BSc (Hons) Business Management

Graduates follow careers in a wide range of sectors including investment and finance, technology, health, utilities, manufacturing, media, and in management roles including: human resources, marketing, operations, supply chain and procurement, and project management.

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 work with employers to develop our assessments and to ensure that you have the opportunity to work on real world problem-based exercises. You will also experience regular employer engagement, such as guest speakers, throughout your degree.

We know this is key to student academic and graduate success.

All organisations need managers

The combination of critical thinking and practical commercial skills nurtured on this course make it an excellent way to prepare for a career as a successful business manager. There’s no getting away from the fact that it’s a competitive field, but developing your knowledge and understanding of key business areas, and tailoring your degree to your interests, will enable you to graduate with the confidence to succeed.

Studying Business Management at Plymouth will develop your skills and ability to pursue a career in a wide range of settings – from project management to human resources and across all public and private sectors.

Find out where BSc (Hons) Business Management at Plymouth could lead you.

Advice from graduate Christopher Cleves

"Read around the subject you’re studying as widely as you can, watch the news and make as much use as you can of all the employability and skills development facilities at the University. What’s being reported in mainstream media can seem a little far away when you’re studying but coming to interview with a good knowledge of current affairs can help to bridge the gap between university and full-time work."

Read more from Christopher in his case study.

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, and 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 recognise that our students are unique, coming from all over the world, with different backgrounds and interests. We believe that your degree should be as unique as you are, and that you should have the flexibility to tailor your degree to your interests. Study the topics you are interested in and graduate with a specialist business management degree of your choice.

• We appreciate that students learn in different ways. As such you will be challenged through both practical and theoretically derived assessments. You will apply knowledge to real business contexts and undertake tasks related to real world practice.

• Boost your employability with paid, real-world experience during an optional work placement year and apply your learning to real world scenarios through live consultancy projects with local, national and international businesses.
  
  
• Join the Devon Junior Chamber, engage with industry employers and receive opportunities for training and professional mentoring.

• Study the topics you are interested in and graduate with a specialist business management degree of your choice. Engage with areas such as our Human Resource Management specialism, which is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

• Study full-time over three years or choose the two-year, fast-track route to get ahead of the competition.
  

• Year 1

• Gain a solid understanding of management in a business and enterprise context. Learn about the the ethical and sustainability issues of businesses from a global perspective, while developing your understanding of leadership, marketing and the digital economy. Throughout your degree you have the opportunity to work on live case studies and with businesses to develop your learning and apply theory to practice.
  

  Core modules

  • Developing Management and Leadership Competencies (HRL4001)

    This module introduces you to the practices of the manager and leader, exploring the key attributes, roles, responsibilities and challenges facing them in 21st century organisations, and the attributes, skills and competencies required to be effective. The module focuses on leadership and management practice and encourages a self /individual developmental approach, enabling you to reflect on your current and future competencies.

  • Business and Management Internal Setting (HRL4002)

    This modules encompasses the internal aspects, functions and processes of organisations, including their diverse nature, purposes, structures, size/scale, governance, operations and management, together with the individual and corporate behaviours and cultures which exist within and between different organisations.

  • Marketing, Enterprise and the Digital Economy (MKT4003)

    As consumer behaviour and needs change, organisations need to become more creative and entrepreneurial in every aspect. This module will provide you with the foundation knowledge of consumer behaviour in the digital world; how businesses are adapting and developing effective entrepreneurial climates, cultures and structures for long-term sustainability. You will explore the role and impact of digital technologies and how the integration of online and traditional marketing techniques can be successful.

  • Business and Management External Environment (STO4001)

    This module introduces students to essential understanding and competencies in the dynamic and changing nature of business and the consideration of the future of organisations within the global business environment, including the management of risk and business resilience.

• Year 2

• Develop employability skills further by focusing on the practical techniques for managing people, operations, resources and projects. Work with students from across the faculty on the challenge module, which focuses on global issues.
  

  Core modules

  • Managing People, Productivity and Operations (HRL5001)

    Operations involves the production of goods and services through the coordination of human and other resources, where these resources are managed effectively levels of productivity that provide competitive advantage may be achieved. In this module you will explore how major themes of operations and human resource management interlink to influence organisational decision making and aspects of organisational and individual performance.

  • Careers and Professional Development (PBS500CPD)

    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.

  • Challenge Module (HRL5008)

    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.

  • Economic and Financial Data for Business Decision Making (ECN5009)

    Excellent business performance can only be sustained if managers have access to high quality information. This module explores economic and financial data, common management decision making techniques (e.g., processes, models, analytical methods, and information support) and analytical frameworks in the context of their role in informing key business decisions (e.g., pricing, investment, cash flow, organisational finance, research and development etc).

  Optional modules

  • Contemporary HRM (HRL5002)

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

  • Human Resource Management in a Global Context (HRL5003)

    This module introduces you to the consequences of globalisation for workers and how they are managed, the particular people management issues confronted by multinational corporations (MNCs) and the human resource management systems adopted in different national contexts.

  • Managing Change (HRL5004)

    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.

