QA1S007 - Business Academic Skills 01 Sep 2021 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: QA1S007
Module Title: Business Academic Skills
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: FBCI Faculty
Faculty Sub Group: FBCI Faculty
Module Leader: Lorna Loy
Module Team: Tracey May, Steffan James, Liam Newton, Khalid Solaiman
First Intended Intake: SEP 2021 Final Year of Intake: 2026
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 0 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2021
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

This module will support a wide range of academic study skills to assist students with all of the assessments on the International Year One in Business. This includes aspects such as time management, using library resources, independent research, ICT skills of core Microsoft and web-based applications, participating in seminar discussions and preparation for assessment. 

As such the module will prepare students with the academic skills required to put the above into practice both within the module and across the whole International Year One in Business and then provide a footing for future study in Years Two and Three. 

Content Summary

The Business Academic Skills module wraps around the other subject modules of the International Year One (IY1) programme in order to scaffold students’ learning and assessment preparation and provides an opportunity to enhance international students’ acculturation to the UK university environment. The module provides the study skills and personal academic tutoring to support international students’ transition from college/school to UK university education.

A key element of the module is the development of students’ academic and communication skills, which underpin and link to the other first-year modules on the programme. The development of effective communication skills will enable international students to prepare effectively for study on the final two years of their business degree course and for future careers in a business environment.

The overarching aims of the module are to: develop students’ ability to read academic business-related texts and use them in writing and speaking tasks; enhance students’ ability to understand recorded texts and lectures while taking effective notes; develop students’ ability to communicate effectively in academic contexts, both written and verbal, using an appropriate academic style; to develop students’ research and analytical skills and an understanding of citation and referencing conventions; improve students’ English grammar and vocabulary for use in academic contexts; to help students become independent learners and develop time management and organisational skills.

Materials used in the module will provide students with support in skills for the other units in the course and the content will largely be drawn from the use of business case studies and other business-related material. In addition to developing key academic English skills, students will develop team working and presentation skills through the completion of group tasks and will also learn how to reflect on their learning and appraise their achievements through a number of reflective tasks.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Seminar 112
Independent Study 65
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 4
Formative Assessment - Independent 11
Groupwork 8
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Understand a range of academic skills appropriate to this level including reading, writing, study skills and project management skills.
LO2 Demonstrate the ability to produce oral and written responses appropriate to tasks at this level.
LO3 Assess personal strengths and weaknesses in relation to academic study skills, and identify strategies to further develop these skills.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Poster 1 Poster - Develop a succinct infographic in a digital format which explains relevant topics related to business. 0 N/A 40 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio 1 This is a collection of preparatory work that you will undertake across all three terms. A selection of 3 tasks. 0 1600 20 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) Onsite Open Book Examination 1 To write an argumentative essay, fully cited and referenced, arguing an opinion on the sustainability of a given company. 3 preparatory reading texts are provided as is encouragement to include independent research on the subject. 120 600 40 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Poster 1
Portfolio 1
Onsite Open Book Examination 1

Reading List

Bailey, S. (2011). Academic Writing for International Students of Business. London: Routledge

Belbin, R. M. (2010). Team Roles at Work. London: Routledge

Bedford, D. and Wilson, E. (2012) Study Skills for Foundation Degrees (2nd ed). London: Routledge

Cameron, S. (2010). The Business Student’s Handbook: Skills for Study and Employment. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited

Cottrell, S. (2011) Critical thinking skills: Developing effective analysis and argument. London: Palgrave MacMillan

Cottrell, S. (2013) The Study Skills Handbook. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

De Chazal, E. and McCarter, S. (2012) Oxford EAP: A course in English for Academic Purposes. Oxford: OUP