Business Management with a Foundation Year

Program Overview

Business Management with a Foundation Year - BA (Hons)

Overview

The BA (Hons) Business Management with Foundation year course at BCU provides a valuable introduction to the management of key resources including human capital, financial management, strategic management and cultural awareness. We create graduates who possess a global outlook, with the conceptual and applied knowledge in the field of business management that will enable them to make a positive impact on society.

Tailor your Business Degree

When you successfully complete your Foundation Year, you will be able to progress onto a range of undergraduate courses at BCU. These include:

• Accounting and Finance
• Business Management
• Economics
• Finance and Investment
• Marketing

What's covered in this course?

The development and operation of contemporary and international business markets will be embraced in your learning. This will also include the management of key resources including human capital, financial management, strategic management and cultural awareness. You’ll gain an important insight into digital business exploring how technology remodels the business world and consider the accompanying issues around social responsibility and ethical behaviour.

Accredited By

This course is accredited by:

• Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

Why Choose Us?

• We have a strong focus on employability and through placement opportunities and our links with local businesses, we aim to ensure you graduate not only with your degree but also with the skills and knowledge needed to embark on your chosen career.
• The STEAMhouse offers amazing opportunities for entrepreneurial students to kick start and build a business. Services available include the Incubator which helps focus and solidify business ideas and the Hatchery which offers support in getting your business off the ground.
• We pride ourselves on being the University for Birmingham and supporting and giving something back to the local business community. We have strong links with local businesses in the city across several industries. These links help us enhance students’ experiences by giving them access to industry experts for guest lectures, exciting placement opportunities and other chances to engage with the business community as a whole.
• We aim to infuse learning with exposure to real-world experiences. We give students the chance to work on real-life projects using industry-standard software and with real-world clients where possible, offering a unique opportunity for students to gain this invaluable experience while they study.
• This course is accredited and meets the high standards of the Chartered Management Institute.

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

• 80 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.

GCSE and other level 2 requirements

• This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications. Please see A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements below.

A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements

• Qualification| Entry requirements
  • A Level / AS Level |
    • A Level: 80 UCAS Tariff points / CDD (or equivalent)
    • AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels
    • A maximum of four subjects will be considered
  • Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate) |
    • 80 UCAS Tariff points
    • Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications
    • Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
  • T Level |
    • Pass overall (C or above on the core)
    • All subjects considered
  • Access to HE Diploma | Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at Level 3
  • OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications | 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications | 80 UCAS Tariff points
  • WJEC Level 3 qualifications |
    • 80 UCAS Tariff points
    • Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)
  • Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) | Minimum of 80 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects
  • Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher | 80 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD)
  • Welsh Baccalaureate | 80 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
  • IFS / LIBF in Financial Studies |
    • 80 UCAS Tariff points
    • Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)

International qualifications

• International Baccalaureate Diploma
  • Obtain a minimum of 24 points overall.
• EU / International students
  • Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In addition to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require IELTS 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in each band.

Fees & How to Apply

UK students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study, which is a foundation year. If you progress to the degree upon completion of your foundation year, the standard undergraduate tuition fee for 2027/28 will apply. Fees for 2026/27 can be found on the relevant course page, but please note that University reserves the right to increase fees in subsequent years in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
• Award: BA (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2026
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 4 Years
• Fees: £5,760 in 2026/27
• Apply via UCAS

International students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study, which is a foundation year. If you progress to the degree upon completion of your foundation year, the standard undergraduate tuition fee for 2027/28 will apply. Fees for 2026/27 can be found on the relevant course page, but please note that University reserves the right to increase fees in subsequent years in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
• Award: BA (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2026
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 4 Years
• Fees: £18,570 in 2026/27
• Register interest

Course in Depth

Foundation Year

• In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
  • Developing Business and Academic Skills for Success 20 credits
  • Developing Interpersonal and Marketing Skills for Success 20 credits
  • Business in Context 20 credits
  • Foundation Practice Project 20 credits
  • An Introduction to Management and Leadership 20 credits
  • Accounting and Personal Finance 20 credits

First Year

• In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
  • Insights into Management 20 credits
  • Principles of Marketing 20 credits
  • Developing your Personal Brand 20 credits
  • Introduction to Entrepreneurship 20 credits
  • Operations Management 20 credits
  • Finance for Managers 20 credits

Second Year

• In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits).
  • Methods in Research and Project 20 credits
  • One Planet Issues 20 credits
  • Management Development 20 credits
  • Data Analytics for Business Optimisation 20 credits
  • The Global Manager 20 credits
• In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules.
  • Supply Chain Management 20 credits
  • Entrepreneurship in Action 20 credits
  • Introduction to Consultancy 20 credits
  • Study Abroad 20 credits

Final Year

• In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits).
  • Leading and Managing Change 20 credits
  • Continuous Innovation 20 credits
  • Strategic Management 20 credits
  • Integrated Business Research Project 40 credits
• In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules.
  • Strategic Supply Chain Management 20 credits
  • Growing the Enterprise 20 credits
  • One Planet Business 20 credits

Employability

• You will have opportunities to undertake live projects with real employers, and study contemporary relevant business issues, developing the capability to manage the complexity and uncertainty of the contemporary workplace.
• Business Management, and its associated programmes, incorporate modules specifically designed to build a professional and independent approach to study which facilitates lifelong learning.

Facilities & Staff

Our Facilities

• We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £400 million on new learning facilities.
• The Curzon Building
  • This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law and Business students.
  • The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
  • The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms. The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector. There is also the City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.
  • The Curzon building is also conveniently close to Birmingham’s business and financial centre, allowing for strong links between your studies and the real world.

Our staff

• Dr Richard Oddy
  • Deputy Head of the College of Business, Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurship
  • Dr Richard E. Oddy is the Deputy Head of Business, Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurship. He has developed and launched a number of new courses in these specific fields, and has over a decade of teaching experience at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.