Program Overview

School Business Leadership (Top-Up) BA (Hons)

Overview

The School Business Leadership (Top-Up) degree is designed to take holders of an HND, Foundation Degree or equivalent in the business area to a new level. Combining essential knowledge with academic skills development will give you the best chance of success at honours degree level and within the graduate employment market.

Course Details

• Level: Undergraduate
• Start date: Oct 2025, Oct 2026
• Duration: 1 year
• Location: Exton Park, Chester
• UK fees: £9,535 per year for a full-time course (2025/26)
• International fees: £14,450 per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Course Summary

This course is designed specifically to support the transition between your HND, Foundation Degree or equivalent studies to a final year honours level. You will receive extensive academic skills development and have access to specialist tutor support to give you the best opportunity to gain a great result for your degree award.

Why You'll Love It

• Learn from experienced school business professionals: Staff teaching on the course have significant experience working within schools and on education policy at regional and national levels.
• Close collaboration with the professional body: We work closely with the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) the professional body for school business leaders.
• Real-world assessments: Your assessments are designed to reflect real-world activities.

What You'll Study

Modules

• Politics and Policy in Education (20 Credits) Core: You will learn how political ideologies have shaped and influenced educational policy.
• Inclusion Matters (20 Credits) Core: Education is a universal right. However, how do we ensure that everyone benefits from what education has to offer, regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, and educational needs?
• Leading and Managing Organisational Practice (20 Credits) Core: School Business Managers need to be able to manage multi-disciplinary teams in an increasing complex organisational structure.
• Youth, Education and Society (20 Credits) Core: This module explores the relationship between young people, education and society.
• Dissertation (40 Credits): Explore an applied topic of your own interest related to school business leadership.

How You'll Learn

• In-person study: This course is designed around in-person study.
• Online learning activities: There may be some online learning activities.
• Assessments: You will be assessed in a variety of ways.
• Curriculum developed to match workforce priorities: This course is designed to match workforce priorities.

Entry Requirements

• Home Students:
  • UCAS Points: 104 points
  • GCE A Level: Typical offer – CCC-BCC
  • BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM
  • International Baccalaureate: 26 points
  • Irish / Scottish Highers: Irish Highers - H3 H3 H3 H4 H4 Scottish Highers - BBBB
  • Access requirements: Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above
  • T Level: T Level with a Pass grade and C or above in the core
  • OCR Cambridge Technicals: OCR Extended Diploma: DMM
• International Students: Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study.

Fees and Funding

• Home Students: £9,535 per year for a full-time course (2025/26)
• International Students: £14,450 per year for a full-time course (2025/26)
• Additional Costs: You will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel, and bills.

Who You'll Learn From

• Dr Steve Lambert: Associate Professor
• Dr Mark Whalley: Senior Lecturer

Where You'll Study

• Exton Park, Chester: Exton Park is close to the city centre of Chester, a city like no other and an amazing place to live as a student.
• Modern learning resources and library: We have dedicated resources and IT services across campus, as well as our Seaborne Library.
• Fitness facilities: Exton Park boasts an impressive choice of indoor and outdoor sports and leisure facilities.
• Student Services: Exton Park is home to a number of our central support services.
• Chapel, chaplaincy and multi-faith spaces: The University Chapel offers regular services and a venue to services.
• Accommodation: Most of our student accommodation is located either on or near Exton Park.
• Catering: We have several catering outlets available onsite, offering a wide selection of hot and cold food to students and visitors.

Your Future Career

• Job prospects: Those successfully completing the course will be able to seek employment as a school business manager (or similar role) within school setting.
• Progression options: Students can progress onto the Educational Leadership MA.
• Careers service: The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences.