Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Business Studies (General)

at University of Bedfordshire - Luton Campus United Kingdom

As the various elements of the mass media converge, it is increasingly appropriate to develop a broader understanding of how different aspects of the media interconnect. This course examines key issues of media and communication, introducing principles of cultural theories and media research methods.

For this course you must complete a series of units that address the central issues and concepts informing the study of the media in a culturally diverse environment as the nowadays society.

The course offers units dealing with fundamental principles and topics of the subject area (e.g. Current research in mass communications; Media institutions, structure and policies; and Research Methods in the area of media); and a core unit focuses on international development.

The course includes a final self-directed independent study project, in the form of a dissertation based on a research project. It is this project work that provides you with the opportunity to tailor the course to your own interests (subject to staff supervisory expertise).

You can start your studies in October and complete the course in 12 months. Alternatively start the course in February and complete it over 15 months

Why choose this course?

• Study the theories, which underpin the practice of media and communication, and discuss theoretical aspects of media through a range of case studies.
• Apply knowledge of the media and its cultural forms to the analysis of contemporary issues
• Employ skills in critical analysis, research, and communication as well as an array of generic and creative skills to propose solutions to contemporary issues in mass communications
• Develop and employ strong academic skills in research and critical thinking, problem-solving and analysis.
• Apply knowledge of cultural and media processes to the examination of policy and ethical issues, whether in the public domain or in other aspects of democratic participation and citizenship.
• Acquire skills needed to continue your studies and progress into MPhil and PhD.

This course shares its first stage with our other related BSc degrees to give you a foundation in the subject while providing a platform for specialist study in the second and third stages.

The course is broadly based yet carries enough depth to provide credible vocational skills; because of the wide range of courses taught in the department a number of special equipment is accessible in areas such as biometrics, robotics or computer graphics, which allows you to encounter the context of use of various concepts in Computer Science.

Computer Science is a complex and wide-ranging subject, and includes the study of computation theory, the design of systems and artificial intelligence.

This course shares its first stage with our other related BSc degrees to give you a foundation in the subject while providing a platform for specialist study in the second and third stages.

You will concentrate on essential areas such as systems architecture and security, acquire practical programming, modelling and software development skills before focusing on a chosen specialist area for your final stage project.

Why choose this course?

• Learn a broad-based range of subjects but in enough depth to give you high value vocational skills
• Study in a carefully structured but flexible way, sharing the first foundation stage with our other related BSc degrees before specialising in the second and third stages
• Develop your practical skills in a variety of programming languages
• Gain confidence in the use of specialist biometric, robotic and computer graphic equipment
• Explore the latest developments in artificial intelligence
• Challenge yourself as you decide which specialist area you would like to focus on
• Benefit from studying with highly qualified specialists in dedicated laboratories using the latest hi-tech equipment

It’s never been more important to understand the impact of human action on the environment as well as the effect environmental change may have on human health. This integrated course works at the cutting edge of environmental and health science, exploring the issues, challenges and new technologies that will decide our own and our planet’s future.

This degree gives you a sound base in biology and biochemistry where you explore the functioning of living organisms; the diversity of life on the planet; and the interactions between the environment and humans. You also develop your understanding of how the human body functions in health and disease, and how this is related to the environments in which we live. Focusing on the environment, you investigate the impact humans have on ecosystems; the consequences of environmental change, locally and globally; and the sustainable management of food production, the food chain and the importance of food security to human health.

Laboratory work is an essential part of the course and you build your skills in this area as well as your expertise in the practical and analysis techniques relevant to working in environmental and health sciences.

Why choose this course?

