BA (Honours) Business Studies: International development pathway

Stage 1

Stage 1 has one compulsory 30-credit module, An introduction to business studies (B120)An introduction to business studies::This Level 1 course is the first in our degree in business studies and is the recommended introductory course in business studies. It explores the question ‘What is a business?’ and investigates the business functions of human resource management, accounting and finance, and marketing. Different internal and external elements of a business are introduced, and the context in which a business operates explained. You’ll explore the common aims and characteristics of business – investigating what makes them different. Business structures, cultures and functions are identified and the political, social, economic, technological and ethical considerations affecting business are introduced.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q70-5,module,B120,,1, in which you’ll investigate the question ‘What is a business?’ and develop your study skills while exploring the business functions of human resource management, marketing, accounting and finance.

We recommend that you follow this module with at least one of our core 30-credit Level 1 options, selected from a wide choice of subject areas. They include:

• An introduction to retail management and marketing (B122)An introduction to retail management and marketing::The retail industry is highly dynamic and innovative. This course looks at how retailing has developed within a business context, and how retail outlets work and apply retail marketing. It offers a balance between theory and practice that is innovative and engaging. During your studies you will consider contemporary factors that affect retailing: globalisation; the impact of ever-changing technology; and social and ethical issues. This course is designed for retail industry employees wishing to develop a career in management, and anyone interested in working in the retail sector, or simply wanting to know more about the world of retailing.  If you are planning to study more than one course, it is recommended that you study B120 first, but you can start your studies with B122 if you wish.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q70-5,module,B122,,1
• Discovering mathematics (MU123)Discovering mathematics::This key introductory Level 1 course provides a gentle start to the study of mathematics. It will help you to integrate mathematical ideas into your everyday thinking and build your confidence in using and learning mathematics. You’ll cover statistical, graphical, algebraic, trigonometric and numerical concepts and techniques, and be introduced to mathematical modelling. Formal calculus is not included and you are not expected to have any previous knowledge of algebra. The skills introduced will be ideal if you plan to study more mathematics courses, such as Using mathematics (MST121). It is also suitable for users of mathematics in other areas, such as computing, science, technology, social science, humanities, business and education.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q70-5,module,MU123,,1
• Professional communication skills for business studies (LB160)Professional communication skills for business studies::Personal and corporate success in business relies on effective communication. Professional communication skills for business studies will help you acquire skills to distinguish you from your peers. This practical introductory Level 1 course will empower you to undertake more insightful case-study analysis, write successful essays, and produce influential documents. From proposals to emails, you’ll work with a wide range of texts from business studies courses and the wider business world, deepening your subject knowledge while developing your written communication skills – helping you to succeed in the field of business studies and business in general.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q70-5,module,LB160,,1
• Working and learning: developing effective performance at work (BU130)Working and learning: developing effective performance at work::This course enables you to put your work experiences to practical use in your academic study of business and management. It provides a first taste of work-based learning with the Open University and helps you develop the study skills needed in higher education. The course will be useful for anyone looking to change or improve their working life or for anyone wishing to incorporate personal and professional development in their OU study programme. As work-based learning is highly personal, you will take control of your learning and choose what you want to learn and how you learn.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q70-5,module,BU130,,1 or the version of this module specifically designed for people working in delivering public services – BUXS130
• You and your money: personal finance in context (DB123)You and your money: personal finance in context::Are you interested in making more informed decisions about your personal finances? You and your money is a practical course that will develop your financial skills and improve your understanding of the constantly changing social and economic environment in which financial decisions are made. You’ll explore questions such as: Why do people borrow so much? How can I plan for my retirement? By the end of this key introductory Level 1 course, you’ll have a detailed understanding of some key personal finance issues that affect people’s lives, and the skills and knowledge needed to improve your own financial capability.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q70-5,module,DB123,,1.

To complete this stage you can also include up to 60 credits free choice from any OU Level 1 module.

Stage 2

Both of the 60-credit modules in this pathway are compulsory and can be studied in any order. 

Business functions in context (B203)Business functions in context::This course focuses on the essential organisational functions of human resources; marketing; operations management; information management; and accounting and finance. You will examine their key practices, processes and thinking, and their contributions to organisations and their operations – with an emphasis on practice-based learning. You will explore activities undertaken by functional specialists, and develop skills in critical thinking, problem solving, numeracy, information literacy, and written and oral communication. By the end of the course, you’ll understand how and why distinct business functions have developed and how they are integrated; their structure and operations in different contexts; and their role in organisations’ interactions with their environments.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q70-5,module,B203,,1 focuses on the essential organisational functions of human resources; marketing; operations management; information management; and accounting and finance. You’ll examine their key practices, processes and thinking, and their contributions to organisations and their operations – with a strong emphasis on practice-based learning. 

International development: making sense of a changing world (TD223)International development: making sense of a changing world::In this interdisciplinary course you’ll cover key areas of international development. These include: different models of development; shifting power in the international system; the relationship between poverty, inequality and livelihoods; the impact of conflict and insecurity; and the role of technology and the environment. The history of development as a process of change, the power relationships in that process and the different scales at which development takes place from transnational to local, are themes running throughout the course. These themes integrate the material – using a mix of case studies, interactive activities, text and DVD – to provide a central narrative encouraging critical appraisal and curiosity.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q70-5,module,TD223,,1 covers the key areas that includes: different models of development; shifting power in the international system; the relationship between poverty, inequality and livelihoods; the impact of conflict and insecurity; and the role of technology and the environment. This module also introduces you to the context of development, its contested nature, its links to global processes of economic and social change, and everyday choices and uncertainties.

Stage 3

Both of the 60-credit modules in this pathway are compulsory.

You’ll start with Making sense of strategy (B301)Making sense of strategy::The fascinating world of strategy – from its origins and development as a subject to the controversies that dominate contemporary strategic debate – is introduced in this course. It’s relevant to anyone interested in how organisations and individuals make sense of the world and strive for success. You’ll develop skills in clear thinking, independent enquiry and collaborative working as you analyse and apply the ideas and approaches that have done most to influence how strategy is conceived and carried out in today’s organisations, whether commercial or not-for-profit, locally, nationally and internationally. You’ll take part in an online collaboration with other students for a month during the summer.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q70-5,module,B301,,1 which focuses on this fascinating world– from its origins and development as a subject to the controversies that dominate contemporary strategic debate. You’ll develop skills in clear thinking, independent enquiry and collaborative working as you analyse and apply the ideas and approaches that have done most to influence how strategy is conceived and carried out in today’s organisations.

A final interdisciplinary module, A world of whose making? (DU301)A world of whose making?::How can we best understand and analyse international developments such as the role of the World Trade Organisation, the power of the USA, the rise of China and India, or contests over religion, culture and rights? What are the main features of international order, how are they changing, and what can we expect in the future? This interdisciplinary course provides the tools of political and economic analysis needed to answer such questions. You will also review and debate the power politics of dominant states; struggles for rights and justice; economic and technological developments; and how world order is changing.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q70-5,module,DU301,,1, provides the tools of political and economic analysis needed to answer questions like:

• How can we best understand and analyse international developments such as the role of the World Trade Organisation, the power of the USA, the rise of China and India, or contests over religion, culture and rights?
• What are the main features of international order, how are they changing, and what can we expect in the future?

You’ll also review and debate the power politics of dominant states; struggles for rights and justice; economic and technological developments; and how world order is changing.

If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards an Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible, and before you register for your chosen qualification. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us.

Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.