BA (Hons) Business & Management (Top-up)

You'll undertake significant pieces of academic work, demonstrating the critical, analytical and research skills. Your two options will enable you to develop specialist knowledge, understanding and techniques in your chosen area, preparing you for your future career or further studies.

Core units:

• Research in Business & Management: The unit provides an overview of research methods available covering both qualitative and quantitative approaches, with a particular emphasis on the development and delivery of ethical and sustainable research.
• Organisational Leadership: The aim of this unit is to critically explore leadership styles, theories and followership concepts in a range of organisational contexts.

Core units (choose one):

The Project choice(s) available will depend on the specialist pathway selected

• Research Project: In this unit, you will put into practice a range of research methods, tools and techniques, to investigate and report on a business problem or opportunity of your choice, related to your final-year specialist pathway. 
• Reflective Practitioner Project: This unit aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of workplace and career-related challenges, as well as your critical thinking and writing skills, through a reflective project focusing on your placement year (please note that this Project choice is only available on certain pathways and requires you to have undertaken extensive, prior full-time work experience).
• Consultancy Project: This unit gives you the opportunity, individually or as part of a team, to work on a real-life project brief, putting into practice your project management and CRM skills, to deliver a product, service or outcome for your client (please note that this Project choice is only available on certain pathways).
• Entrepreneurship Project: Students who select the Entrepreneurship pathway have the opportunity to put into practice their entrepreneurial knowledge, understanding, tools and techniques to develop their own business idea.
• Hacking for Sustainability Project: This is a team-based consultancy-style project, which gives you the opportunity to work on challenging sustainability problems being faced by large organisations, such as the MoD. This Project involves working in a team, as well as with stakeholders and a client, and includes a mix of 'real-life' individual and group deliverables (please note that this Project choice is only available on certain pathways).

Option units (choose two):

Please note that the options you can take will depend on the subjects you have studied prior to joining the course and will be attached to a subject-specific specialist pathway.

• International Economics: Providing you with a comprehensive and broad introduction to international trade, finance, and trade policy and trade institutions, you will gain a basic understanding of international trade economics and rules, as well as the politics and institutions that go behind the economics.
• Investment Management: You'll explore the current features of capital markets and savings products which will prepare you for business and personal investment.
• Advanced Accounting Theory & Practice: This unit will develop your understanding of the theoretical aspects of financial reporting and teach you how to apply this to technical issues.
• Entrepreneurship & Business Ventures: Learn how individuals and teams build on opportunities to create new businesses or transform existing ones by undertaking entrepreneurial activities. 
• Managing Innovation: You'll begin to understand how managing different contexts of innovation is an important step to becoming an effective manager or entrepreneur in today’s business world.
• Global Operations Strategy: This unit will educate you on how to deal with strategic global operations issues, developing an understanding on how global strategies can be devised and implemented.
• Global Supply Chain Management: Supply chain management is the fastest growing area of business today, and this unit aims to develop a strategic understanding of global supply chain management through planning, sourcing, making, delivering and returning products and services.
• Contemporary Issues in HRM: The main contemporary issues and themes within human resource management will be covered in this unit, providing you with an understanding of the role of an HR professional and the key aspects of 'adding value' to an organisation through enhancing performance.
• SHRM in Context: Looking at the strategic role of human resource management and key issues within the area, this unit will critically evaluate how HRM can be used within business strategies while covering global factors.
• International Management: With a large focus on practical aspects of management, this unit will teach training and development in the contemporary global organisation, looking at global management policies, practices and processes.
• Global Strategic Marketing: By helping you to develop the ability to think critically about real-world marketing scenarios and use market information to make informed decisions and recommendations, you'll be provided with skills in strategically managing the key elements of global marketing.
• Digital Marketing: The ever-evolving topic of digital marketing has become the dominant form of marketing in the majority of organisations and this unit will equip you with technical skills and the conceptual understanding of how to engage effectively to see results
• Buying & Merchandising: By critically analysing industry data, you'll understanding of the concepts, functions and processes of buying and merchandising, in theory and practice with a global context.
• Fashion Business: This unit is particularly for students with a strong interest in embarking on a career that involved some element of fashion, equipping you with a broad awareness and appreciation of how the fashion industry is evident within all areas of the business.
• Advanced Project Management: Providing an understanding of the role of project management, this unit focuses on the challenges, controversies, opportunities and debates around managing projects, within the organisational, social and environmental contexts in which they are located.
• Public Finance & Policy: As Nation-States begin to raise taxes to address unprecedented levels of public debt, we will consider their decisions, targets, and taboos. We will debate the underlying principles and theories on which our tax policies have evolved. This unit aims to provide a technically and academically challenging examination of public finance, in theory and in practice. 

Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year to year.

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry. If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

We select candidates for this course by looking at your application; there are usually no interviews or selection activities needed. For that reason, make sure your application really stands out from the crowd, and leave us in no doubt as to why you should be joining BU. You can find some handy hints about filling in your UCAS form on our how to apply web pages.

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, reference and personal statement.

Our offer-making will typically be based on your most recent qualifications, including any required subjects where applicable. We'll consider all qualifications when assessing your application, although these may not be part of our offer.

If you do not meet the criteria of your original offer, we may still offer you a place. We will review your whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) to see if you have the academic potential to succeed on the course. If we feel the answer is yes, we will confirm your place.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship in a relevant subject area and is recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, please submit your deferral request through our website. 

Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please visit our RPL webpage for more information.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

Our Business and Management graduates perform well once they enter the world of work in sectors such as finance, retail, recruitment and business, thanks to the focus on practical skills as well as business theory.

They work for a wide range of companies, including Bravissimo, Ceuta Healthcare, Enterprise, Lloyds Bank, Opus Recruitment, Pentalever, Savills and Tesco, among others.

You will be able to apply for a range of positions after graduating, including:

• Account Manager
• Admin Manager
• Business Analyst
• Consultant
• HR Assistant
• Team Leader
• Operations.

Once you have completed an undergraduate Honours degree, you can further develop your education by studying for a postgraduate degree. Please visit our postgraduate section for further details about our range of Master’s degrees.

Research degrees 

If you are a BU graduate you are eligible for a 20% ‘loyalty’ discount on the published fees for further programmes with us!  

Depending on your qualifications and experiences, you can choose to undertake a MRes or PhD level research degree. Bournemouth University has a strong business research foundation within our Department of People & Organisations through a number of research centres, which explores theory, education and professional practice. 

Visit our postgraduate research courses for further details about research degree options with the Bournemouth University Business School and the funding options available. 

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

• Materials for laboratory and mandatory field-based teaching activity.
• Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement if this is part of your course of study
• A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
• The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
• Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features.
• IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
• Free software download to your personal device of Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus while you are studying, as well as access to applications provided on AppsAnywhere, subject to licensing and compatibility restrictions
• Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme
• Disability and additional learning support, according to individual circumstances.
• The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.

​Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

For September 2023 entry:

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, visit our website for information regarding hardship funds.
• Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses.
• Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website. 
• Travel costs to and from the University campus. An annual bus pass is included in your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation.
• Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas). Information about funding your placement year can be found on our website.
• Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement if this is part of your course of study.
• SportBU membership.

For September 2024 entry:

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, visit our website for information regarding hardship funds.
• Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shop stocks a wide range of stationery supplies.
• Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website. 
• Travel costs to and from the University campus. An annual bus pass is included in your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchased separately.
• Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas). Information about funding your placement year can be found on our website.
• You will need to meet the cost of any Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if required by your placement setting, including any Post Office verification changes. 
• Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement if this is part of your course of study.
• SportBU membership.

While all aspects of the programme, including required field trips, are included in the fee, additional, optional or extra curricula activities may be available for which a student contribution is required.

