This is a four-year version of our popular BA (Hons) Business and Financial Management course, with an integrated foundation year. Gain a solid business education and gain essential skills in financial management. Undertake a paid placement. Develop specialist knowledge of the profession which can lead to many business career paths, including the global accounting and finance sector.

Overview

BA (Hons) Business and Financial Management focuses on specialist modules including financial accounting, management accounting, business finance, financial management, strategic management accounting and international financial reporting.

Financial management is an essential part of any successful business. This course will teach the framework of managing business finances. It can also be the first step to qualification as an accountant.

Course Structure

With an innovative mix of experiential learning and knowledge development in terms of the role, function and influence of managers and leaders in a changing business world, the course provides you with opportunities for creative, reflexive, innovative and entrepreneurial skills development in live work environments.

Examples of experiential learning methods include live projects, placement opportunities, workplace shadowing and panel presentations.

The course features innovative teaching methods and learning by doing and reflecting. This includes problem-based learning, where you’ll work in a small team to explore issues or decide how to manage a situation. This helps you to dissect, challenge and debate issues.

Other teaching methods include company visits, guest speakers and cutting-edge elearning technologies. These are in addition to a combination of lectures, seminars, debates, tutorials and workshops.

Assessment methods include: narrative reports, eportfolios, consultancy projects, negotiated assessments, case studies, reflective statements, audio journals, posters, digital storyboards, blogs, podcasts and YouTube videos.

Foundation Year

The Business and Tourism Integrated Foundation Year includes five modules:

  • Contemporary Global Issues in Business and Tourism (20 Credits)
  • Essential Study Skills (20 Credits)
  • Foundation Project (20 Credits)
  • Foundations of Business and Tourism (40 Credits)
  • Practical Numeracy Skills (20 Credits)

Entry Requirements

The Integrated Foundation Year is specially designed to support you where you have just missed the grades required for direct entry onto a three-year degree, or if you have relevant work experience and are now looking to broaden your subject knowledge but want more time to develop study skills before starting your degree.

Entry requirements are provided for guidance only and we may offer you an entrance interview which will help us determine your eligibility for your chosen degree. This enables us to consider making you an offer if you are perhaps a mature student who has been out of education for a period of time, or you have gained significant knowledge and skills through employment rather than traditional education.

Eligible Entry Qualifications

  1. Normally a minimum of three Level 2 qualifications (NVQ, GCSE or equivalent), including Maths and English at grade C or above** and a minimum of 40 UCAS tariff points from Level 3 qualifications (e.g. A or AS Levels, BTEC certificates/diplomas, access courses or equivalent) OR
  2. Demonstrable evidence of appropriate knowledge and skills acquired from at least three years of post-school work experience.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff calculator.

If you are unsure of whether you think you might be suitable for the course, please contact us!

** If you have studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above. Equivalent alternative qualifications are also accepted, such as Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you have not achieved a grade C in Maths and English we may be able to work with you to ensure that you are able to gain these in the first year of the course, depending on your experience.

If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.

For more information about our Integrated Foundation Year courses please see our Help and Advice articles.

Career Ready

Our students graduate with sought-after skills and knowledge across all areas of business and management. You’ll understand how businesses create success, how to manage business operations, how to make informed decisions, and how to lead change in organisations. In addition, CIPD-accredited qualifications can significantly enhance your career opportunities.

The employability focused curriculum of the course has been designed in collaboration with a range of employers including: CDC Wealth Management, Caterpillar, Nissan, Network Rail, NCC Education, NHS, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Uplift Associates, Sedgefield SSP CIC, Castle Howard and NRL Ltd.

Student Business Society

The University supports student-led initiatives that help you gain practical experience of management. The Student Business Society organises events and guest speakers, as well as attending tours of various companies. With its professional approach, it’s a great way to put into practice the lessons about how to make organisations function effectively. There is something for every student who is studying a subject related to business.

Guest Speakers

Our regular programme of guest speakers from industry allows you to listen to people who are already in the type of management position that you may one day hold. Recent speakers include Maurice Duffy, CEO of Global Blackswan, Mike Johnson, CEO of Castrol and Executive Vice President of BP, Uday K. Dholakia, Senior Partner of Global Consulting, Neil Stephenson, CEO of ONYX, James Ramsbotham, CEO of the North East Chamber of Commerce, as well as other representatives from a number of our region’s largest employers.