• Develop your understanding of environmental protection and the role of individuals, organisations and governments in preserving the environment
• Be able to discuss the ethical issues and challenges around environmental protection
• Study with an academic team with established research expertise in areas across biomedicine, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, genomics and bioinformatics
• Benefit from our academic collaborations with the University’s Schools and Research Institutes as well as with external institutions and organisations
• Gain work experience through the Life Sciences Liaison Board, which has strong links to a network of industry and practice organisations
• When you graduate, there are a number of career paths open to you including government agencies; industry; science laboratories; higher education institutions; and environmental agencies
• Take the course over four years and include a fee-free year in industry, gaining work experience, building your CV and making contacts for the future
• If you need a step up into higher education, start with a Foundation Year which guarantees you a place on the degree course

This 2 year Master’s courses will give you the opportunity to be awarded a subject-specific degree in International Business with Data Analytics. As the business world morphs to accommodate the dynamic economic environment of today, this course introduces non-specialists to a range of business functions areas to enable you to become knowledgeable and effective managers.

The course focuses on developing an awareness of business operations in an international environment, the management of corporate reputation and brands, international finance, and cultural awareness in global contexts.

The Data Analytics units cover a wide range of topics including programming, databases, security, project management and computer networking, giving you both the underpinning theory and the ability to apply it to complex real-world problems

Why choose this course?

• 2 year subject specific degree with data analytics.
• This course introduces non-specialists to a range of business functions areas to enable you to become knowledgeable and effective managers.

Your first step towards a career as a registered social worker, this course equips you with the knowledge, skills and resilience needed to improve the lives of vulnerable adults, children and families.

Approved by Social Work England, this degree offers graduates eligibility to join the professional register, after which you can pursue a career in social work across a range of settings.

The course prepares you to work in a rapidly changing, complex and unpredictable sector, offering the most up-to-the-minute knowledge, skills and practice. It combines work-placement experience, practical skills development and academic study with a focus on applying theory to practice.

You first study the foundations of social work including social policy; human growth and development; relevant legislation for professional practice; and working with people. Later units explore issues, contexts and interventions in social work along with two work-placement opportunities and a final-year research project.

Why choose this course?

• Join a course with a 92% satisfaction rate (National Student Survey, 2020)
• Explore every aspect of the professional social work role; how it relates to other areas; and the ethical challenges of balancing initiative with accountability
• Progress with the support of academic staff who have all been practising social workers, some of whom continue to practise alongside their academic work
• Benefit from the University of Bedfordshire’s new Health & Social Care Academy, run in partnership with local councils and NHS Trusts to recruit and train the next generation of health and social care workers
• As a graduate, you can apply for professional registration as a qualified social worker with Social Work England
• Open up career paths across a variety of sectors, including local authorities, the NHS, education authorities, prison service, private agencies and voluntary organisations

This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology. The course, for graduates with a background in electronics, was designed with industry experts and is ideal for those aiming to enter a range of specialist careers in digital electronics or communications.

Gain advanced theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in digital communications, signal processing, electronic circuits and microprocessors, as well as an understanding of engineering best practice and how to apply it in real-life scenarios.

The course will provide you with academic and technical skills to analyse, synthesise, interpret and make sense of modern electronic systems. It will enable you to meet the demands of tomorrow’s engineering society.

Why choose this course?

• Study in an electronic laboratory environment, gaining valuable hands-on experience as well as opportunities for industry connections including National Instruments, Rhode & Schwarz and Axis Electronics
• Explore topics including applied microwave and optical communications, systems engineering, embedded sensors, controllers and energy, advanced digital signal processing, microprocessor architecture and embedded hardware, advanced digital communications, wireless sensor networks, optical communications and other exciting emerging technologies such as energy harvesting
• Develop practical skills in laboratory sessions in which you will build and work with your own electronic devices
• Gain skills and insight into a fast-changing area on a course accredited by the Institute of Engineering & Technology (IET), making you well-prepared to enter a demanding and exciting industry
• Benefit from developing expertise and understanding of professional standards to allow you to access careers like electronic systems design, as a development engineer, in software design, as an embedded systems engineer, a communications engineer, product support engineer, technical consultant or further study on an MSc by Research, MPhil or PhD

This 2 year Master’s courses will give you the opportunity to be awarded a subject specific degree in Applied Computing and Information Technology with Project Management. The course has been designed for non-computing graduates who need to apply information technology to their current career or want to change career directions.

The course covers a wide range of topics including programming, databases, security, project management and computer networking giving you both the underpinning theory and the ability to apply it to real-world problems.

