Foundation Programme in Business and Social Science
Program start date | Application deadline |
2024-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
The Foundation Programme in Business and Social Science at Aston University provides a solid foundation for students seeking to pursue a degree in these fields. It offers a blend of core modules and optional pathways, allowing students to explore different areas and develop essential study and research skills. The program prepares students for success in higher education and opens doors to diverse career paths in business, management, social sciences, and more.
Program Outline
Program Information: Foundation Programme in Business and Social Science
Degree Overview:
Overview:
This one-year program serves as a stepping stone to a degree program in the College of Business and Social Sciences at Aston University. It provides a strong foundation in business and social science concepts, along with essential study and research skills needed for success in higher education.
Objectives:
- Equip students with a fundamental understanding of key concepts and debates in business and social science.
- Develop essential study and research skills required for success in a business and/or social science degree program.
- Cultivate transferable and communication skills vital for success in a degree program within the College of Business and Social Sciences.
Program Description:
This intensive program provides a solid foundation in both business and social science, allowing students to explore different areas and discover their passion before committing to a specific degree. It offers a blend of shared core modules and optional pathways, giving students the flexibility to tailor their learning experience.
Key Features:
- First-class teaching: Delivered by diverse and experienced staff in the UK's second-largest city.
- Similar experience: Students receive a similar academic experience to all other years of study at Aston University.
- Growth mindset: Encourages students to adapt a growth mindset and embrace continuous learning.
- Broadening perspectives: Allows students to sample various business and social science subjects and find their interests.
Outline:
Content:
The program offers a balanced mix of core and optional modules, covering a range of topics within business and social science.
Structure:
- Year 1: Comprises 120 credits across four core modules and two optional pathways (business or social science).
- Core Modules (Year 1):
- Introduction to Data Analysis (15 credits)
- Foundations of Academic Research (15 credits)
- Academic and Professional Skills (15 credits)
- Leadership and Management (15 credits)
- Optional Pathways (Year 1):
- Aston Business School Pathway:
- E-Business (15 credits)
- Introductory to Marketing (15 credits)
- School of Social Sciences and Humanities Pathway:
- The Foundation of Modern Politics (15 credits)
- Understanding Society: Power, Identity and Inequality (15 credits)
- Optional Modules (Year 1):
- Security and International Relations (15 credits)
- Business Model Generation (15 credits)
- Developing Products and Services (15 credits)
- Introduction to Accounting and Finance (15 credits) Each module consists of four hours of teaching per week, including lectures and seminars.
Careers:
Potential Career Paths:
Graduates of the program can pursue diverse career paths in various sectors, including:
- Business
- Management
- Marketing
- Finance
- Accounting
- Economics
- Law
- Politics
- International Relations
- Social Work
Other:
- Ranked 66th in the world for business and management studies (QS World University Rankings By Subject 2024).
- Awarded Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023).
- Aston Business School holds triple accreditation, placing it among the top 1% of business schools worldwide.
- Located in Birmingham, a vibrant and diverse city.
- Offers excellent support services for students, including Learning Development Centre and peer-assisted learning scheme.
UK students(2024/25)
Annual tuition fees: £9,250
International students(2024/25)
ONCAMPUS The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as UK students. Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.
Aston University
Overview:
Aston University is a public research university located in Birmingham, England. It is known for its focus on business and professional studies, with a strong emphasis on practical skills and employability. The university boasts a diverse and international student body, attracting students from over 120 countries.
Services Offered:
Aston University offers a wide range of services to its students, including:
Student support services:
The university provides comprehensive support services to students, including academic advising, career counseling, and mental health support.Library:
Aston University has a modern and well-equipped library with extensive resources for students.Accommodation:
The university offers a variety of on-campus accommodation options for students.Student Union:
The Aston Students' Union provides a range of social and recreational activities for students.Student Life and Campus Experience:
Aston University offers a vibrant and welcoming campus experience. Students can expect:
A global community:
The university has a diverse student body, creating a multicultural and inclusive environment.A strong sense of belonging:
The university fosters a strong sense of community among its students.A range of social and recreational activities:
The university and the Students' Union offer a variety of activities for students to enjoy.A location in a vibrant city:
Birmingham is a major city with a rich cultural heritage, offering students a wide range of opportunities for entertainment, dining, and shopping.Key Reasons to Study There:
High rankings and awards:
Aston University consistently ranks highly in national and international rankings, including being ranked in the top 10% of universities globally.Strong focus on employability:
The university has a strong reputation for preparing students for successful careers, with a high graduate employment rate.Award-winning careers support:
Aston University provides excellent careers support services to students, including work placements and internships.Degrees with integrated work placements:
Many of the university's programs offer integrated work placements, providing students with valuable real-world experience.Triple accreditation:
Aston Business School is one of the few business schools in the world to have triple accreditation, signifying its high quality and standards.Academic Programs:
Aston University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:
Business:
Aston Business School is renowned for its business programs, including MBA and other postgraduate degrees.Engineering and Technology:
The university offers a range of engineering and technology programs, including computer science, infrastructure engineering, and sustainable engineering.Health Sciences:
Aston University has a strong presence in health sciences, offering programs in medicine, pharmacy, optometry, and psychology.Law:
Aston Law School offers a range of law programs, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.Social Sciences and Humanities:
The university offers programs in social sciences and humanities, including history, politics, and sociology.Other:
Foundation Programme in Business and Social Science at Aston University
Entry Requirements
#UK Students
- A Levels: CCC (standard offer)
- BTEC Levels: BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM (standard offer)
- IB Diploma: 27 points overall with grades 4,4,4 in 3 higher level subjects. Must also have Standard Level grade 4 in Mathematics and grade 5 in English Language.
- Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction - grade M
- Digital Production, Design and Production - grade M
- Education and Childcare - grade M
- Onsite Construction - grade M
- Digital Business Services - grade M
- Digital Support Services - grade M
- Health - grade M
- Healthcare Science - grade M
- Science - grade M
- GCSEs:
- GCSE Maths – grade C/4 (some progression courses require a B/5)
- GCSE English Language or English Literature – grade C/4
- Some progression courses require 5 GCSEs grade C/4 or above including English and Maths.
- #International Students
- Qualifications in your country: Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.
- English language requirements:
- IELTS: 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.
- TOEFL iBT: 80 overall with a minimum of 17 in each component.
- PTE Academic: 59 overall with a minimum of 51 in each component.
- Cambridge English Qualifications: Advanced (CAE) or Proficiency (CPE) with a minimum grade of C.
- For progression to BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance or LLB (Hons) Law, students need at least 50% overall in their foundation year.
- For all other progression routes, students need at least 40% overall pass.
- International students can enter at Year 2 of this course having completed an undergraduate year one programme at the required academic level with approved teaching partners ONCAMPUS Aston or NCUK. Requirements may change in future years.