BA (Hons) Business Management with Foundation Year
Course Overview
The BA (Hons) Business Management with Foundation Year is designed for students requiring an accessible entry point into higher education. Delivered by School of Coding & AI in partnership with the University of Wolverhampton, the foundation year builds your academic and professional confidence before transitioning into an advanced exploration of business principles. This program is perfect for aspiring business leaders, equipping you with essential skills for a successful career in management and beyond. This course is ideal for:
- Mature students: Those who have been out of formal education for a while may benefit from this programme to refresh their skills and ease back into academic life.
- Students seeking academic confidence: If you feel you need to strengthen your understanding of core business principles before taking on a full degree, the foundation year is a great opportunity to build that confidence.
- Industry-Relevant Learning: Our curriculum is designed to incorporate real-world examples and projects that prepare you for the demands of the modern business world.
| Qualification Title | BA (Hons) in Business Management with Foundation Year |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Awarding body | University of Wolverhampton |
| Mode of Study | Full-Time or Part-Time |
| Duration | 4 years for full-time students and 8 years for Part-timers |
| Entry Requirements |
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| Intakes | January and September |
| Campus | Birmingham |
Course Structure & Modules
Year 1
- Module: 3BU002
- Credits: 20
- Period: 1
- Type: Core
This module will introduce you to various philosophies and theoretical concepts of management with a focus on 21st-century developments and real-life scenarios that managers face. A range of themes will be explored, including social responsibility, ethics, globalisation, international cultures, technology and entrepreneurship.
- Module: 3GK012
- Credits: 40
- Period: 1
- Type: Core
This module is designed to introduce you to university life. It will support you in exploring the university environment. It will also introduce you to the wide variety of academic skills needed to succeed at university and will support you in the development of these skills.
- Module: 3BU003
- Credits: 20
- Period: 1
- Type: Core
This module aims to provide you with an introduction to the general environment in which businesses operate. Through studying this module, you will develop an understanding of the contemporary debates on the nature and management of modern enterprises. The module covers internal and external aspects of business – such as people at work, marketing, financial information and operations.
In this module, you will work collaboratively with other students on a project that reflects an area of shared interest relating to the broad themes of Business, Law or the Social Sciences. You will have the opportunity to work as a small team to devise, design and plan a project relating to a topic of shared interest. In many aspects of life and work, teamwork and collaboration are the norm to solve real problems. This group-based project will allow you to develop a range of skills, including leadership skills, time management, negotiation, communication, creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. By investigating and responding to a complex question, challenge or problem, you and your group will acquire a deeper knowledge of your topic. The module will conclude with a conference, where your group’s project will be presented to the other groups in your class.
Year 2
- Module: 4BU017
- Credits: 30
- Period: 2
- Type: Core
The module is sectioned into two parts. The first part of the module aims to provide students with a practical understanding of the digital business, the need for digital transformation to support innovation and to continue to have a competitive advantage in the marketplace. The various digital business models are explored along with the importance of digital capability. The second part of the module introduces students to the information systems that support todays digital business. A range of information systems are examined including those that support the operations of the digital business, through to its sales and marketing functions. The importance big data and business intelligence are introduced before examining how today’s digital business can apply business intelligence to develop new products and services long with improvements in efficiency and its business processes.
- Module: 4BE002
- Credits: 30
- Period: 2
- Type: Core
This module will explore what it takes for a business to be innovative; as you will be introduced to various theoretical views and opinions in the areas of creativity, innovation and enterprise. Those who study this module will be challenged to consider where, how and why ideas are generated; how ideas are implemented; and who and what type of people/teams develop new ideas.
- Module: 4BU015
- Credits: 30
- Period: 2
- Type: Core
This module will introduce students to responsible business practices with an emphasis on professional, moral and personal responsibility. This module will encourage the development of personal and professional development skills and self-reflection as a personal development tool.
- Module: 4BU016
- Credits: 30
- Period: 2
- Type: Core
As awareness of climate change, resource scarcity, environmental impact and social inequality rises, businesses are being held increasingly to account by consumers, governments and stakeholders. This module will introduce students to concepts of sustainability within a range of Business contexts.
Year 3
- Module: 5BU018
- Credits: 30
- Period: 3
- Type: Core
This module explores the customer journey from prospect or enquiry to loyal customer or advocate. In this module, students will learn about the marketing strategies and tactics involved in attracting new customers and keeping them. Research suggests it can cost between 5 and 10 times as much to acquire a new customer as it does to retain an existing customer, with the commonly quoted average being 7 times more expensive to acquire a new customer. So why do so many companies spend more time chasing new customers than keeping existing ones? This is the paradox of customer retention and acquisition. This module will enable students to understand the role of customer acquisition and retention in designing contemporary marketing strategies for organisations. Students will gain practical experience of planning marketing campaigns designed to attract, win and retain customers.
- Module: 5FC004
- Credits: 30
- Period: 3
- Type: Core
The aim of this module is to provide an introduction of a range of financial and accounting skills to the business students, which will help their understanding and managerial decision making skills. Learners will evaluate the organisation’ financial statements, identify the principles for setting and managing budgets and understand finance within the organisation. This module has been designed to enhance the learner’s confidence and credibility in financial management, which will translate into improved management skills.
- Module: 5BU017
- Credits: 30
- Period: 3
- Type: Core
This module explores operations and supply chain management alongside the foundational principles of project management. Designed to furnish students with the requisite skills, this module facilitates an in-depth analysis of contemporary challenges prevalent in business operations and supply chains. It provides a comprehensive understanding of how businesses navigate these challenges, ensuring the seamless delivery of goods and services that meet customers’ needs while embracing lean and capacity management methodologies. Furthermore, the module sharpens students’ teamwork and communication skills within a project environment. Students emerge adept at defining, planning, and controlling projects throughout their life cycles, deftly balancing competing performance objectives and stakeholder requirements. The curriculum includes an exhaustive examination of project planning tools such as the Gantt chart, Stakeholder analyses, risk planning, and critical path analysis, enhancing students’ analytical capabilities.
