Course overview

This is a degree for those who wish to become architects of the modern business enterprise, through leading company-wide information services. Graduates will be able to offer employers the blend of business and systems skills needed to drive the business expansion of today and tomorrow. The management of enterprise information services can have a massive impact on the flexibility with which firms can operate and directly impacts profitability.

Enterprise software is increasingly becoming the backbone of modern businesses. Those involved in the management of information systems in companies of all sizes are now the architects of new company structures that deliver value to all stakeholders. This programme combines elements of business, systems and ICT. It also offers you the opportunity to participate in an work placement. It will be of interest to those wishing an information systems programme but who are more interested in the business applications of ICT rather than computer hardware or technical programming.

So if your ambition is to enter business management or consultancy, then this course may well be the right one for you. If you aim to run a multimedia or internet design company, and need to learn how to manage or assist in a business start up, you will gain the supporting skills on this course.

Course content

Year one

In your first year, you will be introduced to the main functions of business and enterprise. You will study the following core units:

• Principles of Marketing
• Financial Accounting
• Economics
• Business Statistics
• Business Law
• Business Operations
• Organisations and Organising
• Enterprise

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 Mandarin.

Year two

In the second year you will begin to study the key themes of the programme, including units in:

• eCommerce
• Business Systems Development
• Enterprise Resource Planning
• Enterprise Systems Practice (SAP)
• Systems Thinking
• Planning and Control
• Contract and Commercial Law
• Business Communication Technology

A range of business and computing options are available in areas such as knowledge management, applied decision modelling, business communications and technical innovation management.

Work placement (optional)

The course also offers you the opportunity to participate in an work placement. Experience will help you hone your skills and it is one of the best ways to find out if a particular career is for you. Many of our placement students have even gone on to work for their placement employer after graduation. Our Placements Office will support you in maintaining and developing business contacts, advise you of vacancies and help you prepare for interviews and other selection methods.

Year three/final year

In the final year of this degree you will study dedicated units in strategic management of a business enterprise such as:

• Strategic Information Systems
• Business Systems Management
• Business Intelligence
• Enterprise Systems Issues

A range of the options offered include:

• Project Management
• Business Ethics
• Entrepreneurship
• Enterprise Finance

You will also undertake a dissertation of 40 credits in your final year. Of this, ten credits will involve you studying the unit Research Methods, which teaches the theory behind proper research and evidence gathering, so that you can properly research the topic of your dissertation. You will be allocated a dissertation supervisor, a member of staff having expertise in the topic area you have decided to study. Topics studied can cover business or technical issues, or the effect of new technology on business.

Additional optional units

You can study up to 30 credits of additional optional units that are outside of your course area, but which can enhance your experience of life, and hence your employability.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and learning are usually undertaken in lectures supported by smaller group seminars, workshops, tutorials and practicals. Extensive use is made of information technology and other teaching innovations, and a virtual learning environment supports each taught unit. Staff research and consultancy expertise also actively contribute to the relevance of the programme, ensuring that the latest research developments are fed rapidly into your course.

You will also encounter a range of assessment methods. Many units use a combination of formal examinations and coursework. Coursework can be the analysis of topical case studies, written reports and essays, presentations and the development of practical artifacts such as small websites or systems.

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 all students 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 they are, in turn, supported by a number of tutors.

In addition, you will be assigned a personal tutor who will give you general support and act as the first contact point for any problems. You will also have access to a range of additional University support such as the Academic Skills Unit, counselling and a careers and recruitment office.

Career prospects

In a world in which business is increasingly transacted using networked systems, you will be well equipped to make the most of the many exciting career opportunities that new business technologies are creating. For example, you might lead a team rolling out enterprise software across all areas of a business or you may be responsible for requirements gathering, services consolidation, the adoption of web services and centralisation of company data.

You might aim to become a divisional manager or line of business manager, with responsibility for a team of people and the associated budgets or even choose to create your own systems integration or media company.

Other career opportunities also include internet marketing manager, eBusiness consultant or serial entrepreneur.

Rates of employability among Portsmouth graduates have been considerably above the national average and students leaving Portsmouth Business School courses are particularly well placed to enter a wide range of interesting and rewarding careers. Our excellent employment record bears testimony to the quality of our courses and most importantly our students.

Many students have also gone on to do taught or research-based courses at a higher level with us. We have nationally recognised Centres of Excellence in Personnel Management and Quality Management and host a research centre in marine and aquatic economics. There are plenty of research opportunities that you can explore when you join us.

Facilities and features

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

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 advisers 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 Systems for the academic year 2012/13 (opens in new window).