BA (Hons) Business Administration

This flexible Business Administration course will get you ready to effectively and efficiently operate at a high level in organisations. If you love business and are good at managing and getting things done, you'll thrive on this course.

Typical offer: 112–120
Entry requirements
Fees: £9,535 per year (UK)
Full details
UCAS code: N252 / N251 (top up)
Course length: Various
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Location:
University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
Institute code: H36
Work placement option
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Study abroad option
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To ensure this course continues to be cutting-edge and enables you to be ready for the modern workplace, it is due to be reviewed by September 2025.

Our website will typically be updated within a month of the review confirming any enhancements, including:

module titles (and whether they are core or optional)
expected contact hours
assessment methods
staff teaching on the course

93% satisfaction for organisation and management (NSS, 2024, based on the average of Q17-18)

Benchmarked against quality frameworks for business educators

Flexible and varied business course

Business at Herts

Course overview

If you have a passion for business and a talent for organisation, you'll excel on this BA (Hons) Business Administration degree. You'll develop your communication, problem solving, and management skills as you learn to productively manage an organisation's people, time and resources.

Get ready to succeed in the global business world by gaining knowledge in management, digital skills, marketing, and finance.

Flexible pathways make this course popular because you can focus on your interests. Technology, marketing, global business, critical thinking, and ethics are all options for customising your degree.

Assessments that mimic real life such as business reports, presentations, speed pitches, online quizzes, and case study analysis really benefit you. These provide hands-on learning for different styles.

Access a strong support network including our centre for academic skills enhancement (CASE) and personal tutors. This is useful for those adjusting to a new way of learning, particularly from abroad.

We have good connections with professional organisations and businesses. At our Business Academy, you can attend networking events and guest lectures where you'll have the chance to meet entrepreneurs-in-residence, business ambassadors, and industry leaders.

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, enter the ‘Flare Ignite’ annual competition with a chance to win support, training and funding to help make your ideas a reality.

If you have a foundation degree or diploma, you can start this course at level 5. International students with a comparable qualification can enter at L5 or L6. You can also choose to study part-time for a duration of six years.

Why choose this course?

Good business administration is a balancing act that requires a range of skills and knowledge. Master this and you'll be in demand at organisations around the globe!

Boost your CV with in-demand skills: Developing soft skills like communication, creativity, and problem-solving, as well as technical skills such as Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), email marketing and design will prepare you for the start of your career.

Build a professional network: Connect with influential business leaders and professionals through our many networking opportunities, regional conferences, and guest lectures.

Decide the pathway best suited to you: You can focus on your interests. Technology, marketing, global business, critical thinking, and ethics are all options for customising your degree.

Gain practical experience: Assessments that mimic real life such as business reports, presentations, speed pitches, online quizzes, and case study analysis really benefit you. These provide hands-on learning for different styles.

Strong employment prospects: 93% of Herts graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes, 2021/22).

Professional accreditations

The course is benchmarked against the following quality frameworks for business educators.

QAA benchmark statements for General Business and Management (2015)
Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies (2014)
SEEC Credit Level Descriptors for Further and Higher Education (2016)

Your future career

Get noticed in the global postgraduate job market with a diverse range of abilities supported by practical hands-on knowledge. Understand how to analyse and evaluate the management issues facing modern businesses.

Possible roles of employment for business administration graduates include:

office administrator
human resources coordinator
business consultant
franchise manager
business development manager
sales executive

Graduates from the course (and its predecessor) have landed successful roles in BMW, OPPO, MultiVision Consulting, Ford, GlaxoSmithKline, The Doctors Laboratory, KPMG, Ocado and Tesco as well as gone on to run their own successful businesses.

This generalist business course provides you with a wide range of skills and knowledge that can be applied to various management and leadership roles. Enhance your learning by gaining work experience through placement and experiencing a new culture with the study abroad programme.

See what recent graduates are up to

What you'll study

A varied and practical course, you’ll start with principles in business administration before tailoring the course to your own interests.

Your first year covers the essential foundations for any business professional, including marketing, economics, accounting and people.

In second year you will develop your analytical, organisational and professional skills, to enhance your ability to contribute the productivity of any organisation as well as delve further into the important topics of marketing, business operations and financial management.