- Module: 5MG001
- Credits: 30
- Period: 3
- Type: Core
This module aims to develop students’ understanding of management and leadership principles, and to explore the influence various leadership and management approaches have on key Human Resource Management functions, including Change Management. Through the study of emerging leadership concepts, such as super-leadership, students will develop an appreciation for the development of self as a method to support others in their development. Reflective practice underpins the module to support students in assessing their own approach to learning and development.
Year 4
- Module: 6MG001
- Credits: 30
- Period: 4
- Type: Core
The Organisational Behaviour module explores current knowledge around behaviour in contemporary organisations. This module explores areas from an individual employee and manager perspective. Students will engage with topics such as Identity, Power, Gender, Motivation, Change and Ethics. This list is not exhaustive but indicative only. Students will explore these topics from a critical, and in some instances, post-structuralist perspective. The module aims to equip students with a fundamental grounding in Organisational Behaviour in order to help them develop as managers of the future.
- Module: 6BU021
- Credits: 30
- Period: 4
- Type: Core
The ability to effectively communicate with all internal and external stakeholders is key for business leaders. The business environment is in constant flux and it is important to be able to navigate this space, whilst building relationships and networks. This module will explore key communication and human resources theories and provide students with the tools to assess and develop their own communication skills.
- Module: 6BU020
- Credits: 30
- Period: 4
- Type: Core
The Professional Project capstone module is an independent study unit. Students will be able to draw together learning from their previous subjects, focusing on their key strengths, in the production of a business artefact. Alongside the artefact, students will develop a written critical reflection, which is designed to elucidate their rationale for the choice of artefact and reflect on the process of its production and dissemination.
- Module: 6BE005
- Credits: 30
- Period: 4
- Type: Core
The strategic business module will equip students with the knowledge required to make strategic decisions at both a corporate and functional level. Students will also develop the skills required to evaluate the success of the implemented strategy within an organisational context. This will inform decision-making at a corporate and functional level.
Course Structure
- Academic Study Skills: Gain essential skills in academic writing, research, and study techniques.
- Business Foundations: Introduction to basic concepts in business and management.
- Numeracy and Data Analysis: Develop quantitative skills essential for business.
- Strategic Management: Analysis of strategic planning, implementation, and organisational growth.
- Marketing and Digital Business: Explore digital marketing techniques, consumer trends, and online business strategies.
- Financial Analysis: Study key concepts in financial management, planning, and analysis.
- Leadership and Organisational Behaviour: Examine leadership theories and their applications in real-world settings.
- Examinations: Evaluate understanding of key concepts across business management.
- Group Projects: Collaborate on business projects, demonstrating teamwork and communication.
- Presentations: Deliver findings on strategic planning, marketing campaigns, or other business projects.
- Written Assignments: Essays and reports assessing analytical and research skills.
Entry Requirements
To be eligible for the BA (Hons) Business Management with Foundation Year at School of Coding & AI, you should meet the following criteria:
- UCAS Points Requirement: Applicants must have a minimum of 48 UCAS tariff points, making this program accessible for students with non-traditional qualifications.
- Core GCSEs: GCSE English and Mathematics at grade C/4 or equivalent are required to ensure foundational skills in communication and numeracy.
- Additional Qualifications: Professional or vocational qualifications, combined with relevant work experience, may also be considered as part of your application.
Benefits
At School of Coding & AI, we believe in providing more than just academic theory – our foundation course is designed to offer a well-rounded educational experience that prepares you for the real world. The SOC Higher Education advantage includes:
- Foundation Year Support: Ideal for students returning to education or those with varied academic backgrounds, this year provides tailored support to build confidence.
- Practical Focus: The curriculum integrates real-world business scenarios, preparing you for hands-on challenges in management, marketing, and finance.
- University Experience: Studying at School of Coding & AI with Wolverhampton University’s academic oversight ensures a professional and enriching educational experience.
Further Career
- Management Roles: Progress into managerial positions across industries, applying leadership skills gained during your studies.
- Marketing and Brand Development: Use your insights into digital and traditional marketing to drive business growth and engagement.
- Financial and Operations Management: Enter strategic roles in financial planning, business analysis, and operational oversight.
Start your business journey with the BA (Hons) in Business Management with Foundation Year at School of Coding & AI. Whether you’re a school leaver without the required qualifications or a mature student looking for a fresh start, this programme is the perfect stepping stone to a successful future in business.
FAQs
The Foundation Year in Business Management is a preparatory course designed for students who wish to pursue a BA in Business Management but may not meet traditional entry requirements or need to build academic confidence. It’s ideal for recent school leavers and mature students looking to transition into higher education.
The entry requirements include either not having the A-levels or equivalent qualifications needed for direct entry or being a mature student seeking to refresh academic skills. Passion for business and a commitment to personal development are key factors.
Upon completing your BA degree, you can pursue various roles in business management, marketing, human resources, entrepreneurship, or even further studies such as an MBA. The foundation year provides the groundwork for these career opportunities.
The course focuses on building essential academic skills such as critical thinking, research, project management, and communication, ensuring you are fully prepared for the demands of degree-level studies.
Absolutely! The Foundation Year is an excellent option for mature students who have been out of formal education and want to ease back into academic life with a supportive learning environment.
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