Skills Development for Business

The Advanced Financial Decision Making (‘AFDM’) course aims to enable you to analyse complex financial choices, both external and internal, facing a company, and propose courses of action that are consistent with the organisation’s goals. AFDM builds on the Financial Decision Making (FDM) course, revisiting many concepts from FDM plus some new ones, taking the analysis and application to a deeper level.

Topics include:

• Financial Decision Making Core Principles
• Financial Reporting
• Management Accounting
• Planning and Performance Evaluation
• Working Capital Management
• Investment Appraisal
• Corporate Valuation
• Risk Management
• Corporate Restructuring
• Current Issues in Finance and Accounting

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MBA. 

Learn the skills to utilise data analytics in a business context, including the analysis and assessment of big data, along with quantitative skills for information extraction and interpretation. Develop an understanding of relevant technologies like cloud computing, AI, and the Internet of Things, alongside practical knowledge of tools and systems used in big data analytics. Learn how to solve business-related big data problems using various methods, tools, and techniques, and critically review analytical approaches and learn to select suitable methods. Gain the ability to use and to communicate several quantitative methods for data mining, analysis and interpretation for making efficient business decisions.  

Topics include: 

• Introduction to big data and internet of things   
• Big data trends and strategies    
• Frameworks for big data analytics   
• Data mining architecture and techniques   
• Neural and Bayesian networks    
• Optimisation techniques   
• Innovation and trends in internet of things    
• Implications of distributed intelligence on organisations 

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MSc Business Analytics programme. 

Be able to select the most suitable analytical methods, tools and techniques to evaluate a business process or problem. Demonstrate the application of a range of big data analysis techniques using real organisational data. Be able to analyse and evaluate the most suitable analytical methods to address a business process or problem. Understand the practical limitations of various tools and techniques, Demonstrate the application of a range of analytical techniques using real company data. 

Topics include: 

• Descriptive Analytics: Measure what is happening using Data Visualisation; Descriptive Statistics and Probability    
• Diagnostic Analytics: Understand why it is happening by applying root cause analysis; 5Whys; SPIN; Correlation; Regression analysis and Hypothesis tests    
• Predictive Analytics: Understand what is likely to happen in the future by applying time series analysis; Trend analysis; Projective forecasting; Simulation modelling    
• Prescriptive Analytics: What should we do/change in the future? Explore decision analysis methods and criteria, Optimisation methods, Simulation modelling    
• Introduction to Big Data   

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online  MSc Business Analytics programme. 

Understand types of change in organisations and the cultural implications for behavioural and attitudinal change, and consultancy models and practices  

Topics include: 

• Define, explain and critically evaluate comparative performance in different sectors  
• Learn how to search for, collect and organise publicly available information on sectors and organisations  
• Engage with and analyse organisations within their business context and deliver credible and feasible conclusions and recommendations to management  
• Develop analytical data analysis skills through case study discussions  
• Practise the presentational skills of a change consultant, including how to present recommendations persuasively to management and handle concerns and objections 

The Business Analytics course aims to equip you with the knowledge and skill to apply a range of 
useful business analytics tools and techniques.

Topics include:

• Business Analytics
• Descriptive Analytics: Introduction to Statistics
• Descriptive Analytics: Sampling and Estimation
• Predictive Analytics
• Prescriptive Analytics
• Introduction to Big Data

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MBA. 

The course promotes the advancement of the knowledge, understanding and critical evaluation of coaching and coaching psychology at the individual, group and organisational levels. It develops professional skills and competencies relevant for personal and work-related evidence-based coaching practice. 

Topics include: 

• Demonstrate how the knowledge and understanding of coaching and coaching psychology differs from other personal and professional development practices, and what it offers to the coaches and their organisation 
• Knowledge and understanding of various psychology-based theoretical approaches in coaching and coaching psychology practice 
• Application of key coaching psychology concepts and theories to coaching practice 
• How to use key coaching practice skills and competencies 
• The impact of coaching on talent management, and the development of executives and teams within organisations 
• The development of coaches, creating an awareness of professional coaching bodies internationally 

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used toward our online MSc Business and Organisational Psychology. 

Examine key issues in organisational culture from the perspective of psychology and management theory. Develop an understanding of the major driving forces in determining organisational culture, how these impact upon a range of activities within the organisation, and the major psychological theories of organisational culture.  

