Course overview

Business is important to any economy and a British-based business degree is a sound entry qualification for many careers.

All business degrees at the University of Portsmouth include the development of appropriate skills such as communication, teamwork, career planning and time management. They have a strong contemporary feel and relate the theoretical explanation of business to the practical issues facing managers in the twenty-first century.

Designed for students whose first language is not English, this two year degree is aimed at international students who are qualified to begin degree studies at second or final year. Normally, entry will be at second year, but exceptionally final-year entry may be possible for those with relevant previous study.

If you would like to study business in a Business School with a strong reputation and enhance your business communication skills, then this course is for you.

We ask that you have studied business in the past as this will demonstrate your interest in the subject. You will also need to have a curiosity about the world of business, the management of human resources, the global context and cross cultural awareness. We hope that you will appreciate our fresh approach and that we can maximise your academic potential in this dynamic field.

Course content

In the second year you will study the following units, which will further develop your understanding of the management of people and of the business environment:

• Human Resource Management
• International Business
• Developing Marketing Communications
• English Language
• Business Communication
• Managing Business Relationships

In the final year you will undertake an individual business research project, providing you with the opportunity to study a relevant topic of your choice in depth. You will also take units which will develop your understanding of strategic management techniques, marketing and managing people within an international environment.

Optional units currently include:

• Cross Cultural Awareness for Business
• Advertising and Public Relations
• Managing Equality and Diversity at Work
• Money, Banking and Finance

You will also continue to develop your English language and business English skills, and complete an Independent Study Project.

Teaching and assessment

Here at Portsmouth we place a lot of emphasis on student support. At the start of each academic year you will be assigned a personal tutor, who will be available for regular meetings to discuss your progress, as well as help resolve any problems or questions that you may encounter along the way.

Teaching and learning are usually undertaken in lectures supported by smaller group seminars, workshops and tutorials. Extensive use is made of information technology and other teaching innovations. Staff research and consultancy expertise also actively contribute to the relevance of our programmes.

You will encounter a range of assessment methods in this course. There are end of term examinations in most subjects, while some count only coursework for your assessed mark. The majority of subjects contain both examinations and course-assessed work.

The assessed work you complete from the start of your second year onwards can count towards the class of degree you will be awarded. Our assessment regulations give some opportunity to retake assessments and subjects should this be necessary.

Career prospects

Our excellent reputation and the quality of our graduates provide a springboard for a rewarding and challenging career. We have a demonstrable record of achievement in terms of graduate recruitment, which enables our graduates to go on to a wide range of occupations in a variety of sectors. Many of our graduates now hold senior management positions. Alternatively many choose to study for a Master's degree either elsewhere in the UK or at Portsmouth.

Facilities and features

You will attend lectures in the purpose-built Richmond Building, where the Business School is located. It offers a computer drop-in and resource centre containing a wireless network access area, as well as printing and photocopying facilities.

The University Library is at the centre of academic life and is only a short walk away. Open from 8am until midnight every day during term-time, it provides a variety of information to help with study and research.

It has also invested heavily in the purchase of electronic resources. There are thousands of electronic journals and ebooks that can be accessed across campus, from home or wherever there is an internet connection.

For international students we have a dedicated team of advisors to support you as you settle into life in Portsmouth and at the University. One of the team almost certainly has direct experience of your culture and may even speak your language.

Entry requirements

View all the entry requirements for BA (Hons) Business with Business Communication for the academic year 2013/14 (opens in new window).