex Business School Learning Team
.
Our students have gone on to become business analysts, successful entrepreneurs, account managers and management trainees, with
recent graduate destinations
including:
-
Associate Professional Business Analyst at
DXC Technology
– an end-to-end IT services company
-
Delivery Consultant at
RED - The Global SAP Solutions Provider
- a specialist recruitment firm
-
iX Business Consultant at
IBM
– the multifunctional information technology conglomerate
Our
management
graduates enjoy successful careers in their fields.
Additional to the skills development offered by Essex Business School, BSc Business Administration and Supply Chain Management students can also take advantage of the
University of Essex Careers Service
which focuses in particular on supporting the development of
undergraduate employability
, including: careers fairs, career mentoring, skills development, careers advice and guidance, placement year support, job opportunities, start-up support and more.
Program Outline
Course structure
The course structure is designed to reflect the broad nature of a degree in business administration, meaning you study a wide range of modules in all areas of business and management.
Year zero provides with you the necessary skills and knowledge in order for you to progress onto your chosen area of study. Successful completion of year zero guarantees you entry to the first year of your undergraduate degree course.
In the first year you will cover the fundamentals that every business manager needs to know including topics such as entrepreneurship, economics, accounting, finance, management and marketing. Then in second and final year you will have a mixture of compulsory and optional modules to make the degree your own.
We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists. Please be aware that we are planning changes to our first year to make it more relevant to your chosen course.
Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.
Components
Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.
Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.
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Status
|
What this means
|
|
Core
|
You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
|
|
Core with Options
|
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
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Compulsory
|
You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
|
|
Compulsory with Options
|
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
|
|
Optional
|
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
|
The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.
Modules
Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.
In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.
Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the
module code
. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:
|
HR
|
100
|
4
|
FY
|
|
The department or school the module will be taught by.
In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.
|
The module number.
|
The
UK academic level
of the module.
A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.
A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.
A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.
|
The term the module will be taught in.
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AU
: Autumn term
-
SP
: Spring term
-
SU
: Summer term
-
FY
: Full year
-
AP
: Autumn and Spring terms
-
PS:
Spring and Summer terms
-
AS:
Autumn and Summer terms
|
Year 0
Year 1
Year 2
Final Year
COMPONENT 01: CORE
IA122-3-FY
(30 CREDITS)
COMPONENT 02: CORE
IA124-3-FY
(30 CREDITS)
COMPONENT 03: CORE
IA174-3-FY
(30 CREDITS)
COMPONENT 04: CORE
IA191-3-FY
(30 CREDITS)
This module provides a broad introduction to marketing at national and international levels. You explore the marketing of both products and services in organisations of different sizes, with a particular focus on entrepreneurial organisations. You explore the marketing environment for new ventures and the challenges of marketing in regional, local and global marketplaces. Other topics include the use of marketing information and research, strategic marketing planning and the marketing mix.
View Principles of Markets, Marketing and Selling on our Module Directory
It’s essential that every aspiring entrepreneur, manager and leader understands the basics of accounting and finance. In this introductory module you’ll explore the principles of financial and management accounting; the recording of transactions; the preparation of financial statements and their analysis; the principles of cost accumulation and decision making in businesses; techniques of cost control; the management of working capital; the sources of funding and investment appraisal. You’ll explore the key theories, carry out problem-solving exercises and learn how to apply these within companies.
View Introduction to Accounting and Finance on our Module Directory
If you’re looking to start your own business, or to help an existing business to grow, then this module provides the essential knowledge you’ll need. You develop a greater understanding of the various aspects involved in new venture creation and growth, from opportunity identification, evaluation and implementation through to continued growth and management. Using practical exercises, case studies and videos, you learn about the business life cycle from start-up to growth and maturity and explore business development from economic and behavioural perspectives.
View Business Creation and Growth on our Module Directory
This module introduces you to key economic theories and concepts, covering highly topical issues affecting the business world. Using real-life case studies, you explore the key microeconomics principles and concepts that can help to explain why economic activities occur and explore whether it is possible to improve economic situations for society.
View Business Economics on our Module Directory
At Essex Business School we’re proud of our international community, bringing international expertise into the classroom. In this module you are introduced to the global business environment and how this impacts upon corporations and their decision to operate internationally. You explore the different strategies organisations can adopt when entering international markets and examine aspects of managing multinational corporations, such as marketing, human resource management and global supply chain management.
View Introduction to International Business on our Module Directory
Throughout your career you’ll likely need to make use of a wide variety of quantitative techniques, many of which can provide essential information to aid decision-making. In this module you gain a basic understanding of the wide variety of techniques available for analysis in business management. This is especially relevant in today's data-driven society, where large, complex data sets are widespread across many different sectors.
View Introduction to Quantitative Analysis on our Module Directory
The Professional and Academic Development module helps you build a foundation in core academic skill requirements to help you improve the standard of your academic work across all of your first year modules. This module also introduces you to the themes of career planning and employability skills and establishing a career path.
View Professional and Academic Development on our Module Directory
Explore the relationship between the innovation process and the use and management of technology, together with its links to the development of business strategy, dynamic interactions with innovation networks, learning processes and government support for innovation.
