Management with Accounting with a Year in Business

Core Modules

Year 1

• Professional Skills 
• Quantitative skills and ideas for decision making 

  In this module you will develop an understanding of quantitative studies and how they are employed in Management and Economics. You will look at how quantitative studies relate to differences, associations and relationships in groups and populations, and examine a range of statistical techniques.

• Foundations for Enterprise Internationalisation 

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the formal economic, political and legal institutions, as well as cultural, religious, and linguistic differences that must be taken into account when conducting business across borders. You will look at how the global context in which companies operate has evolved over time, considering the role of foreign direct investment and internationalisation strategies. You will examine the motivations for entering a foreign market, the factors determining whether a company enters on their own or in partnership, the risks of entry and how they are analysed, and how companies negotiate with governments.

• Fundamentals of Accounting and Finance

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the basic concepts of accounting, examining its role in organisations and society. You will consider the basic components of financial statements, including income statement, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, and the procedures and techniques for the preparation of these. You will also look at the principles of financial decision making and how to analyse accounting information

• Foundations for Sustainable Business

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the main economic, social, ecological and governance factors that determine the long-term sustainability of organisations. You will look at the interconnectedness of these factors and how they set the context within which small and large businesses, public service organisations and third sector organisations operate. You will consider perspectives on the identification and management of corporate social responsibility, including the complex and often contested business case for it, and how this is often tied into, and justified, in terms of the economic context within which the organisation operates. You will also examine the importance of corporate governance for global sustainability.

• Principles of Marketing

  In this module you'll examine the principles of marketing, from the role of the consumer - as the key stakeholder for any marketing activity, to marketing theories and concepts marketing segmentation, targeting and positioning, brands and branding and elements of the marketing mix. You'll analyse theories and concepts of marketing in practical contexts and be able to describe how marketing is integral to the success of organisations.

• Foundations in Digital Enterprise

  In this module you will develop an understanding of information systems and how they have become the backbone of contemporary businesses. You will consider how they are used by business managers as a tool for achieving operational excellence, developing new products and services, improving decision making, and achieving competitive advantage. You will also examine the broader organisational, human and information technology dimensions of information systems and how they can be used to provide solutions to challenges and problems in the business environment.

• People and Organisations

  In this module you will develop an understanding of organisation as a process and the organisation as an entity. You will look at key managerial activities, examining classical ideas about organisation with the context of nationalisation and humanisation. You will see how these ideas reappear, albeit in a modified form, in contemporary organisations, looking at organisational forms and modern management techniques such as culture management, emotional labour, and charismatic leadership. You will also consider Max Weber’s distinction of formal and substantive rationality and Anthony Giddens’ formulation of the duality of action and structure.

Year 2

• Collaboration Leadership and Communication in Business
• The Global Economy
• Responsible Business and Management

  In this module you will review and analyse business responses to sustainability grand challenges. You will appraise the impact on business strategy, practises and operations and will apply gained knowledge to recommendations for responsible business and management practices. The first part of the module looks at environmental challenges (centred on climate change, making links to biodiversity, conservation, resource depletion, pollution, waste) whereas the second part looks at social challenges (centred on inequality, making links to poverty, marginalisation, justice)- in the final part the links between environmental and social grand challenges and the business world are examined.

• Financial Reporting and Analysis

  The course aims to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the regulatory context and practice of financial reporting, in the context of governance and corporate social responsibility. Course lectures will focus on conceptual issues, while workshops will provide both practical applications of conceptual material presented in lectures and opportunities for students to discuss and critically analyse issues.

• Managerial Accounting

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the technical and non-technical aspects of management accounting. You will look at traditional costing methods and techniques, such as contribution volume profit analysis (CVP), budgeting, responsibility accounting, transfer pricing, and decision-making, alongside more innovative management tools, including activity based costing (ABC), activity based management (ABM), and the balanced scorecard. You will examine the issues underlying pricing and product offering and consider the importance of quality and cost control as strategic objectives for improving organisational performance.

