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BSc (Hons) Business Management with international foundation year

Award

BSc (Hons)

Start Date

20/09/2027

Duration

4 years

Mode

Full-time

Location

University of Greater Manchester

UCAS Points

48

UCAS Code

N109

Every organisation needs effective, knowledgeable and skilled managers. Graduates of our BSc (Hons) Business Management with international foundation year also receive the CMI Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management. This impressive dual-award offers an excellent start to a career with global opportunities.

Please note:
This course is 'Subject to Approval' and has not yet completed the University’s approvals process. Whilst we are confident that the course will be approved, there is the possibility that the course may not run or may be subject to alterations. This course is due to be validated by October 2026 after which we will write to all applicants who have applied for the course to let them know the outcome and of any changes. In the event that a course is not approved the University will make reasonable efforts to offer an alternative course at the University.

Course Overview

This course includes an integrated foundation year specifically designed for international students, allowing you to use a single visa throughout your undergraduate studies. The foundation year will help you become familiar with the teaching and assessment methods used in UK higher education while developing your English language skills to the level required for advanced undergraduate research and academic writing. Successfully completing the foundation year with the required grades will enable you to progress directly to the first year of your undergraduate degree, without the need to reapply.

Business management qualifications open doors and are considered essential whether you are looking to pursue a career in business or achieve higher levels of responsibility in your current work.

The University of Greater Manchester's BSc (Hons) in Business Management with international foundation year offers a strong grounding in an essential range of contemporary business management subjects combined with the opportunity to focus your studies in the final year.

Developing your employability is a key focus of this dynamic and flexible programme. Real-life case studies, guest speakers and industry visits are designed to help you to understand the business environment and the needs of employers in local, national and international contexts. We'll support you in developing sought-after skills such as communication, data analysis, time management, teamwork, and problem-solving.

We also aim to help you develop lifelong learning skills empowering you to take ownership of your professional development for the future and maximising your potential for success.

You can graduate with a general BSc (Hons) in Business Management with international foundation year or transfer to one of our named pathways: Information Systems, Enterprise, Finance, Supply Chain Management, People Management, Marketing or Retail. Graduates of all these pathways will also receive the CMI Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management, and some of the pathway options offer you the chance to gain exemptions from further professional qualifications from institutes such as ACCA and CIM.
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Highlights

  • Our team of highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic business management lecturers offer face-to-face sessions and one-to-one support, ensuring you can access help and advice when you need it.
  • On successfully completing this dual award course, you'll receive both an academic degree and a professionally-recognised management qualification – the CMI Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management. You don't need to take extra exams or coursework to achieve the Diploma – we combine our degree module and CMI assessments streamlining your route to both qualifications.
  • You’ll study the same content as UK students, developing your subject knowledge and academic skills. During the foundation year, you’ll also take a specialist English for Academic Purposes module designed to strengthen your academic language and study skills, supporting your progression and achievement.
  • We'll cover key concepts in areas such as people management, company law, marketing, strategic management, information systems and big data, project management, finance, innovation and enterprise. You'll also choose from a wide range of specialist modules in the final year, allowing you to tailor your degree to areas of personal or professional interest.
  • Face-to-face sessions and one-to-one support are offered by our highly experienced and enthusiastic lecturers who have worked in a wide range of businesses ranging from multinational organisations to SMEs.
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Key Features

  • You'll study in our vibrant Greater Manchester Business School in Bolton town centre.
  • We use small group and tutorial teaching, so you can benefit from the excellent support offered by our teaching staff.
  • We regularly invite guest speakers who hold senior positions in industry and practice, enabling you to benefit from their knowledge and advice.
  • Course materials are available online, allowing you to prepare work at home and make the most of the highly interactive in-class tuition.
  • We weave contemporary research findings into our teaching, ensuring a robust academic base underpins your business management studies.
  • Our dedicated team will support you as you develop critical thinking and research skills and apply these during your final year dissertation.
  • By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Nearby Manchester is one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, and the Northwest of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline, and heritage.
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Entry Requirements
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Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

Career Opportunities

Our dual award BSc (Hons) Business Management with international foundation year course is designed to provide a broad understanding of business functions in the business and commercial world. You'll have the opportunity to transfer to individual pathways in specific areas of business if you wish.

The course offers you a route into general management and specialist areas. With modules covering areas such as business accounting and finance, enterprise, human resource management, company law, information systems, marketing, retail or supply chain management, you can tailor your skills and knowledge to pursue your chosen career. The dual qualification gained on successfully completing this course is designed to enhance your employability in your preferred field of management.

In addition to nurturing academic and sector-specific knowledge, the programme supports your development of key employability skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving and data analysis. Overall, the course aims to give you an essential appreciation of the skills needed to thrive and adapt in the changing world of work.

What can I do with this qualification?

Graduates with specialist knowledge underpinned by a broader understanding of how businesses and managers operate have a competitive advantage when entering employment or self-employment. As a graduate of this course, you'll be well-equipped to enter a wide range of business and management roles in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Some typical employment opportunities could include retail management, human resources, marketing, customer service management, advertising, merchandising, logistics and supply chain management, accountancy and law.

You may also choose to undertake further study in subjects such as marketing, finance, human resources, data analysis, and international business management to develop your expertise in a particular area of business. Studying for an MBA is also another option.

Alternative career options

Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping stone into a range of other careers, bearing in mind that some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Some possibilities include:

  • Hotel and leisure management
  • Public relations
  • Financial management
  • Information systems
  • Market research analysis
  • Product management
  • Health policy and information
  • Purchasing
  • Teaching and education
  • Media (TV, film, online, newspaper, magazine)
  • Self-employment
  • Banking
  • Auditing and quality assurance
  • Project management
  • Risk and insurance
Professional Recognition

Graduates of the University of Greater Manchester's BSc (Hons) Business Management with international foundation year degree will receive a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management from the CMI (Chartered Management Institute).

The Level 5 Diploma is the CMI's benchmark qualification and offers the quickest exemption route towards Chartered Manager (CMgr MCMI) status. Chartered Manager status is only awarded by the CMI and is the highest status that can be achieved in the management profession.

Fees & Funding

Funding your studies: From January 2027, eligible students may be able to use the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) to access tuition fee loan funding for this course. The LLE is designed to make student finance more flexible and support people to study, retrain or develop their skills at different stages of life. Find out more about the LLE and eligibility Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) | Skills for Careers

Home/EU Fees

No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Greater Manchester’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@greatermanchester.ac.uk for more information.

International Fees

No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Greater Manchester’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@greatermanchester.ac.uk for more information.

Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

Home Undergraduate Tuition Fee Adjustment

The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The tuition fee set is based on the regulations and guidance in force at the time of offer but remains subject to adjustment in accordance with any government-approved inflationary increase. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for all years of study, including the first year, by no more than the maximum increase permitted under legislation and regulatory guidance issued by the UK Government and the Office for Students.

Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.

This approach ensures that tuition fees remain compliant with applicable legislation, proportionate to inflationary changes, and consistent with government policy linking permitted fee uplifts to the maintenance of high-quality education and outcomes. For more information, please refer to the government guidance at: gov.uk – Universities to deliver better outcomes in return for full fees.

Postgraduate and International Tuition Fee Adjustment

The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for subsequent years of study in accordance with its Course Fees Policy. Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.

How to apply

Home Applicants

Unfortunately, due to the limited number of places available for this course, we cannot accept direct applications from home students at this time. Please visit www.ucas.com to see details of the next available start date and learn how to apply for a place. We encourage you to apply as soon as applications open.

International Applicants

Thank you for your interest

In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.

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Teaching & Assessment

Lectures introduce the core course content, while seminars explore subjects in greater detail. Tutorials allow you to ask questions, ensuring you understand the topics covered in the lectures and seminars. We use case studies and practical scenarios to help you learn to apply academic theory to real-life practical scenarios, allowing you to gain insights into contemporary practice in a working business environment. We'll also expect you to undertake considerable guided independent study; for instance, library research and background reading, preparing for seminar and tutorial activities, and working on assignments.

Furthermore, we'll expect you to adopt work-based learning as part of your employment or during a work experience placement.

Guest lectures and presentations by various visiting speakers from relevant employment areas offer you the chance to develop your knowledge and understanding further.

Regarding assessment, you can expect time-constrained exams, essays, reports, presentations, and portfolios. These contribute to your final module mark and allow you to demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes.

We also use other assessment forms to help you learn, provide feedback, and inform your development. These do not, however, count towards your final module mark.

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.

Programme Contacts

Disclaimer: The “Greater Manchester Way” represents our preferred teaching and learning approach; however, not all courses follow a block-teaching model. While course structures and delivery patterns may vary to meet Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) requirements, all courses benefit from the GM Way approach to curriculum design and assessment. Applicants and students should refer to individual course specifications for the most accurate and up-to-date information.