Course overview

In a fast-paced, changing and often unpredictable world, employers increasingly require innovative problem solvers, who can quickly appraise a situation and actively pursue solutions using their own initiative. This programme develops graduates who are catalysts for change in both large and small organisations or who wish to develop their own organisations. They can spot and appraise opportunities, take business ideas from inception, through development and implementation to create new products or services that add value to businesses, society and the economy.

This programme shares many features of a general business degree, but with a strong emphasis on enterprise. The focus is on innovation and entrepreneurship, taking the initiative and seeing enterprise projects through to their completion. This means that you will develop a high level of knowledge, skills and experience in business development, as well as a thorough understanding of the potential benefits and challenges facing many organisations. Experience will not only be gained in the classroom, but you will also have the opportunity to undertake a real-life project for an organisation. The course offers you the opportunity to participate in a work placement. Overall, we will help you use your skills and creativity to help turn opportunity into success.

You do not need to have studied business to join this course, although previous business studies options will demonstrate your interest. More importantly, you will need to have an interest in business and enthusiasm for innovation and entrepreneurship. We’re interested in those who want to take the initiative, who are keen to work both independently and to lead or work in groups to develop new ideas for organisations in the private, public or voluntary sectors.

This course recognises that entrepreneurial knowledge, skills and behaviours (e.g. practical problem solving, opportunity spotting, project management, budgeting, communication, team work, coping with pressure and managing complexity) are highly desirable by all employees. It focuses on problem solving and action-based learning, with opportunities in every year of study for you to explore your own business ideas and potential business start-up. We work closely with our own Centre for Enterprise, local entrepreneurs, small businesses and local larger employers to ensure our course is stimulating and relevant.

Course content

Year one

In your first year you will be introduced to the main functions of business and develop a range of important learning and business skills. Subjects studied include:

• Principles and Practice of Marketing
• Business  Accounting
• Business Operations
• Enterprise and Systems
• Introduction to Markets and the Economy
• Business Analytics (Statistics and Business Modelling)

Study skills workshops will  help you get the most from your course and you will also have the opportunity to study a foreign language such as French, German, Spanish, Italian or  Chinese.

Year two

In the second year you will study key themes and develop entrepreneurial skills and behaviours. Units include:

• Enterprise Finance Management
• Business Venturing
• Innovation Management
• Contemporary issues in Entrepreneurship

You will be setting up and running your own businesses in small teams and applying contemporary research in entrepreneurship in practice. There is also the opportunity to study an option or an elective in:

• Enterprise Systems and Processes
• Business and Employment Law
• Ecommerce

Work placement (optional)

This course has the option to undertake a one-year placement working in a paid, full-time role consisting of continuous progression and a suitable level of responsibility.

A placement enables you to return to your studies for the fourth year with contemporary business experience, enabling you to engage in debate and develop your strategic thinking, which could boost your degree classification. You can also obtain an external employability Senior Award from The City & Guilds Institute.

With employers now requiring graduates to have the key business competencies and experience alongside a good degree, work experience is more vital than ever. Due to its very nature, a placement year is the best and most involving type of work experience you can do during your time at University. As such a placement will help insure you are as employable as possible upon graduation.

The PBS Placements Office will support you not only during your placement search and the subsequent recruitment processes, but also once you secure your placement and are working away from the University.

Don’t just take our word for it though, see what our students think.

Year three (final year)

In the final year you will develop your abilities to spot and appraise opportunities and assist in the development of local enterprises in the units Strategic Management, Consultancy and Leadership and Enterprise World Futures. Our consulting unit requires you to work on a real-life problem with entrepreneurs and managers in local businesses, where you will analyse a problem and make recommendations to develop the organisation. You will also undertake a significant piece of independent study, giving you the opportunity to research business issues in further depth. You will also be able to study a range of options such as:

• Project Management and Enterprise
• Business Intelligence
• Business Ethics
• Business Improvement and Creativity
• Language

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and learning are usually undertaken in lectures supported by smaller group seminars, workshops, tutorials and practicals. A range of units are specifically based on experiential learning to encourage the development of essential work place entrepreneurial skills and behaviours. Extensive use is made of information technology and we use other teaching innovations (e.g. role play, computer simulations and work-based learning) to bring theory and practice together. Staff research and consultancy expertise also actively contribute to the relevance of the programme.

You will also encounter a range of assessment methods. Many units use a combination of formal examinations and coursework assessment. Coursework can be the analysis of topical case studies, written reports and essays, presentations and the development of practical artefacts such as small websites and business plans. The assessed work you complete from the start of the second year onwards can count towards the class of degree you will be awarded. Our assessment regulations give some opportunity to retake assessments if necessary.

The University goes to great lengths to ensure you will have an excellent learning experience. Courses are managed by teams of academic and administrative staff who work together to provide a high level of support. Each course has a course leader who will maintain a close relationship with you throughout your studies and you will be assigned a personal tutor who will give you general support and act as the first point of contact for any problems. The University also has a range of additional support facilities such as the Academic Skills Unit, Careers and Recruitment and counselling that you can access if you need to.

Career prospects

This degree will not only demonstrate to prospective employers that you are familiar with the latest theories and practices, but that you have hands-on experience in setting up and managing projects. It is therefore a good starting point for a range of career choices.

Previous graduates have found jobs across the employment spectrum and many now hold senior management positions such as Business Development Manager, Small Business Consultant, Marketing and New Product Development Manager.

Once you graduate, you will be well equipped to make the most of the many exciting opportunities on offer by taking up a career in an established organisation or by creating and pursuing a business idea of your own. This degree will also give you the opportunity to go on to study at postgraduate level, such as the MSc Business and Management.

Facilities and features

Over the last four years, the University has substantially invested in modern facilities. You will attend lectures in the purpose-built Richmond Building, where the Business School is located. Our lecture theatres are equipped with the latest multimedia audiovisual equipment and we have a computer drop-in centre equipped with state-of-the-art computers and software.

The University Library is at the centre of academic life and is only a short walk away. Open from 8am until midnight every day during term-time, it provides a variety of information to help with study and research. The Library has also invested heavily in the purchase of electronic resources. There are thousands of electronic journals and ebooks which can be accessed across campus, from home or wherever there is an internet connection.

For international students we have a dedicated team of advisors to support you as you settle into life in Portsmouth and at the University. One of the team almost certainly has direct experience of your culture and may even speak your language.

Entry requirements

View all the entry requirements for BA (Hons) Business Enterprise Development for the academic year 2012/13 (opens in new window).