Home Courses Business School BA (Hons) Business Management
business students sat in lecture

Develop skills in management, leadership, HR, accounting, marketing, operations and more

UCAS LogoUCAS Logo
N101
3 years Full Time, 4 years Full Time with sandwich placement
Bishop Otter Campus (Chichester)

Top 25

for Business, Management and Marketing

Guardian University Guide 2022

Top 10

University in the South East

Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021

100%

student satisfaction for Business Studies

National Student Survey 2022

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Overview

Develop your knowledge of business and management

Our practical and creative BA (Hons) Business Management degree allows you to explore current business challenges from both a strategic, operational level and a theoretical perspective, as you gain the knowledge and skills to fully prepare you for a successful career.

The course provides you with a strong foundation in business and management and develops your confidence, entrepreneurial mindset, and employability skills to allow you to successfully pursue the career that interests you.

Work on live projects

You will have opportunities to work on live business projects with real-world clients, as you apply your knowledge to produce creative solutions and develop your confidence, business knowledge, critical thinking, and resilience to prepare you for the world of business.

Dedicated work placement options

Our varied work placement opportunities help develop your confidence, experience, and your ability to stand out from the crowd in a competitive job market.  These placements will improve your employability further and act as a fantastic way to put theory into practice.

Small and interactive classes

Our small interactive seminars mean you are seen as an individual, not just another face in the crowd.

This approach provides you with opportunities to develop and express your opinions relating to today’s business issues and inspire curiosity into the business world. Our lecturers get to know you and can reflect on how best to develop your academic and personal development whilst on your journey with us.

Accreditation

Our Business Management degrees are accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), a professional management body who are the only organisation that can award Chartered Manager status – the ultimate management accolade. This means your degree matches what employers are currently looking for in aspiring managers.

You could also be eligible for the additional Level 5 Diploma in Management at no extra cost or assignment work. With a good degree accredited by CMI, plus this professional management qualification, your chances of securing employability increase, and you can accelerate your entry into management.

CMI logo

On this course you will:

  • Explore various business, management leadership topics and the strategies, tactics, challenges, and solutions businesses are faced with.
  • Complete projects with real clients.
  • Complete a 20-week part-time placement.
  • Develop valuable soft skills like confidence, teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, communication, time management and resilience.
  • Have the opportunity to take part in events and activities including trips, events, and business guest speakers.
  • Have the option to do a 1-year placement.

The Course

Learn a broad range of business fundamentals

Year One

In your first year, you will explore the fundamentals of business management, as you develop your knowledge of management, marketing, accounting, entrepreneurship and business information systems.

Year Two

In your second year, you will begin to focus on your chosen areas of interest, with modules across leadership, human resource management, finance, project management, research skills and sustainable business practice.

You will be able to apply for an industrial placement year before the final year, or continue straight onto year three.

Year Three

In your final year, the final research dissertation project will be your main focus.  But you will also dive deeper into your chosen area of interest, with more specific modules such as strategic human resource management, business ethics, entrepreneurship, and global business.

You will also take part in a 20-week part-time placement which is compulsory for all final year students.

Choose your path

Most of our business degrees share core modules during your first year, so you may be able to move from a single honour’s degree to a joint honours option within the first year.

We often find that you develop an unexpected interest in some topics, and we can provide some flexibility in changing your degree early on to meet this new interest.

Business Trips

Throughout your degree you can take part in optional business trips to highlight the skills you will need in the workplace.

You will meet people in their place of work, or businesses will visit the university and this provides opportunities to ask questions, learn about the industry and work environment of various businesses.

Modules

This module list is indicative and subject to change.

Select a year

Academic and Professional Skills (APS)

This module will support your transition into a university undergraduate degree programme. You will focus on developing academic and professional skills and be encouraged to reflect on and plan you own personal development. You are provided with a range of weekly topics to help you develop and you can choose those most beneficial to you. You will be assessed through a portfolio.

Accounting Skills

In this module you will explore fundamental accounting concepts and develop the skills and techniques you need to collect and record data and transactions to prepare accounting statements and management accounts which are key to managers.

You will focus on the requirements for internal use of single entities.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an online exam and a 45-minute in class test.

Business Information Systems

Within this module, you will explore the relationship of technology with business.

As well as creating an understanding of what an information system (IS) does, you will examine how an IS may influence business structures, assist in the decision making within an organisation and some of the tools that can be used to improve information handling.

Enterprise Awareness

This module gives you a practical introduction to the commercial realities of organisations and how decision-making impacts different areas of the business.

You will use the business model canvas to explore the relationships between decisions in operations, sales, marketing, finance, and distribution.

