International Business, Finance, Marketing and Humanities

Description

Preparing you for entry to year 3 of a Scottish undergraduate degree in Business, Finance, Management and Humanities

The International Diploma offers you the opportunity to:

• improve your language skills in preparation for undergraduate study
• increase your academic theory for advanced entry to year 3 of an undergraduate degree
• develop the necessary study and research skills for undergraduate study.

In Scotland, INTO academic preparation programmes count directly towards your degree, meaning it is possible to graduate with an ‘ordinary’ degree after one additional year of study – a great opportunity to get a head start in your career.

Why apply for the International Diploma programme at INTO Stirling?

• a conditional offer of a place on an undergraduate degree at the University of Stirling
• a quality-assured university programme
• a second-year Scottish undergraduate degree programme equivalent qualification
• direct entry to year 3 of an undergraduate degree
• full university status
• a campus-based programme with access to university facilities
• guaranteed university placement for all successful students
• high contact hours and small class sizes
• the highest levels of pastoral care and support

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 12495 Year (EEA)
• GBP 12495 Year (Non-EEA)

January 2015 start (3 terms):£10,995

• English

Course Content

All students complete a common core set of modules. Additionally, there are optional modules to choose from and individual degree programmes may stipulate specific modules which you must study before being permitted to progress onto your chosen degree or university. During this programme you may study:

Core modules:

English for Undergraduate Study (20 credits)

Through this module the four key skill areas are covered: reading, writing, listening and speaking. The programme develops overall academic skill areas including the ability to write effectively for academic purposes using a variety of tasks; ability to use and synthesise source materials efficiently. It prepares students for participation in academic seminars and discussions, and draws on information on topics from the social sciences, which will form the basis for creative, academic discussion and student autonomy in learning.

Academic Skills and ICT for Undergraduate Study(20 credits)

This module is designed to help develop university-level study skills in making notes and interpreting data. Students will also develop skills in teamwork, problem solving, time management, working in groups, making presentations, exchanging and defending ideas. These key skills include self monitoring and assessment, critical awareness of one’s own performance. Time is also allocated to consolidating core ICT (Information Communication Technology) skills.

British Institutions and Culture (10 credits)

This module is designed to introduce students to important aspects of key British institutions and the main elements of British culture. An awareness of such features of British life, at a national and regional level, is considered essential if international students are to understand the non-subject-specific references to these things which they will inevitably come across in their studies. The module will also consider Britain’s relationship with Europe and the rest of the world. Topics covered include: industrialisation and de-industrialisation, the shaping of modern British culture, regional and class differences and identity, as well as educational, religious, political and legal institutions.

Mathematics and Statistics for Management (20 credits)

Applying quantitative methods, the module offers an introduction to some basic statistical concepts and methods of data analysis, which are commonly used by businesses to reduce uncertainty when making decisions. This module builds on basic mathematical knowledge to prepare students in those areas of mathematics and statistics required in management and social sciences. The module covers mathematics, from basic algebra through to an introduction to differential and integral calculus, while the statistics covered focuses on key data handling, presentation and analysis skills.

Optional modules:

Accounting and Finance (20 credits)

This module provides a foundation in the theory and practice of accounting and an introduction to the role, context and language of financial reporting and management accounting. You will gain an understanding of the purposes for which accounting information is used in business, how that information is gathered, processed, and presented and learn how to carry out a basic analysis of financial reports.

Economics (20 credits)

This module provides an introduction to basic economic principles and economic vocabulary, with the aim of developing an understanding of the impact economic factors have upon businesses. It explores both microeconomics and macroeconomics. Key concepts in modern economics are introduced, in particular the functioning of markets as the foundation of the contemporary global economy and an overview of main microeconomic principles of economic interaction. These are complemented with basic macroeconomic concepts and a discussion of the relationship between these microeconomic principles and macroeconomic concepts.

Human Resource Management (20 credits) Human Resource Management (HRM) describes the professional area concerned with managing employees in work organisations, working from historical, organisational and professional perspectives. The module puts HRM into the context of employment law and industrial relations. Thirdly, it expands upon the activities of HRM in organisation: staffing, training evaluation, compensation, welfare and employee relations, and setting out how they contribute to organisational outcomes and employee relations, and setting out how they contribute to organisational outcomes and business strategy. It additionally assesses the background, assumptions and aims of several HRM models and evaluates them against traditional notions and practices of personnel management in the UK.

Introduction to Psychology (20 credits)

As the scientific study of mind and behaviour, Psychology is both a biological and a social science. This module therefore comprises an introduction to core elements of the subject which include: Child Development; Brain and Behaviour; Language and Thinking; Animal Behaviour; Clinical and Abnormal Psychology; Social Psychology and Cognitive Psychology.

Introduction to Marketing (20 credits)

You will develop an understanding of the core concepts of marketing theory and an ability to apply them to case studies. Topics include consumer behaviour, market research, marketing strategy, marketing planning and the marketing mix. The module introduces these key concepts, methods of analysis, strategies and tactics critical to managing profitable customer relationships in a dynamic and connected environment. Topics include marketing analysis: customer analysis, company analysis and competitor analysis; the elements of the marketing mix (product, pricing, promotion, and distribution strategies) understanding the strategic and tactical decisions behind today’s top performing brands.

Introduction to Sociology (20 credits)

The module interweaves the study of key concepts in the discipline of sociology with an examination of crucial social institutions that organise social life, such as the world of education and work; the relevance of family life; the relative influence of the media; the weight of religion in people’s lives; the shifts in power via the emergence of social movements; and the relevance of emerging platforms of social cooperation and networking including social media and the Internet.

Media and Creative Industries (20 credits)

The media are central to the way we live, to identity and to culture.This module examines these phenomena and relationships from the perspective of the academic discipline of media studies. It focuses on the critical study of media and creative industries, a mix of media studies specialist modules and modules in film studies and in public relations and offers the opportunity to study media texts (film, television, print media and others) as both artistic and commercial enterprises, and to study various media institutions and debates surrounding them.

Management and Organisations (20 credits)

This module provides an introduction to the main issues of management theory and practice, and mainstream theory in organisational behaviour and its relation to management in organisations. The module will provide extensive theoretical and applied input coupled with opportunities for more student-centred discovery by analysing and discussing case study examples. The intention is for the student to apply the theoretical underpinnings to genuine examples from the world of business, commerce and industry. Students will also learn about different organisational structures and designs, organisational cultures and the decision making process within an organisation.

Political Concepts and Ideas (20 credits)

This module provides an introduction to the theories, methods and approaches which shape political analysis. It aims to cultivate a sophisticated approach to political analysis by focusing on the role and value of political concepts as the basic units of political debate and analysis. This includes exploring the contested nature of concepts, and also how concepts have evolved and emerged over time. Research and study skills reinforce the module.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

Academic requirements:

Any one of the following:

• A recognised International Foundation
• The first year of a relevant undergraduate degree programme
• A-level equivalent in a suitable range of subjects

English requirements:

• Four term programme: IELTS 5.0 (with a minimum of 5.0 in writing) or equivalent.
• Three term programme: IELTS 5.5 (with a minimum of 5.5 in writing) or equivalent.

The Centre accepts other Secure English Language Tests (SELT) including Pearson PTE

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Stirling.