In your final year, choose from a large variety of options to expand your knowledge and explore specialist areas. These include modules in business strategy, leadership, global business, creative problem-solving, cross-cultural trends, digital economy, project planning and business ethics.

There are also opportunities to further enrich your personal development through our GoHerts program, placements, internships, study abroad and Future Success team events.

Level 4

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Principles of Marketing	15 Credits	Compulsory
This marketing module, which assumes no prior knowledge of marketing, aims to introduce students to some of the key ideas of marketing and is suitable for both marketing and non-marketing students. It examines the environment within which organisations operate and the role of marketing within the organisation so that students can understand the context within which marketing personnel work, and the different activities carried out under the umbrella term of 'marketing'. Concepts central to an understanding of marketing are considered - segmentation; targeting and positioning; the product life cycle; the 4Ps; buyer behaviour, etc.
Economics for Business	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module aims to enable students to understand the economic context of modern business by introducing and developing an appreciation of the utility of economic approaches in studying the business environment. The basic tools and approaches which economists use; demand and supply and industry analysis, among others; will be introduced and applied to help understand the economic issues involved and the public policy which can be derived. Economics, of course, provides one of the key pillars of a solid education in business and this module represents some first steps in this direction as well as highlighting some of the major contemporary issues in our society.
Quantitative Methods for Business (UJH)	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces students to a number of essential mathematical and statistical techniques that are extensively used in business and management. Particular attention will be paid to the circumstances in which the methods considered should be employed. The following quantitative methods are likely to be included in this module: equations and graphs; measures of location and dispersion; weighted averages and indices; probability and normal distribution; basic optimisation; critical path analysis; correlation and simple linear regression; time series forecasting; investment; simulation. Appropriate software (e.g. Excel) will be used to support learning.
Accounting for Managers	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module will provide an introduction to accounting from the manager's viewpoint. Areas covered will include the collection and reporting of accounting information to both internal and external users, as well as the use and interpretation of publicity available accounting information. The role of accounting in supporting the management functions of planning, control and decision making will also be covered.
People and Organisations	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module aims to provide students an introduction to the key concepts in human resource management and behaviour in contemporary organisations. It will consider the micro context of human resource management, performance and development, equality and diversity and international human resource management, predominantly taking an organisational perspective but drawing on other disciplinary approaches where applicable. Students will also explore theories and models related to learning, motivation, teamwork and individual behaviour.
The Business Professional	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module provides students with a series of academic skills and study strategies which will underpin their subsequent studies. Students will be able to identify a variety of study strategies to enhance their learning and maximise the opportunities offered to them by the virtual learning environment. These will include Harvard referencing, academic writing, time planning and revision techniques. Students will also investigate the skills and behaviours pertinent to the professional manager within a business environment in preparation for the workplace. Themes which will include professional communication, presentation skills, team working, methods of enquiry, and IT literacy. Students will be expected to operate in teams, reflect on their practice and recognise aspects for self-development and improvement.
The Global Business Environment	15 Credits	Compulsory
Advances in technology, communications and transport are key forces behind globalisation. Decreasing costs and increasing ease of access mean increasing numbers of businesses are operating internationally and globally. This has resulted in a substantial increase in intercultural contact. To succeed in this context managers must have sensitivity to, and a critical understanding of, issues arising out of cultural difference. This includes the ability to manage in the diverse and complex contexts, including legal, political, ethical and sustainability issues. The module explores two interrelated areas. Firstly, debates surrounding globalisation are considered. Students will explore national similarities and differences, and their impact on business. This includes tensions between global standardisation and local differentiation and the extent to which the world is characterised by an increasing levelness and convergence or increasing disparity and divergence. Secondly, students will consider culture and cultural differences.
Business Technology Trends	15 Credits	Compulsory
Today technology is critical to many business operations. Therefore, no matter the size of the business, technology brings both tangible and intangible benefits to businesses. It also helps businesses to increase efficiencies and profits while developing new services. This module helps students to understand the importance of technologies for the growth of business and some of the issues associated with technology. The internet, development of mobile technologies and social media are changing the way in which businesses communicate with consumers and this will be explored along with other emerging technologies. The importance of data and the role it plays with decision-making will be explored through practical exercises; issues associated with data and technology will also be covered as these go hand-in-hand with the benefits that can be achieved.
Help Build Success in Business Administration	0 Credits	Compulsory
This module will support students as they transition onto their undergraduate degree. It will encourage students to articulate their individual learning requirements, so we can signpost opportunities for personal, professional and peer support. This module will nurture their personal skills in resilience, self-care, and time management to secure their wellbeing. It will introduce students to a wide range of academic skills to enable them to succeed, ensuring they are aware of the regulations and relevant policies and procedures in support of their learning and success.

