BSc (Hons) Business Enterprise (BBE) (2-year degree)

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Take this Business Enterprise degree to become an entrepreneur

Start your business while studying this entrepreneurial studies degree

If you want to start your own business but aren’t sure which is the best degree to become an entrepreneur, then look no further. On this Business Enterprise degree, you can pitch for up to £5,000 capital to get your business going. Indeed, every student on this degree must start a business during their first year. But don’t worry; you will be supported throughout by experienced business owners and entrepreneurs as well as leading academics in the world of entrepreneurship.

You will start your Business Enterprise degree alongside students in the Business School studying Business Management and Business Management with Entrepreneurship. This gives you the opportunity to learn the essentials of good business and management. You’ll then study the psychology of entrepreneurship to understand just what it takes to start your own business. You’ll find out on this part of the programme your own entrepreneurial strengths. Plus, we’ll guide you on any improvements you need to make.

Your enterprise business development

After the first part of your degree is complete, you’ll start on your own enterprise business development as you become an entrepreneur. You can start a business on your own, or with other students. We’ll take you through the process of developing your ideas and helping you set up your business.

Once you have your funding, you will run the business alongside your degree studies. You will continue to study alongside students doing degrees in Business Management and Business Management with Entrepreneurship. This will help you gain the theoretical grounding for your business. You will, though, study subjects that other Business School students do not cover, but which are important to someone taking a degree to be an entrepreneur. These topics include how to sell, law for start-up businesses, how to cope with disruption to your business and making a new business sustainable.

What can I do with a Business Enterprise degree?

Once you have graduated you can continue with the business you started while at Buckingham if you wish. Several of our previous students have done this since we started the degree in 2006. (Yes, we have many years experience in helping students start businesses…!).

However, other students who have taken this entrepreneurial studies degree have decided to start a new business once they graduated. They had ideas they developed while studying that they wanted to explore once they left Buckingham. Many of these are successful businesses in a variety of sectors including brewing, consultancy, international development and selling wine.

Some students decide they want to work in an existing business, rather than set one up themselves. That’s because there is a significant desire for “intrapreneurs” in the business world. These are individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit who can bring that to a large company and help them benefit from the action-centred thinking of an entrepreneur. This means that there are plenty of business enterprise jobs you can get with an entrepreneurship undergraduate degree like this.

Also, several students decide to stay at Buckingham and complete our MBA. This means they can get a B.Sc. and an MBA in three years – the time it takes at traditional universities to get just one degree.

You will join a well-networked business entrepreneurship university course

The Buckingham Enterprise and Innovation Unit at the university is open to all students on the Business Enterprise degree. There you will be able to meet local business people who use our facilities for meetings and work. You will often find them chatting with students who are getting a degree in entrepreneurship.

In addition, the Buckingham Enterprise and Innovation Unit has events with local businesses and entrepreneurs, where you can get advice and ideas. We also have international links with leading educators around the world on some of the other best degrees to become an entrepreneur.

By taking the Business Enterprise degree you will not only start your business, get a degree to become and entrepreneur, but you also be joining a network that could well help you once you have graduated.

Typical offers

The typical A-level offer is normally BBB-BCC, IB:30-32, BTEC: DDM from relevant National Diploma or equivalent UCAS Tariff points,

Applications to Buckingham are individually considered by the Admissions Tutor and other factors may be taken in to account. Applicants with BTEC qualifications are welcome to apply, including if you have a mix of BTEC and A levels.

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A-levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in a slightly lower A-level grade offer.

Foundation options are also available. Please contact the Admissions Office using our contact form or by phone on +44 (0)1280 820227 for more information.

Applicants must also have GCSE English and Maths at Grade C / Grade 4, or above (or equivalent). If English is not your first language you will also need an IELTS score of 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each component).

Flexible entry

All of our undergraduate programmes operate a flexible entry process, and the Admissions Tutor is happy to consider entrants from all backgrounds with slightly lower qualifications if they are able to demonstrate alternative eligibility for the course. This may be in the form of relevant work experience, keen aptitude and a passion for the subject, or unlocked potential that you feel can be discovered through your studies at Buckingham. If you are uncertain whether you will be eligible to apply for this course, please contact the Admissions Team.

UCAS applications

You may apply either through the national UCAS university admissions system or at any time directly to the University using our own online application form.

Mature students

Because of our two-year degree, we find that the age range of our student body varies between those who have recently completed A-levels (or equivalent) to more mature students. Age is no barrier to learning and we welcome all applications from suitably qualified students.

