Business Management and Leadership BA (Hons)

Undergraduate
HNC/HND courses

Running your own business can be challenging and rewarding. It requires a strong sense of entrepreneurship, determination and the ability to handle managerial responsibilities.

Course option

Degree with foundation year

Year of entry

2023-24 2024-25 2025-26

Location

CU London (Dagenham, London)
CU London (Greenwich, London)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years sandwich
3 year - Degree
2 year - HND
1 year - HNC

UCAS codes

N20L / N20M / N20N

Start date

April 2024
June 2024

How to apply

Open days

Download a prospectus

Course overview

Our Business Management and Leadership BA (Hons) is designed to help you develop key skills, from managing people, projects and resources to strategic leadership within the UK and internationally.

Why you should study this course

The degree offers:

A focus on contemporary management issues, giving you the opportunity to develop a wealth of skills needed to aid progression from an operational level through to a leadership role within any organisation.
Opportunities to help you develop the required confidence, versatility and strategic thinking, coupled with elevated communication skills and a desire to succeed.
The chance to conduct critical research with our experienced staff, learn from guest visitors and take part in invaluable practical modules.

Accreditation and professional recognition

The Business Management and Leadership BA (Hons) degree is accredited and recognised by the following bodies for the 2023/2024 intake¹:

Chartered Management Institute

This degree programme has been developed to allow modules to align to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) qualification. Students who undertake the degree element of this course are provided with CMI membership for the duration of their programme and one year after graduating for free. This valuable CMI membership gives students access to resources, journals and professional insights, while putting students in the same arena as practising managers.

How can we help?

I’m studying Business Management and Leadership here at CU London, and the course has helped a lot with my personal development. I’ve improved in areas such as communication, project management and even presenting to groups. Previously, I struggled to speak in front of people, but the course has given me the confidence to communicate effectively.
Olaitan Ajiboye, Business Management and Leadership BA (Hons) student, quoted in 2024

What you'll study

Many areas of management and leadership, such as the development of new concepts and modern project management, require graduates to have good theoretical and practical knowledge to control, implement and evaluate new developments.

This varied degree aims to supply you with the skills and knowledge needed for successful entry into management. This is an applied course and recognises the multidisciplinary approach that is needed in business leadership. Throughout your degree, you will study the details of operating markets, information technology and leadership practice, demonstrating a capability to maintain auditable records of your work.

Year one focuses on the organisational environment and decision-making processes at junior management level. You’ll cover a broad range of topics from core concepts of current management and organisational behaviour to the fundamentals of business policy, marketing and strategy. You should also develop the necessary skills and knowledge that will prepare you for study in years two and three. Students who successfully complete year one are eligible for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Business Management and Leadership.

Modules

The Business Environment - 30 credits

This fundamental module examines the environment that any business would occupy. You will explore a range of factors that have a bearing on efforts to establish successful operational plans, both within the micro and macro environment. Regardless of the size and scale of organisations, it is essential that the way in which a range of environmental forces can impact organisational performance is understood.

Particular attention will be placed on how the economy at both the micro and macro level can affect organisations’ performance and you will aim to develop an understanding of the impact of global economic decisions on UK business. You will be encouraged to develop an understanding of the business environment from a range of diverse perspectives such as customer, supplier, stakeholder etc and how decisions are made.

You will be introduced to the key theories related to organisational purpose, role and design. Attention will be given to the nature and purpose of environmental scanning and appropriate tools and techniques will be introduced. You will be encouraged to be familiar with these tools as they examine a range of organisations from across the private, public and voluntary sectors. Issues arising from involvement in international markets and working across borders with be explored and you will be introduced to the concept of globalisation.

Compulsory

Principles of Sales and Marketing - 30 credits

This module provides you with practical perspectives on marketing and sales in both physical and online environments. It covers marketing strategy and managing relationships and explores operational factors for established organisations, regional businesses and startups.

The module focuses on applying theoretical concepts to real customer experiences. It also addresses managing profitable consumer relationships in a rapidly evolving UK and global landscape.

