Global Business Management BA (Hons) with foundation year

Undergraduate

Lecturer standing in front of rows of students

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

Course option

Degree with foundation year

Year of entry

2024-25 2025-26 2026-27

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

September 2025
November 2025

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

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.

Global ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities

Icon of human figure in front of whiteboard

Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field

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 city 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.

What you'll study

In the first year you will consider the global nature of business, including the issues that impact strategy and how organisations 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

Working in Global Diverse Teams - 20 credits

Data Skills for Business - 20 credits

Business Accounting - 20 credits

The Economic Environment of Business - 20 credits

Principles of Marketing - 20 credits

Introduction to Entrepreneurship - 20 credits

The aim of this module is to give you introductory understanding of the nature of operations management in the service and the hospitality industries. It emphasises business awareness, proactive and logical thinking, and research and analysis to help hospitality managers make appropriate and practical customer experience management decisions on a local and global scale.

Compulsory

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

Entrepreneurship in a Global Context - 20 credits

Leading and Managing People - 20 credits

Digital Marketing - 20 credits

Management Accounting - 20 credits

This module builds upon the foundations laid in the first-year studies, principally from Level 4 Business Accounting. It aims to give you the ability to select and apply appropriate management accounting techniques for decision making planning, control and performance evaluation purposes.

Compulsory

International Trade - 20 credits

Operations Management - 20 credits

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.

Modules

UK Work Placement - 0 credits

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes².

Optional

International Study/Work Placement - 0 credits

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes².

Optional

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 simulation².)

Modules

International Business Strategy - 20 credits

This module aims to give you the knowledge, skills, and competencies you need to interpret and develop a business strategy for creating and capturing value. Through this process, you develop an understanding of the impact of contemporary issues on the development and implementation of international strategy.

Compulsory

Project Management - 20 credits

Business Research Skills - 20 credits

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of business research methodology and a range of research skills. This will help you to understand the features of research ethics in the discipline of business and management, and you can confidently integrate a university risk assessment within your research proposal.

Compulsory

Managing a Global Workforce - 20 credits

Final-term project - 40 credits

Choose one from the following:

Internship² - 40 credits

The aim of this module is to allow you to relate your university studies to practical situations in the workplace. You will do this by applying business research skills to a specific business issue or practice, and producing a set of key findings and recommendations in a Project Report.

Dissertation - 40 credits

You will conduct a comprehensive study on your chosen research topic in a logical, detailed way. You are responsible for framing a research problem guided by gaps in existing knowledge and by an organisational issue. Your aim is to independently research a question by using appropriate research strategies and apply specific knowledge and research methods to a relevant model.

Entrepreneurship Business Plan - 40 credits

The aim of this module is for you to write a business plan based on the knowledge you acquired during your Year 2 of study (in particular in the 5002LON Entrepreneurship in a Global Context module). By the time you start this module, you should have learned the fundamental elements of entrepreneurship that are essential to pass.

Global Business Simulation - 40 credits

This is an action-based learning module where you have opportunities to act as business manager in a simulated business environment. You will make business decisions and see the results in a highly competitive environment over several rounds of play representing business years. Throughout your learning, you will gain real business experience on your learning journey and introduces you to an environment where you actively engage in deep learning through anticipating outcomes and observing the consequences of your business choices. The module helps you to reflect and refine your knowledge by actively engaging in group business review facilitated by the supervising instructor.

Optional

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

Modules

Business Communications - 30 credits

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 exploring different organisational and cultural settings and examine the relationship between management and workforce. You’ll also conduct thorough research of communications, using analytical theories as well as examining key management communication tools.

Finally, you’ll identify your own personal learning style, and have an opportunity to develop these skills within a supportive and culturally sensitive environment.

Compulsory

Management Skills - 30 credits

This module aims to provide an overview of the skills required by managers and leaders in business. You’ll explore why having an effective manager is crucial to the success of an organisation, in addition to identifying the successful characteristics of a manager and highlighting 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 explore a range of management activities and learn the competencies required to manage a business effectively.

Compulsory

Marketing for Business - 30 credits

The role of marketing within an organisation is critical to the success of 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 should 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, evaluate key, contemporary techniques and understand how they are applied in a business setting.

Compulsory

Global Business - 30 credits

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

You 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

The foundation year is focused on applied learning through a blend of lectures, tutorials and online learning. There are no end-of-year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which are 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

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and Independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You'll be digging deeper into topics, review what you've learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you'll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

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.

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.

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. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about the part-time study.

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

Teaching hours:

Guided and Independent study:

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

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 is designed to prepare you for working globally, whether overseas, for a multinational, or for a firm that 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) overseas. You may benefit from studying alongside a typically international cohort of students, learning from the perspectives they bring while developing your own ability to work cross-culturally².

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements, and are therefore not guaranteed².

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 city 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

The lecturers are really supportive about everything. From your day-to-day class activities to your coursework 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

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

72 UCAS tariff points. All foundation courses require GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards, and at least one A2 level or a BTEC equivalent qualification.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

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

Foundation year

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£5,760	Not available
International/EU	Not currently available***	Not available

Degree

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£9,535 per year	Request fee information
International/EU	Not currently available***	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. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 if they are paying international fees.

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.

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 permits 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.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above 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.

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. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

Applies to degree only:

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.

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.

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.

If you choose to study at CU London (Greenwich) for your Foundation Year, then your learning will be based at CU London (Greenwich) at Mitre Passage, North Greenwich. Subject to meeting requirements you will then transition to Coventry University London for your progression degree.

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.

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.

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 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 help 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.

How to apply

BA (Hons) with foundation year

Apply via UCAS

C85

Institution code

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

Full-time UK students should apply for this course through UCAS.

If this course has a part-time option you will need to apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 024 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

International codes:
CLONU052I

Full-time students applying to start in 2025/26 should apply directly to the university.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

Disclaimers

Study location

The Foundation Year study route will be delivered by CU, part of the Coventry University Group, for and on behalf of Coventry University.

If you choose to study at CU London (Greenwich) for your Foundation Year, then your learning will be based at CU London (Greenwich) at Mitre Passage, North Greenwich. Subject to meeting progression requirements you will then transition to Coventry University London for your progression degree.

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.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2025/26. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

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 for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. 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.