• Data Visualisation and Analytics

  This module aims to cultivate a reflective and pragmatic comprehension essential for preparing, analysing, and presenting data through visuals in the context of a rapidly evolving job market, heavily influenced by the exponential growth of AI solutions. You will be introduced to the principles of data handling, emphasising efficient and effective practices to uncover insights, with a strong focus on visual storytelling and the development of compelling narratives. You will acquire a thorough understanding of data visualisation and analytics, encompassing advanced concepts, methodologies, techniques, and cutting-edge tools and will gain substantial hands-on experience in manipulating raw data to create insightful visual data narratives, tailored to address the dynamic challenges and opportunities presented by AI-driven markets.

• Managerial Economics

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the tools and techniques of economic analysis to solve common managerial problems. You will look at economic intuition and its relevance to business problems, and the application of economic principles to strategic situations. You will consider the constraints faced by business decision makers, the economic consequences of their decisions, and the influence of the macro environment. You will also examine the benefits and drawbacks of free trade or restrictions on imports and exports across a range of countries with divergent socio-political contexts.

Year 3

• Year in Business

  This year will be spent on a work placement. You will be supported by the School of Management and the Royal Holloway Careers and Employability Service to find a suitable placement. However, Royal Holloway cannot guarantee that all students who are accepted onto this degree programme will secure a placement, and the ultimate responsibility lies with yourself. This year forms an integral part of the degree programme and you will be asked to complete assessed work. The mark for this work will count towards your final degree classification.

Year 4

• Strategic Management Accounting

  In this module you will develop an understanding of financial management control strategy. You will look at the dependencies and relationships between business models and operating architecture, capital structure, and off-balance sheet financing. You will consider the context of managing accounting in a changing environment, and evaluate the impact of mergers and acquisitions on businesses. You will examine strategic control tools and techniques such as responsibility accounting and transfer pricing, and assess the relationship between product markets, internal organisation cost structures and capital market expectations.

• Business and Management Impact Project I

  This module connects you with the learning over the course of your studies and real-world business challenges that require critical thinking, analysis, and strategic solutions and you will be exploring the development of impactful business and management research. You will explore a series of business and management topics and the process of identifying a business problem and the collection and analysis of relevant data and finding appropriate solutions, leading you to develop a business, managerial and/or societal impact plan suggesting a couse of action. This will be done through a mix of Royal Holloway and/or external faculty lectures as well as guest speaker and industry talks, and project supervision sessions

• Business and Management Impact Project II

  This module connects you with real-world business challenges that require critical thinking, analysis, and strategic solutions. Through guest lectures from industry speakers in fields such as healthcare, finance, and technology, you will learn about complex issues companies face today – be it managing digital transformation, reacting to market disruptors, improving sustainability, or upholding ethics. You will select an area of interest to focus on your own project on driving impact. This module will help you develop business acumen, problem framing, critical analysis, solution ideation, and written as well as verbal communication abilities.

You will take one of the following:

• Business Negotiation Skills in Context

  The aim of this module is to get familiarised with the importance of business negotiation, by exploring key concepts and frameworks of business negotiation in a variety of contexts. You'll formulate appropriate negotiation and communication strategies to achieve specific goals and reflect on their effectiveness and you'll be introduced to necessary negotiation and communication skills to thrive in professional settings and in negotiation-related functions.

• Marketing and Entrepreneurial Skills

  This module equips you with relevant entrepreneurial marketing skills to pursue a career in a new business venture or start your own business in a socially responsible and ethical way. You'll learn to identify opportunities, being innovative and implementing changes by analysing the latest market trends, identify usable resources and assess personal competencies to persistently identify and/or create new opportunities. Through various individual and group activities you will engage with practical cases from around the world and discussing how entrepreneurial marketers have adapted their leadership styles in different contexts and implemented their ideas in the market with a socially responsible and ethical mindset.

• Professional Practice: Skills and Careers

  In this module, you'll learn the knowledge and skills needed to be effective in a professional practice environment. You'll focus on communication and the need to adopt different leadership styles in dynamic business contexts. The module focuses on careers in accountancy, but the skills developed are transferable and will be useful in any work environment.

One or both of (if taking both, no options in autumn term):

• Accountability and Sustainability
• Strategic Finance

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the 'time value of money'. You will look at the main principles of finance theory and how these can be applied to commercial problems. You will consider the relationship between risk and return, and examine the valuation of equities, bonds and options and the relative merits of different approaches to choosing and valuing securities. You will evaluate the consequences of a proposed takeover or merger from the perspective of capital markets and assess the relevance of information efficiency.