Level 5

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Digital Marketing in Practice	15 Credits	Optional
Students will develop a digital marketing communications campaign and understand how to measure campaign performance. Students will explore digital marketing planning theories and concepts and examine current digital marketing practices, in order to develop a digital marketing communications plan.
Managing People	15 Credits	Compulsory
Managing People aims at providing students with an introduction to the management of people in organisations. Content includes: The development of HRM, theory and practice, contextual factors, strategic approaches. Recruitment and selection (R&S) including role of R&S, models of R&S and their application. Equality and diversity (E&D) including the case for E&D, approaches to implementing E&D policies, and tackling discrimination in organisations. Flexibility and managing flexibility. Performance and reward management including managing people for performance, motivation and the link with reward management. Employee participation and involvement Factors affecting the success of employee involvement (EI) and effective communication. Learning and development (L&D) including identifying the need for L&D, evaluation of the outcomes, and the contribution L&D can make to people's performance and business success. Managing people activities from both strategic and operational perspectives. Exploring the role of HR function and line manager.
Management Accounting for Business Decisions	15 Credits	Optional
The module is aimed at prospective managers to enable them to understand the benefits and potential pitfalls of using management accounting information when making managerial decisions.
Exploring Business Ethics	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module aims to examine and reflect on the ethical behaviour of organisations and employees. To apply ethical theories to real and current organisational cases and activities and reflect on what responsibilities organisations have to society. It discusses guidelines, laws and external pressures and the impact these have on the ethical behaviour of organisations. The behaviour of employees and the individual choices that may when faced ethical dilemmas is also analysed. Content includes: ethical theorists child labour and bribery price fixing working conditions corporate social responsibility and whistleblowing.
Cross-cultural Management	15 Credits	Optional
The module aims to provide students with an introduction contemporary, applied and critical approach to the study of cross-cultural management in an organisational context. It is particularly relevant to students of International Business and Human Resources but should also be of interest to any student wishing to pursue a career in International Business or be involved in working within multicultural environments. It will consider a critical examination of cross-cultural management theories and models, cross-cultural aspects of leadership and motivation, cross-cultural communication, and multi-cultural team working. Students will also explore theories and models related to expatriation, cross-cultural management and human resource practices and ethics.
Mobile Business Technologies	15 Credits	Optional
In today's digital age, mobile phones have become an integral part of daily life used by millions of people and businesses around the world. Increasingly sophisticated technologies from Apple, Google and Blackberry, in both the hardware and the software, are turning mobile phones into communications devices that are taking over from the desktop PC as the most important piece of business equipment. Furthermore, some of the most important benefits of different mobile technologies are improved communication with staff, clients, suppliers, reduced downtime, increased productivity and improve customer service. Therefore, this module looks at the heart of the power of mobile business technologies for different areas of the organisation.
Enterprise	15 Credits	Compulsory
In this module, students explore the nature of enterprise and entrepreneurship, its importance to society, and the individual personal opportunities that developing enterprise skills provides. Students will work in teams to develop new business opportunities, and to take an innovative idea through the entrepreneurship process, resulting in the presentation of a proposed new enterprise.
