BA (Hons) Business Management (Top Up)

Business Studies at USW is rated top in Wales for teaching and learning opportunities _{National Student Survey 2022}

Specifically designed for students who have already obtained a HND or equivalent qualification, this Business degree allows you to gain a full bachelor degree in less than a year.

On the BA (Hons) Business Management (Top Up) course you will examine business strategy and organisational learning and development.

You can then tailor your studies to meet your career goals by completing a research project and choosing from a selection of optional modules, which will include the specialist areas from your HND.

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2023
2024

UCAS Code	Study Mode 2023	Duration	Start Date	Campus	Campus Code
N194	Full-time	1 Year	September	Treforest	A

UCAS Code	Study Mode 2024	Duration	Start Date	Campus	Campus Code
N194	Full-time	1 Year	September	Treforest	A

This course runs for a single academic year and enables students with pre-requisite level 5 qualifications to ‘top up’ to a full BA degree award with honours. The Course comprises six modules, each of which has an academic value of 20 credits. These modules include the following (students are able to select two optional modules in this course):

Core business modules:

Applied Management

This comprehensive module addresses many facets of management practice and aims to provide the students with the knowledge and skills necessary to embark on a career in middle management.

Business Research: Principles and Practice

This module equips students with the knowledge and skills required to undertake a research project. Students will therefore be introduced to the tools and techniques they will need to conduct a real investigation into a business problem.

Business Strategy

This module aims to develop a conceptual and critical understanding of the internal and external factors that affect the development of a business strategy within an organisation.

Management Project

The module explores the concept, theories and practice of project management that builds on research methodology skills. Providing the opportunity for students to synthesise their learning from previous studies and apply their knowledge to a live project activity.

Optional module choices (2 modules):

Principles of Corporate Finance
Principles of Accounting
Excellence in Customer Service
Business Ethics and Sustainability
Enterprise Based Learning
Innovation Management
HRM Context and Challenges
HRM 4.0 and the Future of Work
Omni-Channel Marketing Strategy
Logistics and Material Management
Commercial Procurement

Please note that some optional modules are not always available.

Teaching

There are some traditional lectures, but the majority of your learning will rely on interactive seminars, supported by online study materials. We also arrange an induction programme, so you can get to know your tutors and other students before you start studying and hit the ground running on the first day of term. You will use the latest real-life data and case studies to help you learn, making your studies as relevant as possible to what you will experience in the workplace.

Assessment

You will usually have to complete coursework as you progress, and normally sit exams at the end of each academic year.

Lecturers

We regularly revalidate courses for quality assurance and enhancement

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

Successful completion of a HND in Business Studies or Business & Accounting, a Foundation Degree in Business Studies, Service Sector Management or Retail Management, or an equivalent qualification e.g. a Diploma in Higher Education or ILM Leadership and Management (Level 5).

Consideration will be made on an individual basis for alternative qualifications and/or relevant experience providing students can demonstrate sufficient related knowledge and understanding to equip them for level 6 study in a business discipline. Applicants will need to demonstrate 240 credits (or equivalent) and the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy may feature in the decision to offer a place on the course.   

For international students, information can be found on the University’s website and international applicants will need to have achieved an overall IELTS grade of 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.

Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course

August 2023 - July 2024 Fees

Full-time UK: £9000
Full-time International: £14100

August 2024 - July 2025 Fees

Full-time UK: TBC
Full-time International: TBC

Student Perks

At the University of South Wales, you’re investing in so much more than a degree. We strive to provide our students with the best possible experience, no matter what you chose to study. Whether it’s access to top of the range mac books and PCs, state-of-the-art facilities packed with industry-leading equipment and software, masterclasses and events led by industry experts, or a wide range of clubs and societies to meet likeminded people, better tomorrows start with extra perks.

Each course also has their own unique student benefits to prepare you for the real word, and details of these can be found on our course pages. From global field trips, integrated work experience and free course-related resources, to funded initiatives, projects working with real employers, and opportunities for extra qualifications and accreditations - at USW your future, is future-proofed.

Click here to learn more about student perks at USW.

Additional Costs

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.

Funding

Funding to help pay for (or cover) course tuition fees and living costs

Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

To learn about course fees, funding options, and to see if you are eligible for financial support, visit our Fees and Funding pages.

UK students

Apply via UCAS if you are a UK residing applicant, applying for year 1 of a full-time undergraduate degree, Foundation Year, Foundation Degree or HND and you have not applied through UCAS before. If you are applying to study part-time, to top up your Foundation Degree or HND, or to transfer to USW from another institution, please apply directly.

International and EU students

Apply directly to the University if you live outside the UK.

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Admissions statement

This BA (Hons) Business Management (Top Up) course is designed to further enhance your employability by adding to your existing portfolio of qualifications and skills. Topping up a HND qualification or equivalent provides you with a great base to pursue a career in business whilst also having the opportunity to gain access to various professional bodies in business.

Recognising the need for our graduates to be able to stand out in a competitive jobs market, the University of South Wales has developed a series of employability initiatives that exist within each academic Faculty. Due to the very nature of business, knowledge and skills gained by studying the subject can be applied to any sector or industry that interests you; providing you with a wide and varied choice of career options.

Our Careers and Employability Service

As a USW student, you will have access to advice from the Careers and Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate.

This includes: one-to-one appointments from faculty based Career Advisers, in person, over the phone or even on Skype and through email via the "Ask a Question" service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students, you can receive weekly email alerts for jobs.

Our Careers service has dedicated teams: A central work experience team to help you find relevant placements; an employability development team which includes an employability programme called Grad Edge; and an Enterprise team focused on new business ideas and entrepreneurship.