Economics and Management BA (Hons)

Apply accounting theory to real-world practice as you learn to prepare, analyse and apply financial statements for planning, control and reporting.

With lectures and assessments that focus on interpreting data, you’ll cement your understanding of budgeting, cost behaviours and performance measurement so that you finish this module ready to provide evidence-based guidance to organisations.

By exploring key concepts, principles and decision frameworks, you'll understand the vital role of operations management across all aspects of business — including process design, capacity planning, supply chain optimisation, lean methodology, quality control, and project execution.

When you finish this module you'll have the expertise to optimise workflows, resources, technologies and partnerships, and be ready to drive operational excellence, performance improvement, and sustainability within business.

Material introduced in the lectures will be supported by additional resources delivered via Moodle. A weekly seminar offers opportunities for problem-based learning, designed to reinforce the principal themes introduced in lectures and expand upon the use of economic theory to evaluate a range of relevant and contemporary issues. The assessment for the module consists of a portfolio of eight online quizzes and a 1500-word written coursework assignment.

Discover topics including data mining, statistical modelling, data cleaning and decision-focused visualisations. This foundational module develops the skills you need to draw and communicate insights from data. 

When you finish this module you’ll be fully equipped to identify and use data patterns to drive results.

This module is twinned with Issues in Finance and Banking and the two should be maintained and updated together.

Discover corporate financial management as you analyse real-life financial issues to refine your career skills.

By blending authentic case studies with workshop activities focused on real companies, you’ll evaluate data, identify issues and improve decision quality. With regular feedback, you’ll bridge the gap between theory and practice.

You'll explore how digital transformation and new technologies are changing finance in business, so that you graduate ready to excel as an agile financial manager.

This module will address the following Hallmarks of a University of Portsmouth graduate through learning and assessment: - Think independently, analytically and creatively, and engage imaginatively with new areas of investigation within and across discipline boundaries. - Be able to synthesise new and existing knowledge to generate ideas and develop creative solutions of benefit to the economy and society. - Be informed citizens, with a sense of responsibility allied to a commitment to ethical practice and social justice issues, such as equality, respect and sustainability.

This module addresses the following Hallmarks of a University of Portsmouth graduate through learning and assessment: Have a critical and reflective knowledge and understanding of their subject, with both the ability and readiness to question its principles, practices and boundaries; Be able to synthesise new and existing knowledge to generate ideas and develop creative solutions of benefit to the economy and society; Be able to locate, access and critically engage with information, using current and emerging digital technologies; Be able to communicate clearly and effectively, in a range of forms and to different audiences.

You'll develop a robust understanding of the key principles and theories in managerial economics, including the tools you need to make decisions under uncertainty. You'll explore public policy around private organizations, helping you grasp real-world applications. By reviewing academic literature, you'll make your own policy recommendations and compare theories managers use when making choices. And through assessment and discussion, you'll interpret the effectiveness of these theories in an international business setting. You'll learn trending tools such as network analysis tools and finish this module well-trained in highly-relevant policy tools.

The module provides opportunities for students during practical sessions to develop their own views and reasoned arguments for overcoming developmental problems.

Specifically, the module aims to:

• Develop an understanding of current issues in global development
• Develop an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of traditional approaches to economic development and critically assess the alternatives by assessing the role of traditional development paths e.g. agriculture vs. non-traditional interventions e.g. fisheries in the global development
• Understand how factors including education, health, inequality, access to finance, trade, climate change impact economic development
• Assess the role of institutions and development regimes in economic development by exploring, for example, the role of government, NGOs and markets on economic growth
• Use economic tools to understand and analyse development problems in low income developing countries

You'll examine entrepreneurship as independent business creation as well as the formation of corporate and social enterprises.

You’ll explore the evolving issues that shape startup theory and practice today. And with an emphasis on critical thinking, you’ll learn to draw conclusions aligned to current trends as you prepare for further self-directed study in this field.

You’ll analyse how organisational purpose connects with strategy, governance and outcomes, and explore ways to consider stakeholder needs alongside profit.

Evaluating concepts like corporate social responsibility and circular economics, you’ll recommend how leaders can account for community and environmental issues.

