Plymouth Business School

BSc (Hons) Business Management with Foundation Year

UCAS tariff 32+
UCAS course code N206
Institution code P60
Duration

4 years

(+ optional placement)
Course type

Full-time
Study location Plymouth
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Apply by UCASo

Learn how to become an organisation’s best asset by successfully coordinating people, projects and resources. Acquire the skills to become an effective manager, while learning about management in the context of economics, marketing, entrepreneurship, sustainability, ethics, corporate social responsibility and globalisation. You also get the chance to put theory into practice with an optional placement year.

Careers with this subject
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.

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."

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 are here to help you to explore, connect and succeed.

Key features
  • The foundation year is an integral part of the extended degree and you will benefit from experienced university lecturers. Whilst completion of the foundation year will not lead to a separate award or qualification in its own right, you will be able to confidently progress to programmes within our suite of courses in Plymouth Business School.
  • 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.
  • 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. 
  • Learn within a supportive environment where you’ll be mentored by a community of experienced academics.
  • Study full-time over four years or choose the fast-track route and study over three.  

Course details

  • Foundation year

  • Begin to develop your research skills, knowledge and understanding. Undertake independent research into an area of study that interests you. Successful completion of the foundation year ensures progression to year 1.

  • Year 1

  • Gain a solid understanding of management in a business and enterprise context. Learn about 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. 

  • 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. 

  • 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. 

  • 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. 
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.

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 (Hons) Business Management with Foundation Year programme specification_6221

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff

32+

18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma
PPP-MMP 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.
International Baccalaureate
24-25 overall. English and Maths accepted within: Higher Level = 4, Standard Level = 5.
IELTS
If overseas and not studying English within IB – Must have IELTS: 6.0 overall with 5.5 in all elements.
Access courses
Pass access course (any subject) plus GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4 or above or equivalent.
T level: Pass in any subject.
New Irish Highers:From 2017 32-80 points.
City and Guilds Level 3: We will accept with a minimum of Merit overall alongside a good GCSE profile, including English and Maths grade C / 4.
Cyprus Apolytirion:15/20 to 16/20 overall to include a pass in Maths and IELTS: 6.0 overall with 5.5 in all elements.
GCSE
GCSE’s or equivalent: Maths and English at Grade C/4 or City and Guilds; Key Skills Level 2 will be considered on an individual basis.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary .

Fees, costs and funding
Student 2024-2025 2025-2026
Home £9,250 £9,250
International £17,100 £17,600
Part time (Home) £770 £770
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.

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 .

Tuition fees for optional placement years

The fee for all undergraduate students completing any part of their placement year in the UK in 2023/2024 is £1,850.
The fee for all undergraduate students completing their whole placement year outside the UK in 2023/2024 is £1,385.
 Learn more about placement year tuition fees

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.

Tailor your degree

Study the topics you are interested in and graduate with a specialist qualification. Choose from our second and final-year specialism modules:

Getty image. office. human resources. 
Human resource management
Learn how to bring out the best in an organisation's people to help the business thrive in this CIPD-accredited specialism.
Global enterprise: freighter
International business
Explore how to extend your business across international frontiers to earn in multiple currencies.
MSc Marketing and Innovation
Marketing
Hone your skills in promoting, selling, advertising and researching.
MA Sustainable Construction Project Management
Project management
Develop your ability to plan and head effective, efficient and sustainable projects.
Woman explaining the plan to office team
Non-specialist route
Take a more generalist approach with greater freedom to mix modules from different pathways of business management.

Meet our experts

  • Lecturer in Finance
    Expert in corporate finance and co-inventor of the Cost Carbon Calculator
  • Lecturer in Economics
    Expert in macroeconomics, microeconomics and international trade
  • Associate Professor of Human Resource Management
    Expert in HR management and business
  • In-sessional Academic Manager and EFL Lecturer
    Expert in developing writing confidence and fluency
  • Lecturer in Marketing (Education)
    Expert in online marketing, facilities management, leisure and catering
  • Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) in Business Operations & Strategy
    Expert in using management modelling, simulations and games to promote learning
  • Lecturer in Human Resource Studies/Leadership
    Expert in leadership, contemporary ethical issues in leadership and management
  • Associate Head of School for Teaching, Learning and Quality
    Expert in French language and culture

Fitzroy Building

The University of Plymouth is creating an exciting new space for the Plymouth Business School in which current and future students can foster the knowledge and enthusiasm that they will need to achieve their ambitions. Work is underway at the heart of our city centre campus. 
Watch our video visualising what the new building will look like. 

A stepping stone into the world of HR

Nadine Mashingaidze graduated from BSc (Hons) Business Management and MA Human Resource Management before before moving into a role as a HR Manager.
"I thought with my degree I could only stay in a specific field, however I was able to branch out and receive career guidance to understand that I don’t have to be so boxed and confined when looking for a job. Studying at Plymouth opened my mind up to the opportunities available."
Nadine Mashingaidze circle

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