International students

We are happy to consider all international applications and if you are an international student, you may find it useful to visit our international pages for details of entry requirements from your home country.

The University is a UKVI Student Sponsor.

English levels

If English is not your first language, please check our undergraduate English language requirements. If your English levels don’t meet our minimum requirements, you may be interested in applying for our Pre-sessional English Language Foundation Programmes.

Selection process

Wherever possible, you will be invited to the University to meet the Admissions Tutor for an informal interview and to have a tour of our campus. If you are an international applicant, it may not be possible for you to visit in person, so if the Admissions Tutor has any queries about your application you may be contacted by Microsoft Teams, email or phone.

Our Admissions Team will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Call us on +44 (0)1280 820227 or via our contact form.

Student Contract for prospective students

When you are offered a place at the University you will be notified of the student contract between the University and students on our courses of study. When you accept an offer of a place on the course at the University a legal contract is formed between you and the University on the basis of the student contract in your offer letter. Your offer letter and the student contract contain important information which you should read carefully before accepting an offer. Read the Student Contract 

Quality teaching

We offer high quality, traditional Oxbridge-style teaching, which leads to our degrees being recognised around the world. The standards of degrees and awards are safeguarded by distinguished external examiners – senior academic staff from other universities in the UK – who approve and moderate assessed work.

High calibre staff

Most of our academic staff teach for three terms out of four, with the remaining term used for research. Because of this, we have no difficulty in attracting high calibre, highly respected lecturers, many of whom also have a background in business or industry and can offer networking opportunities for students.

Teaching methods

Teaching is carried out through a combination of lectures supported by seminars and tutorials. A key feature of the Buckingham teaching method is the use of small tutorial groups which provide the most effective means of ensuring that the students benefit from the academic expertise at their disposal. It is also the philosophy of the Business School faculty to be available to students outside the scheduled tutorial times and to encourage good working relationships between staff and students.

Assessment methods

The assessment of individual modules within each course varies according to the subject. Assessment is usually by examination, assessed coursework, or a combination of the two. Please check module information for more details.

Preparation for work

All our degree courses combine academic challenge with the transferable skills that will stand you in good stead for future employment. Many of our more vocationally-focused degrees offer the opportunity of work placements and experience in industry.

The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering educational services. If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.

Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and so on. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.

The following fee illustrations provide an insight into the cost savings which can be made by studying at The University of Buckingham.

• Fee illustration: International students
• Fee illustration: Home students

You may also find it useful to visit the following fee related information on our site:

• Estimated Living Costs
• Grants and Loans

Discounts

Students who graduate from the University and plan to continue their studies with a postgraduate degree at Buckingham can benefit from a very generous automatic discount on their fees:

• 33%, those with a first class honours degree from Buckingham
• 25%, those with a Second Class Honours, Upper Division (2:1) degree from Buckingham

Scholarships

The following automatic awards are available to undergraduate Home students:

• • High Achiever Scholarship
    We offer a reduction of £2,000 per annum if you achieve AAB or above in your A levels (or equivalent) excluding General Studies. This scholarship is dependent on your making Buckingham your firm choice. It will be reviewed after your preliminary and subsequent examinations and will continue if your average mark is in the upper second or first class.
  • The University of Buckingham Bursary
    The University of Buckingham Bursary aims to support students on low incomes or from low income families. The bursary is worth £2000 per year and students receive this as a termly reduction in tuition fees (£500 reduction per term). Read about the eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Details of other scholarships can be found on our Bursaries and Scholarships page.

On-campus accommodation

We guarantee on-campus accommodation to all new students for their first four terms of study, as long as it is booked and paid for in good time, so you’re assured of a safe and secure home from home when you arrive at the University. Most new students choose this option.

Living on campus enables you to become involved in University activities, make friends, and integrate with the University community. For some of you this will be your first time in the UK; for others it will be the first time living away from home – and independence brings its challenges as well as its excitements. Whatever your circumstances, we know how important it is for you to feel comfortable in your accommodation.

What’s included?

All our study bedrooms are fully furnished, centrally heated, and connected to the internet. With few exceptions they have a wash basin and small refrigerator. We have a large number of ensuite rooms, and are upgrading more rooms each year. There are shared kitchens for when you wish to cook for yourself.

Find out more

If you’d like to find out more, visit our Accommodation pages or get in touch with our Accommodation Team.

We recommend that all prospective students visit our campus if they are able to, at one of our open days or a Campus Tour, campus tours include a typical student room.

We welcome applications in two different ways – directly via our online application form or through UCAS.

If you’re interested in transferring to Buckingham from another university then please get in touch to talk through your options.