Business Management (including foundation year)

The Business Management degree at the University of Essex is a comprehensive undergraduate program designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the principles and practices of modern business. This course aims to equip students with essential skills in leadership, strategic thinking, financial analysis, marketing, and organizational management, preparing them for diverse careers across various industries. The program incorporates rigorous academic content with practical applications, including case studies, group projects, and internship opportunities, to ensure students gain real-world experience and are industry-ready upon graduation.

Students will explore core topics such as management economics, human resource management, entrepreneurship, and international business, enabling them to understand the global economic environment and develop innovative solutions to business challenges. The curriculum fosters critical thinking, analytical skills, and ethical considerations in business decision-making. Additionally, the program emphasizes the importance of digital transformation, data analytics, and sustainable business practices, reflecting current trends and future directions in the corporate world.

The University of Essex offers a supportive learning environment, with experienced faculty members and modern facilities that facilitate interactive learning. The degree also provides opportunities for networking, through industry talks, guest lectures, and partnership projects with local and international businesses. Students will benefit from Essex’s robust career services, helping them to enhance their employability and secure work placements or additional qualifications if desired.

For students interested in a comprehensive understanding of business management with a solid academic underpinning, this program is ideal. It also offers a foundation year for those who may wish to build their knowledge gradually or need additional preparation before entering the full degree program. Graduates of this course will be well-positioned to pursue roles in management, consultancy, finance, marketing, or to continue their education in postgraduate programs. With a focus on innovation, ethical practices, and global outlook, the Business Management degree at the University of Essex prepares students not only for today’s business world but also for the evolving challenges of the future.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 11950 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

The special characteristics of our courses are flexibility and choice. In your first year, you usually take four or five modules that include pre-requisite(s) for your course but, in many cases, mean you can try subjects you have not come across before. If you are taking science and engineering subjects, then these options are slightly restricted because our science modules tend to rely on previous knowledge of the subject.
With a small number of exceptions, if you successfully complete the first year of your BSc, then you are qualified to enter the second year not only of that course but also of a range of other courses: for example, if you are a BSc student who takes economics, politics, philosophy and sociology in your first year, then you have a choice of at least two courses and, in some cases, as many as five. This means you can change your course, providing you have taken the appropriate pre-requisites and places are available.
We offer a range of optional modules in your second- and final-years and most courses allow you to undertake a final-year project, an individual piece of research on a topic that interests you. Some of our science courses offer an optional extra year of an industrial placement.
We operate a credit framework for our awards, which is based on principles widely used across the UK university sector. Each module has a credit rating attached and our standard three-year course consists of 360 credits (120 credits in your first year, and 240 credits across your second and final years).
Please note that module information on our course finder provides a guide to course content and may be subject to review on an annual basis.

Preliminary year

Business and Management;
Economics;
Introduction to Probability and Statistical Methods;
Core Mathematics; and
Academic Skills

Year 1

Introduction to Accounting;
Quantitative Methods and Information Technology;
Introduction to Management; and
Economics for Business

Year 2

Management Accounting I;
Organisational Behaviour;
Perspectives on Operations Management;
Introduction to Marketing;
International Business Environment;
Employee Relations; and
two Essex Business School or outside options

Year 3

Business Strategy;
Human Resource Management;
Management, Innovation and New Technology;
Advanced Organisational Behaviour;
Advanced Marketing;
Business Ethics; and
two Essex Business School or outside options

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

A-levels: 180 points, including DD at A-level or equivalent GCSE Mathematics: C

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Essex.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at Essex, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.

The University of Essex offers a comprehensive Business Management degree programme designed to equip students with essential skills and knowledge for a successful career in the dynamic world of business. The course covers a broad range of fundamental topics including management principles, organisational behaviour, marketing, financial accounting, and strategic planning. Students have the opportunity to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication skills through a combination of lectures, seminars, group projects, and real-world case studies.

The programme is structured to provide a solid theoretical foundation in business concepts while also emphasizing practical application. Throughout the course, students gain insights into the functioning of different business sectors, such as finance, marketing, human resources, and operations management. This multidisciplinary approach ensures graduates are well-prepared to adapt to various roles within the business environment.

For those interested in a deeper understanding of the field, the University of Essex offers options to specialise in specific areas such as entrepreneurship, international business, or digital marketing. Additionally, students have the chance to participate in work placements, internships, and exchange programmes, enhancing their employability and global perspective.

The foundation year option is available for students who do not meet the direct entry requirements but are eager to develop their academic and professional abilities. The foundation year provides a preparatory platform that covers essential academic skills and introductory business knowledge, easing the transition into degree-level studies. It is designed to boost confidence and ensure students are fully equipped to undertake the full undergraduate programme.

Classes are delivered by experienced faculty members, many of whom are actively engaged in current research and consultancy work, bringing valuable real-world insights into the classroom. The university’s supportive learning environment includes dedicated academic advisors, extensive library resources, and modern learning facilities to enhance the educational experience.

Essex’s Business Management degree emphasizes employability, with the university maintaining strong links with local and international businesses. Career support services assist students in finding employment opportunities, developing CVs, and preparing for interviews. Graduates from this program have gone on to successful careers in various sectors such as finance, consulting, marketing, entrepreneurship, and corporate management.

Overall, the Business Management programme at the University of Essex aims to produce confident, competent, and innovative business leaders prepared to meet the challenges of the global marketplace. The multidisciplinary approach, combined with practical experience and robust academic support, ensures that students are not only well-versed in business theories but also capable of applying them effectively in real-world contexts.