Business Management and Leadership BA (Hons) top-up (online)

Undergraduate
Top-up courses

Whether you dream of running your own business or aspire to become the manager of a much-respected Public Limited Company (PLC), management roles can be both challenging and rewarding.

Year of entry

2024-25

Location

100% online study

Study mode

Full-time
Online/Blended

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

CUCLU068D

Start date

May 2025

How to apply

Book an Open Event

Download a prospectus

The information on this page is for 2022-23 entry and should be used as guidance for 2024-25 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.

Course overview

BA (Hons) Business and Management Top-up online programme will enable you to gain a full honours qualification in one year, subject to meeting progression requirements.

It is specifically designed for holders of a HND qualification in a relevant field or similar UK and international level 5 equivalent qualifications.

Our course is designed to help you establish key leadership skills, from managing people and resources to strategic planning. This one-year course focuses on contemporary management issues, giving you the opportunity to develop a wealth of general skills needed to aid progression from an operational level through to leadership.

Success in this field requires confidence, versatility and strategic thinking, coupled with elevated communication skills and a desire to succeed. You will get the chance to conduct critical research with our experienced staff, learn from highly-regarded guest visitors (subject to availability) and take part in invaluable practical modules.

Many areas of management and leadership, such as the design and development of new products and services and modern project management, require graduates to have both good theoretical and practical knowledge to effectively control, implement and evaluate the initiatives.

This top-up online course is designed to help you develop your abilities, skills, and knowledge needed for successful entry into management. This is an applied course and recognises the multidisciplinary approach that is needed in business leadership.

Throughout your degree top-up, you will study the theory and practice of leading and managing a business, using information technology, and demonstrating a capability to maintain auditable records of your work.

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.

What you'll study

This top-up online degree course covers strategic leadership principles, organisational design, and strategic marketing.

You will be dealing with the challenges and opportunities faced by a strategic manager. The need to continuously assess and evaluate the business landscape is of paramount importance, along with the ability to work effectively and autonomously. You will also conduct a strategic business project on a management issue that brings together the key themes from across your three years of study.

Students who successfully complete this course are awarded a BA (Hons) degree in Business Management & Leadership, subject to meeting progression requirements.

Modules

Strategy and Change Management - 30 credits

The module aims to give you a knowledge of how an organisation sets its strategic direction, controls it and responds to changes in its environment by implementing programmes of change. You will explore how an organisation moves through key stages in its development, whilst trying to achieve a competitive advantage and delivering innovation. It has been designed to provide you with an understanding of the core business areas of strategy and change.

Emphasis will be placed on the development of theories of strategy and change to set the module in an historical concept thus giving the student an appreciation of some of the key strategic thinkers in business, management and leadership.

The module will consider the analysis of both the external business environment and internal organisational context and how these impact upon strategy formulation, planning and implementation. You will develop an appreciation of different strategies for managing change at both a strategic and operational level. Emphasis will also be placed on the monitoring and change that are essential to ensure the organisation is sustainable.

Compulsory

International Business and Globalisation - 30 credits

In examining the global trading environment of international businesses this module focuses on both the principles and practices associated with international business activity in a global context. In developing a greater understanding of business in a global world, it seeks to encourage debate and dialogue, give a balanced view and consider different perspectives including an ethical one.

The main aim of this module is to develop your understanding of the international trading environment. In so doing it will examine both the framework that international businesses operate within as well as the principles and practices associated with international business activity.

Compulsory

Contemporary Issues in Business Management - 30 credits

The main aim of this module is to enable you to identify and analyse contemporary issues in the field of business and management which reflect the modern business world. This module aims to enable students to understand key issues e.g. governance, compliance, accountability and sustainability.

This module will investigate issues managers and leaders face in the contemporary business environment and how these can be addressed and overcome. The key role of stakeholders will be considered and the impact they have on organisations. The influence and power stakeholders have on an organisation’s strategic direction will be considered.

Compulsory

Business Management and Leadership Project - 30 credits

This module will provide you with the opportunity to explore a management issue from both an academic as well as a practical perspective. This investigation will draw upon your knowledge and understanding of management principles and practices. To facilitate this investigation the module will commence with a study of practical research methodologies and ethical frameworks.

The module provides an opportunity for you to develop your interests and backgrounds alongside your future career and study.

The management project itself is designed to develop your abilities to investigate strategies, gather and analyse secondary evidence, and make sound conclusions and management recommendations. The project forms a substantial part of the overall study leading to the Honours award. Accordingly, a high standard of achievement will be expected and the management project submission should draw on the intellectual and analytical skills and link a real-life situation specific knowledge examined through previous and current modules.

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

This course is only available as a full-time one-year top-up online course.

Our teaching methods are varied, offering a number of different teaching styles to suit the needs of all our students, so in addition to the online aspects, we also utilise a blended learning approach tutorials and group work, via our online learning platforms, which are currently Aula & Future Learn.

Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.

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

Teaching contact hours

Full-time (online)

You will have access to our online platforms at a time that suits you. Furthermore, tutorials with a lecturer will be made available in the evenings (times to be confirmed).

The contact hours consist of online teaching and individual and group tutorials.

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 20 contact hours per week.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake a significant self-directed study of approximately 12 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include:

Formal examinations
Phase tests
Essays
Group work
Presentations
Reports
Projects
Coursework
Exams
Individual Assignments

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2022 entry.

The minimum entry requirements to the Level 6 top-up course are that candidates should normally possess: 240 credits (RPL with 120 credits at Level 4 and 120 credits at Level 5) obtained in a business-related area or a HND in a business-related area with 240 credits awarded.

The general requirements for admissions are in line with CU Group policy (Academic Regulations: Regulations for the Admission of Students Chapter 2.3) and are also available on the individual course websites. CU Group will also review applicants with non-standard entry requirements including those with professional work experience and direct entry applicants.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and recognition of prior experiential learning (RP(E)L) may be taken into consideration and mapped onto the entry criteria for the course. RPL/RP(E)L is in accordance with CU Group Academic Regulations (see Academic Regulations: Regulations for the Admission of Students Chapter 2.2).

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

The minimum entry requirements to these programmes are that candidates should normally possess one of the following:

A minimum of 104 UCAS tariff points, including two full A levels or equivalent for a BA (Hons) Degree
BTEC National Certificate or Diploma (equivalent points to those noted above) in a relevant subject
Appropriate Foundation/Access qualification where the standard achieved is deemed equivalent to the above

Candidates will be expected to have passed GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.The general requirements for admissions are in line with CU Group policy (Academic Regulations: Regulations for the Admission of Students Chapter 2.3) and are also available on the individual course websites.

You can view our full list of country-specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page. Visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events, and how to apply.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK	£6,000 per year	Not available
International	£6,000 per year	Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement² or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee³ to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. As an indication, students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2025/26 will pay £1,300.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our undergraduate finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our international scholarships page.

Tuition fees³ cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

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 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.

Careers and opportunities

This Business Management Leadership Degree is an applied online course; it recognises the multidisciplinary approach that is needed in business management. This means you can apply this degree to any industry and into a number of positions, including but not restricted to Retail Manager, Project Management and Business Officers.

How to apply

UK students

For information and guidance on the application process, click the Apply now button below.

Apply now

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 02477 652222

CULondon@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

For information and guidance on the application process, click the Apply now button below.

Apply now

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International pages or Coventry University Group's International hub.

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 02477 652222

cul@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority 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 university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University 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.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website. 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 university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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