Business Foundation Year

Study level: Foundation year
Business students studying together in the library

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

Year of entry

Location

CU Scarborough (Scarborough)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

N101

Start date

September 2023
November 2023
January 2024
March 2024
May 2024
July 2024

How to apply
Open days
Download a prospectus
Contact us

The information on this page is for 2022-23 entry and should be used as guidance for 2023-24 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.

Course overview

This course creates opportunities for you to develop vital business skills and to put theory, both traditional and contemporary, into practice with real-world scenarios as well as preparing you for study at undergraduate level.

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 at CU Scarborough. This qualification is designed to meet the needs of those who wish to study in the exciting field of business and management.

At CU Scarborough, we focus on seeing our students all the way through to employment, via our Careers & Employability department. In addition to proven, traditional methods, students can also benefit from invaluable information from experienced entrepreneurs and business professionals.

Why CU Scarborough

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.

How can we help?

How can we help?

Chat with an advisor now or leave a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

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, sustainability 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.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake self-directed study of approximately 15 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

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.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

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.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

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

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 2023/24 entry.

40 UCAS tariff points. All Foundation courses require 5 GCSEs at 9-4 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 into account any work experience, other qualifications and/or any training you have completed. Speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Are you eligible for the CU Support Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background.

CU Support Scheme

40 UCAS tariff points. All Foundation courses require 5 GCSEs at 9-4 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 into account any work experience, other qualifications and/or any training you have completed. Speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on how to apply and travelling to and living in the UK.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

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. 

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Fees and Funding

2023/24 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK £7,950   Not available
International £16,800   Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Funding and Finance page.

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

Tuition fees 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.

  • 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

Our purpose-built campus building is arranged around an open central atrium that includes IT suites and study spaces.

The onsite library stocks essential and recommended reading and over 115,000 eBooks. The building also includes areas for career guidance and study support services, a café, a prayer room and social areas. Next to the campus is Scarborough’s leisure village. This complex includes an Olympic Legacy swimming pool, sports hall, fitness suite, all-weather pitches and the Scarborough Athletic football ground.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion, you should be able to:

  • Demonstrate an 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.

If you successfully pass your Foundation Year, you will be guaranteed a place on a Honours Degree course at CU Scarborough, subject to meeting specific entrance criteria. Please visit the individual course web pages for more information. 

This course is not solely intended for students who wish to pursue a career in business. The knowledge and skills acquired by of completing the course are readily transferable onto other degree courses.

How to apply

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, 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 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 COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the 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 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

    Due 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.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2023/24 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. 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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