Enhancing Employability	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module is designed to equip students with knowledge and understanding pertinent to employment and their personal skills, to enable them to enhance their employability prospects while maintaining and enhancing their academic skills. It will enable students to research employment in their chosen sector or role and to develop an action plan to help them secure eventual employment. It will also help students to continue to develop their employability skills. Students will identify a potential career area, research relevant employment issues and analyse specific opportunities available in this field, before carrying out appropriate personal analysis leading to the formalisation of a career action plan. Students will be directed to activities organised by the Business School, Careers, Enterprise and Employment and academic skills advisors and will be expected to attend those sessions to which they are directed.
Financial Management	15 Credits	Optional
The module will introduce students to the main theory and practice of the financing of companies, the allocation and management of financial resources within a company and the rewarding of the providers of a company's financing. Specific topics covered will include: the financial environment; sources of business finance; capital budgeting; cost of capital and capital structure; dividend policy; investment risk; portfolio theory and the capital asset pricing model; valuation of assets, shares and companies; mergers and acquisitions.
Analysing Financial Statements	15 Credits	Optional
Students will be encouraged to consider specific businesses from the viewpoint of a financial analyst. The module focuses on the skills needed to extract useful information to understand and analyse the three key financial statements in the context of company specific factors, industry specific factors and the wider economy. Students will look at the context of financial statements. They will develop an understanding of the conceptual framework and the role of the financial statements in meeting the needs of users. Students will consider the information available on companies in the public domain and the importance of considering financial statements in context. The three financial statements will be considered in turn and students will calculate accounting extracts and adjustments and develop an understanding of the influence of accounting policies on the preparation and presentation of the financials. Students will calculate ratios and discuss the benefit of these as an analytical tool.
Business Operations	15 Credits	Optional
This module is designed to provide a solid understanding of business operations methods. Students will gain experience together with knowledge of techniques and tools to support decisions made within the context of business operations in a contemporary environment.
Project Management in Business	15 Credits	Optional
This module introduces students to project management principles, tools and techniques that may be used in a business project to fulfil client needs. Project management is essential in all business development and this module gives students hands-on experience of managing the project planning process. The module content and assessment strategy allows students to apply generic techniques thus developing skills and knowledge transferable to business. Students will develop a project initiation document using techniques such as work breakdown structure, precedence tables and activity network diagrams. Stakeholder and risk analysis will also be considered as these are key considerations as part of project management. Students benefit from greater flexibility and support due to a blend of face-to-face lectures and workshop seminars as well as on-line discussions. The module provides a sound basis for further professional studies such as the Association for Project Management (APM) Introductory Certificate in Project Management.
Marketing Insights, Analysis and Planning	15 Credits	Optional
The ability to identify, analyse and interpret data from a variety of sources will enable students to gain a greater understanding of how marketing decisions are made and how marketing plans are developed to maximise identified market opportunities. This module will support students seeking to gain a career in marketing planning, customer and market analysis, and marketing management.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Placement Study Abroad (South East Asia)	0 Credits	Optional

