bsc business management (including work placement year) (3-year degree)
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our bsc business management degree is ranked 6th in the guardian university guide 2019.
why study this course?
the bsc in business management degree aims to equip graduates with analytical and decision-making skills relevant to career development in the wider business context.
business organisations do not exist in isolation and much of the early part of your study is focused on understanding the various external driving forces for change and the internal responses necessary for a business to survive and prosper. the programme provides a blend of theoretical and practical study, never losing sight of employers’ requirements and students’ career aspirations.
at no point in recent history has there been such an exciting time to study the dynamics of business and its role in the global environment. the programme is designed to develop skills in solving business problems that are transferable organisationally and internationally across business environments. business management is a broad based, live subject. practical and real-life projects and case studies are introduced to enhance your learning experience while equipping you to meet the needs of, and manage within, today’s dynamic business world.
by the time you graduate you will be equipped with professional skills, attitudes and behaviours linked to successful business careers and you will have expanded your understanding of the core functions relevant to the businesses of tomorrow. you will appreciate how organisations market themselves and their products/services, deliver them through networks, lead and manage their employees and stakeholders, while at the same time being socially and financially responsible and sustainable.
you will broaden your comprehension of contemporary issues in business (the sorts of things that you will see and hear in the news) and be encouraged to explore and take a critical, enterprising and innovative view of business activity within a global community.
skills and experienced gained
we take great care in selecting employers to support placements and these are regularly reviewed to ensure that they remain both great places to work and learn. you will be paid, as an employee, at the same time as learning and will receive individualised support and guidance to prepare you for the workplace and be part of a nurturing, positive learning environment. you will be encouraged to challenge current thinking and engage in debates on contemporary issues and topics. by the end of your placement, you will have a deeper understanding of the way business management works in practice, linking this back to the theories and models covered in your studies.
buckingham’s multi-cultural environment will also enhance your ability to work in cross-cultural situations. you will also develop the skills and qualities necessary to work individually, in groups and in teams. you will gain employability skills in the most practical of ways and this will put you in a good place when making future career choices. as a buckingham graduate, you will be confident, skilled, knowledgeable and ready for the next stage of your life.
The BSc in business Management degree has been recognised by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). On successful completion of this course, you will also receive a CMI level 5 Certificate in Management & Leadership.
a cmi qualification better equips you for the professional world, giving you qualification that is highly sought-after in my employers.
cmi is the largest professional body for management in the uk with over 100,000 members. to find out more about cmi please click here.
full details in the curriculum handbook
who is this course for?
this course is only available to the uk and eu-based students at present.
typical offers
the typical a-level offer is normally bbb-bcc, ib:30-32, btec: ddm from relevant national diploma or equivalent ucas tariff points,
applications to buckingham are individually considered by the admissions tutor and other factors may be taken in to account. applicants with btec qualifications are welcome to apply, including if you have a mix of btec and a levels.
where an applicant is taking the epq alongside a-levels, the epq will be taken into consideration and result in a slightly lower a-level grade offer.
foundation options are also available. please contact the admissions office (admissions@buckingham.ac.uk or +44 (0)1280 820227) for more information.
applicants must also have gcse english and maths at grade c / grade 4, or above (or equivalent). ielts requirements are as follows: average of 6.5 (with 6.0 or above in each component).
flexible entry
all of our undergraduate programmes operate a flexible entry process, and the admissions tutor is happy to consider entrants from all backgrounds with slightly lower qualifications if they are able to demonstrate alternative eligibility for the course. this may be in the form of relevant work experience, keen aptitude and a passion for the subject, or unlocked potential that you feel can be discovered through your studies at buckingham. if you are uncertain whether you will be eligible to apply for this course, please contact the admissions team.
ucas applications
you may apply either through the national ucas university admissions system or at any time directly to the university using our own online application form.
mature students
because of our two-year degree, we find that the age range of our student body varies between those who have recently completed a-levels (or equivalent) to more mature students. age is no barrier to learning and we welcome all applications from suitably qualified students.
international students
we do not currently offer this course to international students, you may find it useful to visit our international pages for details of entry requirements from your home country.
the university is a ukvi student sponsor.
english levels
if english is not your first language, please check our undergraduate english language requirements. if your english levels don’t meet our minimum requirements, you may be interested in applying for our pre-sessional english language foundation programmes.
selection process
wherever possible, you will be invited to the university to meet the admissions tutor for an informal interview and to have a tour of our campus. if you are an international applicant, it may not be possible for you to visit in person, so if the admissions tutor has any queries about your application you may be contacted by skype, email or phone.
our admissions team will be happy to answer any questions you may have. call us on +44 (0)1280 820227 or contact us using the form here.
terms and conditions for prospective students
when you are offered a place at the university you will be notified of the terms and conditions between the university and students on our courses of study. when you accept an offer of a place on the course at the university a legal contract is formed between you and the university on the basis of the terms and conditions outlined in your offer letter. your offer letter and the terms and conditions contain important information which you should read carefully before accepting an offer. Read the admissions terms and conditions > >
quality teaching
we offer high quality, traditional oxbridge-style teaching, which leads to our degrees being recognised around the world. the standards of degrees and awards are safeguarded by distinguished external examiners – senior academic staff from other universities in the uk – who approve and moderate assessed work.
high calibre staff
most of our academic staff teach for three terms out of four, with the remaining term used for research. because of this, we have no difficulty in attracting high calibre, highly respected lecturers, many of whom also have a background in business or industry and can offer networking opportunities for students.
