BA (Hons) Business Management with Foundation Year

Course Overview

Are you interested in pursuing a career in business and management, but not sure if you’re ready for university study? Our business degree with additional foundation year has been designed to prepare you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in higher education, even if it’s been a while since you last studied or if you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter a standard university degree course.

The BA (Hons) Business Management with Foundation Year will provide you with a taste of all the fundamentals of business, so you don’t need to have a particular career path in mind before enrolling on the course. As you explore areas of business such as finance, digital marketing, innovation, people management, and data analysis, you’ll start to form ideas about where you want to go in the future. This broad range of subjects will help you identify and evaluate the roles and contributions of the key business functions applicable to contemporary business, helping you become a well-rounded professional with a keen awareness of how business works.

The BA (Hons) Business Management with Foundation Year has been developed by industry experts with your long-term future in mind. When you graduate from the course, you’ll do so as a well-rounded, highly-employable and self-motivated professional ready to take on any number of roles and challenges.

When you graduate from this course you will receive:

BA (Hons) Business Management
CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management & Leadership
Foundation Chartered Manager Status and the post nominal fCMgr
ILM Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management
IOEE Professional Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

Course details and modules

By providing you with the knowledge of the fundamentals of business – and teaching you exactly how an organisation works – we’ll prepare you to become a skilled and informed business practitioner, leader, or entrepreneur.

During your studies you’ll gain a wider understanding of business functions, operations, and cutting edge technologies in a range of exciting industries. You’ll also develop your personal and management attributes in dedicated skills-related modules to help build your soft skills and leadership abilities.

Using our business simulation software, you’ll be able to access a virtual business and run it as your own enterprise – managing activities such as marketing, sales, finances, people, product development, operations, and your supply chain. This will give you the chance to practice making critical decisions within a safe environment, helping you develop your ability to interpret commercial information and apply your learnings to generate a profit for your enterprise. On top of this, you’ll have access to our Digital Enterprise Hub throughout your course, which provides you with additional software and resources as well as real-world mentors and industry experts to draw knowledge from.

How do Arden University assess students?

Universities assess students using diverse methods that go beyond traditional exams, especially in postgraduate certificate programs. Instead of exams, these programs employ practical, real-world assessments tailored to meet individual needs and help students develop transferable skills for their future careers. These assessments may include:

Essays: Developing critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
Consultancy Reports: Addressing real-world challenges with professional insights.
Recorded Presentations: Enhancing communication and presentation abilities.
Case Studies: Applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
E-Portfolios: Showcasing personal and academic achievements through organized digital collections.
Visual Research: Combining creativity and analytical skills to present research visually.

This approach ensures that students gain valuable, hands-on experience relevant to their career goals.

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 & Professional Development (20 credits)
Contemporary Business Environment (20 credits)
Marketing Dynamics (20 credits)
Introduction to Business Finance (20 credits) 
People Management (20 credits) 
Technology & Innovation (20 credits)

Level 5

Data Analytics & Management (20 credits) 
Business Start-up (20 credits) 
Sales Management (20 credits) 
Digital & Social Media Marketing (20 credits) 
Blockchain & Applications FinTech for Managers (20 credits) 
Operations & Supply Chain Management (20 credits)

Level 6

Business Transformation (20 credits) 
Entrepreneurship and Innovation (20 credits) 
Corporate Governance, Law & Ethics (20 credits) 
Independent Study (20 credits) 
Project Management (20 credits) 
International Business Management (20 credits)

Study Options

This course is available to study through Arden’s blended learning study mode.

Daytime classes are available in London Ealing, London Tower Hill, London Holborn, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Berlin, Germany.

Evening classes are available in Tower Hill, London Holborn, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham.

Weekend and evening classes are another option. You’ll have one class on a Friday evening and one class on Saturday each week. These are available in London Tower Hill and Leeds

Blended learning

How does it work?

When you choose our blended learning study mode, each week you’ll have eight hours of timetabled classes spread over two days at the Arden study centre of your choice. This is combined with around 25 hours of independent study, which takes place through ilearn, our university campus in the cloud. ilearn contains all the resources you need to study successfully. As a blended learning student you’ll also have access to our Library Portal, an extensive digital library with thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and a range of academic and industry databases that you can use to research and gain in-depth information on your area of study. At Arden, all of your course materials are provided free of charge, removing the need for you to buy expensive textbooks to study your degree successfully.

Blended learning is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face to face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who live within commuting or driving distance of one of our UK study centres.

If you’re a student from England who is enrolling on a blended learning course with Arden (based in one of our UK study centres) then you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan to help pay for your living expenses. You can find more information on our fees and funding page. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information about obtaining a student loan to cover your costs from your student finance body.

This course is also available to study full-time at our campus in Berlin, Germany, where you’ll have the opportunity to experience life as an international student in the heart of one of Europe’s most dynamic and historic cities.

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.

Eligibility

To be able to study this course, we need to see that you 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.
Applicants may be considered based on a minimum of 12 months of professional work experience evidenced with a CV and Reference if they do not meet the qualification requirements.
We also offer this course as a standard bachelor’s degree without foundation year. To view the course details, please click here.

Course fee

Blended	Fee
Fee Per Year	£ 9,250

Distance Learning	Fee
Fee Per Year	£ 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 (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. More information can be found here.

Career prospects

Perhaps you have a strong idea of where you want to go with your business degree, or perhaps you want to keep your career options open for now? Either way, don’t worry if you are still a little unclear about what the future holds. Your business management degree will give you a range of in-demand and transferable skills that will help you understand how modern organisations work. This gives you the freedom to take your time deciding where in the business ecosystem you’ll fit best, be it as an entrepreneur, manager, or if you are an experienced professional looking for a career change.

What can I do after Arden University?

Your degree in business management will open up many opportunities across all aspects of the business sector. As you study with us you’ll have access to our dedicated career services portal, where you can access additional ‘bolt-on’ e-learning courses, employer presentations, and search for jobs worldwide. Of course, your course lecturers are always on-hand to provide advice and guidance when it come to your professional future. Just a few of the possible roles you might want to consider after graduation could include:

Business Analyst
New business owner
Project Manager
Data Analysist
Careers is AI & Machine Learning
Big Data Specialist
Digital Transformation Specialist
Digital Marketing Specialist
People manager

What will this course do for me?

As well as developing important soft skills, up-to-date knowledge of business functions, and career planning abilities, you’ll also be encouraged to develop a Personal Development Plan as you work through your degree. With support from our lecturers, this will help you track your progress and identify areas where you excel.

On the course, your assessments will be linked to real-world workplace issues and practices. Added to the benefits of our enterprise simulation software and Digital Business Hub, you’ll graduate with hands-on experience in problem solving and identifying areas for business growth – all highly desirable skills for today’s employers.

The BA (Hons) Business Management with Foundation Year will also give you the chance to:

Gain an in-depth understanding of contemporary business functions, with particular focus on the latest digital technologies.
Develop an analytical eye for important detail and through keen critical thinking abilities.
Become an expert problem solver, confident communicator, and informed leader.
Understand all levels of organisational structure and how to evaluate the positives and negatives of these with real-life case studies.
Begin to form a clearer idea of which aspects of business you enjoy learning about the most, and develop ideas about where your career path might lie.

During your Foundation Year, you’ll get comprehensive support and preparation for your university journey, including:

Introduction and preparation: our Foundation Year courses introduce you to university-level teaching, learning, and assessment methods. You’ll develop essential study skills, research techniques, and critical thinking abilities, laying a strong foundation for your degree studies.

Personalised support: our academic staff will guide you throughout your Foundation Year. They’ll ensure a smooth transition into your degree programme, providing the support you need every step of the way.

Direct relevance to your future degree: your programme content is carefully designed to align with Arden’s degree courses. Studying a Foundation Year will equip you with subject-specific knowledge and interdisciplinary exploration, establishing a solid base for your chosen degree.

Improved degree outcomes: we prioritise not only your academic preparation but also your success. By boosting your confidence, academic skills, and understanding of the subjects, we empower you to achieve the best possible degree outcomes and expand your career opportunities.

Industry Skills

This course accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), and is aligned with available certificates from Amazon and Salesforce which you will be able to pursue independently as you study.

The Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)

This course is accredited by the Institute of leadership and Management (ILM). That means you’ll graduate with a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management, which costs up to £3,000 if pursued independently.

The ILM is a professional membership body for leaders and managers, with a mission of inspiring great leadership through qualifications, training, and cutting-edge research. The institute is a globally recognised mark of quality for its members and provides valuable insights through its vast industry links and publications.

As an Arden student, you’ll receive free membership to the ILM for a year after your graduation, giving you access to over a thousand comprehensive learning resources, including webinars, videos, leadership assessment tools, a dedicated e-learning tool, careers advice, and networking opportunities.

