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Plymouth Business School

BA (Hons) Business

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UCAS course code N104
Institution code P60
Duration

1 year
Course type

Full-time
Study location Plymouth

Deepen your knowledge of the business environment and your understanding of how organisations operate. Discover how and why businesses innovate and why enterprise is critical in the marketplace. Prepare for a career in the world of business and improve your professional and business communication skills.

Careers with this subject
Our course offers a fantastic way to kick-start your career, increasing your value as an employee in your chosen field, and can also open the door to postgraduate study.

Real experience every step of the way

As well as expert-led teaching, all undergraduate modules within Plymouth Business School have integrated CV building activity, for example, through micro-credentialing, problem-based learning, or embedded direct employer activity.
We have ensured every module contains a real world problem-based exercise. We have reached out to employers directly to involve real business in our assessments. You will experience real world employee engagement every month.
We know this is key to student academic and graduate success.

Careers service

The University of Plymouth has a dedicated careers service supporting you from the moment you start your degree, to three years after graduation.
Careers advice is embedded into your academic programme through workshops, events, placements, networks - working with the academic staff teaching on your course. We also offer materials, networks and resources online through our 24/7 portal, and a wide-range of activities, opportunities and support centrally in the Careers Service space within the Student Hub.
We are here to help you to explore, connect and succeed.

Key features
  • Study this course over two years (Level 5 and 6) or one year (Level 6 only). Providing a route for students from a range of business foundation degrees (and equivalent) to top up to Honours. The two year programme offers students the opportunity to undertake a placement between their first and second year.
  • Our innovative one or two year course embraces a broad spectrum of industry relevant modules and is especially attractive to students who wish to build a career in business. We aim to provide students with the ability to exercise personal responsibility and decision-making in the competitive world of business.
  • Develop an appreciation of the dynamic marketplace in which businesses operate and the implications of this for business decisions and organisational culture.
  • All undergraduate modules within Plymouth Business School have integrated within them a CV building activity, for example, through micro-credentialing; real world problem-based learning; or embedded direct employer activity.
  • Benefit from academic staff with strong relevant industrial and academic experience and tutors who not only provide excellent teaching but also great pastoral care.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • This course offers a wide-ranging business core in Level 5 where you can focus on international trade or supply chains, through your choice module which also includes communications for non-native speakers. Level 5 entrants can undertake an optional placement year between Levels 5 and 6. Level 6 involves the study of specialist areas – HRM, managing change, enterprise, innovation and creativity, and digital marketing or experiential practice. A common Level 5 core with BA (Hons) International Business Management enables you to switch courses before the start of Level 6.
    Students may take either Level 5 plus Level 6 consecutively or Level 6 only, depending on entry qualifications.
    Level 5
    Zero credit modules
    • PBS500CPD Careers and Professional Development (zero credit): This module is aimed at enhancing student employability and supporting those wishing to apply for placements.

    Core modules

    PBS500CPD
    Careers and Professional Development 0 credits

    This module is aimed at enhancing students employability skills and knowledge especially those who will be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their degree. It is designed to build on skills learned in Stage 1 and helps students in their search for a placement, and in their preparation for the placement itself.

    ACF5011
    Financial Data Analysis

    Sustainable business performance can only be maintained if managers have access to high quality financial information. This module utilises financial data for fundamental corporate decisions by exploring analytical techniques such as financial statements analysis, risk estimation, descriptive and inferential statistics in the context of their role in informing business decisions (e.g. investment, working capital decisions, corporate financing decisions, business valuation, budgeting, marginal analysis, and financing etc).

    ECN5015
    Decision Making for Business

    Decision Making for Business offers students a thorough understanding of rational, behavioural, and economic approaches to decision-making, emphasising their practical application in business contexts. Students are introduced to key decision-making frameworks that guide analysis, choice, and strategic planning in economic environments. They develop skills to analyse situations, evaluate risks, navigate asymmetric information, and apply strategic thinking to enhance decision-making across various business contexts.

    HRL5009
    The Effective People Manager

    Effective people managers are vital to the success of organisations. This module examines the identification and development of key skills for managing employees in different contexts. It explores various policy choices affecting people at work and the role of line managers in implementing those policies. Of particular interest would be the integration of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the module so students could harness the potential of AI in devising effective systems for managing people. It also delves into various personal and interpersonal skills that students would leverage on throughout their careers.

