BSc (Hons) Business Studies
Our BSc Business Studies (N100) degree provides you with an excellent grounding in real business practice, developing the skills you need to succeed as a business professional. Through studying at one of our UK Business Schools, you'll be supported by our experienced tutors.
Key Information
- Employment-focused study programme influenced by professional bodies
- Graduate in as little as two years full-time or at your own pace
- Covers the core business disciplines and lets you specialise with a range of electives
- Offered in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Leeds and Swindon
- Study in multiple locations in dynamic, state-of-the-art environments
- BPP is trusted by many professionals and FTSE 100 companies
- Option to graduate with BSc Business Studies with Finance degree
- January, May and September starts available
Your degree
Our BSc (Hons) Business Studies degree is all about giving you the practical ability that employers are looking for – and an outstanding platform to study further. It develops comprehensive skills and knowledge of business operations, then lets you specialise in areas like Marketing, Human Resources, or study key subjects like Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Teaching for the real world
We've designed our BSc (Hons) Business Studies courses to give you a competitive edge, in whatever business field you want to enter. They're taught by tutors and lecturers from both professional and academic backgrounds – and this experience informs the way they teach, showing you how to apply your learning in real business situations.
Learn when and where you want
Our BSc (Hons) Business Studies degree is designed to suit you so you can study full-time and graduate in as little as two years.
We offer three start dates a year (January, May and September) and you can even take a 'study break' at the end of each term, then re-enter later.
Seminars are available at different times each week. If you can't make your regular time, just arrange to attend an alternative one.
Awards if you pause your degree
The BPP BSc (Hons) Business Studies has a three-tiered award system that gives you respected business qualifications even if you can't complete the whole degree. Successfully pass the first 120 or 240 credits and you'll receive either a Certificate or Diploma of Higher Education in Business Studies.
Modules
Stage 1 - Certificate in Higher Education (Business Studies)
Business decisions are often supported by sound quantitative analysis. Whether in the finance, retail, or advertising industries, every organisation requires an effective use of quantitative analysis in their decision-making process.
By understanding essential mathematical principles (such as percentages and ratios), as well as mastering the use of fundamental statistical techniques (such as descriptive analysis, data representation and regression analysis) and the interpretation of statistical findings, you will be able to ground business decisions firmly and make recommendations with skill and confidence.
This module is structured to develop these skills which will be the foundation upon which later modules will be built. As the majority of quantitative analysis in the modern corporation is made through electronic spreadsheets, this module will make frequent use of spreadsheet applications to encourage the development of such practical skills from the beginning of the programme.
The aim of the module is to provide you with knowledge and understanding of the factors that contribute to that difference, looking specifically at how individual and group behaviour can be influenced by and in turn influences the organisation.
Through a range of contexts you will be able to develop your understanding of the major components of human behaviour together with the organisational process that influence and direct that behaviour for better or for worse.
The aims of this module are to:
- develop your understanding of the nature and scope of organisational behaviour
- enable you to develop a practical framework to demonstrate how managers, employees, and other stakeholders are influenced through the human behaviour that creates and sustains them
- encourage you to develop a range of skills and abilities to navigate and make sense about individual, group and team behaviour within organisations
Core topics will include:
- The balance sheet
- The income statement
- Profitability
- Cash and liquidity
- Business and gearing risk
- Investor ratios
Human Resource Management
Business and law professionals require a deep insight into the nature of financial markets and the role of the institutions that operate within them in order to understand the issues that shape and affect the business environment in which their clients operate.
This module aims to equip you with extensive critical insight into the formulation and implementation of strategy in business. You will:
- Critically assess the UK financial marketplace, the key participants and their motivations as well as the nature of the risks and challenges posed by the recent economic crisis
- Understand in depth the rationale behind corporate valuation and the key variables driving capital structure decision making
- Examine future trends and regulation in finance
- Analyse financial performance and profitability
- Understand the most important financial drivers and indicators
- Critically examine potential sources of finance in different commercial circumstances
Assessment
- One graded element worth 100%: Finance and Markets Case Study (3,000 words)
Stage 2 - Diploma in Higher Education (Business Studies)
The aim of this module is to provide you with an understanding of the fundamentals of management and cost accounting by introducing you to the principles, mechanics and subjective issues involved in the preparation of internal accounting information.