You will also be introduced to basic creation and interpretation of key financial documents and ratios to assess business performance.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a group assignment and individual financial portfolio accompanied with a short professional discussion.

Entrepreneurial Mindset

In today’s competitive business environment, graduates require strong employability skills and a resilient attitude.

This module aims to develop these skillsets by working with a real client in creating ideas, implementing one of them and assessing how they can be more innovative.

You will deepen your knowledge of being entrepreneurial and applying an ‘entrepreneurial mindset’ to solve a real-life case study with a client.

You will usually work in small groups to develop an ‘innovative’ solution to an identified problem or opportunity.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a group presentation to the client and an individual report on how the entrepreneur can be more innovative.

Accreditations

This is a CMI and CIM accredited module.

Introductory Law for Managers

This module will introduce you to law in the commercial world.

You will gain a sufficient understanding of the law as a manager and be able to recognise the existence and effects of the law in commercial activities and the key legislation organisations need to follow operationally and with customers.

You will explore when professional legal assistance is required in business.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an online examination and 1 hour in-class test.

Management and Organisations

You will explore business management theories, the role and position of a manager, and your ability to manage others.

You are encouraged to develop your self-awareness as a potential manager and investigate issues like:

  • the history of management
  • structures
  • functions
  • culture
  • sustainability
  • and innovation of an organisation.

You will also explore:

  • aspects of business psychology
  • how people are motivated and behave
  • theories of leadership and conflict management that can be used in effective management.
Assessment

You will be assessed through a report on management topics of interest.

Marketing Principles and Practice

This introductory module explores the role of marketing in the modern business environment.

You will discover the core tools and concepts of marketing and investigate the marketing principles of the extended services mix, buyer behaviour, segmentation, and market research.

You will explore business aspects such as contemporary society, digital innovations, and disruptive business models.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a business report.

Accreditation

This is a CMI and CIM accredited module.

Data Research for Business

This module introduces you to the concept of data and market research for decision making, to allow you to make informed decisions as business managers and prepare you for your final year research dissertation, or equivalent study.

The module takes you on a structured and applied journey, looking at the rationale and contextualisation for the research processes required for business decisions.

You will use qualitative and quantitative research methodologies specifically applied to your degree route or area of study.

Assessment

You will be assessed by market research analysis and recommendations report.

Accreditation

This is a CMI accredited module.

Key HR Practices

This module aims to develop your understanding of key practices concerning human resource management and the importance of managing people.

You will examine the skills needed to manage people within various types of work organisations, as you explore:

  • the theory and key principles and practices of recruitment
  • selection
  • retention of talent
  • performance management
  • and reward.

The seminars and supporting literature provide a structure to explore key HR practices within different organisations and contemporary management from a national and international perspective.

Assessment

You will be assessed by case study HR portfolio and time constrained exam with question focus provided in advance.

Accreditation

This is a CIPD and CMI accredited module.

Finance for Managers

This module will introduce you to several key financial concepts and tools necessary to understand and evaluate business performance, from a primarily financial perspective.

This module assumes minimal prior accounting knowledge and provides a practical understanding and conceptual awareness to students who typically are not planning to follow an Accounting and Finance degree pathway.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an essay/report and an exam.

Accreditation

This is an ACCA accredited module.

Leadership

This module invites you to explore the challenges of leadership in organisations through a critical examination of theory, practice, and possible future directions.

It encourages you to explore effective leadership and encourages you to expand your thinking on alternative strategies as you look forward to your future role as potential leaders in organisations.

Assessment

You will be assessed by individual presentation and report.

Accreditation

This is a Chartered Management Institute accredited module.

Management Accounting for Control

This module will develop your understanding of a range of management accounting techniques and how these can be applied to support decision-making. You will solve problems that require you to demonstrate thoughtful and effective reasoning in proposing solutions to a given set of circumstances.

Operations Management

Operations management uses a series of processes and inputs (e.g. materials, money, and human resource) to perform operations such as manufacturing and service provision.  These operations give outputs (the finished goods and services).

This module explores how organisations effectively manage facilities, assets, and resources for the efficient delivery of consistent quality goods and services.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a case study presentation of an operational plan.

Accreditation

This is a CMI accredited module.

Professional Graduate

This practical module develops your critical understanding of the concept of professionalism and how it relates to being a graduate in the workplace.

You will plan your own development towards your graduate recruitment and if you chose a one-year internship (professional placement), you will focus on applying and preparing for this placement.

The module emphasises the importance of developing your own employability and encourages continuous reflection on personal and professional development (PDP).

