Course Overview
Course summary
Our degree courses with Foundation year offer the opportunity to prepare you for advanced study before you progress on to a full honours degree at the University of Westminster.
Whether you do not feel ready for degree-level study, don’t have the right qualifications, want to change your subject specialism or return to study after an absence from education, we aim to encourage a broad range of students to undertake our Foundation year in order to progress onto their full honours degree with us.
The Foundation year is designed to give you the opportunity to explore new ideas, opening up new perspectives on the key debates within your chosen field. Core modules accelerate your academic and professional development and you will also take modules from areas closely related to your chosen field, giving you the chance to develop a cross-disciplinary perspective on your course.
On successful completion of the Foundation year, you will be able to move on to study for the Business Management BA Honours degree.
Our highly flexible business degree is designed for those who want to thrive in a rapidly changing global, cultural and technological business world. You’ll develop the versatility, vision and wisdom that future business leaders and managers need.
With an emphasis on learning through practice, you will develop the breadth of knowledge, skills and capabilities to respond proactively and creatively to contemporary business issues and challenges. A large range of optional modules – covering everything from brands and business ethics to entertainment and sport – means you can tailor your studies each year.
You’ll also hear direct from industry practitioners, who will share their own experience of, for example, incorporating the principles of the circular economy in their businesses.
You will be encouraged to adopt an enquiring and critical approach to ideas and issues, developing the graduate attributes that employers value. For example, when learning how to evaluate company performance in sustainability, you will be tasked with investigating the big picture through news and contemporary journals, rather than relying solely on a company’s PR. You’ll also gain hands-on experience of common business computing and software, including Tableau Data Visualisation, FAME and the Microsoft Office suite.
All of this will help develop the necessary confidence and business acumen to set up your own business or contribute proactively to private business, public or ‘third’ sector organisations. Past graduates have found successful employment as management, marketing and advertising trainees, as trainee accountants and brand managers, recruitment consultants, retail managers and as assistants in market research, PR and global brand.
Top reasons to study with us
- Study at one of London’s leading centres for business education based in the heart of London and its political, media and financial services scene
- Highly flexible structure with the opportunity to change to other business management course specialisms and choose from a large range of optional modules
- Programmes are delivered by a multicultural and international teaching body, who come from professional practice and/or regularly publish in top international journals
- Access to one of the largest financial databases in our state-of-the-art Bloomberg virtual trading room
- Free online subscription to The Financial Times
- Employability embedded across the curriculum, with dedicated specialist modules at every level
- Optional placement year to gain valuable work experience – previous students on this degree have conducted cloud marketing operations for an IT company and project management with General Electric and Rolls Royce
- Opportunity to undertake an internship which has enabled previous students to gain experience with, for instance, the NHS and Disney
- Guest lectures from industry practitioners have previously included speakers from IBM, Tableau, Coca Cola and LinkedIn
- Participate in Westminster Working Cultures trips to understand working cultures within businesses abroad, which in the past have included Berlin, Mumbai and Washington DC
- Past graduates have secured jobs with prestigious organisations, including the Bank of England, BT, Coca Cola, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Goldman Sachs
Course structure
This degree will help you understand what makes a business tick and how to drive a business to succeed. In each year of study, you will take a combination of core and option modules. The flexible nature of the course allows you to choose topics that most suit your interests or career aspirations – even if these change as your course progresses. You can build your own general business degree or choose to specialise in subjects such as economics, entrepreneurship, human resource management, digital business or marketing.
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.
Subjects of study include:
- Introduction to Academic Practice
- Critical Thinking for Academic and Professional Development
- Foundations of Management
- Foundations in Business Data Analysis
- Current debates in Global Business
- Current debates in Digital Business
There are no optional or elective modules offered at Level 3, as the focus is on the development of key academic skills through a broad understanding of Business and Management.
Credit Level 3
You are introduced to the functions of business organisations, the broader business environment, and key management skills and competences, including information gathering and analysis, accounting, economics, marketing and organisational behaviour. We consider business organisations – their purposes, structures and governance in a global context, together with cultural differences and ethical constraints. You’ll be introduced to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, through case studies, discover how environmental, social and governance issues have affected companies including Divine Chocolate, for example. Drawing on real-life data from FAME, you’ll be tasked with analysing the financial performance of an organisation of your choice.
Subjects of study include:
- Global Economies and the Business Environment
- Analytics for Decision Making
- Behaviour in Organisations
- Accounting and Finance for Business
- Marketing for Business Managers
You will also have the opportunity to take an option module that broadens your skills or helps you gain more in-depth knowledge of your specialist area. Your option module may be a foreign language.
Credit Level 4
You will investigate and learn how businesses operate, looking at how people are managed, how you manage business operations and how managers make key decisions. We analyse business operations from both traditional and digital perspectives: the business process; the supply chain; systems integration; and the management of information, quality, demand, capacity and resources. This covers aspects of electronic and mobile services, commerce and business; innovation and design in products and services; and developments in technology and systems. You will select three optional modules.
