Business Administration BBA (Hons) with foundation year

Study level: Undergraduate
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This course focuses on the application of theory to real business situations, allowing you to explore contemporary business thought and practice, and develop an all-round business skillset.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry) and
Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

NBDF

Start date

September 2025
November 2025

The information on this page is for 2024-25 entry and should be used as guidance for 2025-26 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.


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 will introduce you to the world of business with a strong focus on management, business communications and marketing in a global context. It creates opportunities for you to develop vital business skills, as well as preparing you for study at undergraduate level. You will put theory, both traditional and contemporary, into practice with real-world scenarios.

Degree

This Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) course aims to deliver teaching and learning which is active, applied, social and inclusive in approach. Modules are global in nature and make use of case studies that broaden your understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of business administration.

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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

  • Develop a solid foundation in all the key components of business administration, management, and organisation within a global context.
  • Explore and enhance your understanding of the key functional aspects of business administration, including accounting, people management, data analytics, marketing, project management, and strategic planning.
  • Study supply chain management in a global context; thus, gaining relevant knowledge and skills, and consequently enhancing your employability.
  • Learn from experienced professionals about cutting-edge business technologies and practices2.
  • Explore a range of relevant and contemporary business concepts and technologies, such as Disruptive Technologies, Data Analytics, Ideation and Entrepreneurship.

Accreditation and professional recognition

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Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). Students graduating from CILT(UK) accredited degree programmes gain one year’s credit towards the experience requirement. Accredited sandwich degrees with an industrial placement year give two years’ credit, as does the combination of an accredited first and higher degree. To qualify for exemption, first degrees must be passed with a classification of at least second class honours.



What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.  

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).    

Common first year courses

  • Advertising and Digital Marketing BA (Hons)
  • Business Administration BBA (Hons)
  • Business and Human Resource Management BA (Hons)
  • Business and Marketing BA (Hons)
  • Business Management BA (Hons)
  • Enterprise and Entrepreneurship BA (Hons)
  • Event Management BA (Hons)
  • International Business Management BSc (Hons)
  • Marketing BA (Hons)
  • Sport Management BA (Hons)

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

Modules

In year two, you will continue to develop the skills and knowledge you’ve learnt. We do this by embedding the following four principles into the curriculum and developing your:

  • Technical skills – digital fluency, backed with the right academic knowledge
  • Study skills – to be an adaptive, independent and proactive learner
  • Professional skills – to have the behaviour and abilities to succeed in your career
  • Global awareness – the beliefs and abilities to be a resilient, confident and motivated global citizen 

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 placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. 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.

Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our placement/study abroad offering here, it is often tailored for each course every year and depends on the length of placement or study abroad opportunities that are secured. Therefore, the placement and study abroad arrangements vary per course and per student.  Request further information about going on a placement or study abroad year2

Modules

Year three aims to prepare you for professional practice or higher education by consolidating your knowledge and skills from years one and two. You could also work on a large final project in an area of your interest, with the support of a mentor. 

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

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

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.

This course aims to offer a variety of teaching and learning methods to keep your experience dynamic and varied and may include:

  • Lectures and associated seminars
  • Workshops, incorporating case studies, problem-centred learning, practical exercises, surgeries, the use of electronic business resources and databases, and ICT packages4.  

Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:  

  • On campus lectures, seminars, and workshops  
  • Group work 
  • Self-directed learning 
  • Work placement opportunities2

Students on this course will receive between 15-18 contact hours at level four, 12-15 at level five and 9-12 at level six. The course hours will be timetabled weekly with additional timetabled sessions for course induction and support. These additional sessions will bring students together, create a sense of community and provide a range of support and activities as well as provide an opportunity for students to raise any concerns relating to the course.

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

Normally, a 20-credit module will consist of two one-hour long interactive lectures weekly, delivered synchronously online or on campus, followed by a range of active learning sessions such as seminars and workshops, typically two hours long. 

