Module Directory

Leadership is an important topic in the field of business and management studies both from a theoretical and a practical perspective. The overarching objective of this module is to develop students' understanding of leadership within organisations.

The module introduces students to a wide range of models, theories and topics within leadership and highlights central debates in the field. The module will cover traditional approaches to leadership, current issues in leadership and critical issues in leadership from a theoretical and a practical perspective. At the end of the module students will have developed a critical appreciation of leadership in modern organisations

The aims of this module are:

• To provide students with an understanding of theories on leadership.


• To introduce students to the practice of leadership.


• To enable students to critically analyse leadership.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the key elements of the various theories and concepts on leadership.


2. Critically evaluate practices of leadership.


3. Acquire in-depth understanding of organisational leadership.


4. Apply techniques, models and frameworks to different types of businesses. 

Skills for Your Professional Life (Transferable Skills) 

By the end of this module, students will develop an understanding of and skills in:

1. Interpersonal skills including self-management and teamwork.


2. Written communications skills.


3. IT skills.


4. Experience of the work environment.


5. Commercial/business awareness.


6. Numeracy skills.


7. Presentation skills.

The module is structured along the themes of the both theories and practice of leadership, and provides students with an overview, discussion and analysis of the differences between leadership and management and different styles of leaderships, with the aim to enhance your professional and management capabilities.

In addition to providing you with an education, at Essex Business School we aim to help you become highly employable. In this module we use an embedded employability approach where the module content, structure and the module assessment are designed to contribute towards your employability.

Commercial Awareness Managers/leaders are, or should be, first and foremost skilled and able communicators – leadership is by and large made of communication of various kinds with various kinds of interlocutors. Your understanding and skills in Written Communication, Oral Communication, Research Skills, Critical Thinking, Teamwork- Collaboration and Innovation and Curiosity will develop through the two assignments.

First you will be doing required readings in preparation for the module. This will develop your critical thinking and research skills. Then you will work together in a team, innovate and be curious as you develop your presentation. You will also practice your written and oral communication skills to produce group presentation. And finally, you will to unleash your critical thinking and research skills, coupled with more writing skills practice when you engage with the individual essay.

The module content (during the intensive learning week and your own independent study) will also help you develop your commercial awareness together with critical thinking. In the discussions, group work and presentations you will be using and developing your oral communication and critical thinking skills and they will also provide a venue for innovation and curiosity and teamwork-collaboration.

This module will be delivered via:

• One 3-hour session per week.

The module will consist of a variety of learning and teaching methods with additional online resources for learning extension and support. Students will be encouraged to engage in reading, writing, participative learning, presentations, case studies, and virtual group-work / interaction.