Business, Media and Social Sciences two-semester programme

In this module you will familiarise yourself with a range of academic texts relevant to your module choices. You will learn how to critically evaluate sources, use existing knowledge to understand context and references.

You will learn to relate information to lectures, other texts and seminar content, and will research unknown textual references including authors, places, theories and historic references. You will also analyse language to understand the purpose and bias in a text and discriminate between fact and opinion. You will take on different roles each week to analyse the texts, then write a critical analysis and evaluation of each text.

This module will provide you with an insight into global business concepts. This will provide you with knowledge and understanding of the business environment and what it might encompass.

In this module, you will explore the fundamental concepts of incorporated and unincorporated business models; organisational structures; industry sectors; supply chains and market players; business practices; strategic management; and financial planning.

Available for the January start date only.

In this module you will be introduced to new media forms - photography, sound, video and digital media - and the basic techniques of media production. You will learn about concepts such as expanded cinema, interactivity, collaborative practice and experimentation through discussion and practical work. You will showcase your experimental work by working in groups on creative projects and developing the skills of reflection and group critique as a creative process. This module will focus on the importance of researching and discussion of media practice, and you will develop a practical project through the experimentation and practice of media forms.

Available for the January start date only.

The analysis of large, unstructured data sets (sometimes called “Big Data”) is currently revolutionising the way we use all the information available to discover trends and solve problems in many areas, including engineering. In this module you will use industry standard tools such as MATLAB and R to apply some of the latest data analysis techniques including machine learning and genetic algorithms. You will use your results to create and test software models, presenting your solutions to a professional audience. The skills you practise in the module will be very useful to you in your Masters course and beyond, whether you study computer science or engineering.

This module will help to prepare you for entry into a Masters degree in life sciences or pharmacy and will help to build your confidence in using a range of mathematical and statistical tools and techniques relevant to your Masters degree. The module will start with the language of mathematics, algebra, logarithms, and calculus followed by statistics including hypothesis testing, probability distributions and correlation and regression. You will gain confidence in using qualitative and statistical tools critically to analyse data in the context of life sciences and pharmacy research questions.

This module will introduce you to international relations and international development. You will discover important terms, concepts, case studies and perspectives relevant to global issues. A variety of academic teaching methods will be employed. You will learn by tutorials, workshops, seminars and lectures. There will also be feedback on your progress throughout the module. In this module you will develop important research and independent learning skills. You will enhance your critical ability through the subject content.

Available for the January start date only.

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the academic subjects of law and politics. You will gain a sound and appropriate knowledge base across relevant subject areas. In this module you will develop your intellectual appreciation of the subject at Masters level. You will acquire the skills to collect, analyse, interpret and understand data with reference to the subject.

In this module you will be introduced to concepts relating to financing, investment decision-making, and a range of models for managerial decision-making. You will learn theories relating to financing and investment decision-making and discover how these theories might differ from what might happen in practice. You will be taught about the importance of financial management and investment models in the decision-making processes for financial managers.

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the principles, concepts and models of management and leadership. This will provide a framework on which further insight into the roles and functions of managers and leaders can be developed. Through seminars, workshops and tutorials, you will explore a range of theories, concepts and models which will develop core skills and knowledge essential for studying management and leadership.

You will be introduced to key ideas and issues associated with management and leadership, develop an understanding of the similarities and differences between the roles and functions of managers and leaders and apply these to current business issues.

This module will provide you with an insight into the fundamental concepts of marketing and human resources. This will equip you with an understanding of marketing and human resourcing and what they encompass within the commercial business environment.

You will explore the fundamental concepts of marketing, including the business market place; customers and consumers; market research; market segmentation and positioning; and branding, pricing strategies and supply chain.

You will also explore fundamental concepts of human resources, such as employee performance and motivation; management theories and strategies associated with employee performance and motivation; employee recruitment selection and induction; and employee relations.

The aim of this module is to provide you with knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts of business research. You will learn how to submit research proposals and projects at Masters level. This module teaches the importance of an overarching research question.

You will gain an awareness of the main research paradigms and the type of methodologies for consideration. You will also explore the essential concepts of the types of research and research methods. You will learn about quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research, research ethics, and research analysis.

There are two elements to this module: Media Studies and Film Studies. For Film, you will develop an ability to analyse film composition and structure. You will look at a range of film movements and the contexts in which films were made.

For Media, you will develop a sound understanding of the key areas of theory. The module examines the impacts of new technologies and the effects of power and ideology in different media contexts. You will examine an awareness of relationships that exist between the production of media texts representations and consumption. Both elements aim to cultivate critical thinking and promote independent study and research.

The aim of this module is to familiarise you with the key research skills necessary for Masters-level study. You will develop an understanding of the issues involved in designing a research-based project. You will also learn about comparative methodologies as well as a variety of sources of primary and secondary sources which are most relevant to research in media and film. You will gain an understanding of the critical use of primary and secondary sources in these fields, and will develop an appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of research methods.

The aim of this module is to provide you with knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts of business research. You will learn how to submit research proposals and projects at Masters level. This module teaches the importance of an overarching research question.

You will gain an awareness of the main research paradigms and the type of methodologies for consideration. You will also explore the essential concepts of the types of research and research methods. You will learn about quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research, research ethics, and research analysis.

This module will introduce you to the disciplines of International Relations and International Development. You will explore key actors, institutions, thinkers and perspectives. You will learn through tutorials, workshops, seminars and lectures.

Research and independent learning skills related to the subjects will be incorporated. You will have the opportunity to engage with formative activities. The module provides written and/or verbal feedback on your progress.

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the academic subjects of Law and Criminology. It will provide you with opportunities to acquire an appropriate knowledge base across the subject.

You will develop an intellectual appreciation of issues relevant to related fields of study chosen at Masters level. You will acquire skills in the collection, analysis, interpretations and understanding of data.

This module will familiarise you with the key research skills necessary for a Masters programme. You will gain appropriate research and critical reading skills relevant to your chosen degree.

You will have the opportunity to engage with formative activities. Written or verbal feedback on your progress will be provided by your tutors and peers. You will engage in the module through tutorials, workshops and seminars.

Academic English Skills aims to provide you with thorough training in the language and related academic skills to help you achieve your academic potential at University. These skills include academic writing, effective reading strategies, participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context.

During this module you will develop valuable career skills that will give you an advantage in today’s competitive graduate employment market. These behaviours include:

• leading and deciding
• supporting and co-operating
• interacting and presenting
• analysing and interpreting
• creating and conceptualising
• organising and executing
• adapting and coping
• enterprising and performing

You will be given the opportunity to apply your understanding through experiential workshops so you can begin to develop the behaviours that are relevant to your chosen career path. You will develop your ability to undertake self-reflection so that you can evaluate your own personal development.