Summer School: Business and Management

Spend your summer at our EQUIS and AMBA accredited Business School. If you're unsure what to study this summer, follow our top tips for how to choose a module.

Module information

Session One

• Engaging Consumers with Sustainability

  Module code: IS451

  This module provides an in-depth understanding of how sustainability intersects with consumer engagement and business strategies. It's perfect for anyone intrigued by sustainable business practices, consumer behavior, and their impact on our environment. Throughout the course, you will delve into key topics such as sustainable consumption, green marketing, circular economy, ethical consumer behavior, and corporate social responsibility. You'll also explore how digital technology influences and enables sustainable practices.

  The course uses collaborative activities to stimulate critical discussions around sustainability issues in modern businesses. You will analyze an organization's strategy for incorporating sustainability into their consumer engagement initiatives and explore the complexities that arise in the interplay between consumers, businesses, and the environment.

  Additionally, you will have the opportunity to participate in business simulations focusing on sustainability, which will enhance your practical understanding of creating and implementing consumer engagement strategies centered around sustainability. In essence, this module offers a comprehensive exploration of sustainability in the business context, equipping you with the tools to engage consumers effectively and ethically in a world increasingly focused on sustainable practices.

  The University of Sussex Business School has AACSB and EQUIS accreditation - the most comprehensive institutional accreditation system for business and management schools in terms of governance, programmes, students, faculty, research, internationalisation, ethics, responsibility, and sustainability, as well as engagement with the world of practice.

  The Business School is 15^th in the UK for Business and Economics (The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023) and 1^st in the UK for annual research income (Chartered Association of Business Schools 2020/21)

  Learning outcomes:

  • Demonstrate comprehension of a variety of reliable and pertinent concepts underlying the study of sustainability and its role in contemporary consumer engagement strategies.
  • Exhibit an ability to participate in a critical discourse of sustainability-related issues affecting modern business practices and consumer behavior.
  • Analyze a selected organization's strategy for engaging consumers in sustainability initiatives, including their communication and implementation methodologies.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of a chosen organization's approach to integrating sustainability into their consumer engagement strategies, and assess the resultant impacts on both organizational performance and consumer perception.
  • Develop innovative proposals to enhance consumer engagement in sustainability initiatives, considering current trends and the potential effects on consumer behavior and corporate reputation.

  Teaching method: Workshops
  Assessment: 50% group presentation, 40% essay, 10% observation
  Contact hours: 40 hours 
  Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
  Level: 4
  
  

Session Two 

• Principles of Business and Management

  Module code: IS449

  This module introduces you to relevant concepts to provide an understanding of the business environment. This module is suited for all, you will only require an interest in understanding business environments and the issues effecting contemporary business. This module sets the scene and provides a platform for future study as well as helping you to appreciate the interconnected nature of business organisations, the environment in which they operate, and the people involved.

  Through collaborative team-based activities, you will show an ability to engage in a critical discussion of issues effecting contemporary business and analyse a selected organisation’s approach to a selected managerial process. Topics and concepts may include - organisational structure, management theory, human resource management, corporate social responsibility, sustainability, the culture, and ethics of business organisations.

  The module will help you contextualise the study of organisations and should give you the capability to analyse organisation and management issues in contemporary setting. You will also work collaboratively in team-based activities providing networking opportunities throughout the module. This module may include an in-class business simulations, where you will start, run and then evaluate the success of your organisation. You will also have the option to sit the Sulitest sustainability base line test to raise awareness of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  The University of Sussex Business School has AACSB and EQUIS accreditation - the most comprehensive institutional accreditation system for business and management schools in terms of governance, programmes, students, faculty, research, internationalisation, ethics, responsibility, and sustainability, as well as engagement with the world of practice. 

  The Business School is 15^th in the UK for Business and Economics (The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023) and 1^st in the UK for annual research income (Chartered Association of Business Schools 2020/21)

  Learning outcomes:

  • Display understanding of a range of reliable and relevant concepts underlying the study of contemporary business and management
  • Show an ability to engage in a critical discussion of issues affecting contemporary business
  • Analyse a selected organisation’s approach to a selected managerial process
  • Evaluate the success of a selected organisation’s performance in its undertaking of a selected managerial process.

  Teaching method: Workshops
  Assessment: 50% presentation, 40% essay, 10% observation
  Contact hours: 42 hours 
  Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
  Level: 4

• Unharnessing Innovation with Sustainability

  Module code: IS452

  For several years now, technology has been a key driver for changes in the economy, which has been trying to be at the forefront of automation and the enhancement of services, from mobile data, internet of things, virtual reality, cloud computing, AI and blockchain technology, to smart infrastructure solutions.

  Alongside technology, another trend has emerged – sustainability. Sustainability embraces not only environmental but also the social and economic beliefs, many countries around the globe are pledging to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. For businesses operating in the UK or the EU, three factors are important: environmental, social, and governance, commonly referred to as ESG.
  Fintech also falls into this category providing new solutions for circular economy and management, but not only this, there are big players such as HRBS, or PUMA. The enthusiasm for sustainability has translated into enthusiasm for greener-friendlier solutions. Several fintech and financial companies have come ashore aiming at carbon reduction or renewable energy projects, including Trine, PensionBee or Clim8.

  This module will address the benefits and risks of technologic progress as possible solution for greener friendly solutions for infrastructure. We will able to define what is sustainable Innovations. Moreover, we discuss the use of social entrepreneurship, and the implementation of technology solutions as part of different generation of new smart infrastructures in the context of UN agenda for sustainability.

  Learning outcomes:

  • Systematically engage with different market participants of economy to create the sustainable innovations in the economy.

  • Critically discuss the implementation of government and local policy and the modern role of sustainable innovation in the development of smart environment friendly solutions such as smart cities, smart buildings etc.

  • Analyse recent trend of technology development and impact on the possible green finance development and conduct the green friendly projects

  • Critically evaluate management innovation process and possible challenges for the development of sustainable solutions

  Teaching method: Workshops
  Assessment: 80% take away exam, 20% MCQ Test
  Contact hours: 40 hours 
  Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
  Level: 4

Session dates

• Session One: 30 June - 18 July 2025
• Session Two: 21 July - 8 August 2025

Not sure how to choose?

Follow our top tips for choosing your modules. You can also find out about our teaching structure, assessment process and how your credits transfer back to your home institution.

Which school will I study in?

We collaborate across disciplines to shape global issues in business, management and society, making an impact on policy and people.

The School has EQUIS accreditation – the most comprehensive institutional accreditation system for business and management schools in terms of governance, programmes, students, faculty, research, internationalisation, ethics, responsibility and sustainability, as well as engagement with the world of practice.

Our research

As a dynamic, research-orientated and interdisciplinary Business School, we produce cutting-edge research that addresses real-world issues, pressing global policy agendas and business practices, whilst also being committed to developing the underlying core disciplines.

Our research influences the way we teach, and you learn from academics at the forefront of their fields. Find out more.

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