BSc (Hons) Business Management with integrated Foundation

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The BSc in Business Management 3-year programme will benefit those individuals who wish to study an undergraduate degree but have non-standard academic qualifications.

Year one will follow the Foundation Pathway programme and introduce students to key concepts and study skills. In years two and three students will build on these skills and enhance their knowledge, understanding and practice in core subjects. Throughout the three years, a student will be equipped with the skills to reach their potential in academic studies.

Foundation courses bridge the gap between your current qualifications and the knowledge and skills required for the undergraduate programme you want to do. Even if you have not yet achieved the necessary academic qualifications or your English language is not yet at the required standard, we will help you to identify your needs and develop a learning programme to meet them in Year 1, enabling you to progress on to the full degree. Our unique condensed timetabling at Buckingham allows you to complete your foundation and undergraduate programmes in just three years. This means a faster – and smoother transition into university study in a supportive and stimulating learning environment.

Why study this course?

The BSc in Business Management degree equips you with the essential skills relevant to a career in businesses of all kinds, as well as in a variety of organisations, including your own start-up.

The early part of your study is focused on understanding the way business and organisations work and they fit in with society. You will cover topics including artificial intelligence, sustainability, globalisation, business ethics and big data analytics. The programme provides a blend of theoretical and practical study, never losing sight of what employers want and your own career plans.

This is an exciting time to study business and its role in the global environment. The business management course is designed to develop skills in solving current business problems. Practical and real-life projects and up-to-date case studies are used throughout the business management degree to ensure you get to understand business as it is now.By the time you graduate, you will be equipped with professional skills, attitudes and behaviours linked to successful business careers and you will have expanded your understanding of the core functions relevant to the businesses of tomorrow. You will appreciate how organisations market themselves and their products/services, deliver them through networks, lead and manage their employees and stakeholders, while at the same time being socially and financially responsible and sustainable.

You will broaden your understanding of contemporary issues in business (the sorts of things that you will see and hear in the news) and be encouraged to take a critical, enterprising and innovative view of business activity within a global community.

Skills and experience gained

By the end of the business management course, you will have a deeper understanding of the current business world and how you can influence its future. Buckingham’s multi-cultural environment will also enhance your ability to work in cross-cultural situations. You will also develop the skills and qualities necessary to work individually, in groups and in teams. We embed employability skills throughout your course. This helps you get the job you want, as shown by the very high employability rates of our Business School students. As a Buckingham graduate, you will be confident, skilled, knowledgeable and ready for the next stage of your life.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have satisfactory completion of grade 12 plus GCSE English and Maths at Grade C / Grade 4, or above, plus evidence of genuine intellectual capacity. If your first language is not English, you will also need an IELTS score of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component).

Please note that the first nine months of this programme constitute the Foundation stage. Students are expected to pass in all the Foundation modules with marks of 60% or more, in order to progress to the second year stage of the course.

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. Our UCAS code is B90.

Mature students

The age range of our student body varies from 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 postgraduate 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.

The Admissions Office for Business would be happy to answer any questions you may have, email admissions@buckingham.ac.uk.

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.

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 Buckingham’s 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.

Graduate employment

Our graduates have gone on to further study at most of the world’s leading universities, including Harvard, London, Oxford and Cambridge and secured jobs in senior positions around the world. Among our alumni we have a graduate who became the head of his country’s civil service and one who became a leading Formula One motor-racing driver. Another secured a position as the Minister of Sabah and one female law graduate became the first British lawyer to become a French Advocate.

What our students and alumni say

“Whilst I was initially sceptical about conducting my undergraduate studies in Business Management, the University of Buckingham has proved to be the perfect choice for me personally. I have thoroughly enjoyed all the modules which included a combination of stimulating group and individual assessments.”

Luke Ford, Business Management, 2023

The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). 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 other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.

*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.

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 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 main 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.