View Managing Innovation on our Module Directory
This module introduces a number of business and management research methods, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship and small business. You explore philosophical research issues, such as selecting appropriate research methods and judging the quality and value of findings. You learn how to write a research proposal and design and plan quantitative and qualitative research. This includes collecting data, analysing findings and presenting results.
View Business Research Methods on our Module Directory
The Principles of Operations and Supply Chain Management module integrates topics from manufacturing-operations, process design, capacity and inventory planning, and supply chain management. This module will give you an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills to manage business operations and supply chain effectively in a real-world environment.
The aim of this module is to provide comprehensive understanding of key principles, concepts and approaches used to ensure effective management of business operations and supply chain management. The module covers an extensive range of issues including structure and scope of operations, process design, capacity and inventory management, supply chain management and quality management.
View Principles of Operations and Supply Chain Management on our Module Directory
You will cover the management of logistical operations in a global context, focusing on essential logistics functions including warehousing and transport. You’ll receive a practical orientation to examine best business practices in a variety of industry settings. During this module you will discuss the strategic importance of logistics management in the wider contexts of supply chain management, business strategy, sustainability, and international trade. Learn how to apply the principles, techniques, and tools of contemporary logistics management to create improvements and competitive advantages for companies in which you will work. You’ll gain analytical and written communication skills relevant to global logistics management
View Global Logistics Management on our Module Directory
This module will give you a clear understanding of feedback, Dweck`s concept of a `growth mindset`, and how you can use these to improve your studies and career.
We want you to have a passion for learning, a willingness to challenge yourself, and an eagerness to learn from mistakes, so this module will help you to understand group work and presentations and to acquire the relevant skills to successfully undertake both.
The module also serves as a bridge for your final year, so that students should be able to understand the expectations of the final year and the possible career paths you can take after you graduate, and how you can use summer vacations to get ahead.
View Professional and Academic Development 2 on our Module Directory
Introduction to Business Analytics will allow you to develop core knowledge and skills in the domain of business analytics and data science.
You’ll focus on different tools and approaches to support data analysis and decision making in business environment. The module is designed to enhance your ability of data analysis to uncover embedded information useful for decision making.Learn how to valuate the potential of data analytics in supporting complex decision making in real-world business environment.
View Introduction to Business Analytics on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 07: OPTIOL
Option(s) from list
(30 CREDITS)
Enhance your understanding of the concepts and nature of strategy and its interactions with the macro environment, industries/sectors and business operations. You develop your skills analysing opportunities and threats, managing strategic capability and resources, understanding competitive advantage, competition and collaboration, directions and methods of business development, as well as managing strategic change.
View Business Strategy on our Module Directory
Develop the skills and knowledge necessary to manage product development projects in an international business environment, with particular focus on product design methodologies and project management techniques. You explore the hard side of managing global product development projects and the soft issues such as idea generation/selection and teamwork that must be dealt with in order to ensure success of the product development projects.
View Global Project Management on our Module Directory
You will complete a research project in the final year of your degree. The project can take a variety of forms but unlike other assignments it involves you conducting and writing-up a piece of original research. This final research project will be supported by the knowledge and understanding of research methods gained in BE218 Business Research Methods.
The undergraduate Research Project is the equivalent of one term module in your degree course and is expected to be about 4000 to 5000 words in length. The supervisor will be assigned by the SOE Group. Once the project has been accepted, you are advised to meet with your supervisor on a regular basis.
The project can take a variety of forms, ranging from empirical research using methods such as surveys, questionnaires, interviews, and content analysis to library based theoretical work. The research project is a useful reference for a postgraduate study as well as outside employment.
View Research Project – Business Administration and Supply Chain Management on our Module Directory
This module will give you the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills related to strategic operations and supply chain. It focuses on introducing different concepts and approaches for developing and implementing operations and supply chain strategy with practical examples.
The module is designed to enhance your ability of analysing how strategic decision can help in deriving various operations and supply chain processes.
View Strategic Operations and Supply Chain on our Module Directory
This module will provide you with an overview of applications of business analytics for real world business problems.Business examples and case studies will be used to explain the variety of decision-making issues that can be solved using analytics to gain business intelligence. Useful business analytics software (like R, Python or similar) will be discussed in this module.
With this understanding you can learn how to select one or more business analytics tools and appropriate software for solving specific real-world problems.
View Applied Business Analytics and Decision Making on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 06: OPTIOL
Option(s) from list
(30 CREDITS)
This module will help you to understand the interests, skills and competencies which are relevant to your future career choices.
You will learn how to find the graduate-level roles and career paths available to business students and you will learn about the skills necessary to successfully compete in the graduate labour market after you graduate.
View Career Skills in Business on our Module Directory
Teaching
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Teaching includes a combination of lectures, seminars and computer-based lab sessions
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Modules delivered by experts in the field as well as guest speakers
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Contribute and interact in lectures through the use of smart technology
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Lecture presentations and notes are uploaded online beforehand to help you prepare in advance
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Complete your final-year project in consultation with a personal supervisor
Assessment
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Assessed through traditional methods of end-of-year exams and multiple choice questions in class tests and essays
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Plus more innovative and creative assessments include laboratory work, poster presentations, real-business case problems and group presentations
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Your first year marks do not count towards your final degree
