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

Develop your strategic view of business on this broad degree. Build on your existing business knowledge to graduate with a full BA (Hons) qualification and a detailed understanding of key business disciplines in organisations.

Key information

UCAS code:

NN25

Typical offer:

Relevant HE study leading to a Level 5 qualification

See full entry requirements
Study mode and duration
Start date

Showing content for section Overview

Overview

Develop your strategic view of business on this BA (Hons) Business and Management (Top-up) degree. If you’ve studied a related subject at higher education, such as completing two years of study on a bachelor's degree or HND course, and want to build on your knowledge to convert your previous learning into a full bachelor’s degree over one year, this course is for you.

This broad degree explores the key disciplines within an organisation so you’ll learn to strategically grow and develop a business in a responsible and sustainable way.

You’ll learn to explain and critique the theory and practice of business and management, develop creative business solutions, manage a project, refine your communication skills, and discover how to identify, analyse and appropriately respond to issues that arise within today’s global business context. 

You'll complete this course with a final project that presents a real opportunity for you to demonstrate the breadth of your skills and knowledge gained on the course through research and discussion of real-world international, ethical or sustainability challenges faced by an organisation. You'll choose your project topic during your course. 

This degree keeps your career options open so you’ll learn skills and management techniques that are transferable to different sectors, giving you many opportunities across the broad spectrum of business disciplines.

Course highlights

  • Identify, analyse and respond to ethical, social and environmental issues in today’s global business context
  • Work on real-world scenarios and projects and apply your new knowledge to challenges faced by real local and global businesses 
  • Hear from experienced guest lectures and industry practitioners and Learn from lecturers and tutors with years of industry experience
  • Network with industry professionals at presentations and networking events with the local business community
  • Graduate ready to apply your knowledge and experience to the business world

Accreditation

AACSB Logo

Contact information

Admissions

+44 (0) 23 9284 5566

Contact Admissions

Entry requirements

BA (Hons) Business and Management (Top-Up) entry requirements

Typical offers

  • Relevant HE study leading to a Level 5 qualification, for example an appropriate HND, foundation degree or Advanced Diploma, or 240 credits from year 1 and year 2 of an undergraduate degree (BA/BSc), in a relevant subject.

You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept at UCAS.

English language requirements

  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

See alternative English language qualifications

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Typical offers

  • Relevant HE study leading to a Level 5 qualification, for example an appropriate HND, foundation degree or Advanced Diploma, or 240 credits from year 1 and year 2 of an undergraduate degree (BA/BSc), in a relevant subject.

You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs - see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.

English language requirements

  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

See alternative English language qualifications

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

We look at more than just your grades

While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.

Explore more about how we make your offer

Facilities and clinics

Business Simulation Suite

Experience the boardroom in our replica business suite.

Business Simulation Suite
Discover our Business Simulation Suite

Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) room

Our technology enhanced active learning space promotes social learning.

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Discover our TEAL learning space

Careers and opportunities

You’ll graduate ready to join the business world, and have the skills and knowledge you need to provide innovative and sustainable solutions to business problems across the globe. 

Graduates from our business and management courses have gone on to work for companies across all business sectors, such as national and local government, technology companies, automotive, hospitality, media and entertainment, and retail firms.

You could choose to study a postgraduate qualification in a more specialised business-related area such as project management, digital marketing or human resource management. 

Graduates from our business and management courses have gone into careers such as:

  • HR manager
  • business analyst
  • marketing manager
  • supply chain analyst
  • business operations manager
  • talent acquisition
  • account analyst

Previous business and management graduates have gone on to work for companies such as:

  • Santander Bank
  • CapGemini
  • Jardine Motors Group
  • NHS
  • Lenovo
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers
Female student at computer

Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.

Woman in business meeting

Why do a business management degree?

Read our blog to find out why a business management degree is a good idea and how it opens doors to lots of different careers.