  • Marketing for a Digital World (MKT5003)

    In this module you will examine the impact of new forms of digital technology on all aspects of the modern marketing mix, organisational strategies and consumer facing activities. You will examine new approaches for segmentation, targeting and positioning to generate sales through a digital lens. This module further aims to provide a greater understanding and awareness of the relationships between marketing and digital technology.

  • Strategic Marketing Management (MKT5004)

    The module is designed to provide business students with an understanding of the essential elements of the marketing management process. It explores the way in which marketing strategies can be developed and implemented in business organisations, and the relationship between marketing, other functional areas of management and the external environment. It will address the potential impact of current issues on the marketing process.

  • Project Management (STO5001)

    This module provides insight and application into key aspects of successful project management and the project management lifecycle.

  • Responsible Global Enterprise (STO5002)

    The module will focus on the management of global enterprises in a responsible way. You will consider the various forces within the local and international environments that are likely to influence firms’ expansion activities, including location choice, entry mode, internationalisation patterns and growth strategies. You will also explore the pros and cons of globalization, the emerging trends in deglobalization, fair trade practices and responsible foreign direct investment (FDI). Finally, you will examines the costs and benefits of offshore outsourcing as a part of global supply chain management and in the context of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

• Optional placement year

• Put theory into practice with an optional placement year. Supported by a dedicated team, you undertake a paid position within a public or private sector organisation relevant to your interests.
  

  Core modules

  • Placement Year (PBS600PLC)

    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.

• Final year

• Study the topics you are interested in and graduate with a specialist qualification. Some of our specialism modules include: human resource management, global enterprise, creating social change, and strategic marketing. Tailor your degree by completing a research project in an area of your choice, and undertake a live consultancy project or reflect on your industry experience.
  

  Core modules

  • Honours Project (PBS6000)

    The module gives you the opportunity to investigate in-depth a specialist academic or practice-based topic for which you have a passion for knowing more within your field of study.

  • Continued Careers and Professional Development (PBS600CPD)

    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.

  • Strategy and Leadership (STO6003)

    This module brings a problem-focused view to Strategy, Leadership and their interaction through Strategic Leadership. Particular consideration is given to strategic analysis, the development, evaluation and implementation of strategies and appropriate styles of leadership which facilitate this. The ethical and moral responsibilities of leaders will be critiqued, along with the development of relationships between organisational decision makers, leaders, and followers, within businesses.

  • Enterprise, Innovation and Creativity (STO6004)

    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.

  Optional modules

  • Contemporary HRM (HRL6002)

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

  • Human Resource Management in a Global Context (HRL6003)

    This module introduces you to the consequences of globalisation for workers and how they are managed, the particular people management issues confronted by multinational corporations (MNCs) and the human resource management systems adopted in different national contexts.

  • Managing Change (HRL6004)

    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.

  • Experiential Practice (HRL6010)

    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.

  • Marketing for a Digital World (MKT6003)

    In this module you will examine the impact of new forms of digital technology on all aspects of the modern marketing mix, organisational strategies and consumer facing activities. You will examine new approaches for segmentation, targeting and positioning to generate sales through a digital lens. This module further aims to provide a greater understanding and awareness of the relationships between marketing and digital technology.

  • Strategic Marketing Management (MKT6004)

    The module is designed to provide business students with an understanding of the essential elements of the marketing management process. It explores the way in which marketing strategies can be developed and implemented in business organisations, and the relationship between marketing, other functional areas of management and the external environment. It will address the potential impact of current issues on the marketing process.

  • Project Management (STO6001)

    This module provides insight and application into key aspects of successful project management and the project management lifecycle.

  • Responsible Global Enterprise (STO6002)

    The module will focus on the management of global enterprises in a responsible way. You will consider the various forces within the local and international environments that are likely to influence firms’ expansion activities, including location choice, entry mode, internationalisation patterns and growth strategies. You will also explore the pros and cons of globalization, the emerging trends in deglobalization, fair trade practices and responsible foreign direct investment (FDI). Finally, you will examines the costs and benefits of offshore outsourcing as a part of global supply chain management and in the context of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

  • Business Consultancy (STO6005)

    This module focuses on exploring and understanding a range of theoretical approaches to developing strategies for businesses and applying these principles to a live consultancy project. You will have the opportunity to gain experience of working with a business on a consultancy basis, either in a research or strategic development setting. You will engage with a client business to mutually identify a suitable project and develop findings and guidelines to inform a new strategic direction.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BSc Business Management 2yr 3yr Prog Spec Sep22 FINAL updated Jul22 7059

UCAS tariff

104 - 120

A level: 104-120 points from a minimum of 2 A levels. This course considers general studies.

BTEC: 18 Unit BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM in any subject.

BTEC National Diploma modules
If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

Access: Pass a named Access to HE Diploma in any subject with at least 33 credits at merit/distinction.

T levels: Merit in any subject.

IB: 26 - 30 overall to include 4 at any subject at Higher Level.
English and Maths accepted within: Higher Level = 4   Standard Level = 5

All applicants must have GCSE (or equivalent) mathematics and English at grade 4/C or above.

Short of the entry requirements for this course? Don’t worry you may be eligible for a foundation year to prepare you for possible entry onto this course for the following year.

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

English language requirements