Business Management (Mandarin) BA Honours Please login to Apply

• Collaborate and establish networks with like-minded students whilst undertaking projects aimed at building your business ideas and confidence.
• Spend a year within China so you can understand the culture and develop your language skills first-hand.
• Dedicated support from Personal Tutors, Student Learning and Graduate Academic Assistants who will support you through their own first-hand experience within the subject area.

What will you study BA Business Management (Mandarin)?

This course can be taken as a three year degree, spending two summer placements abroad, or it can be taken as a four year course where you spend a whole year in China.

We offer two different language pathways for beginners and intermediates. You will be introduced to a range of disciplines within the broader world of business, including corporate culture and effective practices, and you will develop skills and knowledge in writing and speaking Mandarin. You will progress your language skills and develop your knowledge and understanding of the world of business with a particular focus on management principles.

In Year 3 you can undertake a full study abroad year in the China, linked to an HE partner institution, improving your skills through immersing yourself in the culture. You can also choose to take two summer placements at the beginning and end of Year 2.

In the final year you will develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of the business concepts which you explored in previous years, and focus your Mandarin language skills towards the world of business.

What will you gain?

You will learn to work effectively in teams, and be able to present and communicate business management ideas with confidence. We also ensure you develop specialist knowledge in:

• Stakeholders: their expectations and behaviour
• The environment of business and its impact on strategy
• Design, production and distribution of products and services
• Business resources: acquisition, application and control
• Business process: planning, improvement and control

Modules

• Year 1 - Mandarin language beginners

  • Marketing Theory and Practice (30 credits) - Compulsory

    This module is designed to provide students with an overview of key marketing concepts and techniques, as they apply in a variety of organisations and in both conventional and online environments. Students will develop knowledge and understanding of the core role of marketing in determining the growth potential of an enterprise, including the value of the marketing mix in ensuring successful marketing implementation and the significance of external and internal operating environments for marketing practice.

  • Financial Concepts of Business (30 credits) - Compulsory

    This module aims to develop the financial understanding and knowledge of students within business organisations so as to enable them to make effective decisions and to assess the cost, economic and financial implications of these decisions. It aims to provide an understanding of the fundamental roles of accounting and finance for business students who do not need to develop specialist knowledge as well as to provide an understanding of key economic principles that inform business thought and practice.

  • Business Mandarin Written (30 Credits)- Compulsory

    This module aims to introduce the basics Chinese language with simplified characters as used in Modern China. All of four skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) are practised in every lesson, and especially the emphasis is on reading and writing, for non-native speakers of learning Chinese. It is expected that students are able to recognise 500 words and to hand-write 150 characters,as well as composing a short dialogue in 80-100 words on a given topic.

  • Business Mandarin Spoken (30 Credits)- Compulsory

    This module aims to introduce the essential everyday conversations, simple vocabulary and sentence structure (speaking and listening) of Mandarin. It aims to form basic skills in listening to and speaking Mandarin and develop students’ understanding of contemporary China’s society and culture.

• Year 1 - with Mandarin language experience

  • Marketing Theory and Practice (30 credits) - Compulsory

    This module is designed to provide students with an overview of key marketing concepts and techniques, as they apply in a variety of organisations and in both conventional and online environments. Students will develop knowledge and understanding of the core role of marketing in determining the growth potential of an enterprise, including the value of the marketing mix in ensuring successful marketing implementation and the significance of external and internal operating environments for marketing practice.

  • Financial Concepts of Business (30 credits) - Compulsory

    This module aims to develop the financial understanding and knowledge of students within business organisations so as to enable them to make effective decisions and to assess the cost, economic and financial implications of these decisions. It aims to provide an understanding of the fundamental roles of accounting and finance for business students who do not need to develop specialist knowledge as well as to provide an understanding of key economic principles that inform business thought and practice.

  • Business Communications in Mandarin I (15 credits) - Compulsory

    This module aims to build upon and extend students’ ability to listen, speak, read  and  write  Mandarin  Chinese  in  tourism  and  business  contexts,  and  to promote  an  understanding  of  Chinese  culture  in  general.  Students  will  be able  to  conduct  business  communications  in  order  to  employ  relevant specialised vocabularies and underlying cultural assumptions.

  • Business Communications in Mandarin II (15 credits) - Compulsory

    This  module  aims  to  build  upon  and  integrate  students’  four  language  skills, including  listen,  speak,  read  and  write  Mandarin  Chinese  in  relate  to  Chinese culture.  Students  will  be  able  to  apply  relevant  vocabularies,  conversations and underlying cultural assumptions in tourism and business contexts.

