Business & Design BSc(Hons)

In the first year on the Business & Design degree, you’ll explore the wider business and design theories that underpin this course, while also beginning to develop lifelong employability skills. 

Your first year is also an opportunity to start growing your personal and professional networks, looking towards your future career. 

Wellbeing

You will address the importance of wellbeing within an organisation and, crucially, you will explore the importance of wellbeing for your own personal and professional development.  

Fundamentals of Business 

You'll explore the inter-relationships of functions that make up a successful business operation. You’ll learn about financial systems and their impact on national economies, commercial environments and national policy, as well as the concepts, frameworks and legal structures of the commercial business environment. 

Creativity & Communication

This module introduces core aspects of creative exploration and design communication. You will explore the creative methods designers use to inspire and develop ideas, and how these are expressed. The module emphasises communication through drawing, CAD, and the preparation of visual materials at every stage of the design process. 

Exploring Sustainability

The module will take a proactive stance and focus on contemporary practices and positive change across a range of topics, including responsible consumption, production and economic development. You will also explore potential criticisms of the concept of sustainable development and ask whether it is truly the most appropriate way forward. 

Principles of Marketing 

You’ll delve into the role of marketing in business. Building on your existing knowledge, you’ll focus on a real business, looking at the interrelationship of how the brand is viewed and perceived through its marketing strategy. This module lays the foundation on which the future study of marketing can be built, particularly within the digital and social marketplaces. 

Life Cycle Thinking

In this module, you’ll develop digital skills to investigate and communicate the life cycle of manufactured products. You’ll explore the principles of life-cycle analysis (LCA) and be introduced to a range of tools used to analyse the environmental impacts of products over their lifetime.  

In the second year of your degree, you’ll develop specific research and design skills. There will be opportunities to explore the importance of financial planning and how to generate business growth as well as the ability to work with people from different disciplines to develop in-demand skills including collaboration and communication. 

Research Methods 

You will develop a research project that employs both primary and secondary research methods, and present that project visually, through a poster presentation. 

Inclusive Design 

This module introduces the principles of inclusive design and people-centred research strategies. Through research-driven design projects and co-design activities, you’ll will consider the principles of inclusive design. The fundamentals of ergonomics and anthropometrics will be investigated, dispelling the myth of designing for the ‘average person’ and emphasising the importance of inclusivity in design. 

Venture Creation & Growth 

You’ll learn about setting up businesses; from sole trader micro-entities to incorporated bodies that require substantial initial resources. You will investigate the legal structures reviewed in your first year and critically analyse the alternatives. You’ll also cover how funding opportunities are used to support business growth. 

Collaborative Working 

In this module, you’ll learn about the concept of ‘design thinking’. In multi-skilled teams you’ll work on a live brief and deliver a practical project, which you’ll then evaluate through a team performance review. 

Financial Management 

In this module, you will acquire knowledge of financial terminology to the level where you can confidently debate the financial health of a business. You will explore differences between financial accounting and management accounting, and understand the central role of cash and how finance impacts business operations. 

You can choose to take an optional professional placement after your second year on a three-year programme, or after your third year if you’re studying for a degree with an Integrated Foundation Year.  

You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement, with support from the Employability team.  

Choosing this option will enhance your industry experience and skills while studying.  

How you’ll study during your professional placement  

You’ll spend time working in a professional context, as part of a business or organisation. This can be in one role, or up to three, and must be for a minimum of 24 weeks.  

You’ll develop in-demand workplace skills, deepen your insight into industry and grow your network of contacts, all of which could help you get ahead in your career after graduation.  

Throughout this year, you’ll develop a portfolio of work that includes critical self-reflection on what has been learned from the experience. You’ll be required to evidence your experiences, the skills you’ve learned and your professional growth. 

In your final year, you’ll have the opportunity to look deeper into topics and areas of study that you’re passionate about, always with a future-focused lens. You’ll also continue to develop the personal attributes and knowledge frameworks that will support your future employability and career goals. 

Professional Development 

You will reflect on your ongoing professional development journey and build a portfolio that showcases your diverse range of skills, attributes, and experiences. This process will help you to understand the value of reflective practice to inform professional development. Additionally, you’ll learn how to apply effective reflective practice to enhance both your personal and professional development. 

Leadership

You will explore and review a range of leadership models, styles and frameworks, enabling you to understand leadership practice and its impact in organisations. You will complete a leadership self-assessment, and be encouraged to seek external feedback to engage in a comprehensive reflection and development process. 

Managing Creativity & Innovation 

This module offers you the opportunity to explore and review innovation techniques and processes across a range of entrepreneurial settings. You will learn about innovation skills, techniques and processes for individuals, teams and organisations in both domestic and international markets. 

Research Project

This module provides an opportunity for you to research a topic of your choice, in relation to your course. You will produce a consultancy or transformation plan for any business or industry, using skills developed throughout your degree. 

Design Visions

You will develop design proposals that identify new opportunities for sustainable design innovation. You will gather and collate research focused on contemporary sustainable design issues, linking them to critical frameworks to drive the creative process through design visioning techniques and communication skills. You'll be introduced to design probes and innovation methods, applying them in real-world contexts to gather valuable insights. 

The Business & Design BSc(Hons) degree is constructed using modules from both the Cornwall Business School and School of Architecture, Design & Interiors, enabling you to build knowledge around the world of design as well as the wider commercial and business environment. You’ll learn through a variety of lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical sessions, as well as through guest speakers and optional field trips. 

Beginning with introductory classroom exercises and workshops, you'll gradually take on more responsibility for self-directed study. This will include working on your own practice, developing your projects, research and critical reflection. 

100% of your assessment will be coursework. Typical assessment methods for this course may include:  

• Individual and group industry reports  
• Presentations and pitches  
• Critical evaluations and audits  
• Business case studies  
• Individual and group marketing strategies  
• Portfolios of practical work  
• Responses to live briefs and live project outcomes 
• Reflective blogs  
• Short reflective essays