Read the blog

Ways to enrich your study

Entrepreneurs in Residence Programme (EiR)

Entrepreneurs in Residence Programme (EiR)

We have over 20 experienced business entrepreneurs on our free EiR programme who can help you develop your business idea.

"I have a business idea, but I was not too sure about it. After this meeting, I felt so encouraged and positive about it! I felt so motivated to pursue my business venture. He gave me real life advice and helped me how to approach my ideas."

Rabab El Habchi Mahir meeting EiR Mark Smith

Modules

What you'll study

All modules on this course are core.

  • Contemporary Issues in Product and Service Development
  • Developing your Research Skills
  • Financial Statement and Data Analytics
  • Independent Study Project
  • Responsible and Sustainable Business
  • Strategic Management

I chose Business and Management because I wanted to gain a wider knowledge of business, with the hope I'd find something I enjoyed doing, and could then specialise. I enjoyed the variety and flexibility, the ability to be able to tailor the course to meet my own interests.

Thomas Ruther, BA (Hons) Business and Management graduate


Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Teaching

The majority of your timetabled teaching will be face-to-face and will include:

  • lectures
  • workshops
  • seminars
  • one-on-one tutorials
  • practical sessions
  • group discussions

We pride ourselves on the academic support we offer our students. In addition to our dedicated teaching team, you'll have a personal tutor, student engagement officers and study support staff to help you throughout your studies.

Assessment

How you're assessed will depend on the modules you choose.

As well as online assessments and coursework you may be assessed using:

  • written reports
  • presentations
  • portfolios
  • exams
  • final project

How you'll spend your time

One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.

We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies.  As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.

A typical week

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for this degree.

For example, your typical week may look like:

  • timetabled teaching activities (lectures, seminars, tutorials, classes and workshops) = about 12 hours a week
  • independent study (research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group) = about 23 hours a week

You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in your final year.

Term dates

The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.

See term dates

Supporting you

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:

Types of support

Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.

As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.

In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you'll also have access to our student engagement officers. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing, and refer you to specialist support services if you need extra help or support.

You'll have help from a team of study support tutors. Based within the Faculty of Business and Law, these tutors are familiar with the specific requirements your assignments and work closely with faculty academics. This means they can give you focused support with the specific study skills you need to be successful on your course. They're available face-to-face, by phone, email, and by video call.

They can help with:

  • Academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations, projects and literature reviews)
  • Reflective writing skills
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
  • Understanding and using assignment feedback
  • Managing your time and workload
  • Revision and exam techniques

If you're a mature student, specialist support to help you return to learning is available.

As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).

ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:

  • academic writing
  • note taking
  • time management
  • critical thinking
  • presentation skills
  • referencing
  • working in groups
  • revision, memory and exam techniques

Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University's library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from librarians who specialise in business and law.

The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.

Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.

You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.

If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.

They'll help you to

  • discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
  • liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
  • access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
  • liaise with external services

If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.

marketing students talking in a crowd

Feel at home in our international community

Over 5,000 international students from over 150 countries study with us. You'll find clubs and societies for everything you can imagine.

In our welcoming and diverse city, you can enjoy a wide range of global cuisine and international food shops.

Explore student life in Portsmouth

 

Dione Vengai on placement at IBM

One thing I have liked about studying at the Faculty of Business and Law is the great amount of support I have received, from study support to placement search. I feel strongly supported at every stage of my degree.

Dione Vengai, final year student, BA (Hons) Business and Management

Course costs and funding

Tuition fees

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £9,250 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £16,200 a year (subject to annual increase)

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £9,250 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £16,200 a year (subject to annual increase)

Funding your studies

Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.

Additional course costs

Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.

You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.

You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.

We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.

If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.

Apply

How to apply

To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:

  • the UCAS course code – NN25
  • our institution code – P80

Apply now through UCAS

 

If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form:

You can also sign up to an Open Day to:

  • Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
  • Speak with lecturers and chat with our students 
  • Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join

If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.

Applying from outside the UK

As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things. 

You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.

Find out what additional information you need in our international students section

If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.