  • Management Concepts (15 credits) - Compulsory

    The aim of this module is to develop students understanding of the management of organisations. It will introduce management concepts such as the business functions,organisational structure, work design, entrepreneurship, and business ethics. Students will develop the ability to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of various management theories and their application in the management of organisations.

  • People Management (15 credits) - Compulsory

    The aim of this module is to develop students understanding of how people in organisations interact. It will introduce various people management concepts and human resource processes and practices. Students will develop the ability to compare and contrast a variety of organisational psychology and sociological theories and their application in the management of people.

• Year 2 - Mandarin language beginners

  • Human Resource Management in Practice (30 credits) - Compulsory

    The aim of this module is to develop students’ understanding of the key areas of HRM and to develop their skills and competence in human resource management practice. Students will become familiar with a wide range of generalist HR policies and practices within the five key areas of the discipline: employee resourcing, employee reward, employee relations,performance management and employee training and development. They will also be provided with the opportunity to develop competencies in areas such as selection interviews,performance appraisals, managing conflict, and conducting grievance and disciplinary interviews.

  • Business Communications in Mandarin I (15 credits) - Compulsory

    This module aims to build upon and extend students’ ability to listen, speak, read  and  write  Mandarin  Chinese  in  tourism  and  business  contexts,  and  to promote  an  understanding  of  Chinese  culture  in  general.  Students  will  be able  to  conduct  business  communications  in  order  to  employ  relevant specialised vocabularies and underlying cultural assumptions.

  • Business Communications in Mandarin II (15 credits) - Compulsory

    This  module  aims  to  build  upon  and  integrate  students’  four  language  skills, including  listen,  speak,  read  and  write  Mandarin  Chinese  in  relate  to  Chinese culture.  Students  will  be  able  to  apply  relevant  vocabularies,  conversations and underlying cultural assumptions in tourism and business contexts.

  • Business Environment (15 credits) - Compulsory

    This module aims to develop students’ knowledge of internal and external business environment and their impact upon choices available to business in planning and decision making. Students will learn to analyse business environments and handle information using different techniques, models and frameworks.

  • Principles of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (15 credits) - Compulsory

    This module provides students with an introduction to innovation and entrepreneurship. It examines different forms of innovative and entrepreneurial practice including commercial and social enterprise. This includes an introduction into management issues faced by entrepreneurs and small business owners. The module will also introduce students to such concepts as opportunity recognition and the ability to act upon opportunities and problem solving.

  • Operations Management (30 credits) - Compulsory

    This module aims to broaden and expand your knowledge of the concepts and techniques required for the design, operation and control of business processes. Cases and practical exercises are relevant to a variety of commercial, manufacturing and service organisations. The module builds on the IT and quantitative skills developed in the first year.

• Year 2 - with Mandarin language experience

  • Operations Management (30 credits) - Compulsory

    This module aims to broaden and expand your knowledge of the concepts and techniques required for the design, operation and control of business processes. Cases and practical exercises are relevant to a variety of commercial, manufacturing and service organisations. The module builds on the IT and quantitative skills developed in the first year.

  • Human Resource Management in Practice (30 credits) - Compulsory

    The aim of this module is to develop students’ understanding of the key areas of HRM and to develop their skills and competence in human resource management practice. Students will become familiar with a wide range of generalist HR policies and practices within the five key areas of the discipline: employee resourcing, employee reward, employee relations,performance management and employee training and development. They will also be provided with the opportunity to develop competencies in areas such as selection interviews,performance appraisals, managing conflict, and conducting grievance and disciplinary interviews.

  • Mandarin: Culture & Society 1 (15 credits) - Compulsory

    This module aims to review, consolidate and further enhance students’ existing language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) of Mandarin in business and tourism contexts so that they can function more comfortably and confidently in modern China. It is also intended to help students to assess the macro and micro Chinese economic situations and specific business, culture and society through a selection of case studies.

  • Mandarin: Culture & Society 2 (15 credits) - Compulsory

    This module aims to review, consolidate and further enhance students’ existing language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) of Mandarin in business and tourism contexts so that they can function more comfortably and confidently in modern China. It is also intended to help students to analyse specific tourism, business culture and modern China’s society through a selection of case studies.