Subjects of study include:
- Supply Chain, Operations Management and Digital Business
- Leadership and Development
- Sustainable City Economies
You can also choose three options from: Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility, Project Management, Web-enabled Business, Legal Aspects of Employment, Management Decision Making for Business, Sports Marketing, Corporate Governance or Entrepreneurial Practice. You will also have the opportunity to study a module from other faculties of the University, including a foreign language.
Alternatively, in place of the option modules listed above, you may be able to take the WBS Study Abroad Experience (subject to eligibility) or the WBS Work Experience.
Credit Level 5
Optional work placement/study abroad year
Between Years 2 and 3, you can take an optional work placement or study year abroad. The work placement year is a one-year full-time business work placement. Past students have completed placements in a variety of small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and prestigious organisations, including Barclays Bank, British Airways, Disney UK, IBM and the National Health Service (NHS). The study abroad year allows you to follow a programme of study at one of our partner institutions, giving you an opportunity to experience life in another country and learn Business from a different cultural viewpoint.
You can also choose to split your year abroad into a first semester exchange and a second semester work placement, both conducted overseas.
Find out more about the costs involved in taking a study abroad or placement year.
Developing your specialist knowledge further through optional modules, you will learn to apply critical and reflective approaches to help explore the challenges facing organisations at a strategic level and from an organisational perspective, with a view of the broader competitive environment of today’s turbulent economy. In doing so, you will undertake research on a topic of your choice – anything from e-sport business development to environmental sustainability in business. Your studies culminate with the Global Strategic Management module, designed to simulate as closely as possible the nature of strategic decision-making in the management of a commercial organisation. You will analyse market, financial and human resource information on a weekly basis, making complex decisions.
Subjects of study include:
- Strategic Management
- Contemporary Issues in Business Management
- Developing My Professional Identity
In addition to studying the core modules above, you'll be able to select one track and one elective module (including a foreign language) OR one track and one option from another track.
Track: Finance and Accounting Options
- Global Accounting and Multinational Enterprises
- Banking Theory and Practice
Track: Global Business Options
- Comparative International Management
- Project and Programme Management
Track: Digital Business Options
- Digital Analytics
- Social Media for Business
Track: Marketing Options
- Global Marketing Management
- Interactive and Digital Marketing
Track: Economics Options
- International Trade
- Forecasting for Managers
Track: Entrepreneurship Options
- Social and Green Innovation
- Creating Entrepreneurial Leadership
Track: Sustainable Business Options
- Sustainable Supply Chain Management
- Social and Green Innovation
Credit Level 6
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
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Open days
Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.
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Careers
This course is designed to prepare you to become a business leader, an entrepreneur or seek employment in SMEs, blue-chip organisations, the public, private or third sector. It can lead to a wide variety of careers in: business, HR and finance; marketing, PR and sales; management; consultancy (strategic consulting, organisational planning, marketing; IT consulting; human resource consulting and business process management). The skills, knowledge and practical experience you gain will allow you to start contributing to your employer’s organisation quickly and effectively. Many of our students go on to postgraduate study here and at a range of other universities.
The University's Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
Develop your innovation and entrepreneurial skills
Develop your innovation and entrepreneurial skills in The Big Idea competition, sponsored by Santander.
Kickstart your career
Learn how to use social media in your job hunt or LinkedIn to kickstart your career.
Develop your CQ
Develop your cultural intelligence – or ‘CQ’ – studying alongside students and staff representing more than 100 nationalities.
Industry links
Westminster Business School is one of London’s leading centres for business education based in the heart of London and its political, media and financial services scene. Staff who currently teach on this course have extensive professional experience in a range of business sectors with many staff maintaining links with industry through consultancy and training work.
Job roles
The course will prepare you for a wide variety of roles in business. Examples of these from our recent graduates are:
- Business partner (BT)
- Business sales executive
- Cyber security adviser
- International recruitment officer
- Marketing associate
- Personnel and development officer
- Senior solution engineer/consultant
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:
- Bank of England
- Barclays
- British Academy of Film and Television Arts
- BT
- Coca Cola
- EE
- HSBC
- NHS
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Transport for London
Westminster Employability Award
Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.
The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities.
Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.
Read more about our Westminster Employability Award.
International Opportunities
Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.
Opportunities could include:
- Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
- Attending an international summer school or field trip
- Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad
International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.
Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.
Course Leaders
Our Foundation year gives students a great opportunity to explore new ideas, opening up new perspectives on key debates in Business Management. The modules are designed to accelerate your academic and professional development and our team are here to support you to grow in confidence and prepare for progression onto degree level study.