Business and Commercial Awareness	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module is essentially supported by lectures and workshops, where students will role play members of an organisational management team as they develop, plan and implement a new product or service for their organisation. The lectures will present theoretical underpinnings for each of the activities required for the case. The workshops will allow students the opportunity to apply theory and develop the skills required via a selection of shorter case-based exercises. The module will consolidate functional business knowledge and provide students with an opportunity to integrate theories and gain experience in a simulated business environment.
Placement Study Abroad (North America)	0 Credits	Optional

Placement Study Abroad (Australia)	0 Credits	Optional

Placement Study Abroad A (Europe)	0 Credits	Optional

Placement Study Abroad B (Europe)	0 Credits	Optional

Placement Study Abroad (Europe)	0 Credits	Optional

Issues in Global Economy	15 Credits	Optional
This module explores the fundamental economic changes in the global economy and their implications for both developed and developing economies. It addresses a range of issues related to changes in international production, global financial structures, trade patterns, global governance and economic development. The aim of trade and development is to deliver increases in wealth and economic well-being but the extent to which poverty and average income are improved are considered by exploring these aspects and income distribution in selected countries and cases. For example, the clothing industry and the extent to which working conditions and incomes are being positively impacted, as well as the extent to which such globalised supply chains conform to ethical practices. Other significant factors in driving global economic change are also explored, such as migration and the environmental impact of development, through considering selected cases e.g., the car industry and the development of cleaner, electric vehicles.
International Human Resource Management	15 Credits	Optional
The module provides contemporary, applied and critical insights into the management of people across borders and in multinational corporations (MNCs). The HR implications of managing international assignments are investigated, and in-depth exposition provided of HR contexts and features in major global regions. The module specialises in HRM and International Business and is relevant students studying HRM or general business programmes and for those students working/planning to work in an international environment. Module contents include; Analysis of the differences between National and International environment. Examine structures and strategies of MNC's including ethical issues impinging upon international business in the field of employment. Considering the management of the expatriation cycle-recruitment, training, pay, performance management and repatriation. Analysis of industrial relations, structures/systems for employee participation in North America, Europe and Australasia and major. Exploration of political and economic environments and the major features of HR/ employment practices in North America, Europe, Australasia and developing countries.
Forecasting Methods for Managers	15 Credits	Optional
The process of making decisions in organisations is based, in most cases, on future values of many variables. Therefore, it is vital that these future values are predicted in the most accurate possible ways. This module introduces students to a variety of forecasting techniques used to predict future values. Much of the module will be devoted to the use of software, especially spreadsheets, to calculate forecasts and their associated errors. A particular emphasis will be on the pitfalls associated with the application of different forecasting techniques. The module includes the following: the purpose of business forecasting; data collection and review; measuring the accuracy of forecasts; a range of methods presented for dealing with stationary time series, trend, seasonality and multi-variate models; demographics; communication of results to a business audience. Students will use a calculator and a computer to calculate forecasts and related error measures and statistics.
Creative Problem Solving for Managers	15 Credits	Optional
This module is very practical and hands-on. It is aimed at students intending to become an effective manager, consultant or business analyst. The really important problems and crucial decisions faced by professionals in their work are often complex and ill-defined. They are known as wicked problems or messes. Problem-structuring (or soft systems) methods have been developed to help us cope in these challenging, unstructured situations. Often much of the difficulty is due to people's differing perspectives, the worrying uncertainties or the multiple interacting and dynamic factors. Imaginative approaches are needed to rigorously analyse messy, qualitative issues. Problem-structuring methods take a holistic view and are highly effective. The three methodologies selected are: SODA Soft Systems Methodology System Dynamics With the right expertise and a suitable toolkit of methods, the manager or consultant can choose appropriate techniques, and creatively combine and tailor them to tackle any problem with confidence.
Social Networking and Enterprise	15 Credits	Optional
Social networking is a rapidly growing phenomenon, and it is one of the most influential media in web technology today. Hundreds of companies globally use social media to gain credibility, foster employee relationships, build a forum for communication with customers and, often, to boost sales. Businesses receive inquiries directly from consumers and other businesses without advertising, which results in lower costs and higher conversion rates. Therefore, this module explores insights of the social networking sites and opportunities they present for organisations.
Management Science in Business	15 Credits	Optional
This module will develop knowledge and understanding of both classical and current management science techniques used in business today. Students will be guided into formulating business problems as models. They will be shown how to manipulate and solve these models, and interpret the solutions. They will learn to recognise difficulties and limitations associated with the results given by the models. Students will be encouraged to use appropriate computer software to solve the models.
