12 broad based and practical business management modules (no research thesis) that will expose you to the complete spectrum of general management. You will attend to one module at any one time. You can complete the MBA course in 1.5 years part-time. Yes, you don't have to give up your full-time job to upgrade yourself!

A brief description of each of the 12 modules is indicated below:

1. BMO 5572 Strategic Human Resource Management

   This unit of study critically examines the extent to which human resource management is strategic to organisational success. Alternative models of business strategy and the integration of human resource management are considered. The changing external environment of globalisation and competition and resultant restructuring of industries, labour markets and organisations is analysed in order that the factors influencing managerial choice and employee choice in relation to the different strategies can be assessed. This unit of study will focus on the relationship between strategy and human resource management and in this broader view of human resource management it is concerned with the work systems and models of employment.

   Assessment: Research assignment & Presentation 60% Test 40%

2. BAO 5734 Financial Analysis

   The unit of study aims to provide students with a framework for effective and efficient use of financial statement information for business analysis. The unit of study identifies and examines the key components of effective financial statement analysis; business strategy analysis, accounting analysis, financial analysis, and prospective analysis. This framework is applied to a variety of decision contexts including security analysis, credit analysis, corporate financing policies analysis, merger and acquisition analysis, and management communications analysis

   Assessment: Tutorial participation 10% Presentation 15% Report 25% Examination 50%

3. BEO 6600 Business Economics

   This unit of study is a combination of Business Macroeconomics and Business Microeconomics.

   Assessment: Assignment 1, 25%; Assignment 2, 25%; Examination, 50%.

4. BHO 6505 Marketing Management

   Upon completion of the module, students would be able to understand the marketing management process; develop essential skills necessary in a Marketing Manager's job; appraise an organisation's performance in a competitive marketing environment (foreign and domestic); formulate and implement marketing mix strategies in consumer, industrial, and service markets; solve problems and improve their abilities in making sound decisions based upon available market information; and appreciate the applications of marketing principles to the service sector. International business decision making will also be covered.

   Assessment: Essay 10%, Presentation 15%, Report (Marketing Plan) 35%, 60% Examination 40%

5. BMO 6506 Work and Organisation Systems

   This module examines the major issues that managers need to understand and respond to in the context of significant changes in the world economy. These developments necessitate a rethinking of management practices as they pose major challenges to conventional ideas of management. Such issues are considered in terms of the interaction between people and the organisational context within which they work. The module emphasizes two approaches. First, to gain knowledge and understanding of management and what it is and, in the process, learn how to be a more effective manager. Fundamental concepts about organisations, individuals and groups in relation to management are themes included. Students will learn about organisational structure, power and politics, leadership, value systems, culture, and organisational change

   Assessment: Assignments, 50%; Examination, 50%.

6. BMO 6511 Strategic Management & Business Policy

   In this module, students will learn to identify organisational strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in national and international arenas. Topics include the strategies management process; analysis of political, economic, social, technological and physical environments; strategic management alternatives such as growth, stability, reduction and downsizing; strategy implementation and evaluation; consideration of potential problems; the development of contingency plans; and strategic management for the future.

   Assessment: Presentation and assignments, 50%; Examination, 50%.

7. BMO 6622 Managing Innovation and Entrepreneurship

   It is imperative that managers have an understanding of the concepts of innovation and entrepreneurship and the skills and competencies to apply this knowledge effectively. The aims of this unit of study are: to provide an in-depth student of the concepts of innovation, entrepreneurship and an appreciation of the environment in which they are practiced, and to study and to appraise the theory and practice of resource acquisition and utilization. This unit of study includes the following topics: opportunity recognition: the innovation, entrepreneurship and the innovation process, new venture ideas, opportunity recognition and screening, market opportunities: the market and how to analyse it, determining the competitive advantage; human resource issues: the entrepreneurial mind, the new venture team; identifying and marshalling key stakeholders; financial considerations: the innovator and entrepreneurial approach to the acquisition of resources, the plan, valuing, negotiating and structuring the proposal; ownership and structure; innovators in action.

   Assessment: Case Study, 20%; Business planning assignment, 40%; Presentation, 10%; Examination, 30%.

8. BMO 5501 Business Ethics and Sustainability

   This unit of study aims to provide an understanding of the ethics of the current business world by exploring some of the problems of reputation, responsibility and values encountered in business. The unit of study also considers the reasons why management risk must be examined within the perspective of each company’s business challenges. The topics include personal and professional integrity; corporations and cultures; the concept of the individual responsibility; social responsibility; the meaning of work; risk management; work relationships.

   Assessment: Essay, 20%; Diary, 30%; Tutorial presentation and paper, 25%; Group research report, 25%.

9. BCO 4603 Enterprise Resource Planning Systems

   This unit of study investigates the use of integrated computer-based information systems, commonly referred to as Enterprise Resource Planning systems, designed to support a large organisation’s information needs. This unit considers issues associated with the analysis, design and implementation of such systems and investigates how such systems implement transaction processing, management information systems and executive information systems across an organisation’s various business processes.

   Assessment: 2000 word case study, 25%; 2000 word research project, 25%;
   System design and implementation project (practical), 50%.

10. BAO 6504 Accounting for Management

    This module examines the role of planning and decision making within a business environment and the basic accounting concepts and practices which enable such activities to occur. Topics include: Concept of profit, income statement as a performance report, Balance Sheet as a position statement, Cash and Accrual Accounting, preparation of financial statements, budgeting, internal control and performance reports, analysis and interpretation, short term decision making, cost behaviour, and capital budgeting.

    Assessment: Students must successfully complete all assessment components and accumulate a total of 50% in all assessments combined to qualify for an overall Pass in this Unit of Study.

11. BEO 5539 Business Statistics

    This module develops practical skills in statistical techniques commonly used in business and economics applications. Students learn how data is processed and analysed to generate information that contributes to decision making. Topics include: turning numbers into management information, multiple regression and correlation, non-parametric statistical analyses, business forecasting, and index numbers.

    Assessment: Case studies and continuous assessment, 40%; Examination, 60%

12. BMO 5574 Supply Chain & Logistics Management

    The unit of study aims to study the concept of supply chain management in the sourcing, provision and delivery of goods and services. Practical application of this concept encompasses physical movement and storage, information systems support and relationships between partners in the supply chain. Supply chains as integration of strategies and operations to achieve end customer requirements. This integration is to span materials management, manufacturing support and physical distribution, and equivalent service steps, along the supply chain. Major logistics functions including order processing, inventory management, distribution centres, transportation and customer service. Simple extension is made into international supply networks. The strategic planning of the whole supply chain of a product or service group will include performance measurement, order-winning criteria and required policy actions.

    Assessment: Research and Application Report, 40%; Major Logistic Project, 60%.

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Note: VU Module leaders may decide to place greater emphases on certain topics, and change the assessment methods.