Global Business Management BA (Hons) with foundation year

Study level: Undergraduate
Lecturer standing in front of rows of students

Develop a range of unique competencies and skills required to function as a manager or business leader in a global business environment. 

Course option

Year of entry

Location

CU London (Greenwich, London) and
Coventry University London (City of London)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

N1DF

Start date

November 2024


Course overview

Our degree with foundation year could be the stepping stone you need to achieve your goals. The foundation year aims to prepare you for degree-level study and is a great way to build the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to succeed on your degree course.

Foundation year

The foundation year aims to provide you with a solid grounding for building a career in management. You’ll seek to learn all the key components of successful leadership, along with essential knowledge of general business operations domestically and globally.

Degree

Explore various business functions such as operations, marketing, accounting, human resource management and entrepreneurship.

  • Gain a solid grounding in the key business areas within a global context using teaching material sourced from many continents.
  • Increase your understanding of organisations and their management, the economy and the business environment.
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Global ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities

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Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field

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Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

Foundation year

  • Supports you to gain the academic skills required for degree-level study
  • Provides a grounding in key areas of business and management.

Degree

  • Real business experience
    Gain a real business experience in the heart of the City of London. The real business experience will be delivered in the classroom by real-world case studies, live projects, simulations, and complemented by field trips and opportunities for work placements2.
  • London location
    A university in the City of London, one of the world’s premier business locations and a leading financial centre. You will find a diverse range of exciting businesses, from innovative start-ups to huge multi-nationals.
  • Industry insight
    The course is taught by experts in the field of business, from both academic and professional backgrounds (please note staff are subject to change). There are extensive links to industry through networking events, client-based projects, and an exciting programme of industry speakers2.
  • Global learning experience
    This course is considered from a global perspective to help you understand international business management issues, with the aim of preparing you for your career prospects upon successful completion.
  • Prepare for your future
    Your course is designed to ready you for the fast-paced but exhilarating world of business. If you’re interested in starting your own business, you could get business start-up advice and support from our Enterprise Hub.

A real insight into Radoslav Rashcov’s time studying for a BA (Hons) in Global Business Management at Coventry University London. Find out how the quality of our academic staff and their industry experience helped Radoslav develop practical skills and knowledge for his future career.


What you'll study

In the first year you will consider the global nature of business, including the issues which impact on strategy and how organisations – and their people – behave and can be managed. Finance and marketing form two of your practical business disciplines, and you’ll be encouraged to develop skills enabling you to access, gather, interpret, present and communicate business information. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop your own professional skills and explore entrepreneurship, a key theme of this course.

Modules

In the second year, you will explore how to create local and international opportunities for your future ventures through gathering information, critically evaluating options, and planning carefully. Tensions can exist between entrepreneurial leadership styles and you can explore these and more measured, traditional approaches to business opportunities. In all cases, you’ll learn to develop and recommend viable solutions to business opportunities and challenges..

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placement or study abroad years usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement or study abroad year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee of £1,2503. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

In the final year, you will have the opportunity develop your strategic capabilities while also polishing the vital skills you may need for job applications and interviewing. You will focus on project management and research skills, which may be useful not only throughout your career but will also be particularly helpful as you undertake your 11-week final major project. (A choice of an internship, a dissertation, Entrepreneurship Business plan or a software-based business simulation.)

Modules

The foundation year offers an introduction to your chosen subject and supports you to develop the skills required for degree-level study.

Modules

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.

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.


Teaching contact hours

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 significant self-directed study of approximately 30 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.


Assessment

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

We designed the teaching and learning for this course to give you a strong academic knowledge of key theories and concepts to help you understand and appreciate current and relevant research in this subject area. You also have the opportunity to apply the theories and concepts to current practice through real-life scenarios, case studies and a variety of class activities. The course will also give you the opportunity to develop and demonstrate your essential analytical skills and respond to employer-related problems by making a set of clearly evaluated recommendations.

This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Please contact registry.london@coventry.ac.uk for more information about studying this course part-time.

If you choose to start this course in January it will be run as a condensed programme. You’ll start your course in January and finish your first year in August. Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will progress onto Year 2 in September and then continue to start subsequent years of your course in September, completing your degree at the same time as the September starters unless you opt to do a placement year.


Teaching contact hours

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 10 contact hours per week in the first and second year dropping to around 3 contact hours per week in the final semester of the third year as you become a more independent learner.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 18 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules. 

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

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

Assessment methods include:

  • Case studies
  • Presentations
  • Management reports
  • Portfolios
  • Pitches
  • Videos

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.


International experience opportunities

This course takes a globalised approach to the curriculum, placing your learning in the context of international challenges, opportunities and regulatory frameworks. It will prepare you for working globally, whether overseas, or for a multi-national, or for a firm which trades internationally.

You may have the opportunity for an international field trip2, and you could also arrange to do an internship (as part of your final major project) overseas2. You may benefit from studying alongside a truly international cohort of students, learning from the perspectives they bring while developing your own ability to work cross-culturally.

Our course provides students with a real business experience from a global perspective in the heart of the city of London. This experience will be delivered in the classroom by real-world case studies, live projects, simulations, and complemented by field trips and opportunities for work placements. Students will have the opportunity to learn from experienced academics and industry practitioners who care about their students’ academic experience, achievements, and well-being.

Dr Abraham Joseph and Dr Stella Nalwanga, Global Business Management BA Course Directors, quoted in 2022
London skyline with iconic buildings in background, people sitting in park in foreground

Lecturers are really supportive about everything. From your day to day class activities, to your coursework, they provide good mentorship. There's a lot of support for your future career as well as internship programmes; from the start to the end, they are preparing you for everything that you'll be facing in the future.