    MKT5008
    Marketing Dynamics: Strategies for a Digital World

    This module introduces key marketing concepts relevant to highly competitive and changing markets. The module explores the changing nature of consumer behaviour especially in relation to the use of digital technologies and consider the most appropriate strategies to maximize the return on marketing investment. This module will apply theory to case studies, considering ethical, legal and regulatory factors that may affect tactical activities.

    Optional modules

    MAR5004
    International Supply Chain Management 20 credits

    Through this module, you will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of international supply chain management and the complexities involved in planning, coordinating and operating various business processes in the management of international supply chains.

    100% Coursework

    PBS5001C
    The Challenge Module: Sustainable Business 20 credits

    Through this module you can select from a choice of topics related to the big challenges business and society are facing today. These might be drawn from the UN Sustainable Development Goals or a country’s industrial strategy.

    100% Coursework

    PBS5002C
    The Challenge Module: Sustainable Supply Chains for Global Trade 20 credits

    In this module, you will be challenged to evaluate the sustainability of the globalised business world. You will assess conflicting viewpoints and present balanced arguments for the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the supply chains that support global trade.

    100% Coursework

    PBS5003C
    The Challenge Module: Responsible Entrepreneurship in Action 20 credits

    Through this module you can develop an understanding of the big challenges business and society are facing today, in the context of entrepreneurship. These might be drawn from the UN Sustainable Development Goals or a country’s industrial strategy and will be informed by established business theories. You will develop and reflect on a business idea which has sustainability at its core.

    100% Coursework

    ELC205
    Professional and Academic Communication 20 credits

    This module develops your level of English in order to operate effectively in a professional and academic context.

    100% Coursework

    ECN5010
    International Finance, Trade and Globalization

    This module explores the economic and financial implications of globalisation by examining contemporary topics in international financial markets and international trade. It enables the consideration of the impact of the contemporary financial and trading system on key areas for business decision making.

  • Optional placement year

  • Core modules

    PBS600PLC
    Placement Year

    The placement year consists of an extended period of appropriate professional experience in a business or organisation. It allows the student to gain relevant experience to consolidate their studies and prepare for final stage study and employment after graduation. Students on BA International Business may also or alternatively undertake a study placement at an approved partner institution.

  • Year 3

  • Level 6
    Zero credit modules
    • PBS600CPD Continued Career and Professional Development (zero credit): This module is aimed at further enhancing student employability and builds upon the Level 5 module.

    Core modules

    HRL6002
    Contemporary HRM 20 credits

    In this module, you will focus on exploring the management of human resources in modern organisations operating in complex environments.

    100% Coursework

    HRL6004
    Managing Change 20 credits

    This module considers the importance of change management and how it can be achieved and sustained. You will examine how change affects organisations and the individuals who work within them. You will go on to evaluate the means by which change can be analysed and implemented, considering the interactions between strategy, policy, human resources, and the organisational environment.

    100% Coursework

    PBS600CPD
    Continued Careers and Professional Development 0 credits

    The Continued Career and Professional Development module is a development scheme designed to enhance students’ employability and builds on the stage 2 module. The stage 3 module focuses on providing students with information on graduate options and equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary for articulating and recording achievement and applying for graduate positions. The module also includes a number of workshops and events designed to develop students’ skills and knowledge, with the purpose of filling gaps in their CV’s and enhancing their employability.

    STO6004
    Enterprise, Innovation and Creativity 20 credits

    The module will enable you to use creative processes to develop an innovative and viable business concept and to pitch for resources from potential stakeholders.

    60% Coursework

    40% Practicals

    STO6009
    The Strategy Challenge: Competitive Advantage and Value

    This module’s primary purpose is to equip you with essential analytical tools and critical thinking skills to navigate complex business environments. This course focuses on analysing organisations and their environments, formulating, implementing, and evaluating strategies that drive value and competitive advantage. Through studying real-life organisation issues, such as aligning resources with market opportunities and adapting to dynamic conditions, innovative strategies will be examined, giving insight into real-world strategic challenges and organisational success. It also teaches, and assesses, personal skills such as time management, that the students will need in their later lives as managers.