  • Business Environment (15 credits) - Compulsory

    This module aims to develop students’ knowledge of internal and external business environment and their impact upon choices available to business in planning and decision making. Students will learn to analyse business environments and handle information using different techniques, models and frameworks.

  • Principles of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (15 credits) - Compulsory

    This module provides students with an introduction to innovation and entrepreneurship. It examines different forms of innovative and entrepreneurial practice including commercial and social enterprise. This includes an introduction into management issues faced by entrepreneurs and small business owners. The module will also introduce students to such concepts as opportunity recognition and the ability to act upon opportunities and problem solving.

• Study Abroad: Choose one option (Compulsory for beginners)

  • Study Abroad I / II (year abroad) (120 credits)

    The year abroad is designed in order to get students to fully experience the culture and everyday life of Chinese-speaking societies by spending a full year at a Chinese university. This module also allows students to set goals for important aspects of the Immersion Year, to log and evaluate their experiences, to review their goals and to record and assess details of personal and academic development in a Mandarin-speaking environment.

    Due to current COVID-19 circumstances, you may not be able to study abroad for your placement year. If this is the case, you can pick one of the following options:

    • Continue: Study via online teaching if it is offered at Beijing International Studies University (BISU) in semester 1, with the aim of traveling for face-to-face teaching in semester 2.
    • Invert: Study at Middlesex in 2020/21 to complete the final year and reapply to study abroad in the following year, 2021/22. Students in Year 2 can progress to a special Level 3 language module adapted to their linguistic skills. Students in Year 1 can continue to Year 2 in the normal way.

  • Study Abroad I and Study Abroad II (summer placements) (60 and 60 credits)

    These modules are designed to get students to fully experience the culture and everyday life of Mandarin-speaking societies by spending a two summer placements at a partner institution. By doing this you will build upon and extend their abilities in Mandarin in academic business and cultural contexts.

    Due to current COVID-19 circumstances, you may not be able to study abroad for your placement year. If this is the case, you can pick one of the following options:

    • Continue: Study via online teaching if it is offered at Beijing International Studies University (BISU) in semester 1, with the aim of traveling for face-to-face teaching in semester 2.
    • Invert: Study at Middlesex in 2020/21 to complete the final year and reapply to study abroad in the following year, 2021/22. Students in Year 2 can progress to a special Level 3 language module adapted to their linguistic skills. Students in Year 1 can continue to Year 2 in the normal way.

• Year 3 / Year 4 - Mandarin language beginners

  • Strategic Management (30 credits) - Compulsory

    This module aims to present a broad and integrated view of strategic management in organisations, and outline a range of critical perspectives on key concepts of strategy. It will to introduce generic strategies at the corporate, business and functional levels and provide a range of analytical models and concepts that can be applied in assessing the strategic capability of an organisation and the environment in which it operates.

  • Workforce Management (15 credits) – Compulsory

    The aim of this module is to develop students' understanding and critical awareness of issues associated with managing contemporary workforce. Students will learn how increasingly diverse workforce composition and the changing nature of work and socio-economic environment result in new and unique challenges that managers face today.Through using cutting edge research, case studies and self-reflexive exercises the module will encourage a critical re-evaluation of traditional management thinking and practices and explore alternative approaches and responses to the contemporary management issues.

  • Professional Communication (15 credits) - Compulsory

    This module enables students to develop an understanding of strategies commonly used in professional discourse. It integrates concepts and approaches from applied linguistics and social psychology into the management of professional communication in a range of business settings. By exploring and contextualising professional discourse strategies,students will develop systematic and explicit approaches to analysing, evaluating and constructing strategic communication.

  • Mandarin: Culture and Society I (15 credits) - Compulsory

    This module aims to review,  consolidate  and  further  enhance  students’ existing language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) of Mandarin in business and tourism contexts so that they can function more comfortably and  confidently  in  modern  China.  It  is  also  intended  to  help  students  to assess  the  macro  and  micro  Chinese  economic  situations  and  specific business, culture and society through a selection of case studies.

  • Mandarin: Culture and Society II (15 credits) - Compulsory

    This module aims to review, consolidate and further enhance  students’ existing language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) of Mandarin in business and tourism contexts so that they can function more comfortably and confidently in modern China. It is also intended to help students to analyse specific tourism, business culture and modern China’s society through a selection of case studies.