Leadership and Organisations	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module explores leadership and management within the context of the business organisation. It examines the development of leadership and management theory as well as discussing contemporary applications of theoretical approaches. Leadership styles and models are analysed, including their impact on follower performance. Students will be constantly reminded that the leaders of organisations often experience strategy in action/implementation as a messy, unstructured process. Up-to-date real-world examples will be used, together with textbook cases, to appraise the effectiveness of different organisational leadership styles and to show how strategic leaders and their followers interact in practice.
Financial Aspects of International Business	15 Credits	Optional
The international financial system. Foreign exchange rate theories. Foreign exchange risk- definitions. Managing foreign exchange risk - techniques. Devising a hedging strategy. Direct foreign investment risk management.
HBS Placement	0 Credits	Compulsory
This activity is self-directed by the student and carries no credits. Students will be supported by the Professional Experience Module Leader, Professional Experience Visit Co-ordinator, an Academic Mentor and the Centre for Academic Skills Enhancement (CASE). Successful completion of the Professional Experience Module leads to the appropriate suffix on students degree title stated on the programme specifications. Student are required to complete at least 30 weeks of full-time equivalent (at least 35 hours per week) placement activity.
Advanced Project and Risk Management	15 Credits	Optional
Projects are one of the principal means by which organisations implement change and manage challenges arising from the business environment. Public and private sector organisations are increasingly managed by projects to improve internal operations, respond to external opportunities and threats rapidly, achieve technological breakthroughs, and design and develop new products and services.
Databases for Strategic Decision Making	15 Credits	Optional
The experience gained in this module will give students the necessary underpinning knowledge and skills to investigate the data requirements of a business problem and establish, through the use of data modelling tools, the structure of the database. Database design concepts will be covered and their impact on the usefulness of a database. Skills in SQL will be developed to enable students to analyse and critically evaluate datasets to support decision making. A very practical module which develops students' business analysis skills. The acquisition of skills in database design concepts and SQL exposes students in a very practical way to the means by which information is extracted from databases and manipulated for presentation to the user, underpinning a more theoretical understanding of information requirements at different levels of management decision-making.
Integrated Marketing Communications	15 Credits	Optional
This module explores marketing communications in various contexts and how technology has changed communications planning and delivery. It investigates how marketers are required to blend communications across online and offline channels to create a unifying platform that can deliver a connected communications strategy to deliver organisational objectives, and how consumers and other stakeholders influence the message and the brand. Real world examples from a range of organisations and sectors are used to examine how the unifying platform must connect to customers through emotional actions. How the story is communicated across the most appropriate channels given the market and organisational context is evaluated, along with the challenges of managing communications for different organisations.
Strategic Management	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module will introduce students to a range of issues and challenges confronting strategic leaders of a diverse range of organisations in a turbulent global environment. It will focus on many conflicting perspectives within the subject of strategic management and consider the problems involved in researching and developing strategies and plans and implement them within the limitations of the organisation. It considers a range of analytical techniques and concepts, both applying them and critically evaluating their usefulness through the use of case study work. The module identifies the contradictions and paradoxical nature of strategic decision-making and strategic planning. It also focusses on the development of student's professional skills critical to effective strategy development and implementation. In particular, the module focuses on analytical and critical research skills, team work, leadership and professionalism.
Digital Economy	15 Credits	Compulsory
Topics will include - Definition of digital economy; Development of digital economy; Digital economy as part of the total company profile; Approaches to digital economy; Internal and external effects of digital economy; International methods of digital economy; Strategic advantage and barriers/ challenges faced through the adoption of digital economy. This will include the impact on the environment as well as the threats to a company's digital operation and assets and ways to avoid and mitigate against these. UK and EU legislation specific to a company's digital world will also be explored.
Strategic Product Management	15 Credits	Optional
This module prepares students for the role of product manager in a variety of business contexts for both physical products and services. It develops the knowledge and skills required of product managers to manage portfolios in the context of corporate strategy, emergent service dominant logic, value co-creation and current product management practices. Typical responsibilities include defining product features, value propositions, competitor analysis, managing cross-functional teams and supply chains. Students will explore how customers take an active role in the creation of their own value and the ways in which organisations create mutually beneficial relationships from the supply chain through to the end customer. Students will translate value propositions into product roadmaps and learn how to use data to make ongoing decisions across all aspects of the marketing mix from cradle to grave.
Global Marketing	15 Credits	Optional
Global marketing success is a function of perspective, opportunity, motivation, organisation, knowledge and skills. The challenge for today's global marketers is to identify those opportunities appropriate to the firm, to develop appropriate marketing strategies and build and sustain competitive advantages in co-operation with other members of the firm as well as external partners and also consider the ethical implications of a range of global marketing strategies. To this end, the module will provide learning opportunities to appreciate current writings and perspectives on the global marketing environment. Opportunities will be given to analyse different global marketing organisations and their environments, suggest and implement realistic strategies and plans and control mechanisms.
Work Placement (AB)	0 Credits	Optional