teaching methods
teaching is carried out through a combination of lectures supported by seminars and tutorials. a key feature of the buckingham teaching method is the use of small tutorial groups which provide the most effective means of ensuring that the students benefit from the academic expertise at their disposal. it is also the philosophy of buckingham’s faculty to be available to students outside the scheduled tutorial times and to encourage good working relationships between staff and students.
assessment methods
the assessment of individual modules within each course varies according to the subject. assessment is usually by examination, assessed coursework, or a combination of the two. please check module information for more details.
assessment during the work placement year is based around a reflective / learning log (4 x 1,500 words) compiled during the placement with a final presentation summarising learning and experience. you will have regular reviews with your placement tutor.
preparation for work
all our degree courses combine academic challenge with the transferable skills that will stand you in good stead for future employment. many of our more vocationally-focused degrees offer the opportunity of work placements and experience in industry.
graduate employment
our graduates have gone on to further study at most of the world’s leading universities, including harvard, london, oxford and cambridge and secured jobs in senior positions around the world. among our alumni we have a graduate who became the head of his country’s civil service and one who became a leading formula one motor-racing driver. another secured a position as the minister of sabah and one female law graduate became the first british lawyer to become a french advocate.
what our students and alumni say
“i came to buckingham because of the two year duration of the degree programme. i’m eager to get out into the working world, so the shorter, more intensive degree suits my needs better.
i’m nearing the end of my course and i feel i made a really good choice in coming to buckingham”.
tristram allen
business management, 2007
| start | type | 1st year | total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
jan 2021 full-time 3 years | uk | £12,600 | £27,090 |
| eu | £12,600 | £27,090 | |
| int | n/a | n/a | |
sep 2021 full-time 3 years | uk | £12,600 | £27,090 |
| eu | £12,600 | £27,090 | |
| int | n/a | n/a |
fees based on a september 2020 start
this course is only available to uk and eu-based students at present.
| year | term | home | international |
| 2020 | autumn | £3,150 | – |
| 2021 | winter | £3,150 | – |
| 2021 | spring | £3,150 | – |
| 2021 | summer | £3,150 | – |
| total year one | £12,600 | ||
| 2021 – work placement year | autumn | £473* | – |
| 2022 – work placement year | winter | £473* | – |
| 2022 – work placement year | spring | £473* | – |
| 2022 – work placement year | summer | £473* | – |
| total year two – work placement year | £1,892* | ||
| 2022 | autumn | £3,150* | – |
| 2023 | winter | £3,150* | – |
| 2023 | spring | £3,150* | – |
| 2023 | summer | £3,150* | – |
| total year three | £12,600* | ||
| total tuition fees | £27,092* |
*the university reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the retail price index (rpi) to take account of the university’s increased costs of delivering educational services. if the university intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.
the following fee illustrations provide an insight into the cost savings which can be made by studying at the university of buckingham.
you may also find it useful to visit the following fee-related information on our site:
discounts
students who graduate from the university and plan to continue their studies with a postgraduate degree at buckingham can benefit from a very generous automatic discount on their fees:
- 33%, those with a first class honours degree from buckingham
- 25%, those with a second class honours, upper division (2:1) degree from buckingham
scholarships
the university of buckingham bursary aims to support students on low incomes or from low income families. the bursary is worth £2000 per year and students receive this as a termly reduction in tuition fees (£500 reduction per term). read about the eligibility criteria and how to apply.
details of other scholarships can be found on our main bursaries and scholarships page.
on-campus accommodation
we guarantee on-campus accommodation to all new students for their first four terms of study, as long as it is booked and paid for in good time, so you’re assured of a safe and secure home from home when you arrive at the university. most new students choose this option.
living on campus enables you to become involved in university activities, make friends, and integrate with the university community. for some of you this will be your first time in the uk; for others it will be the first time living away from home – and independence brings its challenges as well as its excitements. whatever your circumstances, we know how important it is for you to feel comfortable in your accommodation.
what’s included?
all our study bedrooms are fully furnished, centrally heated, and connected to the internet. with few exceptions they have a wash basin and small refrigerator. we have a large number of ensuite rooms, and are upgrading more rooms each year. there are shared kitchens for when you wish to cook for yourself.
find out more
if you’d like to find out more, visit our accommodation pages or get in touch with our accommodation team.
we recommend that all prospective students visit our campus if they are able to, and campus tours include a typical student room. arrange a tour via your admissions officer.
we welcome applications in two different ways – directly via our online application form or through ucas.
apply directly
apply online via our course pages:
- most flexible option
- apply until shortly before the course starts
- no application fees
- you can apply to us as an extra option alongside your ucas choices
you can apply directly through our website by clicking the ‘apply’ button at the bottom of the course page.
apply via ucas
you can easily make buckingham one of your ucas choices:
- you can apply to up to 5 choices
- the application and decision deadlines are set by ucas
- there is an application fee to ucas
our ucas code is b90. the university will be attending lots of ucas fairs throughout the year, take a look and see if we’ll be visiting a city near you.
if you’re interested in transferring to buckingham from another university then please get in touch to talk through your options.
help and support
if you need any help making your application or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch using the form below, or by phone on +44 (0)1280 820227. we are available between 09:00 and 17:00, monday to friday.
you may find it useful to download these great tips from which university? on writing your personal statement.
if you would like to make any changes to your current application, please contact us using the form below.