  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (30 credits) - Optional

    he aim of this module is to promote greater awareness of the importance of diversity issues nationally and internationally. It provides insight to the implications of diversity from a societal, organisational, and employee standpoint, exploring diversity debates, concepts and practices regarding equality, fairness and inclusion. Subjects taught highlight the significance of diversity management to careers and business sustainability. A variety of topics are included such as cross-cultural management, gender disparity, unconscious bias, age disability, effective multicultural team-working, and diversity legislation.

  • Business Start-up (30 credits) - Optional

    The aim of this module is to introduce to students the complexities of starting a business. It draws together a range of theories, concepts, and notions from several sources such as Finance, Marketing, and Strategy. The module utilises the development of a unique business plan through which students will learn, practice, and apply the necessary academic and practical knowledge and skill sets, including team working, required for the establishment of a new business, as well as an understanding of the complexities relating to the functioning of a small business.

  • Business Game (30 credits) - Optional

    This module aims to demonstrate to students the importance of integrated business functions to achieve business success. The module uses a business simulation to provide students with experience of how a firm can integrate key aspects of business and management in order to succeed in a competitive environment.

  • Research Project (30 credits) - Optional

    This module is designed to develop students’ skills and knowledge relevant to planning and conducting a small-scale research project. Students will learn how to do research, including define research aim and objectives, conduct literature review, collect primary data, analyse and interpret data, and organise and present research proposal and final dissertation document. The module requires students to consolidate learning from other modules to plan and complete a small business and management related research project.

  • Principles of Project Management (30 credits) - Optional

    This module aims to provide students with comprehensive understanding of the design,planning, implementation and evaluation of projects in a variety of sectors. Students will explore how projects are managed using up-to-date project management tools and technologies. The module also aims to develop awareness of the role of projects in the wider economy.

  • Innovation Management (30 credits) - Optional

    The aim of this module is to develop a systematic understanding of the role of innovation as a key factor in a dynamic business environment and to equip students with the knowledge,expertise and skills needed to manage the innovation process at both strategic and operational level. The module provides an up-to-date overview of the mainstream theories and models of innovation and illustrates successful organisational practices through case study analysis.

  • Global Supply Chain Management (30 credits) - Optional

    This module introduces students to the theories and techniques relevant to the management of global demand and global supply within the parameters of corporate and business unit strategies. Students will develop critical insights in design, implementation and operation of global supply chains while employing these to develop their own case studies.

  • Work Internship (30 credits) - Optional

    The primary aim of the internship module is to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a period of work experience for a minimum of 30 days. This will facilitate you in gaining an insight into the world of work and appropriate conduct at work, as well as the process of becoming and staying employable through assertiveness, continuing development and reflection on both your development and the link between theory and practice. You will also develop an understanding of the organisation, sector and the environment in which it operates.

  • Consulting in Organisations (30 credits) - Optional

    The module builds on learning from prior modules and provides you with a theoretical introduction to consulting and the idea of the learning organisation. The module then provides an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to organisation practice by working in small teams on a real-time consultancy project which takes place in a variety of public, private and voluntary sector organisations. It gives you the responsibility of approaching and pitching to potential clients, managing yourself, your time, your team relationships and your relationships with external clients, to achieve outcomes that make a real difference to the organisation. The module provides a bridge between academic study and full-time employment by focusing on the significance and relevance of the consultancy experience. It aims to enhance your prospects of employment following the completion of the degree.

  • International and Cross-Cultural Marketing (30 credits) - Optional

    This module introduces students to current theory and practice in international marketing and develops their ability to apply cultural concepts to marketing challenges. Students will learn about new cultures in both the developed and emerging world and how to adapt marketing strategies accordingly for business success.

• Year 3 / Year 4 - with Mandarin language experience

  • Strategic Management (30 credits) - Compulsory

    This module aims to present a broad and integrated view of strategic management in organisations, and outline a range of critical perspectives on key concepts of strategy. It will to introduce generic strategies at the corporate, business and functional levels and provide a range of analytical models and concepts that can be applied in assessing the strategic capability of an organisation and the environment in which it operates.

  • Research / Consultancy Project (30 credits) - Compulsory

    The primary aim of this module is to develop students’ understanding of the project management process along with a range of consultancy, research and problems solving skills. It will also give students the opportunity of presenting their research both verbally and in a written report to the client and offer them recommendations,which they may wish to implement in the future. The skills and techniques students gained as a result of this module will enhance their employability.

