
BA (Hons) Business and Management
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97% of our BA (Hons) Business and Management students were satisfied with their course National Student Survey 2023
The BA (Hons) Business and Management course has been designed with student graduate employability at its core. Accreditation from the Chartered Management Institute, as well as alignment to national Higher Education guidelines, means that students are developing real skills which employers value and expect a business graduate to possess.
This degree is aimed at applicants who have aspirations to become the business managers and leaders of tomorrow, and have a keen interest in finding out what makes a business tick. Students will be stretched and challenged to think critically about theories, frameworks and ideas related to business and management, in a supportive and progressive learning environment.
In addition to their BA (Hons) Business and Management degree, students completing the course will graduate with the CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership, taking graduates a step closer to being recognised with Chartered Manager status. Students also get a minimum of 10 weeks of work experience in industry during their second year of study with a range of fantastic employers in the region - maximising their employability.
This course is also available through Network75, a combined work and study route.
The course is structured based on two 10-week blocks in each year, with immersive learning events happening at the beginning and end of each block of study at each level.
For students enrolling on to this course in January, please note that you will be required to enrol for the second year of the course in September (of the same calendar year), subject to successful completion of year 1.
Year 1 Business and Management - Introduction to Contemporary Management Challenges
The first year of study focuses on management and looks at the different functions of business and how they inter-relate.
In the first teaching block in year 1, students will study the following modules:
People, Work and Society
Students will look at the experience of people in the workplace and the impact this has on wider society. The module looks at some of the historical and more modern approaches to management in the workplace, including the advent of technologies (for example automation and artificial intelligence) which are reshaping the workplace and the skills people require. This also leads to the impact of new workplace technologies on society in general.
Economics, Law and the Business Environment
The module helps students consider the internal and external environment and how it impacts on the current decision making and future direction of business. Looking at the importance of economic and legal factors, students will assess the impact these key external pressures, building scenarios of how this can force change in business. In addition, the internal organisational environment will be considered to understand the capabilities of companies to deal with change.
Becoming a Professional; Critical Enquiry*
Students will be assisted in the transition to learning in Higher Education with the first of the skills based modules which will provide an introduction to thinking critically and crucial research skills which provide the foundation for the next 3 years of study.
*This module is also available in Welsh: Datblygiad Proffesiynol: Ymholi Beirniadol
In the second teaching block in year 1, students will study the following modules:
Principles of Supply Chain Management
This module assesses the importance of recognising and managing the holistic supply chain as being increasingly seen as a key constituent of any organisations' ability to deliver value to its customers and stakeholders.
Marketing and Consumer Behaviour*
Marketing is the management process used to identify, anticipate, and satisfy the requirements of customers both efficiently, and profitably. At the heart of marketing is the idea that your customer is your best asset. This module teaches you how to understand and market to your customer. These are fundamental skills in the diverse and fast paced marketing industry.
*This module is also available in Welsh: Marchnata ac Ymddygiad Defnyddwyr
Becoming a Professional; Enterprise Project
Students will evaluate the key traits and skills required to manage a new enterprise and will self-reflect on their own entrepreneurial competencies by evaluating their own traits, characteristics and current skill set. This self-reflection will enable students to identify skills required for employment/self-employment and recognise further training and skill development to enhance their self-employment/employability potential. The module content will also draw upon the theories and models presented in the other level 4 modules e.g. marketing, HR, management to enable students to understand the inter-disciplinary nature of their course and collaborative working.
Year Two Business and Management - Developing Industry Practice
In the second year of study, students will be developing key skills which the CMI outlines are crucial for managers and leaders in the workplace. The year also provides the opportunity for students to complete a 10 week internship in a graduate level role or to engage in a live business case study through the South Wales Business School Business Clinic.
In the first teaching block in year 1, students will study the following modules:
Project Management
This module aims to critically explore and examine project management skills in a business context enabling students to understand, explore and apply key project management techniques and principles and assess the impact that they have on operations and business processes.
The Digital Workplace:
Many organisations are becoming increasingly more ‘digital’, in order to capture value from new innovations, by cutting costs, enhancing performance and delivering new services. Future managers need to be able to appreciate the capabilities of digital technologies, but also the organisational contexts in which they will be embedded.