Part of university life is undertaking self-directed learning. During a typical week, you will have time that allows you to work independently to apply the skills and knowledge you have learnt in taught or facilitated sessions to your projects or assignment briefs.  This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.

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.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. 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:

  • Phase tests
  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Coursework
  • Exams
  • Individual assignments

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

Once you have completed your second year, you have the option to apply for a work placement2 year or to spend 12 months studying abroad to broaden your international perspective.

This course also offers a wide variety of field trip opportunities2, both UK and abroad. These trips are designed to provide opportunities to understand business within different cultural environments and the chance to develop networks with a wider range of students and organisations. Past trips have been to destinations such as New York, Peru, China and Belgium. 


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

64 UCAS tariff points. All foundation courses require 5 GCSEs at A-C/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 Fair Access Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background. Find out more about 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 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £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 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year
Not available
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 UK (home) degree fee level. This was set at £9,250 for the 24/25 academic year.

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

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.

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.

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).

*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 Coventry’s Mile Lane building, a short walk from the city centre. You’re part of the university from day one, so during your foundation year you’ll have access to the wider facilities at Coventry University. Once you successfully complete your foundation year, you'll transfer over to studying your chosen degree at Coventry University, where you'll be taught on campus in the relevant academic buildings.

Located on our Mile Lane campus, you will have access to our Library and Learning Services (LLS), fully equipped seminar rooms and IT suites4. You can also take advantage of reading rights in Coventry University’s Lanchester Library, make use of sport centre facilities and receive full membership to Your Students' Union.

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Mile Lane

The campus is home to an on-site library with bookable one-to-one academic writing service and library support sessions, fully equipped seminar rooms, open-access study areas, a café and an IT suite. Our labs contain industry-standard equipment so that you learn using the same equipment as many industry professionals.

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The Hub

At The Hub you'll find the Health and Wellbeing Centre, the Students’ Union and Square One (which provides entertainment from quiz nights to live music), the Spirituality and Faith Centre, Tank Studio, Careers Office and a fantastic food court.

External view of the Lanchester Library.

Lanchester Library

You will have full reading rights in Coventry University’s Lanchester Library. The library is open 24/7, 364 days a year and has many study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers touchdown computers and free-to-loan laptops.

Our facilities and technology aim to closely replicate what you would expect in real-world business environments4.

When studying the Business Administration course, you could have access to our Trading Floor, one of the largest of its kind in Europe, our Business Simulation Suite, which facilitates strategic problem-solving in life-like simulated business environments, and our DigiComm Lab, which recreates the atmosphere of working for a contemporary marketing agency4.

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Business Simulation Suite

Coventry Business School's Business Simulation Suite utilises the latest business simulation software to give students the opportunity to improve their business skills.

 

DigiComm Lab Seating Area

DigiComm Lab

Designed to build creative minds, the DigiComm Lab is equipped with the latest industry-standard marketing and advertising software and devices to support your creative development.

 

Lecture talking to student in the trading floor

Trading Floor

Students have opportunities to practice simulated trading and other finance-related activities using the various types of demo software available in the Trading Floor.


Careers and opportunities

Extensive support is in place from the Talent Team for students wanting to undertake a work placement as part of their degree and in finding suitable graduate-level jobs upon completion2.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be knowledgeable in business administration, management, and organisation. You will also have relevant knowledge about business analytics and decision-making, entrepreneurship, ideation, project management, and supply chain. You should also have acquired the requisite people, marketing, and project management skills. 

This valuable and contemporary business knowledge and skills are expected:

  • To increase your employability by preparing you for a wide range of potential future career options in the competitive local, national, or international business environment.
  • Enable you to set up and run your personal or family business.
  • Pave the way for you to pursue higher education, e.g. an MBA if you choose. 

The University's Careers and Employability Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your potential future career options2

Where our graduates work

Past graduates have gone on to work at organisations such as Ark Housing Consultancy in London, Innocent Drinks in London, Smart Assessor in Rugby, Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership in London, PLP Lift Trucks in Sheffield and Fastenal in Coventry.

Further study

You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University. 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

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