Management and cost accounting is of critical importance in the support of all business activities and can lead to the financial success or failure of an organisation. This module is designed to introduce the basic concepts on which management and cost accounting are based, providing students with a toolkit that they can use to develop a better understanding of the performance of businesses and the decisions and problems that businesses face.
As an HR professional you will know that of equal importance is the role of learning and development in achieving your personal needs and aspirations and facilitating others to do so.
The contribution of learning and development to both formulating and achieving objectives at all levels forms a core rationale and component of this module.
The module will enable you to develop a critical understanding of the potential and limitations of the contribution of learning and development policies and strategies in global business in terms of adding value.
You will be able to develop your intellectual, social and professional skills to perform more effectively in your professional roles.
The module requires learners to reflect critically on theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint, explores the implications for professional practice and provides opportunities for applied learning and continuous professional development.
During this module you will develop your entrepreneurial skills and capabilities to influence behaviour and attitudes towards new ventures and the corporate environment.
Corporate finance is all about the decisions made within a company that have a financial impact. At a time when so many assumptions about financial theory appear to have fallen short, this module does not claim to give you all the answers but aims to help you ask better questions. It starts by examining the core issues that businesses face: how to raise funds, how to select their investments and how to reward their investors.
The course then examines the ways in which merger and acquisition (M&A) activity reshapes the corporate and industrial landscape. This will develop your understanding of the concepts of strategy, economics, organisational behaviour and financial management that inform the decision making of business managers in this subject. Taking a case-based approach using real life examples, you will be encouraged to explore the topic from the perspective of various stakeholder groups and explore the alternative options for strategic growth available to organisations.
On the one hand it promotes a deep understanding of the theoretical construct of portfolio management, but provides a solid foundation for understanding fund management in general given various different types of objectives, e.g. for pension funds, for mutual funds and for private individuals.
It exposes the world of the portfolio manager, including the surrounding business and regulatory environment. It will give you hands-on experience in implementing these techniques, through a simulated trading platform especially designed to promote team work.
The module covers:
- Principles and policy, construction, management and protection of portfolios
- Asset Allocation: strategic vs tactical
- Overview of problems faced by portfolio managers: liquidity, risk management, benchmarking and alpha, regulatory environment, portfolio construction
- Introduction to Style Investing
- Implementing a portfolio: Introduction to StockTrak
- Case study: Boots PLC Pension Funds (set in early 2000)
- Portfolio construction: overview
- Active vs passive investing
- Portfolio risk, risk budgeting and performance measures
- Return attribution
- Portfolio protection: hedging
- Absolute return strategies
- Manager selection, fund of funds
- Value Investing, Quantitative approach
- Passive investing: Principles of ETF
- The Asset Management Business
- Creating financial products
- Behavioural Finance, ethics, SRI, and marketing of financial products
- Investment planning: personal and family offices
Stage 3 - BSc (Hons) Business Studies
This is a practical project that aims to identify and address business problems and provide a platform for the further development of skills such as self-management, team working factors, innovation, risk and profit, etc. You will be working as part of a team, combining your knowledge, strength and expertise with your peers to achieve maximum results.
The outcome of your endeavors will lead to a value adding, practical business solution where you will be able to demonstrate your professional credibility. (30 credits)
You will look at the role of operations in relation to overall business strategy and competitiveness. The module also enables you to use the tools of operations management and understand how these link to institutional success.
You will typically cover:
- Operations strategy role and success factors
- The process view of operations management
- The link between operations and finance
- Capacity management
- Inventory management
- Quality and Six-sigma
- Supply chain management
- Project management
If you're willing to probe more deeply into research issues, then this is the module for you. Through evaluation of different research methods, you will acquire a working knowledge of business research, skills and their application. These skills will not only prove useful in your personal development but will also prove professionally useful in your career with respect to problem-solving and the development of appropriate solutions. This has been identified as an essential requirement for successful employment.
The primary aim of Extra Credit Project is to develop your ability to work autonomously, conducting research and/or exhibiting other skills at a level appropriate for this stage of legal educational development. You will develop and submit a proposal arising out of a taught module (core or elective) or other legal areas that you may be involved in (e.g. pro bono work and mooting), then (once approved) undertake the extra credit project, followed by submission of both evidence of your substantive work and a reflective learning report on that work.
If you're in employment when you take your law degree, you can use this option to make your studies specifically relevant to your job.
Please note that an Extra Credit Project may be undertaken at any stage of the LLB (Hons) (Business Law), provided that it is pitched at the appropriate level.
This module is part of BSc Business programmes.
Entry requirements
To apply for a place, you will need one of the following:
- 260 UCAS Tariff Points or above
- Three 'A' Levels graded BCC (Plus grade C or above in English Language at GCSE)
If you're not sure whether you have the required tariff points, we still encourage you to apply. It will be considered on merit and we may invite you to attend an assessment to secure a place on one of our undergraduate courses.
For full-time, face-to-face, two or three-year courses starting in September 2011, please apply via UCAS
Applying through UCAS
- UCAS code for full-time three years – N100
- UCAS code for full-time two years – N101
All applications for the two or three year full-time BSc (Hons) Business Studies should be made through UCAS.
International students
BPP welcomes students from all over the world. Applications for undergraduate full time programmes are made via UCAS.
Our admissions procedure is based on an individual assessment, although criteria vary depending on the programme you wish to study.
If you're an international student, and English is not your first language, you will need to have an IELTS level 6.0 score (or equivalent) in addition to the requirements outlined above. Students with an overall IELTS of 6.0 or equivalent will be required to undertake a compulsory, additional, in-sessional Academic English course during the first term of their studies.
For details of which international qualifications are accepted for this course, please see our country-specific entry requirements.
Pathway and foundation programmes
If you want to apply for a place on one of our BSc (Hons) programmes but think you don't meet the entry requirements, we still encourage you to apply as all applications are considered on merit.
You may also be eligible for our Pathway to Higher Education Certificate in Business Studies programme or the International Foundation Certificate in Business Studies.
Your experience
At BPP University College, your studies are just part of your student experience.
While we're unlike many traditional universities – being highly career-focused and concentrating on practical application as well as academic theories – we want your time at BPP to be a great all-round experience.
There are many student-led activities and societies for you to choose from and lots going on off-campus. So as well as giving you the practical and academic knowledge you need to get ahead, we'll help you build the social skills you'll need to thrive in work – and life.
At BPP we give you all the skills and advice you need to get ahead. As part of helping you get the best possible start to your working life, we provide a specialist Careers service.
BPP Students' Association
Founded in 2011 after a year's worth of consultation with and design by students, our new Students' Association is home to 5,500 students across all ten BPP sites.
Every student of the University College automatically becomes a member of the Students' Association on joining the institution.
The Association aims to put you, the student, at the heart of everything BPP does, giving you:
- an independent voice on student matters.
- information, support and guidance about your academic and personal life.
- academic, cultural, social and professional enrichment through the development of clubs, societies, events and initiatives.
- awareness and enhancement of your employability.
Study locations
You can choose to study our BSc (Hons) Business Studies course at the locations listed below. You can start this programme in May and September depending on your locations. For full details, download our list of start dates and locations for 2012/2013.
Whichever you choose, you will be assured of access to the latest equipment, world-class support and a comfortable study environment.
You can also view the term and assessment dates.
Accommodation
Whether you're looking for long-term, short-term or temporary accommodation, we'll help you find the perfect place to stay while you study. We can offer information on halls of residence, student houses, flat-shares and hotels – as well as advice on any accommodation issues.
If you'd like to know more about mixing events, finding a housemate or discussion boards, or if you just need some general advice, please contact our Accommodation Officer:
- Tel: 0845 075 3506
- Fax: 020 7404 1389
- Email: accommodation@bpp.com
Paying for your course
If you start your degree in January or May 2012
- UK or EU students, two- and three-year degrees: £3,225 a year
- International students, two- and three-year degree: £6,500 a year
Fees from September 2012 onwards
- UK or EU students, three-year degree: £5,000 a year
- UK or EU students, two-year degree: £6,000 a year
- International students, three-year degree: £7,000 a year
- International students, two-year degree: £10,500 a year
Student loans
All full-time UK students intending to study at BPP are eligible for a student loan and/or maintenance grant. These help cover tuition fees and living costs while you are studying. Find out more about student loans
To help you with your fees, we also offer a number of instalment options.
View a list of 2012 Undergraduate Payment Plans.
For details, please contact the Student Finance Office: student finance@bpp.com.
Scholarships
BPP welcomes and supports applications for student scholarships. With widening participation in the education sector, we now offer a generous number of scholarships for our degree courses.
For more information, please contact Admissions: admissions@bpp.com
International student scholarships
For more information please contact:- Tel: 0845 0775566
- Email: internationaladmissions@bpp.com
