BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

BA (Hons) Top-up

Accredited by University College Birmingham

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BA (Hons)

Duration

1 year FT

UCAS Code

N290

Entry

September

Fees

View Fees

Business School
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Our Enterprise Hive provides start-up support for your business ideas

Customise your course by choosing from our range of optional modules

Corporations are always on the lookout for new recruits who possess the right skills and knowhow to help them achieve strategic success within today’s highly competitive business environment. If you already have knowledge or experience in this area, our Business Management degree top-up course will help you further develop your knowledge to meet this demand and accomplish your career goals.

Designed for anyone who has previously studied a relevant subject (up to Level 5), our business management top-up course will help you build on your understanding of international business and develop your core skills for this field, with optional modules enabling you to explore key topics such as freelancing and financial strategy. To ensure your learning is industry-relevant and up-to-date, the course has been developed with sector experts and professional bodies including Enterprise Educators UK and the Business Graduates Association (BGA), offering additional resources to support your learning.

Your studies will incorporate real-world simulations and industry live projects, with access to state-of-the-art practical training facilities such as our Digital Creative Studio on campus. If you have ambitions to run your own business, we also offer dedicated start-up support through our Enterprise Hive service.

Why should I choose this course?

  • INDUSTRY APPROVED – Access a wealth of additional resources to support your studies with BGA membership throughout your degree
  • SPECIALISE YOUR STUDIES Develop specialist knowledge through your own research project and a variety of optional modules
  • PRACTICAL APPLICATION – Develop a variety of practical skills with access to our Digital Creative Studio featuring cutting-edge video and audio equipment
  • ENRICHMENT – Learn from experts through real-world simulations, workshops and guest lectures
  • AWARD-WINNING UNIVERSITY – Study at the highest-ranking university in the region according to student choice (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023)

Our facilities

You will have access to our Digital Creative Studio, where you will be able to learn an array of skills for producing digital content including video and audio.

Course breakdown

  • Modules

Core Modules

Change and Transformation Strategy

Change is inevitable in an increasingly competitive global environment. This compels firms to proactively design strategies to deal with the resulting turbulence. This module develops an understanding of the role of leadership in conceptualising, designing and instituting effective change within organisations. The module content comprises two complementary components: the first involves the understanding and learning of the main strategic management concepts and theories, while the second implies its application in organisations. The practical orientation of the module enables students to experience the stages and activities underpinning the strategic change process.

Measuring Success

This module is about making decisions which ensure the most effective and efficient use of organisational resources. It discusses the techniques used by performance managers in planning, control, decision making and overall performance evaluation of organisational activities. It focuses on information needs, technologies and systems necessary for efficient and effective performance management of organisations. A key aim of performance management is to measure costs and revenues relating to specific operations divisions and products. Information gathered in this way is used to plan and control activities in order to ensure that key organisational objectives are achieved.

Research Project

You will have the opportunity to engage in an independent research project of your choice. You will have support with preparing your proposal and understanding the competent characteristics of good research. An appointed tutor will help guide you through this important and rewarding process.

Choose 2 optional modules

Financial Strategy

An opportunity to consolidate your financial planning knowledge, you will learn how to synthesise and evaluate business performance and strategy. You will develop an in-depth knowledge of financial concepts and how companies portray themselves through their annual reports.

Freelancing

A new way of doing business. Freelancing is emerging as a vessel for modern, busy people to thrive as entrepreneurs. It gives them freedom to manage multiple careers in a way that works for their life and commitments. 2.2m+ Freelancers in the UK* (*IPSE, 2020) Freelancers' contribution to the UK economy* (*IPSE, 2020) In this module students will develop their creativity skills and learn to 'think outside the box' and create and critically assess their own opportunities to identify tangible market potential and sustainability. In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn a range of skills including creating an on-line presence and Social Media as well as traditional marketing, on and offline networking, project management, influencing and negotiating skills and strategic career planning.

International Marketing

We live in an interconnected world, so it's important to examine how organisations explore new market opportunities beyond national boundaries. As a result, you will become more aware of the technological, communication and transportation challenges businesses face and the options they consider when seeking a foothold in a new country.

Strategic Human Resources Management

In order to offer meaningful career pathways, what sort of strategies should a business consider? How can it meet the challenges it faces whilst creating an environment that retains talented employees? You will be exploring contemporary strategies in HR that shape benchmark employers in the industry.

The modules listed above for this course are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up to date and informed by industry as well as the latest teaching methods. On occasion, we may need to make unexpected changes to modules – if this occurs, we will contact all offer holders as soon as possible.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Academic: A relevant HND or a foundation degree in the areas of Marketing Management, Business Management, Finance and Business, with 240 credits.

If you are unsure if your previous qualification is suitable, please contact us before completing an application. You can call us on 0121 604 1040 or complete our enquiry form here.

International students

Academic: European and International qualifications studied in a relevant subject matter will also be considered. Applicants will need to have achieved 120 ECTS or equivalent (European Credit Transfer).

If you are unsure if your previous qualification is suitable, please contact us before completing an application. You can call us on 0121 604 1040 or complete our enquiry form:

Enquiry Form

Key information

Teaching and assessment

Note: Indicative information only – actual timetables and assessment regimes will be issued at your induction. 

Teaching 

Example of a typical teaching week (up to 14 contact hours): 

  • Large group teaching – 5 hours 
  • Smaller group teaching – 7 hours 
  • Tutorials – 2 hours 
  • Graduate Advantage – 1 hour 
  • Subject related workshops – 1 hour 

You will also need to commit around 20 hours per week for individual study time. 

Assessment

Estimated breakdown of assessment for this course:

  • Coursework– 88%
  • Practical assessment– 12%

Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.

Tuition fees for home students

If you are a home student enrolling on a bachelor's or foundation degree course at University College Birmingham, the 2024/2025 academic year tuition fee for full-time study is £9,250. For part-time study, the fee is £4,625.

In 2025/2026, the full-time fee will be £9,535 per year, while the part-time fee will be £4,767.50 per year.

View tuition fees for home students

Kick-Start Scheme

As a new student studying this course full-time, you will receive £300 per year through our Kick-Start Scheme (UK students only, eligibility criteria applies). This scheme will support your studies and future career by contributing to course-related materials, uniform or selected items on campus. You may also qualify for an additional £500 per year.

Find out more about the Kick-Start Scheme here.

Unibuddy Community - meet other students on your course

Starting university is an exciting time, but we understand that it can sometimes feel a little daunting. To support you, you will be invited to join our Unibuddy Community, where you can meet other students who have applied for the same course at University College Birmingham, before you start studying here.

As soon as you have been made an offer, you will be sent an invitation email to complete your registration and join the Unibuddy Community. For more information, check out our Unibuddy Community page.

The Business Management course will equip you with the relevant knowledge, understanding and skills to be successful in your future business career. Our practical approach to teaching ensures your learning journey is steeped in realism, presenting opportunities for success wherever you find yourself in the future.

Beverley Compaore Senior lecturer

Career opportunities

The example roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.

Business manager

Average Salary: £50,000

Management consultant

Average Salary: £50,000

Business graduate

Average Salary: £25,000

Business owner

Variable

Sales executive

Average Salary: £34,000

Graduate assistant

Average Salary: £20,000

Want to take your studies to the next level? Completing the BA (Hons) degree will enable you to move onto our postgraduate courses such as Enterprise Management MSc/PGDipGlobal Meetings and Events Management MSc/PGDip, International Business Management MSc/PGDip or Marketing Management for Events, Hospitality and Tourism MA/PGDip.

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