Business Management (including Year Abroad)

The Business Management programme at the University of Essex offers a comprehensive and dynamic curriculum designed to equip students with a thorough understanding of the core principles and practices that underpin successful businesses in today's complex global environment. This course provides an in-depth exploration of key areas such as accounting, finance, marketing, human resource management, strategic planning, and operational management, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to thrive in various entrepreneurial and corporate roles. The curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, encouraging students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and innovative approaches to business challenges.

A distinctive feature of this programme is the Year Abroad, which offers students the opportunity to study at a partner university in a different country for an academic year. This international experience enhances cultural awareness, language skills, and global outlook, making graduates more competitive and adaptable in diverse working environments. During the Year Abroad, students can choose from a range of modules tailored to their interests and career ambitions, gaining valuable insights into international business practices and expanding their professional networks.

Throughout the course, students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including dedicated business labs and resource centres, which support experiential learning through case studies, group projects, and simulations. The university’s close ties with industry partnerships and employer networks provide students with internships, guest lectures, and networking events that bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world applications.

The programme also emphasizes the development of soft skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork, and ethical decision-making, which are essential for effective management and organizational success. Graduates of this programme graduate with a solid foundation to pursue careers in diverse sectors such as consulting, financial services, marketing, human resources, or to start their own ventures. They are also well-positioned to undertake postgraduate studies or professional qualifications in business and management.

With a flexible structure, including optional modules and pathways, students can tailor their learning experience to align with their specific interests and professional goals. The University of Essex’s supportive academic environment, combined with its commitment to innovation and enterprise, ensures that every student receives a high-quality education that prepares them for the fast-paced and ever-changing business world.

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.

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

Year abroad

Year 4

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 : 6

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

Requirements

• A-levels: AAB-ABB
• GCSE Mathematics: C
• GCSE English: C
• IB: 33-32 points, including Standard Mathematics grade 4 if not taken at the Higher Level (we consider IB certificates at the Higher level on a case-by-case basis)
• BTEC qualifications, in relevant disciplines, will be considered on an individual basis, depending on the units studied. The standard required is generally at Distinction level.
• Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 6 level three credits at distinction and the remainder at merit (or above).

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component (or equivalent). Different requirements apply for second year entry.

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 Business Management (including Year Abroad) program at the University of Essex offers students a comprehensive education in the core principles of business and management, combined with international experience to prepare graduates for the global job market. The course is designed to develop essential skills such as strategic thinking, leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication, all within a practical and flexible learning environment. The inclusion of a Year Abroad provides students with the opportunity to enhance their cultural awareness, language skills, and international business understanding by studying at a partner university overseas. This experience not only broadens academic horizons but also significantly boosts employability, as students gain valuable intercultural competencies and a competitive edge in their future careers.

The program covers a wide range of topics including marketing, finance, human resource management, and operations management, providing students with a well-rounded understanding of business functions. Through a combination of lectures, seminars, group projects, and real-world case studies, students are encouraged to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations. The course also emphasizes the development of research skills and critical analysis, preparing students for graduate roles or further postgraduate study.

Students benefit from the university’s strong links with businesses and alumni networks, offering opportunities for internships, networking events, and industry projects. The faculty members are experienced academics and industry practitioners who support students' academic and professional development. The facilities at Essex include modern lecture theatres, dedicated business labs, and extensive library resources to enhance the learning experience.

Graduates from the Business Management (including Year Abroad) program often proceed to careers in various sectors such as consultancy, marketing, finance, human resources, and entrepreneurship, both in the UK and internationally. The program’s focus on a global perspective, combined with practical skills and international experience, makes it a popular choice for students aspiring to become versatile business professionals in a competitive environment. The university’s supportive environment and diverse student community further enrich the educational journey and prepare students to thrive in an interconnected world.