Kamala Balu
Senior Lecturer
Kamala Balu is a Senior Lecturer in Occupational and Organisational Psychology at Westminster Business School and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She teaches on a range of undergraduate modules and has led various modules in subjects including Work Psychology, Assessment at Work, Perspectives on Behaviour in Organisations and Business Communications. She is the Westminster Business School eMentoring Coordinator and the Course Leader for the BA Business Management with Foundation course. Kamala is currently module leader for two core level 4 modules in ‘Behaviour in Organisations’ and ‘Introduction to Organisational Behaviour for Marketing’ and a project supervisor to Postgraduate students on the MA Management, MA Human Resource Management and MSc International Business courses.
More about meSee full profile of Kamala BaluBeverley Marsland
Senior Lecturer
Beverley graduated from London Guildhall University with a degree in Communications in 1998. She is a Fellow of the HEA and holds an MA in Education. Beverley has worked at the University of Westminster for over 12 years leading and teaching on a wide range of modules from the Business Management BA course.
Her interests include sustainability, equality diversity inclusion, and supporting students in the development of the academic literacies essential for academic success.
More about meSee full profile of Beverley Marsland
A successful educational experience goes beyond the attainment of knowledge from lectures and books; our course supports you to develop the skills, autonomy and resilience needed to succeed in professional life.
Course Team
Business and Management Courses
Learn more about Westminster's Business and Management courses from our students. Find out about their experience studying at Westminster, including what it's like to study at the University's Marylebone campus in the heart of central London.
Why study this course?
Combine theory and practice
Link theory to global practice through real-life case studies, guest lectures, field trips and insight from one of the world’s largest financial databases.
Professional software
Enhance your digital literacy and computer skills industry-standard software including Excel, Tableau, Bloomberg, and Fame.
Expand your professional network
Build connections with peers and future business leaders.
Entry Requirements
- A levels – CCD (88 UCAS Tariff points)
- T levels – 88 UCAS Tariff points
- International Baccalaureate – 88 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
- BTEC Extended Diploma – MMM
- BTEC Diploma – DD
- Access – 88 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
In addition to one of the above, you should have:
- GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
View more information about our entry requirements and the application process.
- International Baccalaureate – 88 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
- We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
- We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.
English language requirements
- If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
- If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.
More information
What our students say
Emma Snell
Business Management BA Honours - 2018
Event Assistant | Concerto Group - Ultimate Experience
I've had the best experience during my placement year, improving my confidence, learning so many new skills and helping with some incredible events across London.
Maria Avramova
Business Management BA Honours - 2018
Fleet & Remarketing Assistant | Toyota GB PLC
The placement really helped me figure out where and how I would like to develop myself. I have already applied for a graduate job at the company.
Sayyed Talha
Business Management BA
Westminster Business School has given me immense knowledge about different aspects of business, thus enhancing my vision. The support I have received from the staff has helped me a lot in my career.
Learn new skills
Develop your creativity
Develop your creativity to think outside the box.
Learn to critically evaluate
Learn to critically evaluate the strategies that managers use to help organisations adapt in an uncertain or complex environment.
Improve your problem-solving skills
Improve your problem-solving skills to better understand and tackle people management issues.
Westminster Business School blog
Read our blog and get an insight into life and studies at Westminster Business School.
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Funding
As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
Find out about undergraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme
If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.
International student funding
Find out about funding for international students.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
Student work
The Change the World Model United Nations (CWMUN) is an annual international meeting attended by more than 1,500 students from all over the world, in which they debate the major issues of the international political agenda. The conferences take place in New York, Emirates, Rome and Barcelona. Westminster Model United Nations Society UNA-UK is one of over 40 youth UNAs at universities across the UK.
Founded in 1995, Westminster Business Consultants is a student-run consultancy service affiliated to the University of Westminster, which offers management and strategic consultancy, specialising in market research, market analysis, brand strategy, feasibility studies, business development, performance improvement and product development. It works with a diverse clientele of emerging start-ups, SMEs and large corporations at home and overseas, giving students opportunities to gain extensive knowledge and experience in various industries.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you'll be taught
Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you'll be assessed
Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.
Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
- Written exams: end of semester exams
- Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2023/24
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Facilities
The Learning Platform
Lecture theatres
Library
Bloomberg Financial Market Suite
Digital Marketing Lab
Meeting spaces
Cafe
Course Location
Our Marylebone Campus has benefitted from a multi-million-pound refurbishment resulting in new workshops, digital studios and development of the Marylebone Library. The campus is home to Westminster Business School and our award-winning Architecture, Planning and Tourism courses. For more details, visit our Marylebone Campus page.
Westminster Business School
Based in the heart of London's political, media and financial services, Westminster Business School has excellent industry links and a strong commitment to social enterprise.
Our courses are accredited by professional bodies including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Our practical teaching relates learning to the real world, and we develop graduates who are ready to respond to contemporary business challenges.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
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