By using real modern cases, you'll assess business models and strengthen critical faculties to balance complex imperatives. By the end of this module you’ll be ready to champion organisational development in an ethical, responsible and sustainable manner.

In more applicative detail, the module will also explore altruism as a force for good in its manifestation as not-for-profit and charitable organisations.

Risks include natural and man-made events, fraud, corruption, counterfeiting and societal risks (e.g. conflict minerals, child labour). Students locate and critically analyse information about supply chains and recent risk events to investigate and evaluate the principles and practices of supply chain risk management. Students synthesise the case studies in groupwork and individual work, and use graphics, text and presentation slides to document and communicate them.

Students will also learn basic experimental techniques commonly applied in behavioural economics. The lectures will cover behavioural topics as well as the basics of experimental research. In the seminars we will further discuss topics from the lecture and demonstrate research techniques with immersive experiments. Students will develop a research project, and present their design in class.

This module will address the following Hallmarks of a University of Portsmouth graduate through learning and assessment:

- Have a critical and reflective knowledge and understanding of their subject, with both the ability and readiness to question its principles, practices and boundaries.

You'll explore the major factors, issues and forces that shape trade and operations across borders. Using current affairs coverage, you'll participate in discussions to demonstrate your appreciation for the socioeconomic, cultural and institutional contexts that impact the international marketplace. By the end of this module you'll have a crucial perspective on how global businesses navigate complex realities while sustaining success, so that you're ready to enter today's international firms.

This module will address the following Hallmarks of a University of Portsmouth graduate through learning and assessment: - Have a critical and reflective knowledge and understanding of their subject, with both the ability and readiness to question its principles, practices and boundaries.

Completion of the year abroad helps achieve all learning outcomes of this module. The student will be required to submit evidence of learning, cross-referenced to the agreed learning outcomes as set out in the Learning Agreement. This will include a Transcript of Record from a host university to be submitted at the end of the study abroad placement . Students will need to have obtained 70% of credits taken in order to pass (LOs 1, 2, 3). In borderline cases of pass/fail for study abroad an assessment of 2000 words will also need to be submitted and considered. This applies to all courses where the year Abroad is taken in the second year of study. The BA International Business students will also need to submit a compulsory ePortfolio under the form of a Google Site at the end of their year abroad even if they have passed everything the their prospective institution(s) and have obtained all their credits.

In this module, students will be encouraged to think like strategy practitioners in today's real life international environment. Consequently, they will develop the skills and competencies needed to be a good strategist, including the ability to diagnose strategic issues, analyse the industry a company is competing in as well as a firm's capabilities, and synthesizing ideas into creative strategy insights, strategic issue selling, and reflecting upon their practice as strategists. That reflection will involve critically examining the wider strategy-as-practice literature in terms of the insights it provides for the development of strategy. Students will also develop an appreciation of the global and international context within which strategists operate and the ethical nature of strategic decision making.

Students will develop an understanding of public policy towards private firms and organisations as well as a critical awareness of the main economics instruments used for competition policy.

As well as developing graduate skills in critical analysis and research design, students will also develop practical skills as the techniques employed to complete the project are used by economic consultants and the Government Economics Service.

This module will address the following Hallmarks of a University of Portsmouth graduate through learning and assessment:

• Have a critical and reflective knowledge and understanding of their subject, with both the ability and readiness to question its principles, practices and boundaries.
• Think independently, analytically and creatively, and engage imaginatively with new areas of investigation within and across discipline boundaries.
• Be informed citizens, with a sense of responsibility allied to a commitment to ethical practice and social justice issues, such as equality, respect and sustainability.
• Be able to work in a range of environments, responding positively to new situations by being aware, flexible, adaptable and realistic in their expectations.

The research undertaken as part of the dissertation unit must comply with the university's ethical guidelines. 

The topics covered in the workshops range from basic investment concepts and financial analysis to application of different investment strategies. The workshops will be held in both computer labs and classrooms. These sessions will help the students understand the financial environment through practical use of financial databases whereas the classroom based workshops will be given tasks and presented information on analysing companies financial performance and positions.

Guided by experts, you'll outline aims, critically appraising literature to position your contribution. Then, through rigourous analysis, you'll draw meaningful conclusions and make recommendations for the future. Developing your skills as an agile, solutions-focused professional, you'll refine project management, research and communications capabilities essential in any career. Ultimately, you'll produce a compelling showcase piece - evidencing your ability to drive progress through independent enquiry.

