BA (Hons) Business Management and Law with Foundation Year

Course Overview

Are you interested in a career in business management and law, but need to build your academic skills ahead of your studies? Our CMI accredited BA (Hons) Business Management and Law with Foundation Year degree will help you do just that, offering study skills and guidance at every stage.

The course will equip you with everything you need to succeed in higher education, even if you don’t have the academic confidence or qualifications to join a standard undergraduate course. It will then go on to instil fundamental business skills alongside the impact of law on everyday business practices, helping you gain valuable workplace skills across both disciplines.

This course has been designed in close consultation with some of today’s biggest players, such as Google, Coca Cola, and Oracle, ensuring the skills you gain are both in-demand and highly relevant to today’s workplace. You’ll acquire an in-depth understanding of the relationship between business and law, and the ability to make effective decisions in both practices – from the day-to-day running of a business all the way through to drawing up and negotiating contracts, acquiring new business assets, and everything in between.

Through case studies and our business simulation software, SimVenture, you’ll have the opportunity to apply your learning to practise in a safe environment, allowing you to experience first-hand how to run a business and overcome the challenges you might face along the way. You’ll also have access to our Arden Enterprise Incubator, which hosts resources aimed at nurturing your business acumen, including training, coaching, workshops, and talks led by industry experts.

Entry requirements

At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn’t a clear pathway to this degree – we are more than happy to discuss your application.

What do you need to study with us?

Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can join us, wherever you are.

That’s why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection. With this one tool, you’ll be able to access information, advice, support, learning materials and our online library, as well as create assignments, keep notes, and collaborate with other students effectively.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the BA (Hons) Business Management and Law with Foundation Year, you should normally have:

At least 3 x GCSEs or 45 credits at Level 2 or equivalent – if your qualifications are older than 3 years we would also ask to see a professional CV.
If you do not meet these requirements, you may be considered based on a minimum of 12 months of appropriate work experience evidenced with a CV and reference.

Course fee

International Fee	Fee
fee per level:	£4000

UK Fee	Fee
fee per level:	£6,935

Please note: Fees quoted relate to the intake that you enrol on (i.e. when you start your course), NOT your application date.

English proficiency

IELTS 6.0 or equivalent (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent.
Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English can be accepted.

We also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency.

Before you start studying

Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.

Apply for the Course

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Course details and modules

Your course modules combine a foundation year followed by a full undergraduate qualification. After reviewing key preparatory academic study skills, you’ll go on to develop your knowledge of the legal aspects of running a business. Your modules will explore the core skills underpinning both disciplines, giving you the ability to apply law principles to improve business practices and make effective business decisions.

How do we assess you?

Authentic assessments, no exams

Unlike on more traditional degree courses, you won’t be sitting any exams on this course. Instead, our assessments have been designed to help you apply your learning to real-world scenarios, emphasising modern skills such as drafting business documents and reports, ethical dilemma exercises, data analyses, and more.

Through negotiated assessments and an independent study, you’ll also have the opportunity to choose your topics of interest with your module lecturer, allowing you to align your studies with your ambitions and future career goals.

Your assessments are aimed at providing you with a range of transferable skills that go far beyond just the business and law sector, including analytical and critical thinking, problem solving, analysis and evaluation of data, independent learning, communication, and an appreciation of organisational behaviours and structures.

Assessment methods

Throughout the course you’ll have the opportunity to apply your learning through a range of assessments including:

Company appraisal
Research poster
Consultancy project
Reflection activity
MCQ
Problem solving
Digital skills portfolio
Sales proposal
Podcast
Digital pitch
Case study
Business case
Presentation
Individual project

Modules

You have 4-12 years to complete this course, meaning you can take up to 3 years to complete each level. Most of our students, however, aim to complete the course within 4-8 years.

Foundation year

Preparing for University Success
Exploring the Business Environment
Advancing your Academic Skills
Becoming an Effective Leader
Planning for Your Future Success
Investigation & Innovation Project

Level 4

Digital Skills and Professional Development (20 credits)
Contemporary Business Environment (20 credits)
Marketing Dynamics (20 credits)
English Legal System and Skills (20 credits)
People Management (20 credits)
Contract Law (20 credits)

Level 5

Technology, Innovation and the Law (20 credits)
Business Start-up (20 credits)
Sales Management (20 credits)
Dispute Resolution (20 credits)
Operations and Supply Chain Management (20 credits)
Consumer Insight (20 credits)

Level 6

Project Management (20 credits)
Employment Law (20 credits)
International Business Management (20 credits)
International Commercial Law (20 credits)
Entrepreneurship and Innovation (20 credits)
Independent Study (20 credits)

Career prospects

Perhaps you have a strong idea of where you want to go with your business management and law degree, or perhaps you’re still a little unsure. Don’t worry if you’re still weighing up your future career options. We prepare you with a range of advanced multidisciplinary skills that employers from a variety of organisations will value, enhancing your career options wherever they might lie.

What can I do after Arden University?

The real-world insight and practical workplace skills gained on your course will give you a competitive advantage in an exciting and challenging industry. Some of your career options could include:

Human Resources Manager
Corporate Paralegal
Intellectual Property Paralegal
Compliance Officer
Business Process Officer
Employee Relations Manager
Policy Manager
New Business Owner

What will the BA (Hons) Business Management and Law with Foundation Year do for me?

Your course will focus strongly on real-world practice, giving you the opportunity to apply what you learn to real business management and law scenarios. By mastering a range of transferable skills, your qualification is sure to set you up for success in your future career. These skills include:

The academic study skills you need to succeed at university.
In-depth knowledge of business and law theory and practice.
A critical appreciation of the importance and impact of the law on everyday business activities.
The ability to analyse and reflect upon contemporary issues in the business and legal environment.
Effectively applying your knowledge and experience to real-world scenarios.

Online learning

How does it work?

Studying the BA (Hons) Business Management and Law with Foundation Year online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location.

Our online students study their degree through ilearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud. ilearn provides everything you need to study at University. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and access to our Library Portal. The portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge, and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us.

ilearn is also integrated with Zoom, making it easier to chat with your course tutor during your scheduled seminar sessions. You can even integrate our study materials into your Kindle, making it possible to study wherever you have your Kindle handy.

Studying online doesn’t mean studying alone. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with like-minded students who you can meet with through our Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. We’ve even set up community boards embedded into each of the course modules so you can have discussions with your tutor and classmates on the topics you’re currently learning.

Online learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

Introducing your Digital Backpack

Once you’ve enrolled on your Business Management and Law with Foundation Year degree with Arden you’ll get access to your Digital Backpack, a toolkit of digital resources we’ve put together to help you succeed during your time studying with us.

Here are some of the digital resources you’ll have available throughout your course:

Office 365 subscription
Integrated zoom video conferencing
Careers support available through Arden Futures, your careers platform, to help you throughout your career journey whether you are a Career Starter, Changer or Developer
Free online access to our Library Portal, which includes thousands of eBooks and journals, as well as industry databases which we’ve carefully hand-picked to support your studies – all yours for free while you study with us.
Subscription to Togetherall for an abundance of mental health support