The module encourages self-reflection on consumer behaviour and explores branding, brand management, communication channels, consumer behaviour and customer segmentation for building successful brands. Additionally, it introduces the theory of consumer behaviour, advertising, digital marketing/e-commerce, press and media, while exploring their impact on the sales process, including decision-making, relationships and negotiation.

Compulsory

Communication and Collaborative Working - 30 credits

Highly developed communication and collaborative skills are essential in today’s world. Managers and leaders need to develop these skills to ensure effective performance and the achievement of a sustainable competitive advantage. This module will help you to explore your own communication skills and then to begin to explore the network of collaborative partnerships that exist in the delivery of goods and services, both formal and informal.

The module leads you to explore the theory and practice of communication and collaboration from a personal to an inter-organisational level. This module aims to provide the building blocks that enable you to reflect not only on your personal communication skills but also how organisations communicate and collaborate to achieve a common purpose. This understanding is becoming more imperative as goods and services are rarely produced in isolation and therefore the effective manager needs to finely hone skills in this area.

Theory of communication and collaboration will be looked at to ensure that you can identify good practice and are able to translate this into successful business solutions.

This module aims to help you appreciate that results can be achieved through reflection on strengths and weakness at an individual, organisational and intra-organisational level and then plans put in place or alliances formed to deliver excellent goods and services.

Compulsory

Management and Leadership Perspectives - 30 credits

This module provides a fundamental understanding of management and leadership perspectives for business management and leadership degrees. It explores key theories, methodologies and styles in these areas. The module examines the relationship between management and leadership, considering the roles and potential tensions. It introduces basic management concepts, emphasising effective communication, teamwork and collaboration.

The module highlights the importance of leadership skills, management skills and conceptual understanding for organisational transformation and success. It presents both traditional and contemporary viewpoints on management and leadership, promoting a balance between effective management and ethical leadership.

Compulsory

As the course progresses, you’ll be asked to build on the knowledge gained in year one to cement a solid foundation of core principles. Now that you are working to a higher level after completing the HNC, you should begin to develop a comprehensive range of skills and insights needed by operational managers to deal with complex issues. The focus of year two falls upon specialised areas such as financial management, entrepreneurship and the development of business practices. Students who successfully complete year two are eligible for a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business Management and Leadership.

Modules

Economic and Financial Management - 30 credits

The aim of this module is to develop your understanding of the role economics has on organisations. The module will begin with a general introduction to economics and will stress the importance of its study for managers and leaders. You will be encouraged to develop an understanding of the key theories of economics and an understanding that business decisions are made by choices such as: what products/services are to be delivered? What resources are used? Who gets what in an economy?

You will explore key economic theories that help them establish frameworks to understand how decisions made in an economy have an impact upon a variety of organisational contexts. You will be encouraged to appreciate how changes in economic conditions affect supply and demand and impact upon costs.

You will learn how to interpret key financial information and will develop an understanding of accounting-based tools and techniques that managers can apply. You will also aim to develop an appreciation of the underlying assumptions and limitations of those techniques.

The module emphasises the interpretation of financial information, rather than its construction and introduces a variety of theoretical concepts. As a manager or leader in business, you may be required to monitor and measure the performance of an organisation - this module aims to enable you to develop the knowledge and skills required to apply financial methods and techniques to undertake this critical responsibility. By being able to undertake and evaluate this kind of financial analysis of business performance, you will be in a position to make informed decisions in the best interests of organisational success.

Compulsory

Entrepreneurship, Enterprise and Innovation - 30 credits

This module will help you develop an understanding of the nature of entrepreneurship, enterprise and innovation by examining the business start-up process with respect to new ventures. You will be given the opportunity to assess and develop your own entrepreneurial skills and attributes.

This module encourages an awareness of the value of entrepreneurs to the economy and the social good. It uses tools such as business modelling, lean start up and open innovation frameworks to understand how entrepreneurial innovation has shaped existing products/services and its potential for future innovation. A focus on how Intrapreneurship can be facilitated within organisations and the benefits from this activity to the business will be debated. You will be encouraged to develop business skills, confidence, communication skills, imagination and creativity, and encouraged to maximise their strengths and manage their weaknesses. This unit will be supported by external entrepreneurs and the business community where possible².

