Business Foundation Year

Study level: Foundation year
Business students in a class in the Civic Centre

This foundation course aims to provide you with a solid grounding for building a career in management.

Year of entry

Location

CU London (Dagenham, London)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

N101

Start date

July 2023

How to apply
Open days
Download a prospectus
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Course overview

You’ll learn all the key components of successful leadership, along with essential knowledge of general business operations domestically and globally.

The course enables students who successfully pass to automatically progress to the Business Management & Leadership BA (Hons) Degree course at CU London. This qualification is designed to meet the needs of those who wish to study in the exciting field of business and management.

At CU London, we focus on seeing our students all the way through to employment, via our Talent Team. In addition to proven, traditional methods, students also benefit from invaluable information from experienced entrepreneurs and business professionals.

Why CU London

We offer a style of education which is flexible and designed to fit around your life, allowing you to benefit from a modern, forward-thinking higher education institution, reinforced by the quality and reputation of Coventry University. We aim to provide career-focused courses, wherever possible, coupled with placement opportunities to help prepare you for the world of work. We are dedicated to making higher education accessible and enjoyable to everyone, so we keep our fees low and made it a policy to cover one module at a time, allowing you to become a specialist in each topic before moving onto the next.

Accreditation and Professional Recognition

This course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies:

Chartered Management Institute

Chartered Management Institute

Modules within the programme include units based on the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 3 Award, Certificate or Diploma in First Line Management. Upon successful completion of these elements you’ll have the opportunity to individually enrol with CMI and undertake assessments in order to complete this additional qualification. This is not, however, a condition of academic credit; assessment for the professional qualification is independent from those undertaken for the academic award. Should you decide to take the professional qualification with CMI, there is an initial affiliate membership fee. Please visit the CMI website for further details.

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How can we help?

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What you'll study

Modules

  • This module explores the application of communication in business through a variety of methods. You are required to undertake a range of practical activities, such as role plays, in different organisational and cultural settings and examine the relationship between management and workforce. You'll also conduct thorough research of communication, using analysed theories and exploring key management communication tools. Finally, you'll be asked to identify your own, personal learning style, and have an opportunity to develop these skills within a supportive and culturally sensitive environment.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to provide you with an overview of the skills required by managers and leaders in business. You'll analytically explore why having an effective manager is crucial to the success of an organisation. You'll identify successful characteristics of a manager and highlight how they contribute to the development of a cohesive and productive workforce. We also encourage you to develop and refine your own management characteristics, as you look at relevant theories such as motivation, decision-making and problem solving. You'll get to practice a range of management activities and learn the competencies required to manage a business effectively.

    Compulsory

  • The role of marketing within an organisation is critical to success in any business. This module develops your understanding of the key principles of marketing and how these contribute to the achievement of business objectives. Marketing is a vibrant, fast-paced and exciting area of business and by the end of this module, you'll know the role of marketing research, effective planning and the development of a fundamental tool - the marketing mix. You'll also exercise your acquired analytical skills and evaluate key, contemporary techniques and their practical applications in a business setting.

    Compulsory

  • In today's highly competitive environment, there is an increasing number of small and mid-sized firms that are involved internationally and the trend is expected to continue due to the globalisation of the world economy, markets, and intensified international competition.

    Students will explore the growing importance of global business in the 21st century, and consider a range of operational activities and their interdependent roles and impact upon the wider strategy of the organisation wishing to trade internationally. The module will cover the principles of international trade and global business and the challenges faced by organisations, cultural differences, ethics and logistics from the viewpoint of achieving both operational and strategic objectives.

    Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end of year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of a working environment.

You can expect up to 20 hours of learning activities per week, made up of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning.

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

Assessment

Assessment methods vary and include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, oral presentations, tutorial tasks and assessments which take place at the end of each six-week block.

Course Breakdown:

  • Coursework
  • Interactive Assessments

Job ready

On completion, you should be able to:

  • Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the theoretical, analytical and practical aspects of policies and strategies in business organisations.
  • Develop appropriate research and analysis techniques, alongside the ability to undertake reliable market research activities.
  • Showcase an understanding of the principles of management of resource and organisations, along with comprehension of global, national and local contexts.
  • Apply appropriate presentation and evaluation tools to establish the significance of research data produced.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2022/23 entry.

Business Foundation

40 UCAS tariff points. All Foundation courses require 5 GCSEs at 9-4/A*-C including Maths and English, and at least one A2 level or a BTEC equivalent qualification.

If you don't fulfil the entry criteria your application may be considered on an individual basis, taking in to account any work experience, other qualifications and/or any training you have completed. Please call or email for further information.

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Business Foundation

40 UCAS tariff points. All Foundation courses require 5 GCSEs at A-C including Maths and English, and at least one A2 level or a BTEC equivalent qualification.

If you don’t fulfil the entry criteria your application may be considered on an individual basis, taking in to account any work experience, other qualifications and/or any training you have completed. Please call or email for further information.

International

CU London welcomes international students from all around the globe. If you are an international student and are interested in applying for a Foundation Year, HNC, HND or Degree course you can do so by completing our online application form.

Once your application form has been processed you will receive the outcome of your application via your given email address.

Please be aware you will need the following information in order to make your application:

  • All academic transcripts
  • Copies of degree/diploma certificates or work reference if employed
  • One academic reference
  • English language proficiency level to IELTS 6.0
  • Your personal statement
  • Copy of your current passport

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Tuition Fees

We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK £6,800 per year Not available
International £15,300 per year Not available

  • We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

    If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

You’ll be based in the spacious Civic Centre building, which provides an outstanding learning environment.

You will have access to our Library & Learning Services, fully equipped seminar rooms and impressive IT suites.

Careers and opportunities

If you successfully pass your Foundation Year, you will be guaranteed a place on a relevant Honours Degree course at CU London, subject to meeting specific entrance criteria.

The strength of the course lies in preparing students, who are currently unwilling or unable to follow the more traditional route into the business profession, for progression on to a related degree course within CU or at other institutions.

However, the course is not solely intended for students who wish to pursue a career in business. The knowledge and skills acquired because of completing the course are readily transferable onto a range of degree courses, such as:

How to apply

  • Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the CU Group. A copy of the 2022/23 contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the CU Group will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at CU Coventry.

    Tuition fees

    The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.

    For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.

    Accreditations

    Many of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the CU Group maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. 

    Facilities

    Facilities mentioned on this page may not be relevant for every course. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    Placements and study abroad opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.

    Additional costs

    This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas.

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