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Business BSc (Hons)

4 years with two six-month work placements, starting in September 2026

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Learn the practical, analytical and critical skills you need to become a modern business leader. Get real professional experience with two placements.

This flexible business and management degree is different. You will complete two six-month placements with separate companies rather than 12 months with one. Experience of two roles and businesses will help you decide on your future career direction.

A range of optional units will let you build your own pathway through the course. You’ll be able to specialise in certain subjects or take a broader approach. Whatever career path you want to take, there’s a route for you.

You'll also learn about business as part of society, and the related social and environmental responsibilities.

Year 1

Study fundamental business and management subjects including marketing, business analytics and accounting. These core units will help you decide your path through the rest of your degree.

Year 2

Experience the working world earlier than on most degrees with a six-month placement in your first semester.

In the second semester, you’ll pick from a range of optional units. You’ll also start to develop and practise your entrepreneurial abilities.

Year 3

Continue to customise your course with more optional units. You’ll also work with a charity or NGO on an entrepreneurship action project.

Get more practical work experience with your second six-month placement.

Year 4

With no compulsory taught units, you’ll have the chance to study the final year that works best for you. For your Final Year Project, you’ll work in groups to tackle a real business issue for one of our partner organisations.

Professional Development Programme

Prepare for the career you want with our Professional Development Programme (PDP). PDP includes training and workshops to improve your skills in areas like:

  • writing CVs and applications
  • job interviews
  • aptitude tests

If you want to do a placement, PDP will help you find a relevant role and make the most of your time there.

Study in an enriched learning environment

You’ll learn from teaching staff with backgrounds and expertise in different areas of accounting, finance, business, management and economics. If you’re studying International Management with Modern Languages, teaching staff will also have backgrounds and expertise in language and history. Their passion, knowledge and research inspire their teaching. This combination aims to enhance your learning experience.

Building for the future

Our School of Management building opened in June 2022.

The latest technology gives you a flexible and modern learning environment. The design focuses on working together, with an open layout to enable effective teamwork.

Our building encourages engagement with other students and academics. A dedicated Employability Hub provides a space for you to meet and network with our industry partners.

Prepare for your future

Our graduates have an excellent record of success. The average salary 15 months after the course for our business and management graduates is £33,500 - that's £7,500 higher than the national average (Discover Uni, 2025).

Recent employers include Deloitte, PwC, BMW, Google and GlaxoSmithKline.

Find out more about what our graduates go on to do

2026/2027 Academic Year

Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail.

We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.

Course structure

This course lasts 4 years. It starts in September 2026 and ends in 2030. Welcome week starts on 22 September 2026.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Units

At Bath, our courses are made up of units of study. Compulsory units cover core concepts that you'll need to understand as part of your degree programme. Some of our courses also offer the opportunity for you to study optional units. These allow you to specialise in particular areas of knowledge that interest you.

As an undergraduate, you will be expected to take 120 credits (60 ECTS credits) in each academic year. Credits are usually split evenly across your two semesters of study. 120 credits (60 ECTS credits) are the equivalent of 1,200 notional hours of study; this includes contact time with staff and your own independent learning.

All credits displayed on this page are ECTS credits.

Year 1

Compulsory units

  • Business, society and law

    10 credits

  • Data analysis for business

    10 credits

  • Introduction to accounting and finance

    10 credits

  • Introduction to business economics

    10 credits

  • Introduction to marketing

    10 credits

  • People and organisations

    10 credits

Year 2

Compulsory units

  • Developing entrepreneurial projects

    10 credits

  • Work placement 1

    30 credits

Options

  • Year 2 Options

    20 credits

Year 3

Compulsory units

  • Social entrepreneurship action project

    10 credits

  • Work placement 2

    30 credits

Options

  • Year 3 Options

    20 credits

Year 4

Compulsory units

  • Final year group project

    10 credits

Options

  • Final Year Options

    50 credits

Placement

You will complete two six-month placements with separate companies. Experience of two different roles and businesses will help you decide on your career direction.

Placements are real jobs and usually paid. The highest UK salary in 2023/24 was £70,000. The average salaries were £22,749 (Year 2) and £23,803 (Year 3). Salaries shown are pro-rata annual rate.

Average salaries are based on data provided by 130 Year 2 and 99 Year 3 students that went on placement.

