Certificate of Higher Education in Business Management

Educational aims

This qualification will provide you with:

• an introduction to the theoretical and work-based knowledge relevant to the application of business management in theory and practice 
• an ability to recognise key individual and stakeholder differences in business management and the issues arising from such diversity 
• an awareness of the operations, structures, cultures and functioning of business organisations and the complex nature of their key business functions and processes 
• a number of important business skills, which you can bring to your employment in business management more widely 
• support and guidance to develop as an independent learner.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to demonstrate:

• an understanding of the main concepts, theories and principles associated with business management.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:

• apply your knowledge and understanding to the routine professional techniques and practices of business management using appropriate terminology and conventions
• gather, evaluate and interpret information/data in accordance with the theories, concepts and principles of business management.

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:

• develop, as appropriate, with practical and professional skills and demonstrate an awareness of relevant responsible and ethical issues in business management
• begin to develop an insight into personal goals, preferences and aptitudes
• identify work options and take steps to determine required qualifications, skills and experience
• develop your understanding and use of the resources available to help you learn, and begin to develop as an independent learner and understand the relevance of your learning to your career. 

   

Key skills

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to: 

• recognise predictable problems and use a range of problem solving processes appropriate to business management 
• determine priorities and sequences the steps involved in defining tasks and identify and assemble resources required 
• communicate ideas in well-structured and coherent way that is appropriate to your purpose and audience and in familiar and unfamiliar contexts. 
• contribute to group discussion, recognising and following accepted conventions of social interaction whilst sharing relevant content. 
• develop your skills in finding, selecting and using information, data and tools in defined contexts. 
• adopt a standard set of numerical skills and digital practices (including the use of tools/resources) appropriate to business management. 
• develop an understanding of academic language and literacy practices in order to effectively engage with the academic knowledge and skills of OU level 1 study. 

Teaching, learning and assessment methods

The key teaching vehicles are distance learning materials which comprise a range of texts as well as other materials such as audio/visual materials, and specially prepared study guides directing your study and illustrating key teaching points. How the materials are presented may vary in different modules but you should expect a mixture of online and paper. The online elements will be supported by additional web resources.

Your learning is supported by a tutor who maintains contact with you individually, conducts group tutorials and facilitates online learning for their group of around 20 students. Your tutor is your main point of contact, answering your queries, grading and commenting on your work and facilitating group learning.

To support the development of your group-working and communication skills, you are required to participate in tutor group online discussion forums. This also provides you with an additional environment in which to share learning and resolve module-related issues.

Assessment of the knowledge and understanding of the components of the qualification is achieved through a combination of continuous assessment and, for some modules, an end-of-module assessment (EMA) or examination. The continuous assessment element consists of a series of tutor-marked assignments (TMAs). These are central to the teaching of the module as they enable tutors to assess and comment on your knowledge and understanding. Some modules also incorporate interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs). Assessment of practice-based learning in the compulsory business and management module enables you to relate module concepts to your own experience and reflect on your learning and practice.