Business and Management BA (Hons), sandwich with foundation year and work placement

Stand out in the job market with a BA (Hons) Business and Management degree that gives you the skills and knowledge you need to excel in today’s evolving global business landscape, as well as a professional qualification from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

Starting with a detailed core curriculum including marketing, finance, managing people and operations, this degree gives you strong foundations on which to build your business knowledge. After your first year you’ll decide which direction to take your degree.

You'll tailor your learning by choosing modules that develop knowledge in a specialism that employers are looking for — with options including enterprise, business intelligence, operational excellence, financial management, commercial transformation, and managing people.

You'll build your professional skills as you learn by working on live client projects and real industry problem-solving tasks throughout your course.

You’ll have support in every step of your journey with initiatives such as our mentoring scheme with industry professionals, and grow your confidence with client work and optional industry placements — including a paid placement year — so you’ll graduate ready to make an immediate impact in the workplace.

With opportunities to hear from industry guest speakers, join networking events, and take part in our 'Big Business Convo' topical discussions, you'll set yourself up for success in your career every step of the way.

This degree will open doors to a wide variety of careers in the business world.

Depending on the modules you choose to study in your second and third years, you could develop specialism knowledge within the context of your generalist business degree, setting you up for careers across the business industry. 

Previous graduates of this course have secured jobs as:

• business transformation consultant
• marketing manager
• project manager
• army officer - squadron operations
• business development executive
• product marketing executive
• account manager
• personal banker
• compliance analyst
• supply chain manager

Graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies such as:

• Tesco
• British Telecom
• Deloitte
• HM Government
• IBM
• Disney
• BAE Systems
• NHS
• John Lewis Partnership
• Estée Lauder
• Volkswagen Group UK 
• Microsoft

(Data taken from HESA Graduate Outcome surveys)

This degree also offers options to improve your business research skills. You could go on to do a postgraduate qualification in a business-related area such as project management, digital marketing or human resource management.

You could also choose to set up your own business with our support.

Business Consultancy Project

Work for a client on a real brief in this optional Business Consultancy module. 

Students work in teams of 3-4 to bid for a business project from local organisations, before working directly with the organisation to execute the project. 

Clients range from small to medium sized organisations who could be from the private, public or third sector (such as charities, not-for-profits and community organisations). 

Each project is different, but the tasks you compete could include: 

• Using marketing theory to develop social media strategies
• Conducting competitor analysis
• Drafting sustainable business plans based on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals
• Conducting staff interviews
• Evaluating customer feedback

You’ll give your client regular updates on the project, and get feedback from them, other students and staff as you progress. 

Past students have worked with Santander, local facilities management firm Inovolt, the Instant Kitchen Company startup, Solent Recovery College, and local radio station Express FM.

At the end of your project, you'll be invited to a celebratory event where you can network with representatives from the client organisations.

Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Careers and Employability Service to help you find your perfect role.

Why do a business management degree?

Read our blog to find out why a business management degree is a good idea and how it opens doors to lots of different careers.

Read the blog

Work placement year

You can boost your employability by taking an optional paid placement after your second or third year of study. Previous students have had placements in organisations such as:

• IBM
• SAP
• Hewlett Packard
• Lockheed Martin International
• Oracle
• Goldman Sachs

Many of our students are offered a graduate job by their placement employer.

I worked within a small team to review and contact clients. I felt really proud to have so much responsibility within this team, it gave me a massive boost of confidence in my abilities.

Daniela Faulkner, BA (Hons) Business and Management

The average salary for a 12-month paid placement is £19,800 for students in the Faculty of Business and Law. It could be more or less than this amount depending on your placement. You'll only pay a very small percentage of your tuition fee for this year.

You could also set up your own business, or take a voluntary placement.

If you don't want to take a whole placement year we offer plenty of other ways to get great work experience whilst you study, from summer internships to entrepreneurial support.

Ways to enrich your study

Entrepreneurs in Residence Programme (EiR)

We have over 20 experienced business entrepreneurs on our free EiR programme who can help you develop your business idea.

"I have a business idea, but I was not too sure about it. After this meeting, I felt so encouraged and positive about it! I felt so motivated to pursue my business venture. He gave me real life advice and helped me how to approach my ideas."

Rabab El Habchi Mahir meeting EiR Mark Smith

Study abroad year

Between your second and third year, you can choose to study abroad at one of our partner universities in Europe, Asia, Australia or North America. All classes are delivered in English and you'll still be able to get both your tuition fee and maintenance loans. You may also qualify for a government travel grant.

 

"Students that go abroad are more likely to obtain first-class honours [and] more likely to be in graduate employment than their non-mobile peers."

 

Universities UK International: 'Gone International, Rising Aspirations', 2019