Business Analytics for Decision Making
The ability to make informed decisions is crucial for the success of any business. Through the analysis of financial and statistical data and information, students will be guided through the interpretation of figures to make sense of data and inform decision making.
In the second teaching block in year 2, students will study the following modules:
Managing People
If we want to become future managers and leaders, there is no getting away from having to manage people! Having difficult conversations, negotiation skills, recruitment and selection and managing performance are just some of the areas which the module will concentrate on to develop key employability skills.
Employment Experience 1 & 2*
These two modules are delivered simultaneously and are where students can engage with a real business with the option of completing a 10-week internship or a live business case through the Business Clinic. Either option provides the opportunity for students to reflect on the development of their own personal skills and behaviours which employers most require from Business Graduates, in addition to creating a report which links an issue in the workplace to the previous academic theories studied, providing a bridge between theory and practice.
*This module is also available in Welsh: Profiad Gweithle 1: Myfyrio & Profiad Gweithle 2: Prosiect
Year Three Business and Management - Critical Enquiry or Consultancy Project*
*This module is also available in Welsh: Prosiect Ymgynghori & Prosiect Ymholi Beirniadol
Throughout the final year of study, students have the option to undertake a critical enquiry (dissertation) project or a consultancy based project. Both project options are double modules and will be developed throughout the whole of the final year of study.
In the first teaching block in year 1, students will study the following modules:
International Business Management:
The module facilitates a systematic, critical understanding of global business environment and enhances students’ ability to critically analyse emerging themes in international business and to link theory with business practice.
Business Ethics and Sustainability
In contemporary business, simply complying with the law is no longer seen as an acceptable way to operate. This module develops a critical understanding of the current ethical considerations for business which drive them towards being more socially responsible and sustainable bodies.
In the second teaching block in year 2, students will study the following modules:
Contemporary Global Leadership
This module will provide any student who aspires towards management in any industry (including SME’s), with a critical insight into contemporary discourses on leadership in a global context. Students will develop an understanding of the myriad of complexities inherent in managing or leading a diverse contemporary workforce.
Strategic Management
This module is the ‘capstone’ module of the BA (Hons) Business and Management degree and draws on the student experiences from a number of other modules studied throughout their course. At the end of the module, students will work in cross-disciplinary teams on a full day, class-based simulation exercise which will require students to select and apply a range of tools, techniques, theories and frameworks to address a changing, dynamic business case study.
Centre for Academic Success
Throughout your studies on the BA (Hons) Business and Management, you will also study the Centre for Academic Success module, which supports you with both the academic and professional skills you will need to succeed in both your degree and your future career.
Students study the Centre for Academic Success module over all three years of their degree.
Foundation Year
The BA (Hons) Business Management is also available as a four year course including an integrated Foundation Year, and is designed for students who do not currently meet admissions criteria for direct entry onto the degree. You will start by completing a foundation year, which provides well structured support, allowing you to develop your skills and knowledge before continuing onto the three year degree programme. Please note: The integrated foundation year will be studied in Treforest. For more information please email [email protected]
Teaching
Modules are delivered over 12 week blocks. One block between September and December, the other from January to May.
Through the accreditation from the Chartered Management Institute, as well as activities within the South Wales Business Clinic, students will be invited to attend additional workshops, seminars and guest lectures throughout their studies.
Studying through the medium of Welsh
Over a third of this course can be studied through the medium of Welsh, and specific scholarships, including the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Scholarships are available to students who choose to do so.
Research
Your studies will be underpinned by the latest research undertaken by the South Wales Business School Research Group. This means you will be taught by academics who are at the forefront of their specialist field.
Assessment
A range of assessment tools are utilised to prepare students for the external world of employment including business reports, the planning and management of simulated situations, consultancy projects etc.
In addition, student assessment also takes the form of a variety of digital alternatives to traditional presentations, essays and reports.
Accreditations
In addition to their BA (Hons) Business and Management degree, students completing the course may also graduate with the CMI Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management, taking graduates a step closer to being recognised with Chartered Manager status.
Placements
If you decide to undertake a sandwich year, we’ll support you with any internship applications to help you get your foot in the door and we’ll monitor you during your placement – liaising with your employer and visiting you at your place of work. The new BA (Hons) Business and Management also offers all students a minimum of 10-weeks in Industry as a core part of your study where you will be embedded in an organisation during your second year of study with a range of fantastic employers in the region, maximising your employability.