Topics include: 

The relationship between organisational culture and: 

• organisational change  
• control  
• organisational design   
• job design    
• motivation   
• group behaviour   
• leadership and management   
• strategic decision making  

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used toward our online MSc Business and Organisational Psychology. 

This course equips students with the necessary skills needed to develop a deep and critical understanding of the challenges involved in conducting business research. This course also offers practical guidance for those who wish to complete a management project or master’s dissertation as part of their degree. By the end of this course, students will be well-prepared to approach their research with confidence and rigor, applying the knowledge and techniques gained to produce high-quality impactful work in their chose field.

Topics include:

• Understanding the fundamental principles of scientifically-valid research to effectively design, execute, and present research studies.
• Evaluating relevant literature to support and develop a significant research project.
• Developing advanced analytical skills to choose and apply appropriate qualitative or quantitative methodologies, such as interviews, surveys, or experimental designs, for investigating workplace dynamics.
• Analysing workplace psychological data using key data analysis techniques, to accurately interpret research findings.
• Assessing ethical considerations in scientific research, with a strong emphasis on adhering to ethical guidelines throughout the research process.

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MSc Business and Organisational Psychology.

The Delivering Successful Projects course aims to equip you with the necessary skills to conceive of, plan, control and deliver projects, enabling successful realisation of business objectives using the practical framework of project management.

Topics include:

• Projects and Project Management
• The Project Manager
• From Strategy to Project
• Human Resourcing - Structuring and Managing Project Teams
• Risk Management
• Time Management
• Financial and Cost Management
• Quality and Performance Management
• Project Closure and Evaluation

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MSc Business Analytics programme and MBA. 

The Developing and Executing Strategy course aims to encourage you to think and operate 
at the strategic level in a range of dynamic settings through integration of ideas across core 
business disciplines.

Topics include:

• Introduction to Strategy and Strategists
• Strategic Intent
• Strategic Issue Diagnosis
• Interpreting and Understanding the Environment
• Interpreting and Analysing the Organisation
• Generating, Selecting and Evaluating Strategic Options
• Executing Strategy

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MBA. 

The aim of the Economics for Business course is to develop in you a systematic approach to decision making and the ability to recognise, use and interpret economic information from both within the organisation and the wider environment.
 

Topics include:

• The Role of Economics in Business
• The Market Mechanism
• Demand
• Supply
• Market Structure
• The Labour Market and the Capital Market
• The Role of Government
• The Macroeconomic Environment
• Macroeconomic Policy
• International Trade and Globalisation

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MBA. 

The Entrepreneurial Venturing course aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the business planning process required to produce an investor-ready business plan.

Topics include:

• Introduction to Business Planning
• The Business Environment
• Mission, Vision, Structure and Scalability
• Market Segments and Value Propositions
• Your Marketing Plan
• Your Operations Plan
• Your Financial Plan
• Putting Your Business Plan Together

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MBA. 

The Entrepreneurship and Creativity course aims are two-fold: first, it will develop your baseline understanding of the enterprise environment and its value in an economy; second, it will develop skills in creativity, ideas development and refinement and commercial application.

Topics include:

• What is Entrepreneurship and What is it for?
• Ideas and Commercial Feasibility
• Researching the External Environment
• Exploring Your Markets
• Knowing Your Competition
• Analysing the External Environment
• Intellectual Property 
• Operations and Resources
• Initial Financial Analysis
• Preparing a Pitch Presentation

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MBA. 

The Financial Decision Making course aims to provide you with a set of accounting and financial tools that enables you to interpret and critique financial information from a variety of sources and to make informed and effective financial decisions that directly impact company operations.

Topics include:

• The Financial Landscape
• Financial Accounting
• Working Capital Management
• Management Accounting
• Budgeting
• Financial Tools
• Capital Budgeting and Investment Appraisal
• Financing, Payout Policy and Risk Management

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MSc Business Analytics programme and MBA. 

This course aims to help you become proficient in using and evaluating derivative instruments and to develop a critical understanding of their benefits.

Topics include:

• Introduction to Derivatives
• Forwards and Futures: Principles
• Forwards and Futures: Hedging Strategies
• Forwards and Futures: Pricing
• Options: Overview
• Options: Strategies
• Options: Pricing Principles
• Interest Rate Swaps
• Currency Swaps
• Credit Default Swap

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MBA. 