Assessment

You will be assessed through two assignments, a mock job/placement interview and reflective report with PDP action plan.

Accreditation

This is a CMI accredited module.

Consumer Buyer Behaviour

Optional

This module will equip learners with the fundamentals of consumer behaviour.

Psychology is used widely in both marketing and human resource management and leadership and vitally important in understanding consumer behaviour to ensure business provides products and services that meets their changing needs.

You will critically appreciate the importance of psychology to decision making and the field of marketing, as well as analyse and evaluate individual aspects of consumer behaviour and social and group aspects of consumer behaviour during your studies.

Data Science and Analytics

Optional

This module will provide you with the background to the core concepts of “Big Data” and data mining with a focus on business activity and decision making.

In addition, you will be made aware of the fundamental difference between structured and unstructured data types.

Assessment

Assessment is by report, data analysis and visual data presentation.

Economics for Business

Optional

This module focuses on business decision-makers and the benefits of gaining a sound understanding of the subject of economics and the analyses of economic data.

The module explores economic theories/concepts, their application to the real-world and their usefulness for explaining the changing mechanics of national and global markets and the processes of government policy formation.

Assessment

Assessment is by presentation and essay.

Employee Development

Optional

This module aims to develop your understanding of the principles of developing a skilled and talented workforce and the benefits.

You will explore the factors which influence workforce development and review the scope of learning and development in organisations.

You will also consider different approaches and frameworks for measuring the impact of workforce development and management across different organisations from a national and international perspective.

Assessment

Assessment is by individual essay and case study report.

Accreditation

This is a CMI accredited module.

Financial Reporting

Optional

This module will enable you to describe and critically discuss how financial reporting can be regulated, including the system of international accounting standards.

You will learn to prepare statutory accounts in the appropriate form for a single business.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an online examination and a one hour in- class test.

Accreditation

This is an ACCA accredited module.

Project Management

Optional

This module introduces you to the essential tools and methodologies for managing an effective project, including the ‘Prince2’ and ‘Agile’ methodologies.

You will explore techniques for change management and version control and have the opportunity to explore project planning and use Project Management software.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a 3,500-word portfolio.

Sustainable Business and Circular Economy

Optional

Businesses are increasingly recognising the range of stakeholders who may be impacted by or have influence over their business, increasing the need for greater social corporate responsibility.

This module explores this principle and focuses on businesses environmental impact and sustainable development. You will explore the concepts of the ‘triple-bottom line’ and ‘circular economy’, where not only economic but also social and environment issues are regarded as important in business planning.

You will critically explore the concept of sustainable business management by applying the topics to a range of case studies including tourism, events, and the wider business environment, at a national and international level.

Assessment

You will be assessed by creating sustainability videos and presentations.

Business Strategy

This module encourages you to critically consider business strategy and design business strategies based on specific tools and models to analyse strategic context.

You will explore:

  • the effectiveness of corporate vision
  • the application of strategic tools, models, and concepts
  • processes of strategy
  • and critical success factors in delivering competitive advantage and customer value.
Assessment

You will be assessed through a case study and an assignment presentation.

Research Dissertation

The module is an opportunity for you to research a specific area that interests you within an appropriate business, public sector or third sector context.

Your project will make a major contribution to your professional and intellectual development.

Placement students

All students have the opportunity to go on the work placement module in the final semester where you undertake a project for a client organisation and your dissertation will be based on this area of work.

Assessment

You will be assessed by creating an individual report of 10,500 words.

Accreditation

This is a CMI accredited module.

Work Placement

All of our students take this opportunity to gain valuable management experience working in an organisation and project work that appeal to you in your future career. The placement is part-time and 20 weeks long.

Typically, you would carry out your research dissertation whilst on placement and focus on researching the project areas you are working on and an area the organisation will benefit from the most. This module allows you to gain valuable work experience and enhance your employability which is extremely attractive to employers.

Few other universities offer a professional placement where your research dissertation aligns with your project work.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a learning log submission and an individual presentation.

Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

Optional

In this module, you will learn to raise awareness of the ethical considerations relevant to many business practices and issues, as well as raise awareness of corporate social responsibility.

You will be introduced to the concepts, theories and techniques used to address ethical considerations as you critically discuss current business and government policies relating to corporate social responsibility.

You will reflect on your own moral values, attitudes and behaviour and have some interesting debates and discussions in the lessons.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an interview and a portfolio.

Corporate Finance

Optional

This module will give you an insight into the practical impacts of key areas of corporate finance.

You will cover an overview of the core concepts of corporate finance before focusing on specific related areas such as corporate valuation and merger and acquisition activity.