If you need to repeat one or more units during your studies (with or without attendance) the pricing will be pro-rata of the full-time fee.

Mark Ridolfo is a Principal Academic in Human Resources & Organisational Behaviour, within the Bournemouth University Business School. A passionate, student-oriented innovator, Mark has been lecturing at Bournemouth University since 1992.

Living and working in France, Germany, Italy and China has helped inform Mark’s main interests of cross-cultural communication and management.

He also delivers courses in professional effectiveness – specialising in presentations, report writing, online communication, and negotiation.

Dr Ediz Akçay is a Lecturer in Digital Marketing at the Faculty of Management. He has an MSc in International Business Management from Bournemouth University and BA in Economics from Bogazici University, Turkey. He recently finished his PhD research about brand alliances and value co-creation at Bournemouth University.

Dr Ediz Akçay has more than 10 years of professional experience working in marketing-related roles in Turkey and the UK, and received several international awards for the projects he contributed.

He is currently teaching the following units: Digital Marketing Fundamentals (UG), Digital Marketing and Communications (UG), Digital Marketing (UG), Principles of Marketing (UG), Research Methods (UG) He welcomes prospective PhD applicants interested in conducting research in the areas related to digital marketing.

Sukanya Ayatakshi-Endow is a Senior Academic in Entrepreneurship within the Business School at the Faculty of Management. She is passionate about the power of enterprise in bringing about social change and works closely with various local organisations in developing values-driven and purpose-led enterprises. Sukanya has set up the BU Social Entrepreneurs Forum, in association with the Association of Sustainability Practitioners and Poole Bay Rotary Club, to consolidate support for the local and regional social enterprises.

Sukanya is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Authority and a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.

Sukanya's current research interest include Entrepreneurial Finance; gender issues in enterprise; AI in entrepreneurial decision making and social enterprises.

Spencer graduated from Bournemouth University in 2003 with a first class honours degree in Accounting & Finance and has subsequently qualified as a chartered accountant.

Prior to starting at BU in 2000, he was an equity analyst and arbitrageur at a major European investment bank.

His research interests lie within the field of equity arbitrage, particularly surrounding mergers and acquisitions.

Rebecca Hindley has a passion for enhancing the student experience and facilitating the development of students’ employability. She is a full-time Lecturer in the People and Organisations department within the Faculty of Management, contributing to the department through the management and delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate student-centred teaching, the supervision of the department’s Peer Assisted Learning Leaders and her doctoral research into education, students' transition to Higher Education and student scholarship.

Rebecca is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development and a fellow of the Chartered Management Institute. Having previously led HR functions within multi-national corporations, prior to joining BU, Rebecca is able to leverage her extensive professional network for guest speakers and draw upon her depth and breadth of experience to develop materials that improve the students understanding of business in the ‘real world'.

Juliet is a Professor in the Department of Marketing, Strategy and Innovation. Her research interests lie in the areas of consumer behaviour, decision making in relation to consumer choice, and food and drink research. She has researched areas in relation to local and regional produce, sustainable food, and food waste, receiving grants from Defra, The Crown Estate and BA Leverhulme to do so. She is currently involved in projects looking at 1) food related lifestyles, and 2) consumer attitudes towards less familiar foods such as seaweed.

Juliet is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of International Food & Agribusiness Marketing. She has published a number of journal papers in internationally renowned journals such as the European Journal of Marketing, Journal of Business Research and Journal of Marketing Management. She has examined a number of PhDs and is currently supervising five PhDs across a range of consumer behaviour, food, and digital marketing subject areas at Bournemouth University.

Juliet Memery joined Bournemouth University as Professor in Marketing in 2013. Before coming to Bournemouth she was Associate Professor and Marketing & Entrepreneurship Group Leader at Plymouth University. Prior to academia Juliet worked in design for companies based in both Europe and Africa, and has continued to keep close links with industry through consultancy, research collaboration, and knowledge transfer partnerships.