Innovative New Business Degree Will Allow Students to Earn as They Learn

Students will soon be able to earn as they learn by signing-up to an innovative new degree.
North Wales Business School (NWBS) launches its Applied Business programme this September, offering students two days of education at Wrexham Glyndŵr University and three days of work at a top local company each week.

The undergraduate offering will see them become permanent members of staff receiving full employee benefits, as well as learning fresh skills and leaving after three years with a BA (Hons) qualification.

It will also appeal to those who are already in employment but who are keen to improve their business acumen or move up the ladder in their current role, with NWBS working side by side with each firm on interviewing candidates and assessing them at the end of each semester.

Among the topics included are management accounting, digital marketing, employment law, supply chain operations, sales theory and practice, corporate governance and economics.

Programme leader Claire Blanchard is urging businesses and prospective students to get in touch and join them in preparing the next generation of graduates for the world of work, before they’ve even graduated.

Speaking about the new course, Claire said: “This is an exciting and ground-breaking way to study which we believe will appeal to people from all backgrounds and sectors.

“At Wrexham Glyndŵr we care about our students from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave, and for the rest of their lives as they enter the workforce and follow their chosen career.

“This is the first step in that relationship and gives them an edge on other people looking to enter into the same industries as they are, given that they will already have vital work experience and be earning a wage as well.”

Programme Leader Claire Blanchard (left) and Laura Gough, Business Development Manager.

The University launched North Wales Business School six months ago and it is already going from strength to strength, with the number of applications up to 20% ahead of this time last year.

Professor Chris Jones, Head of NWBS, said: “The Applied Business degree is one of several new courses we have in place that are designed not only to educate but to ensure our students are job-ready when they eventually graduate.

“As a School we have grown and brought in more people with real industry experience from consumer psychologists to others in event management and with years of experience in banking.

“There is a really positive vibe within the School, our lecturers have bought into the University vision and their passion is rubbing off on our students. This led to 25% of them passing modules in the First Class honours classification (according to 2014 figures), which is 5% higher than the national average.”

He added: “We are flexible and meet the needs of our students, we don’t tie them down to long degree courses if that does not suit them or their employer. We can offer education in steps that make life easier for people; we are open to those wanting to take bits of education and become lifelong learners.”

The Business team was received high praise last year after it was recognised by the Awarding Body at The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) for delivering first-class academic quality at postgraduate level. The CIM commended the University for the ‘excellent standard of results achieved’ for assessments submitted in the summer.

Businesses wanting to find out more can email Laura Gough: l.gough@glyndwr.ac.uk.

For those interested in studying Applied Business at NWBS call 01978 293439 or email enquiries@glyndwr.ac.uk for further information.