Plymouth Business School

BSc (Hons) Business Management with Foundation Year

UCAS tariff 32+
UCAS course code N207
Institution code P60
Duration 3 years (+ optional placement)
Course type Full-time
Location Plymouth
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Apply via UCASo

The course starts with a foundation year 0, specifically designed to introduce and develop essential skills for success in Higher Education, including critical thinking and research skills, and the knowledge and understanding of key facets of business, accounting and economics. Upon successful completion of the foundation year, you will successfully progress on to the two-year version of the BSc (Hons) Business Management course.

Specially designed with concentrated periods of learning, you’ll gain the same skills and experience in managing people, projects and resources as on the three-year course. However, you’ll graduate with a full honours degree a whole year sooner. With our course you’ll get ahead of the game and make your mark on the business world.

Business Management with Foundation 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 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.


All organisations need managers 


Studying Business Management at Plymouth will stand you in good stead no matter what career path you follow. Our students graduate ready to face business challenges in all sorts of settings – from retail to finance and cross 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."

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.
Discover our careers service
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.
  • Complete your degree in three years, entering the graduate employment market one year earlier than your peers. Demonstrate your commitment and ability to work hard and consistently, and manage your time to meet deadlines by choosing to take the fast-track route to an honours degree. You will also benefit from lower fees and a year less in terms of outlay for accommodation and living expenses.
  • 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.
  •  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. 
  • Join the Devon Junior Chamber, engage with industry employers and receive training and professional mentoring.
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.

    Core modules

    • The World of Economics and Finance (ECN3100)

      This module will introduce you to a range of contemporary ideas within economics and finance. The module will use a range of contemporary real-world issues to demonstrate the relevance of foundation level economic and financial concepts for decision making.

    • Global Business (STO3001)

      The module will introduce the components, functions and context of a business. You will explore the impact of different models on business purpose, values, stakeholders and reporting. Aspects such as globalisation, sustainability, ethics and entrepreneurship will also be examined.

    • Introduction to Business Research (STO3002)

      The module will enable you to develop business research at an introductory level and to develop a range of academic and professional capabilities. You will investigate research topics that will develop your understanding the importance of effective cross-disciplinary understanding and collaboration.

    • Business Research Project (STO3003)

      This module allows you to integrate subject specific knowledge and skills to investigate a specific topic relevant to your programme of study through a small-scale research project.

  • Year 1

  • Gain a solid understanding of management in a business and enterprise context. Look into the ethical and sustainability issues of business, work on live case studies and with businesses, in order to develop learning and apply theory to practice. In the summer (from early June to the middle of July), you begin to learn and acquire the knowledge and skills required of a practising manager, thereby enhancing your future employability. 

  • Summer modules/placement year

  • Gain valuable on-the-job experience through an optional placement year after your first or final year. Supported by a dedicated team, you undertake a paid placement within a public or private sector organisation, or you may even decide to set up your own business.

  • Final year

  • Enhance your employability and understanding of professional development and career planning. Hone your decision-making, project planning and research skills. Tailor your degree by studying topics of interest and graduate with a specialist qualification. During the second year, you increase your understanding of strategic management and complete a research project in an area of your choice. You also have the opportunity to undertake a live consultancy project or reflect on your industry experience. 

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 with Foundation Year Prog Spec Sep22 FINAL updated Jul22 6665

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.

In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the changeable nature of the situation and any updates to government guidance, we may need to make further, last minute adjustments to how we deliver our teaching and learning on some or all of our programmes, at any time during the academic year. We want to reassure you that even if we do have to adjust the way in which we teach our programmes, we will be working to maintain the quality of the student learning experience and learning outcomes at all times.
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 to include 4 at any subject at Higher Level. English and Maths accepted within: Higher Level = 4, Standard Level = 5.
IELTS
If overseas & 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.
English language requirements
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.
Fees, costs and funding
Foundation year 2022-2023 2023-2024
Home £9,250 £9,250
Overseas £14,600 £16,300
10 credits £770 £770

Year 1 and final year 2022-2023 2023-2024
Home £11,100 £11,100
Overseas £17,550 £19,100
10 credits £950 £950

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 Businessand 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.

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:

Human resource management 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.

International business International business
 Explore how to extend your business across international frontiers to earn in multiple currencies.

Social change Social change
 At the world’s first officially certified ‘social enterprise’ university, discover how to direct your business towards the betterment of society.

Marketing Marketing
 Hone your skills in promoting, selling, advertising and researching.

Project management Project management
 Develop your ability to plan and head effective, efficient and sustainable projects.

Non-specialist route 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
  • In-sessional Academic Manager and EFL Lecturer
    Expert in developing writing confidence and fluency
  • Lecturer in Human Resource Studies/Leadership
    Expert in leadership, contemporary ethical issues in leadership and management
  • Lecturer in Human Resource Studies/Leadership
    Expert in HR management and business
  • 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
  • Associate Head of School for Teaching, Learning and Quality
    Expert in French language and culture

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."

Discover Nadine's story

<p>Nadine Mashingaidze circle<br></p>

Plymouth Business School

  • ? 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