Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any arrangements put in place by the University for the 2021/22 academic year will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
This course has recently been updated. Please download the course specification for the up to date information.
The BA (Hons) Business Management with Foundation year course at Birmingham City Business School 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.
The foundation year is designed to give you the opportunity to develop your academic and interpersonal skills whilst developing your business skills further to support you to success on your academic path.
When you successfully complete your Foundation Year, you will be able to progress onto a range of Undergraduate courses at the Birmingham City Business School (excluding our Integrated Master's degrees). These include:
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.
This course is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). This ensures you’ll be provided with the latest information and knowledge, as well as providing key industry links and insight. Success on the course will additionally award you with a CMI professional certificate.
You will gain specialist knowledge on a number of core functions of management, building your self-confidence to prepare you for a progressive and successful career in management. Exciting opportunities including integrated work projects and business placements in the UK or abroad are all featured in your course, therefore your career can start whilst achieving your qualification. You will have the benefit of renowned industry speakers and live projects to inspire and help you to develop.
With our practice-based approach to teaching, you will learn from professionally qualified academics with a wealth of industry experience, and research active academics whose research underpins and informs our approach to teaching.
The international focus of the course is derived through a variety of means including the student body, the teaching team and the use of international teaching materials. Where appropriate to the individual topics covered during the course, implications for sustainability will be identified that relate to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Moreover, you can choose to spend a year or a full semester studying your modules overseas at a partner institution.
Visit our School site for more student work and extra information.
This course is in the final stages of approval to ensure it meets the very highest standards of quality, creativity and applied learning.
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
80 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level with a minimum of 2 A Levels. |
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Typical Offers (UK Students) | ||
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GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 4 or above, at the point of enrolment. Equivalent qualifications will be considered. Plus, you must have achieved or be completing one of the following: |
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UK Qualification | Requirements 2020/21 | |
A Level / AS Level | Obtain a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points at A-level and/or AS-level. | |
Access to Higher Education Diploma | Pass overall with 60 credits, 45 at Level 3. Must already hold GCSE Mathematics and English Language Grade 4 or higher or the equivalent at application point. | |
BTEC National Diploma | DM combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve a minimum total of 80 UCAS points. | |
BTEC Extended Diploma | MMP (80 points). | |
BTEC Subsidiary Diploma | Accepted alongside other acceptable level 3 qualifications to meet 112 UCAS Tariff Points. | |
International Baccalaureate Diploma |
Obtain a minimum of 24 points overall. Students who do not complete the IB Diploma and who achieve the minimum of 11 points from two High Level subjects, will be considered on the basis of their IB Certificates and alongside other acceptable level 3 qualifications to meet 80 UCAS Tariff Points. |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) | Pass the Irish Leaving Certificate with a minimum of 80 tariff points, achieved in three level subjects. This must include Maths and English Language taken at either Ordinary level (minimum grade O1-O4 (or A-C/A1-C3)) or Higher level (minimum H3/D1 taken from three subjects). | |
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Applied General Certificate in Health and Social Care |
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Scottish Advanced Higher |
Achieve a minimum of 80 tariff points achieved in either three Advanced Highers or from a combination of two Advanced Highers plus two Highers. Where three Advanced Highers have been taken achieve a minimum of grades CDD. Where a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers have been taken you must achieve (grades of DD in two Advanced Highers plus grades of DD in two Highers). |
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Other qualifications | ||
If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
Essential | ||
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Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications to 80 points are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
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Essential | ||
EU/Non-EU (International) Qualifications | Requirements 2020/21 | |
IELTS |
6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
From A/AS Level with a minimum of 2 A Levels
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
UK and EU students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits).
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 60 credits).
In order to complete this course a student must choose ONE of the following project routes (totalling 40 credits):
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules.
This course is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). This means that you can achieve the Level 5 CMI Certificate in Management and Leadership alongside your degree. The award is conditional on successfully completing the Honours degree programme in the appropriate module areas.
Please note that the course specification above is not finalised, and is therefore subject to change.
When you successfully complete your Foundation Year, you will be able to proceed on to any of of our undergraduate degree courses offered within Birmingham City Business School (excluding Integrated Master's).
"Undertaking a placement year with consistent support from staff, the opportunity to apply theory to the real-world working environment has proved invaluable. Birmingham City University has exceeded my expectations both from an academic and professional perspective."
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.
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Through our courses we give you the skills and experience needed to get a head start when applying for jobs. But we offer something extra too – Graduate+.
Our unique programme gives you the chance to develop valuable skills outside of the more formal classroom learning. We award points for Graduate+ activities (including firewalking!) and these can be put towards a final Graduate+ award.
Welcome to the Birmingham City Business School, home to students from over 70 countries all around the world!
Birmingham City Business School is one of the UK’s largest, most established and most respected business schools. Our programmes are practice based and many have an international focus, which means your course will be entirely relevant to today’s business world. Almost all of our courses, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, are open to international students.
We also have links with universities across the world, including Europe, the USA, China, India and Malaysia.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £340 million on new learning facilities.
This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law, Business and English 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 Foundation Year programme in Business Management is designed to support you through this first year, with modules on the context of business and practice projects geared towards helping you develop your academic and interpersonal skills - all while enriching your business knowledge and experience and setting you up ready to make the most of your BA (Hons) degree."
Nicky Walker, Course Leader
Prior to her academic role, Vanessa successfully held management positions within high profile global companies including Tesco, Next and The Body Shop. She has also worked for The Prince's Trust where she was responsible for leading teams and influencing at Director level to co-ordinate peer mentoring programmes for young people across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Dr Richard E. Oddy is a Senior Lecturer and Course Director specialising in Marketing, Sport, Event and Esports Management. 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.