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

This course awards a CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management & Leadership and offers CMI Chartered Manager Status *

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) promotes excellence in UK management and leadership. As the CMI possesses a Royal Charter, they are the only organisation in the UK that can award Chartered Manager status to their members – the gold standard in management. With 140,000 members, the institute aims to boost career development across the management sector and connect like-minded professionals.

As an Arden student, you’ll have free CMI Membership throughout your studies, giving you access to a range of additional resources including a mentoring service and invitations to networking events both online and offline.

Upon completion of this CMI-accredited course, you will be awarded CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management & Leadership and gain Chartered Manager Status. This recognises you have the skills needed to be an effective manager, helping you stand out from the competition and start your management career journey – with a CMI qualification and a clear pathway to full Chartered Manager status.

*Upon completion of your course, the CMI award and level of chartered status awarded will depend on your level and length of study, whether you entered your course with Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) or if any compensation is applied on your modules throughout the duration of study. If this criteria applies to you, you may receive one of the 2 different levels; an Award or Certificate.

Aligned to Salesforce and AWS Educate (Amazon)

During the course you’ll learn about some of the most prominent cloud-based tools used in business currently, allowing you to independently acquire certification from Salesforce and Amazon to add to your degree qualification. This will give you concrete evidence of skills in leading software packages, green-stamped by two of the world’s most respected business service providers. Certification from Salesforce and Amazon will help you perform at the cutting edge of your industry by understanding how to process real time data and insights to create more meaningful relationships with your customers. You’ll also gain important transferable skills that you’ll be able to apply to similar software packages that you may work with in the future.

Business Graduates Association (BGA)

The BGA is a membership and quality assurance body. As a member, Arden University have signed up to the BGA Charter, committing their institution to responsible management practices and lifelong learning, positively impacting their students, communities, and the economy. This shows our students that we are demonstrating responsible management ourselves, as well as it being a central theme that runs through our own courses.

As Arden University is a member of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), students will receive complementary BGA student and graduate membership. Through this membership, current students will have access to the BGA Career Development Centre, packed with interactive tools, e-learning content, partner discounts and the latest job opportunities. This is a lifetime access, which means students will continue to have access to these services even after they graduate.

Arden Enterprise Incubator

As an Arden University student, you’ll have access to the Arden Enterprise Incubator (AEI) online platform to support you in the area of entrepreneurship. Whether students are exploring the idea of setting up their own company or need help and guidance launching or growing an existing business, the AEI provides everything students need to kick start their entrepreneurial journey, as well as to support and empower them along the way.

The AEI has a wealth of resources available including monthly master classes, boot camps, podcasts, blogs, external events, and mentorship. Mentors include Arden University lecturers and industry experts, so our students receive the very best support and expertise.

As an IOEE Centre of Excellence, we foster an entrepreneurial culture among our students. We are dedicated to supporting their continuous growth by promoting enterprising thinking and practical entrepreneurial skills.

LinkedIn Learning

All Arden students will have free access to LinkedIn Learning through the Library Portal. LinkedIn Learning is a video-based online learning platform offering over 16,500 expert-led courses across a wide range of subjects including business, technology, and creative skills.

With LinkedIn Learning, you can:

Pursue curated learning pathways aligned with our curriculum and your career goals.
Add value to your LinkedIn profile by showcasing your newly acquired skills.
Personalise content based on skills relevant to your chosen career path, interests and prior learning.

The Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE)

Arden University is an approved IOEE Centre of Excellence, highlighting our commitment to staying at the forefront of education and industry standards. We continuously update our services to meet market and student needs and offer IOEE membership to our staff, students, and learners.

This course awards the IOEE Professional Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

The Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE) is the first learning institute dedicated to developing and recognising enterprise and entrepreneurial skills. Arden University has been recognised as an IOEE Academy and our courses are accredited. This demonstrates our commitment to enterprise and equipping students with the skills needed to set up and run their own business, work in a small enterprise, or bring entrepreneurial skills to a larger organisation.

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) membership.

Arden University is a member of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide.

This membership reflects the fact that Arden University has successfully matched the high standards required by the AACSB, and enables the sharing of ideas and the exchange best practises between global business schools. Membership also gives our faculty members access to in-depth data and research to support the development of our courses and teaching methods, ensuring that we are able to provide you with the best possible university experience.