You will be introduced to more complex aspects of finance theory including:

  • Portfolio Theory
  • Capital Asset Pricing Model
  • Capital Structure Theory.

You are encouraged to examine ‘corporate finance in action’ and to link your theoretical studies with practice.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an essay and an online exam.

Accreditation

This is an ACCA accredited module.

Entrepreneurship (Business Start-Up Idea and Plan)

Optional

In this heavily practical module, you will work to develop an idea for a new small business.

You will present this to get feedback on improving the business viability and create a one-year persuasive business plan.

Your classes will focus on developing your understanding the feasibility and viability of each aspect of your business through testing and evaluation.

Assessment

Assessment is by presentation and creation of the business plan.

Entrepreneurship in Action

Optional
Build your own business

This module provides an opportunity for you to start-up your own business within a supportive environment by implementing a developed business idea.

It may be that you are already running part-time business or have a business idea and you would like to try and implement with support and already have a good understanding of business planning.

Activities could involve:

  • creating a website
  • making sales
  • delivering events
  • networking
  • carrying out in-depth research
  • creating social media marketing.

Even if you decide not to continue with the business idea, the knowledge and practical experience gained will equip you with entrepreneurial skills much sought after by employers.

Receive 1-1 mentoring

You will attend weekly 1:1 mentoring with the lecturer and specialist Business HotHouse staff.

Connection with ‘Entrepreneurship’ module

You can take this module alongside the Entrepreneurship module if you would like more guidance in developing an idea and business plan.

In this instance it will be like taking an entrepreneurship placement where your main focus in your final semester is developing and implementing your own business.

Assessment

Assessment is by implementation portfolio and professional discussion on how the idea is/not viable.

Global Business Today

Optional

This module introduces you to current global issues that we are hearing about in the news today that are vital for business to react to successfully compete and grow.

You will broaden your understanding of the challenges and opportunities businesses face in areas such as:

  • international trade after Brexit
  • political unrest
  • differences in national cultures
  • global inequality
  • operating sustainably
  • and global consumer behaviour.
Assessment

You will be assessed through creating a conference paper and presentation on one global topic of interest.

Strategic Human Resource Management

Optional

You will consider practical and conceptual frameworks in a series of workshops.

These interactive sessions will use learning methods including:

  • case studies
  • directed reading
  • presentations with feedback
  • self-reflection
  • guest speakers
  • workshop exercises
  • and mini-discussion groups.

You will take part in simulations and activities to reflect typical business scenarios as you analyse, problem solve and generate a justified solution to a problem.

Assessment

You will be assessed through an open book assessment, an individual report, a coaching session, and an e-portfolio review.

Teaching and Assessment

Feel the support of our expert teaching staff

Teaching

You will learn through small interactive workshops, where you will join a close and supportive environment and develop a wide range of soft skills such as confidence, business acumen, teamwork, communication, initiative and resilience.

The majority of the course is taught through practical tasks which apply theory and involve problem solving, developing ideas and implementing some of them.

Assessment

Our assessments are more aligned with an authentic workplace, where most of your assignments involve creating business reports, presentations, and portfolios, w hich develop your critical thinking skills and a solution-focused approach that is vital in the workplace.

Luke

BA (Hons) Business Management
"I chose to study a business degree at Chichester because the lectures are run in small workshop style sessions with more “facetime” with the lecturers, and I felt that I would learn more in this environment."

Jamala

BA (Hons) Business Management
"I’ve met some great people, really enjoyed my university experience and being away from home. It was definitely the right choice to come here."

Jake

BA (Hons) Business Management
"I spent my year on placement in a management-level role at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. It was hard work but extremely rewarding and I've learned so much. I feel much more prepared for graduate jobs now. Bring it on!"

Experience

Discover a close student community, excellent facilities, and unique opportunities

Stay updated

Follow the Business School on Instagram to see our latest updates or browse through our video collection on the Business School YouTube channel.

Work Placements

Gain practical experience within the industry

Work placements give you valuable work experience to add to your CV and help to prepare you for the workplace after you graduate.

During work placements you will develop your employability and apply your learning in practice, so you are ready to thrive in business after you leave university. You could even secure employment after you graduate with your placement employer.

Industrial Placements

There are two main types of placement on this course:

  • A year-long industrial placement (optional).
  • A 20-week part-time placement (compulsory).

Most students secure placements in London and the South East but you could travel overseas. Past students have worked in Bahrain, India, Singapore, and Australia.

Many placement students continue to work for the companies they completed placements with after they graduate. Some students are even offered full time jobs before their results are published.