Work Placement (A)	0 Credits	Optional

Work Placement (B)	0 Credits	Optional

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.

Additional support is available from our Student Success team focused on inclusive learning and our dedicated Future Success network who will help you with work experience, placements and graduate jobs.

You can also join and reach out to the Business School Student Voice community, a team of student representatives who regularly meet with staff to provide feedback and ensure teaching remains effective.

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 groundbreaking mock Assessment Centre Experience.

Students placements include L’Oreal, GOSH, Red Rock International and TLC Group, however most recently, students have benefitted from placements at NHS, Worldpay, SMBC, Grant Thornton and Ernst & Young. Two students also got mini-internships in the 'Women in Business' and 'Black in Business' programmes.

Find out more about work placements

You can take a sandwich year abroad, making that decision in your second year. Studying at one of our international partners is a huge personal development opportunity and an amazing experience.

More and more companies are now working internationally, the experience of living in another country will make a great impression on future employers. Put knowledge into action, learn how a business operates and make professional connections.

With over 100 partners in 40 countries, the world really is your oyster! Our dedicated study abroad office advises you on your options, to help you make the most of this opportunity.

If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee, either to the partner university or us.

Find out more about study abroad options

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!

Find out more about work placements

You can take a sandwich year abroad, making that decision in your second year. Studying at one of our international partners is a huge personal development opportunity and an amazing experience.

With over 100 partners in 40 countries, the world really is your oyster! Our dedicated study abroad office advises you on your options, to help you make the most of this opportunity.

If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee, either to the partner university or us.

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

An experienced team with a wide range of backgrounds in business will lead your course as you connect theory to practice. To keep things current, we also work with external organisations.

You learn from specialists in each subject area, ensuring you get the best knowledge from each teacher.

Your teaching team includes award-winning global academics and researchers, with experience in m-learning, robotics and business process management as well as business practitioners.

There is also a considerable amount of professional expertise and tutors share their stories and insights to help you learn.

You'll be encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities to enhance your knowledge and practical experience through our Future Success events.

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.

Find out more about support and wellbeing

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 offer	BBC–BBB
Typical BTEC offer	DMM–DDM
GCSE	Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics.
Additional information	Find 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.

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.

Typical offer (UCAS points)	112–120
Typical A Level offer	BBC–BBB
Typical IB offer	112–120 UCAS points
Typical BTEC offer	DMM–DDM
Typical T Level offer	Design Survey and Planning for Construction; Design Production, Design and Development; Education and Childcare; Healthcare Science; Health; Science; Digital Support Services; Digital Business Services; Onsite Construction; Building Services Engineering for Construction; Accounting; Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control; Finance; Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing; Management and Administration; Agriculture, Land Management and Production; Legal Services.
GCSE	Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics.
Access courses	112–120 points
Additional information	Find 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.

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 type	Apply
January 2025	Full time	Apply with Herts
September 2025	Full time	Apply via UCAS
	Full time with study abroad year	Apply via UCAS
	Part time	Apply with Herts
January 2026	Full time	Apply with Herts

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

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Apply through Clearing

Make sure you've got your UCAS number, if you've got one (you can find this on your UCAS Hub), your results (including GCSEs, A levels, BTECs or equivalent) and the course(s) you'd like to apply for.

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Find out more before you apply

Our Clearing hotline is open Monday – Thursday, 09:00 – 16:45, and Friday 09:00 – 15:45. To apply you will need your UCAS number, if you've got one (you can find this on your UCAS Hub), your results (including GCSEs, A levels, BTECs or equivalent) and the course(s) you'd like to apply for.

Fees and funding

At Herts, we’re dedicated to providing 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 type	Fees
UK students	Full time	£9,535 for the 2025/2026 academic year
UK students	Part time	£1,190 per 15 credits for the 2025/2026 academic year
EU students	Full time	£15,965 for the 2025/2026 academic year
EU students	Part time	£1,995 per 15 credits for the 2025/2026 academic year
International students	Full time	£15,965 for the 2025/2026 academic year
International students	Part time	£1,995 per 15 credits for the 2025/2026 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 eligible 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 Administration	Download PDF

Programme specifications
BA (Hons) Business Administration	Download PDF

Additional information
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes
Course length	Full Time, 3 YearsPart Time, 5 YearsSandwich, 4 Years

BA (Hons) Business Administration

This flexible Business Administration course will get you ready to effectively and efficiently operate at a high level in organisations. If you love business and are good at managing and getting things done, you'll thrive on this course.

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Typical offer: 112–120

Fees: £9,535 per year (UK)

UCAS code: N252 / N251 (top up)

Course length: Various

Location: University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Institute code: H36

Work placement option

Study abroad option

This course is up for review

Course overview

Why choose this course?

Professional accreditations

Your future career

See what recent graduates are up to

Nadee Buddhiwickrama

Nadee Buddhiwickrama

University life and experience

Future aspirations

What you'll study

What if I need support?

Optional sandwich year

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Where you'll study

Who you'll learn from

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.

Entry requirements

UK applicants

International applicants

UK applicants

International applicants

Ready to apply?

UK applicants

UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

International applicants

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

Apply through Clearing

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Additional information

More about the course

Further information

Not ready to apply?

Undergraduate courses and degrees

Student Life at Herts

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Location:
University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield