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BA (Hons) Business Management

If you’re ambitious, our Business Management course will prepare you to make your professional mark. Whether as your own boss or a management high flier, develop your personal toolkit of relevant skills on our versatile course.

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A popular degree with employers recruiting to graduate schemes in business, marketing and HR

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91.7% of graduates in employment or further study within 15 months (Graduate Outcomes, 2019/20)

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Opportunities for professional qualifications with CIM, CIMA and CMI

Course overview

Learn what it takes to run a successful business in our modern and changing world.

Developed hand in hand with leading companies, our all-rounder course is a perfect launchpad to kickstart your corporate management career or be an innovative business leader.

Get to the heart of the latest challenges dominating businesses today such as sustainability, leadership, digital innovation and organisational psychology.

Explore practical business essentials such as global business environment, finance, marketing, technology and management behaviour with options to delve deeper into areas that interest you.

Made for the go-getter who has a passion for business and wants to keep their career options open, our course will grow your personal toolkit of essential business knowledge and skills, backed with practical experience.

Graduate with a well-rounded professional skillset, having learnt how to communicate, present and work with people, building your confidence and improving your CV.

You can even opt to join a specialist pathway at the end of your first year, either Leadership or Information Systems or you can stick with the core degree.

Reach your potential with mentoring and support to help you aim high and achieve personal and professional success.

Why choose this course?

You'll be introduced to an amazing teaching team, a diverse group of business specialists - leading academics and successful commercial leaders - each one a subject expert sharing their expertise with you.

Go beyond theory as they challenge you and your classmates with stimulating live discussions focused on how enterprises work today.

Get a head start to stand out in your career, with real world assessments (no live exams!), based on practical business reports, presentations, speed pitches, online tests and case studies.

We actively support you to go out on an industry placement, study abroad or do an internship (including the latest online bite-sized digital experiences) to help you find your direction and boost your CV to secure your first graduate role.

We are proud of our strong relationships with professional bodies, our alumni network and business connections. Benefit from our collaborations as you learn and gain from their industry experience and stories. Meet entrepreneurs-in-residence, business ambassadors and industry leaders at networking events or in guest lectures through our Business Academy.

Explore an array of extracurricular opportunities that will help strengthen your network and skills and put your knowledge to practice before you graduate.

Got an entrepreneurial flair and interested in social sustainability? Check out our prestigious Enactus society, organising projects that are making a difference every day.

Take part in the national University Business Challenge, or join our Enterprise Bootcamp based in our Herts Business Incubator.

We are a caring and friendly university, and you’ll receive excellent support from a staff community team to help you with any academic and personal challenges.

Professional accreditations

Our course has been developed in close collaboration with several leading professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

Your first year ‘Understanding Marketing’ module covers 95% of the syllabus for the CIM Award in Marketing Principles and you can sign up to take the exam.

Some of the core accounting modules provide exemptions from the CIMA exams.

Your future career

With a focus on generalist core business skills and knowledge, you’ll be well equipped to follow the path of your choosing, as your own boss or in a bigger organisation. 91.7% of our students are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes, 2019/20).

Areas in which you could work include:

  • finance executive
  • HR manager
  • sales representative
  • business administrator
  • project manager
  • trainee accountant.

Join previous graduates who have landed successful roles in global companies such as Disney, Ford, GlaxoSmithKline, IBM, KPMG, Ocado, Tesco, BT, and Computacenter as well as those who have gone on to run successful businesses.

Become work ready as you learn the principles of business management, but also (and more importantly) how to apply them to real world scenarios. We help you find CV boosting opportunities such as employer competitions, insight days, digital programmes, volunteering, student leadership roles, and achievement awards.

What you'll study

Become a well-rounded, informed business professional with a solid grounding in business management through our purpose-made curriculum.

You’ll study a good mix of theoretical knowledge and useful, transferrable, skills taught in person and using self-study materials. You are encouraged to work both independently and collaboratively with your peers, as in the real world.

Modelled on working life, assessments give you a head start to stand out in your career.

In your first year, discover introductory business topics covering the essential elements of business management. A great way to explore your options and get a taster for what is involved.

In your second year, enjoy the flexibility of optional pathways including Information Systems or Leadership as well as the core degree, each offering a broad choice of specialist modules whichever path you choose.

In your final year, really explore your passions, as you undertake your applied business project. This is your opportunity to research a business area of your choice and can prove a key differentiator when it comes to interviews.

You’re encouraged to be innovative and forward thinking. Previous student projects have been on topics such as ethical financing in sport, the metaverse and the sustainability of cryptocurrency.

What if I need support?

You'll benefit from an academic support team, wellbeing team and a personal tutor to help you adjust to the demands of university learning and living.

Our in-house Centre for Academic Skills Enhancement (CASE) is open to all Business School students, for extra support with academic writing, numeracy and referencing.

Optional sandwich year

At the end of your second year, you have the option to experience a year of working life with a placement, or a shorter internship, a huge CV booster!

Professional work experience is the biggest contributor to your future employability. It allows you to put your knowledge into action, while learning how a business operates and making some handy professional connections.

