Master of Business and Management

Core modules:
Accounting for Non-Financial Managers 

This module will give you a good grasp of key finance and accounting concepts. You’ll be competent interpreting financial information such as company accounts and you will be able to communicate effectively using the terminology of finance and accounting. It will also enable you to use accounting to make informed management decisions.

Applied Research 

This module provides the knowledge on the tools and techniques needed to effectively produce valid research studies from the analysis and exploration of contemporary academic and practical issues/problems in the world of modern business. You will learn various research techniques around relevant research topics in business management.

Marketing Management 

In this module you will gain a comprehensive understanding and critical evaluation of marketing management practices, underpinned by relevant theories and conceptual frameworks. These frameworks are applied to contemporary issues and organisational strategies within national and international contexts and culminating with the creation and the proposal of a professional marketing plan.

Strategic Management

This module provides you with the knowledge on the tools and techniques needed to effectively analyse the external and internal environments of businesses in today’s world. Various contemporary frameworks will be taught around relevant business problems and the module will be assessed by one item of group work, an individual coursework and an oral exam. 

People and World Organisations

In this module we examine several fascinating topics in the area of organisational behaviour including; employee motivation and the various approaches organisations take to try to understand and enhance relationships and performance levels within the work place. You’ll learn how to best work in teams, lead and influence people and how to adapt leadership behaviours in different contexts.

Operations Management

In this module you will gain a detailed understanding of how operations management contributes to business competitiveness. We examine the theories and approaches to effective planning and the organising of production and manufacturing processes, as well as those associated with the provision of services. With case studies and an innovative simulation challenge you’ll benefit from a highly-applied learning experience.

Ethics in Academic Practice

This module provides an introduction to the Academic Offence framework. By completing the resources you will understand the key principles underpinning the submission of academic assignments. These principles can then be applied to the rest of the modules studied at the university.

The Aston Global Advantage

The Aston Global Advantage is our professional development programme that runs throughout all MSc programmes at Aston Business School. Focusing on professional development and employability, this integrated module gives you the opportunity to identify, develop and apply the key transferrable skills you will gain throughout the year. 

Business Project or Dissertation 

The Business Project/Dissertation is a chance for you to carry out an original piece of work applying material that you have learnt in the taught element of your degree. Specific requirements will be explained relating to different degree programmes but in summary you must demonstrate both theoretical and practical knowledge of your chosen area of specialism.

Optional Modules:

Note: Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Entrepreneurial Strategies

“Entrepreneurship is an ongoing practice of creating opportunities taking smart action learning and iterating and using a portfolio of skills to navigate an ever changing world” (Neck 2018).

International Business Strategy

This module aims to broaden and deepen your knowledge of the key issues and activities involved in international business strategy. In addition this module aims to develop skills related to interpreting and analysing complex real-world issues using theoretical perspectives concepts and models. The emphasis will be on using theory to inform practice and addressing real-world complex problems.

Marketing Channels and Strategic Sales Force Management

This module addresses theoretic and contemporary practitioner issues surrounding the fields of channels of distribution and sales force management.  These areas are highly important to the marketing selling and distribution of goods in both domestic and international markets.

Digital Marketing

You will produce a strategic understanding of the opportunities provided by digital marketing and the challenges of preparing and formulating successful digital strategies. This module evaluates the role of digital media in marketing strategy and how new technologies can be embraced for marketing purposes. It evaluates the impact of web based innovations on marketing and consumer behaviour.

International Marketing Management

This module evaluates how organisations operate in the global marketing environment. The module critically explores theories/concepts relating to the global marketing environment international marketing activities and decisions. Implications for international marketing strategies and actions are also considered through a number of relevant case-studies and practical materials.

Employee Relations in Context

Relationships matter within organizations. You will often find the main reasons for people leaving a role is down to poor relationships with manager or peers. Here we look at the way organizations can improve working relationships reduce employee turnover and enhance employee satisfaction.

Learning and Talent Development

For most organisations their biggest expense comes from their people. During this module you will learn differing views on how to best develop people and ensure they add value to an organisation. We also look at talent management and succession planning approaches for getting capable people into more senior positions.

Strategic Business Sustainability

This module looks at how sustainable development as a process can lead to a certain level of sustainability within an organisational context. It places sustainability within the strategic orientation of an organisation and as such as it takes a view of sustainability both in the short-term as well as in the long-term.

Corporate Governance Regulation and Compliance

Intellectual Property Strategy and Management   
 
This module will look at intellectual property strategy and management exploring intellectual property rights relevant to an innovative business. This will allow you to practice your understanding of the strategy and strategic management and valuation in commercialising these valuable rights.