Optional Modules

There are a number of optional course modules available during your degree studies. The following is a selection of optional course modules that are likely to be available. Please note that although the College will keep changes to a minimum, new modules may be offered or existing modules may be withdrawn, for example, in response to a change in staff. Applicants will be informed if any significant changes need to be made.

Year 2

You will take one of the following:

• Strategic Management

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the theories of strategic management. You will consider these theories in the context of contemporary business operations, including the political and regulatory frameworks, in response to technological change, financialisation, the development of new business models, and changes in the way corporate performance is assessed. You will look at key concepts and debates in the theory of corporate and business strategy, and examine the changing context in which corporate strategy is formulated and implemented.

• Digital Marketing and Customer Experience
• Digital Innovation and Circular Economy

  This module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the intersection between digital innovation and circular economy principles. You will explore how digital technologies can be leveraged to create sustainable and circular business models, emphasising the role of innovation in addressing environmental challenges. You will critically evaluate the economics and environmental benefits of adopting circular business models and exame how various forms of digital technologies can support circular economy initiatives.

• Human Resource Management

  This module aims to provide an in-depth exploration of the key principles, theories, and practices associated with managing human resources within organisations. It is designed to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of strategic and operational dimensions within HRM and its role in fostering organisational success. Content covers various HR practices and strategies, including recruitment and selection, training and development, performance management, reward management, legal and ethical considerations, and the emerging challenges in the field of HR. You will learn to apply these principles to foster a positive work environment, align HR strategies with organisational goals, and navigate challenges in diverse and dynamic workplaces.

• Managing Organisational Change

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the emergent discipline of organisational change and change management. You will look at the social scientific concepts and theories underpinning the management of change, and consider how these are applied in practice. You will examine the organisational problems central to contemporary management, becoming familiar with the diagnostic and prescriptive tools used in complex organisational change processes.

• Operations Management

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the design, planning and control of operating systems for the provision of goods and services. You will look at the tools and techniques used in the development of operational systems and the factors that affect the choice of operating methods. You will consider approaches to the planning cycle, inventory management, and production control techniques, including capacity planning, and the merits of push and pull systems. You will also examine quality control and its management in practice.

• Career Management in a Changing World

  The aim of this module is to encourage you to think critically and practically about your own career development as well as the careers of others (as managers and HRM professionals). It builds on current research and practice in the field of careers studies; utilising theory, research and practical activities, to equip you with the knowledge and skills to enhance and futureproof your career journey and employability in a changing world.

   

• Business Law for Accounting and Finance
• Financial Literacy and Personal Financial Planning

  This module will introduce students to the economic, legal, tax and regulatory systems which impact personal financial planning decisions. Students will learn about different types of investments and the applicable tax implications.  Contemporary issues such as voluntary work, caring for an aging population, unpaid work in the home and the differences in wealth between generations and countries will be explored. The risks, rewards and mitigation strategies of making borrowing and investing decisions will also be covered. 

• Business Information System for Accounting and Finance
• Management, Music and Creativity

  This module explores how exploring and analysing music can help us to deepen our understanding of management, work organisations, working lives and ultimately, ourselves. Through the lens of music, and using a variety of creative approaches, you will critically evaluate core managerial and organisational concepts and theories. You will explore the power of music to engage employees, boost morale, and give voice to workers who might otherwise remain unheard. You will examine the role music can play in helping to identify and tackle our own and others’ unconscious biases. You will analyse work songs, write lyrics to your own company song and develop your own motivational music playlist. You will research and analyse contemporary management dilemmas and challenges and, using creative writing and art, gain new insights into the lived experience of work and imagine alternative futures to current work systems.

Year 4

Autumn term - one of (if not taking both Accounting and Sustainability and Strategic Finance, see above):

• Asia Pacific Business

  In this module you will develop an understanding of multinational business in the Asia Pacific, their worldwide operations, and their impact on Europe. You will look at the contemporary economic, political, and cultural contexts of the Asia Pacific nations, and consider the diversity of the business environments and business practices in the region. You will examine the factors that lay behind the rapid growth of the region in the last five decades, and use empirical evidence to analyse the operation, performance and impact of multinational enterprises originating from there.