We'll help you make the most of the experience, holding your hand from start to finish. You also get assistance with your CV, plus help preparing for interviews and presentations, at our ground-breaking mock Assessment Centre Experience.

Students recently enjoyed placements at Ocado, Enterprise, Amazon and Egress Software Technologies (EST).

Eleanor (EST), comments 'I gained experience and skills through responsibilities such as leading and coordinating projects. My personal skills, such as my confidence and organisation improved by leading and owning multiple internal and external meetings each week.'

Study Abroad offers the opportunity for an amazing experience, which will help make you stand out from the crowd. With more and more companies working internationally, experience of living in another country can make a great impression on future employers.

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a sandwich year abroad. The University has partnerships with over 150 universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and closer to home in Europe.

If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee to the partner university and no tuition fee to us either. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

At the end of your second year, you have the option to experience a year of working life with a placement, or a shorter internship, a huge CV booster!

Professional work experience is the biggest contributor to your future employability. It allows you to put your knowledge into action, while learning how a business operates and making some handy professional connections.

We'll help you make the most of the experience, holding your hand from start to finish. You also get assistance with your CV, plus help preparing for interviews and presentations, at our ground-breaking mock Assessment Centre Experience.

Students recently enjoyed placements at Ocado, Enterprise, Amazon and Egress Software Technologies (EST).

Eleanor (EST), comments 'I gained experience and skills through responsibilities such as leading and coordinating projects. My personal skills, such as my confidence and organisation improved by leading and owning multiple internal and external meetings each week.'

Find out more about work placements

Study Abroad offers the opportunity for an amazing experience, which will help make you stand out from the crowd. With more and more companies working internationally, experience of living in another country can make a great impression on future employers.

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a sandwich year abroad. The University has partnerships with over 150 universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and closer to home in Europe.

If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee to the partner university and no tuition fee to us either. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

Find out more about study abroad options

Where you'll study

You'll be taught on our modern de Havilland Campus, with our 24/7 Learning Resources Centre, offering open and private study spaces. You also get online self-study materials to further support you.

There are dining options, a bar, and a recreational space on campus where you can shoot some pool or play video games. It also houses Hertfordshire Sports Village, featuring a gym, swimming pool, coffee shop and climbing wall.

Discover the Enterprise Hub, a vibrant destination where local firms and students work and learn in comfort.

The Student Union bar and additional facilities are only a 20 minute walk (or short bus ride) away at our second campus, on College Lane. Student housing is available at both campuses.

A train to central London takes just over 20 minutes, and you are also conveniently located on the A1(M) with access to the road network, making travel quick and convenient.

Who you'll learn from

Learn from a diverse range of experts and specialist practitioners with a wealth of experience from years in professional and research-related roles across all aspects of business management.

Hear their real-world experiences to deepen your understanding of the theory and provide relatable knowledge.

Your teaching team includes published authors – both in journals and books – who are experts in their fields. You'll also benefit from business leaders who have held senior roles at large corporate organisations alongside international researchers.

Working together, your teaching and support team are available to support you in appreciating and reaching your true potential.

How we support our students

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible.

We offer a range of support services, from childcare to counselling, ensuring that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying, having fun, and have the support you need.

Entry requirements

The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.

Typical offer (UCAS points)112–120
Typical A Level offerBBC–BBB
Typical BTEC offerDMM–DDM
GCSEGrade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics.
Additional informationFind out more about our Undergraduate Entry Requirements.

English language

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

Additional information

Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

Ready to apply?

UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK
Start date Study typeApply
September 2023 Full time Apply via UCAS
Full time with placement year Apply via UCAS
Full time with study abroad year Apply via UCAS
Part timeApply with Herts

International and EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Fees and funding

At Herts, we’re dedicated to proving world-class teaching supported by industry-level facilities and incredible social spaces. We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to higher education, and we strive to keep both our standard and additional costs as low as possible.

Study type2023/24 fees
UK studentsFull time£9,250 for the 2023/2024 academic year
Part time£1,155 per 15 credits for the 2023/2024 academic year
EU studentsFull time£14,750 for the 2023/2024 academic year
Part time £1,845 per 15 credits for the 2023/2024 academic year
International studentsFull time£14,750 for the 2023/2024 academic year
Part time£1,845 per 15 credits for the 2023/2024 academic year

Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

Scholarships, grants  and bursaries

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligable for a non-repayable scholarship, grant or bursary to support your studies.

Disabled Students' Allowance

The Disabled Students’ Allowance can cover any study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability.

Student loans

Find out about securing a student loan, from how much you could be eligible for to when you need to start making repayments.

Accommodation costs

We offer a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

Additional course fees

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet.

More about the course

Course fact sheets
BA (Hons) Business Management Download PDF
Programme specifications
BA (Hons) Business Management Download PDF
Additional information

Applications open to international and EU students

Yes

Course length

Full Time, 3 Years Part Time, 6 Years Sandwich, 4 Years

Not ready to apply?