You will gain valuable experience and open up new career opportunities by working on real-world problems and utilising the tools of computing and information technology to lead to innovation within your area of expertise.

Why choose this course?

• The course has been designed for non-computing graduates who need to apply IT to their current role or those looking to change career direction.
• You will apply your learning in practical real-world scenarios

Find your specialism and become the writer of your dreams with our innovative, skill-building course which encourages you to experiment with different modes and genres across a range of media platforms. Our small cohort sizes mean you benefit from personal, tailored support.

Explore writing in a way you may not have experienced before, from from the speculative genres of horror, fantasy, and science fiction, to scriptwriting and performance poetry. Your academic team are all experienced writers who will encourage you to find where your aptitudes and enthusiasms lie, helping you to develop your own writing practice and style.

This course benefits from a close relationship with other creative courses such as media, art and design, journalism, and computer games development so you work in an atmosphere of collaborative, artistic energy. You also have many opportunities to share your work, including in our annual published anthology of student writing and open-mic nights.

Graduates from the course have gone on to successful careers in a range of fields, from published authors of fantasy writing and innovative poetry to editorial roles, from professional YouTubers to Creative Writing lecturers.

Why choose this course?

• We are a student-centred course where the emphasis is placed on your development as a writer
• Belong to a vibrant and diverse writing community and have the freedom to focus on the aspects of writing that interest you
• Optional pathways in genre fiction, innovative forms, and screenwriting, taught by writers from those areas, and the opportunity to collaborate with Computer Games and Illustration students to develop games and graphic novel projects
• Meet with writers and other industry professionals
• Focus on your professional development and your future after completing the degree

In 2019, WHO listed high-threat pathogens, influenza pandemic, antimicrobial resistance and vaccine hesitancy among the ten top threats to global health. In 2020, the world suffered the profound effects of the novel SARS-CoV2 virus. There has never been a more compelling time to become a skilled professional in microbiology.

These global threats highlight the need for highly trained professionals who fully understand the role of micro-organisms in public health. This Master’s course focuses on the science of micro-organisms and the range of strategies employed for public health protection including epidemiology; public health intelligence; vaccination; antimicrobial chemotherapy; diagnostic microbiology; and outbreak investigation.

Why choose this course?

• Study microorganisms that impact on health and disease focusing on applications, including diagnosis, epidemiology and control of infectious disease
• Explore how the developments in molecular biology and genome sequencing have altered diagnosis of infectious disease and impacted on outbreak investigation and management.
• Learn about current practice and new developments in vaccines and antimicrobial chemotherapy and consider the challenges faced by efforts to eradicate specific infectious disease.
• Gain practical experience in laboratory techniques and data analysis and be encouraged to think about their wider significance.
• Challenge yourself by undertaking a microbiology research project or public health dissertation (depending on your specific interests), enabling you to consider a particular topic in detail and develop key transferable skills in research and scientific writing.
• Benefit from a course that prepares your for a career in pharmaceutical or biotechnological industries, or health-related industries, including the NHS and Public Health, as well as academic research.

This course responds to the growing market demand for graduates who aim to work with the information and organisation needs of businesses.

Students will gain understanding of information and organisation structures in a business as well as skills of using existing software required for designing and developing information systems.

Students will also obtain skills and ability to interact with business analysts, computer programmers, and software engineers. Graduates are expected to be able to obtain knowledge and understanding of Business Processes and their applications.

Why choose this course?

• Learn how IT plays an essential role in supporting the strategic, operational and tactical needs of domestic and international business
• Study the importance of IT systems to business analysis and intelligence
• Develop your knowledge of system analysis and design, modern database practices, decision support systems and data mining
• Gain a thorough understanding of project, finance and virtual management techniques
• Explore the entrepreneurial possibilities of IT, and discover how the needs of business can offer an enormous range of opportunities
• Challenge your preconceptions of what makes a business successful, and refocus your ambition
• Benefit from a series of talks and guidance offered by inspirational speakers and leaders from a range of business sectors