Placement Year

This one-year placement option takes place after your second year of study. You will have a paid position with a company and be an employee as well as a registered student. The company will introduce you to the workplace and provide a valuable learning experience to support and develop your understanding of business practice.

20 Week Work Placement

During your final year you will complete a 20-week work placement. This placement is part time, usually unpaid, and will be assessed as a double module for your degree. Your assessment will focus on employability and personal development.

You will focus on a management project during your placement. This project usually concerned with investigating management issues within the placement organisation.

Placement Office

The Business School has a dedicated placement office who will with you and relevant businesses to help you find your best placement match. We ensure that placements are at an appropriate level and suitable for your degree.

You are responsible for finding your own placement, but you can take advantage of the team’s business relationships and opportunities advertised by the placement office. Some businesses reach out to the office to re-advertise their placements each year.

Students find placements in all types of business, some recent examples:

  • PWC
  • Nissan Motorcars
  • Rolls Royce
  • Montezuma's Chocolate
  • Goodwood
  • Citibank
  • Huhtamaki
  • NHS
  • Gatwick Diamond Initiative
  • GuildCare
  • Virgin Active
  • Nature's Way

Graduate Success

Join our community of successful alumni

Guest Speakers

Get a unique insight into the professional world

We also engage with local businesses who visit as guest speakers, deliver masterclasses, or set you genuine business challenges to solve.

These experiences help you bring theory to life, understand first-hand the challenges businesses face and techniques to overcome them.

Working with real clients and business on current commercial and business problems and projects provides the basis for some assessments and enable you to apply your learning to authentic commercial situations.

Study Abroad

Explore the opportunity to study part of your course abroad

As a student at the University of Chichester, you can explore opportunities to study abroad during your studies as you enrich and broaden your educational experiences.

Students who have undertaken this in the past have found it to be an amazing experience to broaden their horizons, a great opportunity to meet new people, undertake further travelling and to immerse themselves within a new culture.

You will be fully supported throughout the process to help find the right destination institution for you and your course. We can take you through everything that you will need to consider, from visas to financial support, to help ensure that you can get the best out of your time studying abroad.

Jen

Jen

Business School student who studied abroad in Finland for for a year
I would recommend to everyone to study abroad for a year. I’ve met so many wonderful people from all over the world who are now great friends that I will visit even now my year abroad has ended. Some highlights of my time here were visiting Santa in Lapland, spending a weekend in a traditional Finnish cottage in the lake region, having an outdoor BBQ in the middle of winter and going to many saunas. For those concerned about the financial aspect, there are additional student loans and grants, as well as more support options for lower income households. I have learned a lot about Finland, such as the beautiful nature, history and traditional food. I've also learned lots about myself and improved my skills in confidence and independence, and now I see the world from another perspective.

Careers

Excellent professional level graduate employment results

This multi-disciplinary BA (Hons) Business Management degree gives you the skills you will need to succeed across the business industry after you graduate and does not limit you to a specific job.

After graduating you could become a: 

  • Business Advisor
  • Business Development Manager
  • Chartered Management Accountant
  • Corporate Investment Banker
  • Data Analyst
  • HR Advisor
  • Insurance Underwriter
  • Management Consultant
  • Project Manager
  • Recruitment Consultant
  • Risk Manager
  • Stockbroker
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Teacher

Further Study

You may decide to continue your studies to postgraduate level.

The Business School has a diverse range of postgraduate courses including:

  • MSc Digital Marketing
  • MSc Human Resource Management & Organisational Behaviour
  • MSc Coaching Psychology
  • MBA
  • PGCE
  • PhD Research

University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.

Course Costs

Course Fees 2024/25

UK fee
£9,250
International fee
£15,840

For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fee page.

For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.

To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.

Entry Requirements

Typical offers (individual offers may vary):

UCAS
104-120
tariff points from A levels or combination with AS / EPQ / BTEC/ Cambridge Technical.
A Levels
BBB-BCC
BTEC/Cambridge Technical
DDM-DMM
GCSEs
4/C or better
English language and mathematics
Access to HE Diploma
Pass
with at least 15 credits at Merit.
T Level
Merit (with C in the Core)
in Accounting, Finance, or Management and Administration.
IB
28 points
IELTS
6.0
with no element lower than 5.5.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

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Click the ‘Apply now’ button to go to relevant UCAS page.

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Many qualifications have a UCAS Tariff value. The score depends on the qualification, and the grade you achieved.

How do I know what my UCAS tariff points are?

Head to the UCAS Tariff Points web page where you can find a tariff points calculator that can tell you how much your qualification and grades are worth.

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