Krishna Gurung, BA Global Business Management student, quoted in 2022
Krishna Gurung

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

72 UCAS tariff points. All foundation courses require 5 GCSEs at A-C/4-9 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.

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.

Got higher grades? Have you considered direct entry to the degree without foundation year?


Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Foundation year

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £7,950 Not available
International/EU Not currently available*** Not available

Degree

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Request fee information

International/EU Not currently available*** Not available

Please note: UK (home) tuition fees for the degree course years will be charged at the current Coventry University London UK (home) degree fee level. This was set at £9,250 for the 23/24 academic year.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 of £1,250 to cover your academic support.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Fees and Finance page.

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

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

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad)

Foundation year funding

In order to receive funding for degree with foundation year courses, you will need to complete a four-year degree programme which includes the integrated foundation year, otherwise you may be responsible for your foundation year fees. For further information, please refer to the 'Tuition Fee Loan' details in the 'Funding your undergraduate course' section of our 'Fees and finance' page.

*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.

**This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.


Facilities

Our foundation years are taught at CU London’s Greenwich campus, which is located in the contemporary Mitre Passage building on the Greenwich Peninsula. Once you successfully complete your foundation year, you'll transfer over to studying your chosen degree at Coventry University London in the heart of the city.

Our CU London Greenwich site provides an outstanding learning environment and you will have access to our Library and Learning Services, fully equipped seminar rooms and IT suites4. You'll also receive full membership to Your Students' Union.

People sitting in an outdoor cafe area in Greenwich.

Greenwich Peninsula

Close to city-wide transport routes, CU London Greenwich is a contemporary campus on the vibrant and bustling riverside Greenwich Peninsula. You'll be within walking distance of The O2 which is home to a shopping centre, cinema and over 30 bars and restaurants. The area also hosts a thriving festival, arts and entertainment scene.

The 6 Mitre Passage building photographed against a blue sky.

CU London Greenwich campus

The CUL Greenwich campus is based in 6 Mitre Passage – a modern 11 storey building just a three-minute walk from North Greenwich tube station and the Jubilee line. You'll have access to our Library and Learning Services with study areas and laptops, classrooms with interactive teaching capabilities, fully equipped open-access IT suites and breakout spaces.

A smiling student graduating from CUL Greenwich at a graduation ceremony.

Student support

Our aim is to see you succeed, so we offer support from day one. You'll benefit from a Customer Service Desk with staff on hand to help with any queries you have, an academic writing service, and a dedicated wellbeing team with a Welfare and Disability Adviser and Student Counsellor. You also have the opportunity to access a Success Coach for one-to-one guidance.

Our Global Business Management BA (Hons) students have access to a wide range of facilities4 to help you prepare for a successful career in business leadership and management roles.

Take a virtual tour of our campus to explore all of the facilities available to you.

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Enterprise Hub

Our Enterprise Hub supports student entrepreneurs by providing extensive industry knowledge and guidance to help develop ideas into viable ventures. It is a dedicated space for enterprising students and professionals to solve problems, network professionally and collaborate on projects.

recruitment session two ladies and one man

The Talent Team

Need employability support? Our dedicated Talent Team are on hand to help. They can assist you in applying for work placements, graduate-level jobs and offer skills development workshops. They also organise networking events to introduce you to potential employers and industry contacts.

two men standing outside by a cathedral

Gain a global perspective

There are opportunities to visit, study or work in the UK or overseas2. You could get the chance to visit advertising agencies, financial institutions, manufacturers and small businesses. Past students have visited Paris, Berlin, Helsinki, Rotterdam and Dubai.


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of this course you will:

  • Be able to understand and apply core business functions and processes in the global context.
  • Develop knowledge, skills and experience necessary to manage people, physical and financial resources.
  • Evaluate and provide data in order to make informed business management decisions and manage complex strategic and management issues of global and local businesses.
  • Be equipped with investigative and analytical skills in order to examine impact of risk on global companies.
  • Develop international management competencies required to operate in multicultural environment and diverse community.
  • Be able to appraise, critically analyse and apply contemporary theories to real-world scenarios.
  • Be able to analyse specific global business situations in to identify areas of good practice and use creative solutions.

This course provides the flexibility to help you build a career in one or more of a wide range of business functions, and to work confidently internationally. It will enable you to develop into a career-ready, globally aware graduate with management, communication, numerical and information technology skills, and will also help develop the entrepreneurial skills you need to start your own business or run an innovative project within a large organisation.

Where our graduates work

Our previous graduates have gone on to work at:

  • Shell
  • RASCO
  • Think Mahogany, a creative-forward thinking communications agency
  • Monzo – an online bank

Further study

Upon successful completion of our Global Business Management BA (Hons) course, you may wish to continue to further your studies at postgraduate level. You can do that right here at Coventry University London, with our Global Business MBA. You could continue to build on what you have learnt, further preparing you to build the managerial aptitudes needed to run operations and manage destinations sustainably.

We also offer alternative postgraduate degrees if you decide to take a slightly different route. You can explore all of your options, including other locations within the Coventry University Group. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

"Stepping out of this university makes you feel like a true professional"

Our students are at the heart of everything we do here at Coventry University London. Hear about Hitanshu, Shaikh, Amrin, Hani and Philippine’s experiences of studying with us in the City of London.


How to apply

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