The assessment includes a presentation, an individual report and 90 minute exam.

Completion of this module will allow students to reach an informed opinion on the basis of the empirical findings of their independent business research.

Crime is approached as a social phenomenon and studied through economics methodologies and concepts. Security is approached as a phenomenon in international relations, leading to conflict and war, and including terrorism, geopolitical issues, arms, defence spending. Security issues are examined via economics methodologies and theories.

By completing this module, students will learn to outline the difficulties and opportunities of financial risk management and banking on an international scale, as well as investigating comparative institutional and policy approaches to the regulation of international banking and financial markets.

You'll explore configuration considerations, relationship dynamics and ethical imperatives to discover how aligned flows of information, goods and finances enable organisational success. By evaluating real chains that span multiple geographies, you'll assess decision trade-offs to boost productivity, agility and sustainability. You'll finish this module ready to lead enterprises to new heights and lead on value creation.

Selected topics will focus on core foundations and to topical phenomenon of current times and issues.

In doing so, students will develop analytical skills in the application of theory and empirical research to financial management. This module will address the following Hallmarks of a University of Portsmouth graduate, through learning and assessment: - Have a critical and reflective knowledge and understanding of their subject, with both the ability and readiness to question its principles, practices and boundaries. - Think independently, analytically and creatively, and engage imaginatively with new areas of investigation within and across discipline boundaries. - Be able to locate, access and critically engage with information, using current and emerging digital technologies. - Have an enterprising spirit, bringing innovation and productivity to the groups and communities to which they belong.

The Module makes use of case examples to review applicable theory and frameworks to illustrate the combined roles of Continuous Improvement (CI), Organisational Learning (OL), Change Management, and the importance of a Creative Environment (CE) as a springboard for innovation.

This module will develop your knowledge and understanding in the application of ideas, methodologies, processes, and techniques for improving and sustaining organisational performance. The module emphasises the operationalising of business and functional strategy and focuses on how to facilitate and sustain successful change.

The module evaluates the cultural, behavioural and human elements, and considers the role ¿people¿ have in leading and being part of successful and sustainable improvement.

It aims to stimulate critical engagement with competing theories in traditional and contemporary areas of leadership, whilst exploring practical applications of leadership theories. Moreover, it will facilitate the development of a personal leader/leadership profile and development plan. Not only will this module develop subject specific knowledge and understanding, it will also enhance important graduate skills including: communication, critical analysis, decision making, independent research, reflective learning, and self-awareness.

The module takes an applied approach, focussing on contemporary issues within the sports industry through the lens of economics, finance and governance. Topics covered include: Competitive balance in sporting contests, demand for live events, cross subsidisation between leagues, match outcome forecasting, financial sustainability, return on investment, streams of income, corruption, and governance.

It will examine energy-environment interactions and highlight the role energy plays in ensuring sustainable development. The module introduces key economic concepts used to analyse energy-environment interactions, analyses policy challenges and alternative measures that have been used ti address these issues.

Use flexible project management tools that meet industry standards, and learn to differentiate between transformative initiatives and business-as-usual processes.

By evaluating real-world cases, you’ll analyse the contextual factors and stakeholder dynamics that position certain projects as strategic investments. With an outcome-oriented mindset, you’ll appreciate how disciplined planning, communication and risk mitigation leads teams to mobilise resources for impactful delivery.

This module equips you with a versatile project management toolkit and a strategic perspective that is highly valued across sectors.

It explores the responsibilities and boundaries of businesses in a range of contemporary environmental and social issues and in the context of differing ethical frameworks. In this module we will also investigate how areas ranging from business ethics, law, politics, economics, strategy and management affect our understanding and practice related to responsible and sustainable business. Topics addressed in this module include, but will not be restricted to: foundation in business ethics, stakeholder theory, definitions and conceptions and practical applications of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability.

After your second or third year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry.

We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations, and you’ll get mentoring and support throughout your year of work.

When you graduate after successfully completing a placement year, your degree transcript and degree certificate will state that your degree is `in the sandwich mode'.