• Current Issues in the Global Workplace
• Wellbeing at Work

  The significance of workers’ wellbeing has grown notably in recent years, capturing the attention of organisations, HR professionals, and researchers. This module aims to evaluate how organisational interventions influence worker wellbeing and attitudes through the examination of key theories, models, and policies. It delves into various dimensions of wellbeing and investigates the interconnections between HR management, organisational performance, and employee wellbeing. Ultimately, it offers students an in-depth exploration of how work affects worker wellbeing, drawing from extensive literature debates.

• Social Media, Networks and Business

  In this module you will develop an understanding of social networks and social media platforms from multiple perspectives. You will look at the growth of social media and the connectedness of the networked society, considering recent advances in network science, social psychology, and marketing. You will examine the role of social networking technologies in enabling business innovation and societal change, and critically assess positive and negative impacts of these technologies.

• Corporate Entrepreneurship

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the theories and practices related to corporate entrepreneurship. You will look at the management of creativity and innovation in large organisations, as well as the processes and structures relevant to the successful appropriation of opportunities within a market context. You will also consider the barriers that constrain managers and their companies from being entrepreneurial and examine conceptual and empirical evidence of corporate entrepreneurship from real-world examples.

• Responsible Entrepreneurship and Innovation

  In this module you will develop an understanding of responsibility in the context of entrepreneurship. You will look at the entrepreneurial process and consider the inherent ambivalence of both new ideas and their unintended consequences. You will examine the concepts of social entrepreneurship, sustainable entrepreneurship, and minority entrepreneurship, and evaluate how new organisations emerge, grow, and approach responsibility challenges.

• Organisational Ethics and Decision Making

  The module will examine the ethical challenges you will likely face within the workplace and equip you with the knowledge and a range of theoretical perspectives, as well as core academic skills, which will allow you to identify, analyse and propose potential solutions to such challenges.

Spring term, one of the following:

• Business and Professional Ethics
• European Business

  In this module you will develop an understanding of how institutions, policies and processes have shaped the European Union and the European business environment. You will look at the key institutions, policies and processes involved in the widening and deepening of the union, and theories which explain its development. You will consider the national, regional and global influences on European business and examine the complex relationships between the EU and its major trading partners. You will also critically evaluate the challenges facing European countries, policymakers and businesses.

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Business Data Analytics

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the main managerial and technological principles which underlie business and analytics. You will look at the impact of business data analytics on product and service innovation, and examine the main challenges and risk related to business data analytics activities within organisations. You will learn how to carry out a variety of business data analytics techniques, and consider the impact of legislation, regulation and ethical codes of practice on business data analytics programmes and the organisations running them.

• Marketing, People and the Planet
• Leading and Leadership in Organisations

  This module aims to provide a comprehensive overview to important and current leadership theories. Working at the boundary of practice and theory, weekly sessions are highly interactive and will be delivered in the form of lectures and workshops. We expect each student to engage proactively with all aspects of the module, including adequate preparation for each session as well as post-class reflections.

   

• Innovation, Strategy and the Corporation

  In this module you will develop an understanding of business innovation in the context of new ventures and corporations. You will look at how changes in technology, markets, and society are affecting how new business models, products and services emerge. You will consider innovation as a source of competitive advantage and examine the management of innovation, critically evaluating associated risks and uncertainty. You will also analyse past experiences and how they can be used to exploit future opportunities through innovation.

• Management and the Arts

  This module will explore the intersections between management and the arts, considering how each can support the other. The role of management within various arts sectors will be examined. You'll gain insight into how artistic and creative practices can inform the practice of management, facilitating creative approaches to problem-solving, communicating and addressing business and societal challenges. This module has been developed for any student considering a career within the arts sector, or anyone wishing to adopt a more creative approach to their working practices.

• Organisations and Accountability

  In this module you will develop an understanding of contemporary issues in the theory and practice of accounting for sustainability. You will look at key issues in the growing ara of sustainability accounting including notions of accountability in the context of sustainability, cultural and religious perspectives on sustainability accounting, elements of sustainability reporting, and the role of accounting in embedding sustainability in decision making.