    STO6011
    Business Improvement

    This module brings a problem-focused view to business improvement techniques and concepts which are key to developing competitive advantage, both in goods and service based industries. Particular consideration is given to operations strategy, key aspects of operations and business improvement such as process and layout design, capacity and demand management, agility, lean, performance measurement and quality management.

    Optional modules

    HRL6010
    Experiential Practice 20 credits

    This module provides you with the opportunity both to reflect upon practical experience as well as develop your capabilities and profile so you are on course for life after graduation.

    100% Coursework

    MKT6008
    Public Relations in the Digital Era 20 credits

    This module seeks to demystify public relations, explain what it is, how it can be used and its relationship with marketing. You will explore both marketing public relations and corporate public relations and examine how marketers can utilise public relations as part of the marketing mix in the digital era.

    100% Coursework

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Entry requirements

Contextual offers: Typically, the contextual offer for this course is 8 points below the advertised tariff. A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes into account individual circumstances that are beyond your control, and that can potentially impact your learning and your exam results, or your confidence in applying to university.

Check your eligibility for a contextual offer

For entry onto the two-year programme applicants should possess a commensurate level 4 business related equivalent to 120 credits of study at Level 4.
For entry into the one-year programme you must have completed a foundation degree or equivalent with a business or management emphasis, equivalent to 120 credits of study at Levels 4 and 5. It is expected that such qualifications will include a significant focus on: marketing, organisational behaviour/people management, accounting/finance, and business environment.
Candidates whose first language is not English require IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each element) or equivalent. English language requirements
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.
Please contact the Admissions Team with any queries.

Fees, costs and funding
2024-2025 2025-2026 *
Home £9,250 £9,535
International £17,100 £17,600
Part time (Home) £770 £795
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

*UK Government announcement on tuition fees

Following an announcement in November, the government has confirmed its intention to increase undergraduate tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year.

Subject to final Parliamentary approval (expected in early March 2025), the tuition fee for UK students is increasing to a maximum of £9,535 from 1 August 2025. This change applies to current and new students at the University of Plymouth. The Student Loans Company (SLC) has confirmed loans for tuition fees will be increased accordingly.

Additional costs

This course is delivered by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business and more details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are listed on the following page: Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business additional costs .

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code.
To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.
Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Meet our experts

  • Lecturer in Service Operations Management and Business Strategy (Education)
    Programme leader. Expert in services and operations management
  • Lecturer in Economics
    Expert in macroeconomics, microeconomics and international trade
  • Lecturer in Finance
    Expert in corporate finance and co-inventor of the Cost Carbon Calculator
  • Lecturer in Finance and Economics
    Research interests include dynamic macroeconomics and international finance
  • Lecturer in Human Resources and Leadership
    Research interests include innovation and change from a HRM perspective
  • Lecturer in Marketing (Education)
    Expert in online marketing, facilities management, leisure and catering
  • Associate Professor in Marketing
    Research interests in poverty reduction and consumer behaviour
  • Lecturer in Marketing (Education)
    Expert in digital and social media marketing
  • Associate Professor in Business Management & Operations
    Expert in Big Data and experienced chartered engineer
  • Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) in Strategic Management
    Member of Editorial Board, Journal of Finance and Management in Public Services

Plymouth Business School

  • ?Accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

  • ?Committed to social, economic and environmental responsibility

  • ?Supporting the internationally recognised focus on sustainability and social purpose of the University

  • ?Leading business ready graduates onto a successful career and happy life

  • ?Supporting graduates to make informed choices based on current economic and market trends

  • ?Building students resilience and confidence

  • ?Promoting practical skills development

A new home to cultivate business leaders

Our Fitzroy Building has been transformed, becoming the new home of the Plymouth Business School, providing students with specialist facilities and social learning spaces.
Among these spaces for business, management, accounting, finance and marketing students, you'll find the Bloomberg Interactive Suite for tracking stock markets and The Cube - support for our student and graduate entrepreneurs, as well as a Maritime Suite and a Language Lab.
Watch our video visualising what the new building looks like.