Understand the impact of Purchasing and Supply within external resource management in a global supply context. Recognise how key strategic decision areas are presented in the selection of suppliers and develop awareness of the importance of managing business relationships over the full range of power balance situations. Learn how different tools and methodologies of strategic procurement can be developed to maximise the contribution to business competitiveness. Understand the involvement of suppliers in value engineering, innovation and product and service development. Develop awareness of the issues of corporate social responsibility and ethical trading across a global context.  

Topics include: 

• Purchasing roles and processes  
• Supplier appraisal including financial stability  
• Supplier development  
• Supply management including e-commerce  
• Organisational context   
• Outsourcing services and products  
• Global purchasing including international trade  
• Negotiation  
• Measuring purchasing performance   

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MSc Supply Chain Management and Logistics.  

The aim of this course is to examine the complex role of the business environment upon global 
business models. You will develop an understanding of how global sub-systems shape business 
performance; address the trends and processes within the respective global systems; and identify the major adaptive responses to these global tensions.

Topics include:

• Global System and Risks
• Globalising the Business Model
• Macro-Level Risk
• Geo-economic Risks
• Geo-political Risk
• Ecological Risk and International Business
• The Social Context of Global Business
• Technological Risk in the Global System
• Infrastructural Risk

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MBA. 

Explore the necessary frameworks and strategies to understand the fundamental aspects involved in operation of green and sustainable logistics. Plan, assess, specify and evaluate ways of mitigating the environmental effects of a logistics operation, within a business and with respect to the wider sector. Whilst all aspects of logistics will be covered, emphasis will be on the decarbonisation of road freight transport operations.

Topics include:

• Understand the impact of logistics on the environment
• Demonstrate measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from logistics operations
• Understand operational, vehicle and fuel-based decarbonisation measures to reduce the environmental impact of logistics operations
• Understand freight transport types, and each mode’s relative carbon footprint
• Demonstrate an awareness of key logistics strategies to implement decarbonisation measures  
• Understand how certain aspects of green logistics apply to green maritime logistics
• Recognise specific key issues within city logistics, and identify strategies to overcome environmental challenges of last mile deliveries
• Demonstrate awareness of reverse logistics and its role in closed-loop supply chains
• Identify several aspects of the environmental impact of warehousing and evaluate mitigation strategies

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

The aim of this course is to provide you with an understanding of logistics strategy and operations in the context of humanitarian crisis and what products and services are needed in a complex and resource-constraint environment. The course explores the differences between commercial and humanitarian logistics systems, and how efficient supply chains can enable sustainable international development that strengthens local and regional market systematics which are better equipped to meet beneficiaries’ needs during crisis.

Topics include:

• Exploring the Humanitarian Context
• Responding to Disasters
• Resource Management 
• Logistics Functions in Relief Operations 
• Financing Humanitarian Projects 
• Sustainability in the Humanitarian Context 
• The Humanitarian Profession

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MBA. 

Understand the range of psychological approaches to the phenomenon of leadership in organisations and learn how to devise and evaluate leadership development activities based on psychological theory and research.   

Topics include: 

• Understand leadership theories and practice in an organisational context 
• Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse leadership related issues, and identify, develop and implement potential solutions 
• Understand underlying psychological theories and evidence relevant to leadership 
• Develop key skills relevant for designing, delivering and evaluating leadership development training 
• Identify and develop leadership skills and competencies in self and others  

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used toward our online MSc Business and Organisational Psychology. 

The Leadership, Theory and Practice course aims to develop a critical appreciation of the role of 
leadership theory and the role of leadership in practice in a range of organisational, social and 
cultural contexts.

Topics include:

• Introduction to Leadership
• Traditional and Contingency Leadership Approaches
• Modern Theories of Leadership
• Post-Heroic Leadership
• Leadership in Contexts
• Leadership: Gender, and Culture
• Developing Leadership

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MBA. 

This course aims to develop your understanding and application of lending and credit risk 
management for different credit context. The objective is for you to develop the skills and tools needed to work in lending and credit risk management in a global context. The course will focus on current developments within the global financial landscape and allow you to identify credit risk events associated with different types of borrowers for different types of lenders.

Topics include:

• Understanding Financial Statements
• Generating and Justifying Research Topics
• Individual and Commercial Real Estate Learning and Regulations
• Personal Lending Analysis
• Loan Portfolio Management and Non-Performing Loans
• Challenges, Alternatives and Futures
• Transfers or Risk
• From Theory to Practice

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MBA. 

The aims of the course are to describe the impact of diversity on organisational practice, and the optimal means of management for addressing and maximising the potential opportunities presented by several sources of diversity. 

Topics include: 

• Develop knowledge and understanding of managing diversity/EDI in organisational contexts 
• Critically discuss different models and theories that can be applied to promote EDI in organisations 
• Identify key issues related to diversity/EDI in organisations and provide potential solutions 
• Demonstrate key practical skills relevant for designing, delivering and evaluating diversity/EDI policies 

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used toward our online MSc Business and Organisational Psychology. 

Examine the activities, resources and processes used in sustainable freight transportation and warehousing including the foundations of multi-modal (road, rail, airfreight, sea-freight, pipeline); the handling requirements from warehouse (storage) to a distribution centre. Explore warehouse management systems (storage, handling, order-picking) equipment choices and freight and distribution centre interface and implications.   

Topics include: 

• Introduction to freight types and transport mode selection    
• Foundations of multi-modal freight: Road, Rail, Airfreight, Sea-freight, Pipeline    
• Introduction: The change from warehouse (storage) to a distribution centre and value adding activities   
• Foundations of warehouse management: Storage systems; Handling systems; Order picking systems; Equipment choices and selection    
• Freight and distribution centre interface and implications   

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MSc Supply Chain Management and Logistics.  

Learn about the theory and methods of Social Network Analysis as they relate to organisational behaviour, leadership and entrepreneurship. Participants are expected to have some familiarity with business studies and competence in elementary statistics. This course is intended to stimulate the intellectual curiosity of learners and provide a guide for those wishing to further explore the theory and methods of Network Analysis as it applies to Business problems. 

Topics include:  

• Understanding the key theoretical concepts of network analysis   
• Introduction and the opportunity to apply key methodological tools for the analysis of networks in social science research 
• Demonstration of a number of different statistical packages, focusing on network descriptive statistics and practical applications 
• Introduction to methods for data collection and knowledge of the operationalization of research with the use of SNA 

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online  MSc Business Analytics programme. 

Understand the scope and importance of managing sustainable operations and appreciate the interaction and impact of best practice operations on the organisation, employees, and customers. Examine the links between process and operations design, business strategy and be able to critically assess techniques in product, service design and improvement. Learn how to analyse an operational environment and assess against main quality management frameworks.   

Topics include: 

• Operations strategy including strategic perspectives and conceptualising operations    
• Operational activities including product and service design; process; supply chain; Regulatory activities - resource planning; capacity management; quality management;    
• The trade-offs inherent in managing operations    
• Internationalisation/Global perspectives on operations    
• Future perspectives: mapping developments and exploring future directions   

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used toward our online MSc Supply Chain Management and Logistics.  

This course considers why organisational, as well as social, change is currently so prevalent, and those strategies that might best be implemented to bring it about.  Specific aims are to promote knowledge, understanding and critical analysis of the psychological processes relevant to organisational change that operate at individual, group and organisational levels. The course also provides opportunities for the development of skills relevant to business psychology practice in the context of organisational change. 

Topics include: 

• Social factors that impact on the nature of the contemporary workplace 
• Knowledge and understanding of psychological theories relevant to change at the individual, group, and organisational levels 
• Application of key psychological concepts and theories relevant to managing organisational change 
• Critical evaluation of methodologies and change models 
• Demonstrate an ability to communicate research findings and recommendations to stakeholders 

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used toward our online MSc Business and Organisational Psychology. 

The objective of this course is to introduce the participants to the theories and principles behind performance measurement and management from both technical and social perspectives. The course will also introduce the participants to the methods, tools and techniques for measuring and managing performance as well as analysing and troubleshooting existing performance measurement and management systems in the context of industrial, commercial and public sector organisations. 

Topics include: 

• The theory and practice of performance measurement and management systems of a range of organisations 
• Fundamental principles of organisational learning through the performance measurement lifecycle (including knowledge of technical and social aspects) 
• Critical analysis of organisations and recommendations as to how their performance measurement systems and performance improvement practices could be improved 
• Performance measurement and management theory and practice used to engage various stakeholders in facilitating, designing and analysing organisational performance measurements systems 
• Design of visual performance reporting systems and understanding how these could be facilitated through contemporary ICT systems 

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online  MSc Business Analytics programme. 

