BA (Honours) Business Studies
UCAS code
N100Attendance
Full-time
Four years full-time (including one year work placement) or three years full-timeAt a glance
Learn the foundations of business and then choose from a wide range of options to specialise in your final year, such as marketing, operations, finance or human resources. You can then put your knowledge into practice by taking a paid placement in industry to enhance your career prospects and starting salary.
Key points
• Learn the general principles of business and then choose an area to specialise in.
• Tailor your studies to your interests and career aspirations.
• Succeed in the business world by developing the confidence, qualities and work experience that employers want.
• Build your CV with a placement at a major organisation such as Siemens or the NHS.
What is business studies?
Business is the main human activity of production and trade through which all of us receive the goods and services and the jobs that we need. Business studies is the study of all of the aspects of business and the types of organisations involved. These cover everything from a small owner-operated company such as a family restaurant, shop, or plumbing service to large multinational conglomerates such as General Electric. They include public sector, private sector, cooperatives and not-for-profit organisations, operating in countries around the world.
About this course
Develop the skills needed to succeed in the business world and gain the confidence and qualities that employers really want. Our tutors have significant experience in business management research and practice. This makes our courses current and relevant to today’s workplace.
During your first and second year, you study the core areas of business. These give you knowledge in the key areas of • finance • human resources • international business • marketing • operations management • business environment.
In your final year you can tailor the course towards your interests and career aspirations, with a wide range of module options to choose from. This allows you to study subjects that you enjoy and perform well in, so you reach your potential.
Throughout the course you develop key skills and knowledge for business including the ability to
• analyse business issues
• present your opinions and make recommendations
• work independently and as part of a team
• manage people and projects
You also gain the problem-solving, creative thinking, team-working, communication, leadership, management, and interpersonal skills needed to succeed in the business world.
Once you’ve gained a strong foundation in business studies you have the opportunity to apply it in a professional environment by taking a one year paid work placement in the third year. We strongly recommend taking a placement year as this is a great way to improve your industry knowledge with real insight and experience. It also enables you to build your CV, improve your career prospects and starting salary and can help you decide on your career path.
Placements are typically general management positions in areas such as marketing, human resource management, business operations and finance. We help you find a suitable placement and support and visit you while you are there.
You can apply to major organisations where previous students have worked including • Royal Mail • HSBC • IBM • Tesco • Cummings • Bosch • Mercedes.
If you do not complete a placement, you learn from other employment experiences in the work-based learning module.
Key areas of study
In the first and second year, you study the core business topics • finance • human resources • international business • marketing • operations management • business environment.
You can then specialise with a wide range of module options, such as a foreign language, global marketing, operations management, employee relations and financial management.
Associated careers
You can find junior management positions in smaller organisations or management training schemes in large companies such as • Toyota • Coca-Cola • Santander • DHL • Lloyds • The Metropolitan Police • Virgin Media • BMW.
The flexibility of the course means there are many career possibilities open to you in all of the functions of business, including marketing, human resource management, financial management and operations management in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.
You can also go on to postgraduate study.
Course content
Year one core modules
• business analysis • financial and management information • understanding and managing customers • managing resources • business environment
Year one options
One from • perspectives in international business • foreign language
Year two core modules
• managing decisions • managing finance • managing markets • understanding and managing organisations • managing business processes and information
Year two options
One from • managing in a global context • business planning and enterprise management • corporate and business law • foreign language
Year three
• optional work placement
Final year core modules
• strategic management • work-based learning (three year route only) • career management and professional development (four year route only)
Final year options
Four from a wide range of modules including • global marketing • financial management for business • operations planning and control • e-business management • business in emerging markets • employee relations • entrepreneurship and innovation in practice • foreign language
Assessment
• coursework • examinations
Entry requirements
2014 entry requirements
We expect you to demonstrate through your personal statement an interest in and awareness of business or some level of practical experience.
Normally, five GCSEs at grade C or above including English language and mathematics, plus one of the following
• 300 points including at least 160 points from two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications or one AVCE double award. We accept general studies. Key Skills qualifications are not included.
• Access – an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 or above, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each skill.
If you do not have any of the qualifications above but have relevant experience you are welcome to discuss potential opportunities with the admissions tutor.
2013 entry requirements
We expect you to demonstrate through your personal statement an interest in and awareness of business or some level of practical experience.
Normally, five GCSEs at grade C or above including English language and mathematics, plus one of the following
• 300 points including at least 160 points from two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications or one AVCE double award. We accept general studies. Key Skills qualifications are not included.
Fees
Home and EU students
2013/14 academic year
For 2013 entry, membership of a professional body is included in the course fee.
International students
2013/14 academic year
Typically £11,880 a year
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,880 a year
How to apply
You apply for this course through UCAS.
Contact details
For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk