Program Overview

Introduction to the BA (Hons) Business with Marketing Program

The BA (Hons) Business with Marketing program at Birmingham City University is designed to equip students with a wide range of skills specific to both business and marketing disciplines. This program enables students to develop practical skills and enterprising attributes, ensuring they can make an immediate impact on businesses.

Program Overview

The success of any business lies in its ability to attract and retain customers and clientele. Marketing, now more than ever, has the ability to identify opportunities, drive profits, and enable businesses to stay relevant in a competitive and forever evolving modern marketplace. Being able to apply these marketing skills alongside a firm understanding of business operations will stand students in good stead for their future careers.

What's Covered in This Course?

The course gives students a solid grounding in the fundamentals of both business and marketing disciplines while also allowing them to choose areas they wish to specialize in through a series of optional modules. Some of the areas covered include:

• The development and operation of business markets
• Business strategy and analytics
• Marketing principles
• Financial management
• Consumer behaviour
• Leadership

Professional Placement Year

This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows students to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of their second year, and is a great way to find out more about their chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.

Why Choose This Program?

• The university has a strong focus on employability and, through placement opportunities and links with local businesses, aims to ensure students graduate not only with their degree but also with the skills and knowledge needed to embark on their chosen career.
• This course allows students to build a Digital Passport of skills and certifications that are invaluable for employability across numerous industries and careers.
• This multi-disciplined course provides students with the skills and knowledge to open the doors to many careers, including business operations, marketing roles, and starting and growing their own business.

Entry Requirements

Essential Requirements

• Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points.
• Accelerate offer: 80 UCAS Tariff points.
• GCSE and other level 2 requirements: This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications.

A Level, BTEC, and Other Level 3 Requirements

• A Level/AS Level: A Level - 112 UCAS Tariff points/BBC (or equivalent); AS Level - must be in a different subject to A Levels.
• Pearson BTEC (Diploma/Extended Diploma/Extended Certificate): 112 UCAS Tariff points.
• T Level: Merit overall; all subjects considered.
• Access to HE Diploma: Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3.
• OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 112 UCAS Tariff points.
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 112 UCAS Tariff points.
• WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 112 UCAS Tariff points; considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s).
• Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers): Minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects.
• Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher: 112 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (CCD) or two Advanced Highers (CD) plus two Highers (CC).
• Welsh Baccalaureate: 112 UCAS Tariff points; considered with three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
• AAT Diploma in Accounting: 112 UCAS Tariff points; considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s).
• IFS/LIBF in Financial Studies: 112 UCAS Tariff points; considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s).

International Qualifications

• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Obtain a minimum of 28 points overall.
• EU/International students: Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications accepted.

Fees and How to Apply

UK Students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study.
• The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
• Award: BA (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2026
• Mode: Full Time/Part Time
• Duration: 3 Years (Full Time)/6 Years (Part Time)
• Fees: Ł9,790 in 2026/27 (Full Time); Ł1,632 per 20 credits (Part Time)

International Students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study.
• The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
• Award: BA (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2026
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 3 Years
• Fees: Ł18,570 in 2026/27

Course Structure

First Year

• Fundamentals of Business (20 credits)
• Marketing Principles and Practice (20 credits)
• Introduction to Data Analytics and AI (20 credits)
• Entrepreneurial Thinking (20 credits)
• Digital Marketing Principles (20 credits)
• Finance for Managers (20 credits)

Second Year

• Data Analytics and AI in Practice (20 credits)
• Contemporary Global Management (20 credits)
• Consumer Behaviour (20 credits)
• Business Strategy (20 credits)
• Entrepreneurial Feasibility (20 credits)
• Optional modules (at least 20 credits from):
  • Legal Issues for Business (20 credits)
  • Sustainable Supply Chain and Logistics (20 credits)
  • Integrated Marketing Communications (20 credits)

Professional Placement (Optional)

• Professional Placement Year (120 credits)

Final Year

• Management Project (40 credits)
• Marketing Strategy and Planning (20 credits)
• International Business (20 credits)
• Optional modules (40 credits from):
  • Event Binding and Legal Contracts (20 credits)
  • Practical Applications of AI in Business (20 credits)
  • Customer Relationship Management (20 credits)
  • Business Models for Digital Economy (20 credits)
  • Sales and Channel Management (20 credits)
  • Strategic Supply Chain Management (20 credits)

Employability

The University has introduced the BCU Graduate+ programme, which is an extra-curricular awards framework designed to augment the subject-based skills developed through the program with broader employability skills and techniques that will enhance employment options upon graduation.

Facilities and Staff

The course is based in the Curzon Building, a Ł63 million development located on the City Centre campus. The building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services. The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialized rooms, including the Marketing Link Agency and the City Trading Room.

The staff includes experienced lecturers and professionals in the field of business and marketing, such as Mawish Munawar, Dr. Colin Akhurst, Dr. Seray Begum Samur-Teraman, Dr. Xiping Shinnie, Dr. Linlan Huang, and Dr. Dianna Nderitu, who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the program.