This course aims to introduce you to research methods and core research concepts. The objective is to equip you with a set of must-have research tools that enable you to understand and analyse research papers and the nuts and bolts of undertaking research and writing a project. At its core, the course aims to present an overview of the many of the areas that you need to be aware of when conducting research.

Topics include:

• Research: The Basics
• Generating and Justifying Research Topics
• Reviewing and Researching the Literature
• Research Philosophy: Identifying a Suitable Paradigm
• Research Methodology
• The Basics of Qualitative Research: Reflexivity, Sampling and Interview
• Processing, Analysing and Reporting Qualitative Data
• Quantitative Research: The Basics
• Quantitative Research: Advanced Notions

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MBA. 

The aims of the course are to develop knowledge of the prevalent techniques, such as interviews and assessment centres, used in workplace selection and assessment, and assess their validity and utility. The course will provide the knowledge to design appropriate assessment procedures. Participants will also learn how to analyse and diagnose organisational issues in relation to assessment and selection and will explore a range of evidence based psychological assessment tools.

Topics include: 

• Evaluate the effectiveness of different selection methods in predicting job performance
• Create a comprehensive selection process for a specific organizational context
• Compare and contrast various assessment techniques in terms of fairness, reliability, and validity
• Understand psychometric principles in the development and validation of assessment process
• Evaluate ethical considerations in personnel selection and assessment practices

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used toward our online MSc Business and Organisational Psychology. 

Develop a critical awareness of the need for organisations to learn, adapt and change continuously. This is achieved via an exploration of the overall change process, drivers and types of change, the impact of change and the barriers that may emerge along the way. 

Topics include: 

• Evaluating organisational change initiatives using appropriate frameworks, concepts, models and tools to diagnose, plan and implement change to a variety of situations and environments 
• Developing a critical awareness of contemporary theory in strategic change and relate this to current organisational and industrial practice 
• Exploring appropriate solutions to strategic change management issues in organisations 
• Working with others to diagnose change situations and plan responses 
• Learning about communication issues and related organisational complexities in strategic change management 

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MSc Business Analytics and Consultancy.  

The Strategic Marketing course aims to provide you with the necessary tools and frameworks to enable you to make proactive marketing decisions that take best advantage of the conditions in which the firm finds itself.

Topics include:

• Marketing Management for a Turbulent Era
• The Marketing Fit with Corporate and Business Strategies
• Capturing Key Environmental Marketing Insights
• Customer Insights and Customer Connections
• Capturing Marketing Insights for Demand Measurement
• Market Segmentation and Target Marketing
• Branding and Positioning
• The Integrated Marketing Mix
• Winning Strategies for Competitive and Market Scenarios
• Organising, Planning, Delivering and Measuring Market Performance

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MBA. 

Explore how logistics and supply chain management (SCM) can be leveraged to gain competitive advantage. Understand how to design and optimise a sustainable supply chain strategy considering process selection and physical logistics network. Explore collaborative strategies and be able to recognise sources of risk in a supply chain.  

Topics include: 

Logistics, SCM and competitive advantage    
Designing a differentiated SC strategy    
Collaborative strategies for a synchronous integrated supply chain    
Time-based strategies and managing the lead-time gap    
Logistical cost trade-offs and network design    
Designing a resilient supply chain    
Measuring supply chain cost and performance  
The connected digital supply chain of the future   

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used towards our online MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management.  

The aims of the course are to present major issues in consumer ergonomics. Specifically, students will develop an understanding of the different stages and types of design in which ergonomics come into play, and the different theoretical approaches to this.

Topics include: 

• Understand what Human Factors is, and appreciate its relevance to the world of business and the behaviour of consumers 
• Understand why we make errors, the types of errors we make, and what can be done to reduce the implications 
• The ergonomics of human computer interactions and how user centred system design can be achieved 
• The role of attention in an applied setting 
• The variability of human body size, strength and stamina  
• Understand design sympathetic to our daily activities 
• How to conduct a User Trial 
• ‘Systems’ thinking and basic system types 

Successful completion of course assessment gives 20 credits at SCQF level 11 that can be used toward our online MSc Business and Organisational Psychology.