Featured Lecturer:
Liam Newton

Liam Newton specialises in business ethics, sustainability, and marketing. He is involved in research, and his current research interest is in the area of business education, particularly focussing on the education of international students studying business.
Lecturers
All staff are experienced qualified academics from a number of subject specialisms such as retail, marketing, accounting and finance, logistics and supply chain, strategy, leadership and management. The academic team have industry experience and are research active.
- Liam Newton - Course Leader
- Claire Wright
- Anthony Thomas
- Tammy Laugharne
- Jo Jones
- Jayde Howard
- Lauren Thomas
- Kevin Brown
- Scott Parfitt
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.
The entry criteria below reflect our standard entry requirements for the course for September 2023. However, all applications received by the University are reviewed holistically and individually. Entry criteria for September 2024 is changing and will be published on ucas.com from 8th May 2023. Entry criteria for September 2024 will be updated on our website from the end of October 2023.
Contextual offers
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions. USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Here is a link to our Contextual Admissions Policy.
Other qualifications and experience
We can also consider combinations of qualifications and other qualifications not listed here may also be acceptable. We can sometimes consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or advanced entry to year two or three of a course where this is possible.
To find out which qualifications have tariff points, please refer to the UCAS tariff calculator.
If you need more help or information or would like to speak to our friendly admissions team, please contact us here
Typical A-Level Offer
BCC - CDD (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical Welsh BACC Offer
Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C/D in the Skills Challenge Certificate and BC - CD at A Level (this is equivalent to 104-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical BTEC Offer
BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit - Merit Merit Pass (this is equivalent to 112-80 UCAS tariff points).
Typical Access to HE Offer
Pass the Access to HE Diploma and obtain a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points.
Additional Requirements
GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances
International Entry Requirements
We also welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications. Please visit the country specific pages on our international website for exact details.
English Requirements
In general, international applicants will need to have achieved an overall IELTS grade of 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.
However, if you have previously studied through the medium of English IELTS might not be required, but please visit the country specific page on our international website for exact details. If your country is not featured please contact us.
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.
* Obligatory
Item | Cost | |
---|---|---|
Placement expenses: Internship | £0 - £300 | Students are offered the opportunity to complete an internship during their second year of study. Students undertaking an internship may incur costs associated with travel and expected workplace attire and this will vary according to the placement. |
Placement expenses: Sandwich year | £0 - £1000 | Costs may be incurred while completing sandwich year if chosen . Costs associated with travel and expected workplace attire will vary according to the placement. Year 3 only. |
Placement expenses: Study Abroad | £0 - £2000 | Cost may be incurred while completing a "study abroad option." |
Other: Text books | £300 - £400 | Text books are provided via the USW library but students may wish to purchase their own private copies. |
Other : Sitting Examinations Abroad | £50 - £500 | Should students choose to sit exams abroad (in their home country for example) there will be a £50 admin fee and a cost of £20 per exam. Students are also responsible for any additional charges made by an overseas exam venue. |
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.
Welsh Medium Scholarships
The University offers scholarships between £250 - £1000 to students studying part of their course through the medium of Welsh. The University is also part of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol's scholarship scheme, which offer scholarships up to £3000. More information here: Welsh-Medium Scholarships | University of South Wales
UK students
Apply via UCAS if you are a UK residing applicant, applying for year one 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 UE students
Apply directly to the University if you live outside the UK.
The BA (Hons) Business and Management course has been designed with student graduate employability at its core.
Accreditation from the Chartered Management Institute, as well a national Higher Education guidelines, means that students are developing real skills which employers value and expect a business graduate to possess.
The Business Clinic: personal development opportunities are offered to students across all three years through engagement with the South Wales Business Clinic where students can become trainee business analysts engaging with a range of businesses in the region to provide evidence-based responses to contemporary business challenges. The Clinic aims to create triadic business relationships that encourages students, academics and organisations to collaborate.
The new BA (Hons) Business and Management offers all students a minimum of 10-weeks in Industry as a core part of your study where you will be embedded in an organisation during your second year of study with a range of fantastic employers in the region, maximising your employability.
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.