Compulsory

Project Management - 30 credits

This module is designed to provide practical project management knowledge necessary to undertake business projects. The emphasis of this module is on the application of project management concepts and techniques to manage projects. To run such projects successfully, you need to understand why projects fail and how to plan and monitor a project to lead it to successful closure.

The purpose of this module is to develop your knowledge and skills in project management. This includes the development of project plans and management strategies, and how to ensure the successful completion of projects. You will be expected to apply theoretical principles of project management to work-based case studies.

The module covers project management principles, project business case development, project planning and control methods, This module offers you the opportunity to understand project management fundamentals and to equip you with the necessary tools for project work in your future career.

Compulsory

Resource Management - 30 credits

This module offers you a critical overview of the theories and debates regarding how organisations manage their resources. This module will focus on the range of resources that are used by an organisation to achieve its aims and objectives. These could be time, money, equipment and human resources.

This module is designed to raise your understanding of the resource management issues within contemporary organisations. After a consideration of the historical development of human resource management (HRM) the module will introduce the key principles of HRM focusing upon the core areas of recruitment and selection, through performance management to release of individuals from the organisation.

Emphasis will be placed on the need to manage resources that are both internal and external to the organisation. You will consider how organisations identify and plan the resources they need and how they manage the supply, continuity and quality of them to achieve aims and objectives. There will be consideration of how to monitor the use of such resources and how disruption to their supply can be managed.

Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement can often be beneficial. Work placements² 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 participating institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

UK Work Placement - 0 credits

This module² 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 outcomes.

Optional

International Study/Work Placement - 0 credits

This module² 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 outcomes.

Optional

At this stage, you are dealing specifically with the challenges and opportunities faced by a strategic manager. The need to continuously assess and evaluate the business landscape is of paramount importance, along with the ability to work effectively and autonomously. This final year covers strategic leadership principles, organisational design and strategic marketing. You’ll also conduct a strategic business project on a management issue that brings together key themes from across the three years of study. Students who successfully complete year three are awarded a BA (Hons) in Business Management and Leadership.

Modules

Strategy and Change Management - 30 credits

The module aims to give you knowledge of how an organisation sets its strategic direction, controls it and responds to changes in its environment by implementing programmes of change. You will explore how an organisation moves through key stages in its development, whilst trying to achieve a competitive advantage and delivering innovation. It has been designed to provide you with an understanding of the core business areas of strategy and change.

Emphasis will be placed on the development of theories of strategy and change to set the module in a historical concept thus giving the student an appreciation of some of the key strategic thinkers in business, management and leadership.

The module will consider the analysis of both the external business environment and internal organisational context and how these impact upon strategy formulation, planning and implementation. You will develop an appreciation of different strategies for managing change at both a strategic and operational level. Emphasis will also be placed on the monitoring and change that are essential to ensure the organisation is sustainable.

Compulsory

International Business and Globalisation - 30 credits

In examining the global trading environment of international businesses this module focuses on both the principles and practices associated with international business activity in a global context. In developing a greater understanding of business in a global world, it seeks to encourage debate and dialogue, give a balanced view and consider different perspectives including an ethical one.

The main aim of this module is to develop your understanding of the international trading environment. In so doing it will examine both the framework that international businesses operate within as well as the principles and practices associated with international business activity.

Compulsory

Contemporary Issues in Business Management - 30 credits

The main aim of this module is to enable you to identify and analyse contemporary issues in the field of business and management which reflect the modern business world. This module aims to enable you to understand key issues e.g. governance, compliance, accountability and sustainability.

This module will investigate issues managers and leaders face in the contemporary business environment and how these can be addressed and overcome. The key role of stakeholders will be considered and the impact they have on organisations. The influence and power stakeholders have on an organisation’s strategic direction will be considered.

