Curriculum
A feature of the programme is its emphasis on the social sciences - in particular, economics, psychology and sociology - as a lens for understanding organisations and management practice. Going beyond fads and current management trends, students are encouraged to think about theory and evidence: "What data might support this claim?", “How can we evaluate whether the data do support this claim?”, "What are the unstated assumptions behind this statement?" This disciplinary training is complemented by a series of courses focusing on the key functions of the modern organisation, so that graduating students have good business sense alongside strong theoretical understanding.
The programme also develops practical management skills, including the ability to work in teams, to write clearly both for managerial and scientific purposes, to conduct robust and valid quantitative analysis and present the results, and to give oral presentations. These skills are developed throughout the degree programme starting from the first year. Moreover, through LSE 100, the core course in organisational strategy and through attending the many public events organised by the Department and the School, the programme gives students an unrivalled opportunity to develop strategic awareness and breadth of perspective.
Programme structure
In the first and second years, a range of foundation courses provide students with an understanding of the role of the core business disciplines: accounting, finance, operations and information management, human resource management, and marketing, and a third year core course provides a viewpoint on organisational strategy. Alongside these courses, disciplinary courses provide training in economics and organisational behaviour, and in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, so that students leave the programme with a good understanding of the basis of social science claims to knowledge.
As students progress through the degree they will develop a better sense of where they wish to specialise, and what careers they wish to pursue. In the third year, students will have a choice of subjects from a list of options, based on their own interests and career aspirations. The Department offers options in subjects such as decision science, economics, employment relations, finance, information systems, leadership, management science, marketing, organisational behaviour and strategy. Students will also have the opportunity to take courses in other related departments within the School.
Teaching and assessment
You can expect to have between 12 and 18 hours of teaching a week depending on the options chosen and the year of the programme. Teaching takes place in lectures, and in classes or seminars, where you will be expected to discuss the ideas presented in lectures. You will have to prepare essays, reports, problem sets or presentations for classes. Assessment for a course can either take the form or an essay or assignment to be handed in, a group project, or an exam in May or June, or a mixture of these. Your final grade will be based on your performance over all three years, with performance in the second and third years counting most heavily. You will be assigned a member of staff as your academic adviser who will have pastoral responsibility for you and can advise you on your choice of subjects.