International Business & Management BA (Hons)

Hear from your academic

So what is online study?

You will be provided with all the tools and resources you need to complete your chosen course, but as everything is based on or accessed via the internet, you do not need to visit the campus. This way of studying enables you to decide when you want to study and gain that desired qualification. You do not need to commit to timetabled teaching sessions, as you would do with a more traditional, campus-delivered course.

Online study (or distance learning) uses a computer and the internet to support and enhance your learning experience. At a basic level, the internet is used purely to distribute your course materials, but at BU we also use it to help improve your understanding of a subject by:

• Encouraging discussion and debate using discussion boards or chat rooms with your fellow students and the academic team
• Testing your understanding by using online assessment activities like tasks and quizzes
• Providing a wide range of electronic resources such as books and journals you can access online
• Utilising the Virtual Learning Environment, myBU, which becomes your own ‘virtual campus’ and provides everything you need to help and support you through your studies.

Benefits of online study

• Large degree of flexibility – fit study around your other commitments - study wherever you are in the world
• Strong online communities formed with your fellow students and personal tutors
• Easy access to a vast array of study resources, such as e-journals and e-resources
• No exams to sit – you are assessed through the submission of assignments and occasionally time-constrained (online) tests
• Access to the same full range of BU services that any full-time student would be entitled to (careers advice, student counselling service, membership of the Students’ Union etc.).

Is online study right for me?

We all learn in different ways, so online study isn’t necessarily the ideal option for everyone. Some people will prefer to attend actual lectures and benefit from face-to-face interaction. Others find that they work best at unconventional times of the day (or night) and so distance learning is more suitable for them. Please consider the following points to help you decide if online study will work for you:

• Online courses do offer flexibility, but this added benefit does also require a degree of self-discipline and motivation on your part. It can be all too easy to keep putting an assignment off, but the courses will have a basic structure that you and the other students will follow, enabling you to support each other as you study
• The courses, in the main, are assessed by the submission of assignments, rather than by sitting exams. You will need to submit the assignments by the given deadlines so that everyone can be assessed together. You can decide when you work on these assignments but you have to ensure that you have planned your time so that you can complete the assignment by the given deadline
• Most courses will require at least 10 to 15 hours of work each week (more with higher awards, such as a Masters degree), during term times (approximately 36 weeks a year). You will need to consider how this extra time could be accommodated in your weekly timetable. We recommend you chat to your family and friends to explain the commitment required and asses whether things need to be juggled to free up some time
• It is worth considering where you will find it best to work. Do you have a quiet space somewhere you can make use of? Would it be better for you to work from your local library, or make use of BU facilities if you live locally?

What you need to think about before enrolling on the course

You will need to ensure you have good internet access. It’s also important that you have enough time to study and that you are motivated enough as an individual to pursue the different subjects on this course. We recommend you set aside approximately 12 hours per week for study.

Support on the course

You can log onto the e-learning environment at any time of the day or night. You will be supported throughout your studies by specialist e-tutors and have access to a comprehensive range of electronic resources (electronic journals and e-books etc.). You will be guided by an experienced academic team who are available to answer or discuss any concerns you have.

What we mean when we say you will improve your management skills

Emphasis is placed on developing personal and professional skills which you will find of great value in a wide range of situations; skills such as developing yourself and others, project management, communication, balancing innovation with operational, analytical and research skills.

How you will be assessed

You will be assessed in a variety of different ways. Each unit is written and assessed in a way that the tutor believes best suits their subject area. Some units will be assessed by 100% coursework. Other units are assessed in part by Time Constrained Papers (TCP) which are a replacement for exams. You will have 48 hours to complete these TCPs from your normal study location.