Compulsory

Business Management and Leadership Project - 30 credits

This module will provide you with the opportunity to explore a management issue from both an academic as well as a practical perspective. This investigation will draw upon your knowledge and understanding of management principles and practices. To facilitate this investigation the module will commence with a study of practical research methodologies and ethical frameworks.

The module provides an opportunity for you to develop your interests and backgrounds alongside your future career and study.

The management project itself is designed to develop your abilities to investigate strategies, gather and analyse secondary evidence, and make sound conclusions and management recommendations. The project forms a substantial part of the overall study leading to the Honours award. Accordingly, a high standard of achievement will be expected and the management project submission should draw on the intellectual and analytical skills and link real-life situation-specific knowledge examined through previous and current modules.

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

This course is available as a full-time three-year or optional four-year sandwich course, the latter incorporating a work placement or study year in a related field².

Our teaching methods are varied, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of all our students, so in addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work. Additional support is available via email and our current online learning platform, Aula.

Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.

Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end-of-year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of our learning model.

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 up to 30 hours of self-directed study, depending on the demands of individual modules.

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

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.

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

Course breakdown:

Coursework

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.

Having studied Business Management and Leadership, I left with a very clear career path and well-developed understanding of management theory and practice.
Ashkan Bahgozen, Business Management and Leadership BA (Hons) graduate, 2023

Two students talking with an open laptop on the desk in front of them.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.

Entry level	What we're looking for
HNC	64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND	80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree	104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Are you eligible for the CU Support Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background.

CU Support Scheme

Entry level	What we're looking for
HNC	64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND	80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree	104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

Visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on how to apply and travelling to and living in the UK.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

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Fees and funding

2023/24 tuition fees.

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£7,950 per year	Not available
EU	£7,950 per year with EU Support Bursary £16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£16,800 per year	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³ and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

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

Tuition fees³ 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.

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.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees³:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits.
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.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

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 government's 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

If you're studying at CU London Dagenham, you’ll be based in the grade II listed spacious former Civic Centre. If you choose to study at CU London Greenwich, you'll be based in the heart of the Greenwich Peninsula, just a 3-minute walk from North Greenwich tube station and the Jubilee line.

Both campuses offer Library and Learning Services with study areas and laptops, classrooms with interactive teaching capabilities, fully equipped open-access IT suites and breakout spaces. You'll also benefit from a Customer Service Desk with staff on hand to help with any queries and comprehensive student support services including an academic writing service and a dedicated wellbeing team.

You also have the opportunity to access a Success Coach for 1-2-1 guidance.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of the degree course, you should be able to:

Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the theoretical, analytical and practical aspects of management strategies and processes within a changing environment, to meet stakeholder interests.
Critically appraise theories related to the development of staff, including crucial factors in the development of people management, including ethics, culture and change.
Be proficient in developing international-level strategy, incorporating and considering currency, cultural and competitor risk.
Develop appropriate research and analysis techniques, alongside the ability to undertake reliable market research activities.
Operate, lead and collaborate in a team to solve problems of a practical (experimental) nature and to provide appropriate solutions.
Apply appropriate presentation and evaluation tools to establish the significance of research data produced.

This degree is an applied course; it recognises the multidisciplinary approach that is needed in business management. This means you can apply this degree to any industry and into a number of positions, including but not restricted to retail manager, project management and business officers.

Where our graduates work

We focus on producing global graduates, which means our graduates can go on to work in small and large companies around the world.

CU graduates from this subject area have gone to work in several industries, such as recruitment, finance and retail, in companies such as The Immigration Service, Tesco and Transport for London.

Other CU graduates have also progressed on to study a master’s in subjects such as International Business Management, International Marketing, Business and Organisation Psychology and Human Resources.

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 undergraduate students apply through UCAS. Otherwise, you will need to apply to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 0203 873 0700

CULondon@coventry.ac.uk

Chat with our admissions team

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
CUCLU046 - Dagenham
CUCLGU046 - Greenwich

International students should apply directly to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International pages or Coventry University Group's International hub.

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 0203 873 0700

cul@coventry.ac.uk

Chat with our admissions team

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, 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 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 COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the 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 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.

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.

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 2023/24 contract can be found here. 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.