  • Workforce Management (15 credits) – Compulsory

    The aim of this module is to develop students' understanding and critical awareness of issues associated with managing contemporary workforce. Students will learn how increasingly diverse workforce composition and the changing nature of work and socio-economic environment result in new and unique challenges that managers face today.Through using cutting edge research, case studies and self-reflexive exercises the module will encourage a critical re-evaluation of traditional management thinking and practices and explore alternative approaches and responses to the contemporary management issues.

  • Professional Communication (15 credits) - Compulsory

    This module enables students to develop an understanding of strategies commonly used in professional discourse. It integrates concepts and approaches from applied linguistics and social psychology into the management of professional communication in a range of business settings. By exploring and contextualising professional discourse strategies,students will develop systematic and explicit approaches to analysing, evaluating and constructing strategic communication.

  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (30 credits) - Optional

    he aim of this module is to promote greater awareness of the importance of diversity issues nationally and internationally. It provides insight to the implications of diversity from a societal, organisational, and employee standpoint, exploring diversity debates, concepts and practices regarding equality, fairness and inclusion. Subjects taught highlight the significance of diversity management to careers and business sustainability. A variety of topics are included such as cross-cultural management, gender disparity, unconscious bias, age disability, effective multicultural team-working, and diversity legislation.

  • Business Start-up (30 credits) - Optional

    The aim of this module is to introduce to students the complexities of starting a business. It draws together a range of theories, concepts, and notions from several sources such as Finance, Marketing, and Strategy. The module utilises the development of a unique business plan through which students will learn, practice, and apply the necessary academic and practical knowledge and skill sets, including team working, required for the establishment of a new business, as well as an understanding of the complexities relating to the functioning of a small business.

  • Business Game (30 credits) - Optional

    This module aims to demonstrate to students the importance of integrated business functions to achieve business success. The module uses a business simulation to provide students with experience of how a firm can integrate key aspects of business and management in order to succeed in a competitive environment.

  • Research Project (30 credits) - Optional

    This module is designed to develop students’ skills and knowledge relevant to planning and conducting a small-scale research project. Students will learn how to do research, including define research aim and objectives, conduct literature review, collect primary data, analyse and interpret data, and organise and present research proposal and final dissertation document. The module requires students to consolidate learning from other modules to plan and complete a small business and management related research project.

  • Principles of Project Management (30 credits) - Optional

    This module aims to provide students with comprehensive understanding of the design,planning, implementation and evaluation of projects in a variety of sectors. Students will explore how projects are managed using up-to-date project management tools and technologies. The module also aims to develop awareness of the role of projects in the wider economy.

  • Innovation Management (30 credits) - Optional

    The aim of this module is to develop a systematic understanding of the role of innovation as a key factor in a dynamic business environment and to equip students with the knowledge,expertise and skills needed to manage the innovation process at both strategic and operational level. The module provides an up-to-date overview of the mainstream theories and models of innovation and illustrates successful organisational practices through case study analysis.

  • Global Supply Chain Management (30 credits) - Optional

    This module introduces students to the theories and techniques relevant to the management of global demand and global supply within the parameters of corporate and business unit strategies. Students will develop critical insights in design, implementation and operation of global supply chains while employing these to develop their own case studies.

  • Work Internship (30 credits) - Optional

    The primary aim of the internship module is to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a period of work experience for a minimum of 30 days. This will facilitate you in gaining an insight into the world of work and appropriate conduct at work, as well as the process of becoming and staying employable through assertiveness, continuing development and reflection on both your development and the link between theory and practice. You will also develop an understanding of the organisation, sector and the environment in which it operates.

  • Consulting in Organisations (30 credits) - Optional

    The module builds on learning from prior modules and provides you with a theoretical introduction to consulting and the idea of the learning organisation. The module then provides an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to organisation practice by working in small teams on a real-time consultancy project which takes place in a variety of public, private and voluntary sector organisations. It gives you the responsibility of approaching and pitching to potential clients, managing yourself, your time, your team relationships and your relationships with external clients, to achieve outcomes that make a real difference to the organisation. The module provides a bridge between academic study and full-time employment by focusing on the significance and relevance of the consultancy experience. It aims to enhance your prospects of employment following the completion of the degree.

  • International and Cross-Cultural Marketing (30 credits) - Optional

    This module introduces students to current theory and practice in international marketing and develops their ability to apply cultural concepts to marketing challenges. Students will learn about new cultures in both the developed and emerging world and how to adapt marketing strategies accordingly for business success.