Recent BSc Business placement positions have included:

  • M&A Intern
  • Operations Intern
  • Business Development Executive
  • Marketing Assistant

Recent placement employers include:

  • Global organisations: Oliver Wyman, EY, Kraft Heinz, Citi, Holland & Barrett
  • Medium-sized organisations: Sanctuary Graduates, Vita Coco, Prospect Sporting Insights
  • Start-ups: Wild Cosmetics, Canned Wine, Fuelmii

Placement opportunities may not be guaranteed, but our dedicated Placements Team will liaise with employers, arrange interviews and help you apply.

Read more about the School of Management placement scheme

Learning and assessment

You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.

Learning

  • Lectures
  • Practical sessions
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Assessment

  • Coursework
  • Written examination

These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.

Learning and teaching

Overall workload

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activities. The balance of these elements within your overall workload may vary depending on the units you choose.

Contact hours

Timetabled contact hours, which can be made up of lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratory classes, vary throughout your course and between courses but are typically between ten and 20 hours a week in your first year.

Our teaching for this course is delivered through in-person learning on campus, supported by high quality online provision. The significant majority of contact hours over the duration of your course will be in person, and this will be enhanced by some online delivery which will constitute a smaller proportion of these contact hours, depending on your programme of study, year of study and chosen optional units. This may be supplemented by additional activities such as a small number of online learning sessions (not live), skills development sessions, and personal tutorials.

The amount of timetabled sessions on campus in later years may vary based on the options you choose, with a greater emphasis on independent learning. Project and dissertation units will generally have fewer scheduled sessions to allow you time for your independent work – this may also mean the number of hours of timetabled sessions each week will vary within a year.

Independent learning

As well as timetabled contact hours, you're expected to undertake independent learning and assessment. Typically, this might be around 25 - 30 hours per week, and include individual research, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing coursework, presentations, or revising for exams. After your first year, the emphasis on independent learning becomes greater, for example you may do a final year project.

Assessment breakdown

The mix of assessment methods will vary throughout your course and according to your option choices but overall you will experience a broad balance between examinations and coursework.

The final degree classification is determined by your second, third and final year marks and each contributes 16%, 16% and 68% respectively. 

We can make reasonable adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities, take a look at our Disability Service’s pages for information. 

Professional exemptions

By studying a course with a professional accreditation, you could have the chance to get workplace experience, learn about new developments in the industry and apply for membership with the accrediting body. You may also be able to apply for jobs in the industry without having to do any more exams.

CIMA logo

Graduates can apply for certain professional qualification exemptions from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

Recognition of professional qualifications

As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).

The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.

Federica wearing a graduation cap and holding her degree certificate
‘For my placement, I did marketing, which I was passionate about. I had a wonderful manager that I'm still in touch with.’
Federica Zaccagnini BSc Business (Graduating year, 2024)

Entry requirements

We consider a range of factors when assessing your application for this course, including your previous academic performance (such as GCSEs), your personal statement, your predicted grades and the combination of subjects you study at A level (or equivalent).

Your personal statement needs to create a strong impression as part of your university application. It's your opportunity to say why you want to study your chosen course, and what skills, experiences and achievements you have that will make you a successful student. A competitive statement will reflect on books or articles you may have read or any work experience you may have undertaken. When describing relevant experiences, you should demonstrate what you have learnt and how they are relevant to business or your future career.

Your entry qualifications should demonstrate a breadth of study through subjects that show both essay-writing and numerical skills. Examples of numerical subjects could include Mathematics, any science, Economics, Psychology, Statistics or Geology. Examples of essay-based subjects could include Business Studies, Economics, English Literature, Politics, Psychology, Sociology or Religious Studies.

If you study qualifications such as A levels, you will ideally have one subject in each of the above categories and a third complementary subject relevant to this course. Some subjects, such as Economics or Psychology, could be counted for any one of these categories. Examples of relevant complementary subjects for BSc Business could include Accounting, Geography, Law, Media Studies, Philosophy or Sociology.

We know that the context in which you are studying can have an impact on your ability to perform your best in exams and coursework, or limit which subjects or qualifications you are able to study at your school or college. We consider any application based on its merits, including your background and circumstances, including through:

Origin of qualifications

British qualifications

GCSE requirements

  • GCSE Mathematics grade 6 or B
  • GCSE English Language or Literature grade 6 or B (or equivalent from English language category A)

GCSE grades are an important part of selection for this course and we typically expect students to have a majority of GCSEs at grade 7 or A.

Your GCSE grades will be carefully considered as part of our contextual admissions process and depending on your circumstances, we may be able to consider you with 4 or C in Mathematics or English Language or Literature GCSE.

Read more about how we consider GCSEs.

A level Typical offer

AAA or A*AB

AAA or A*AB in three A levels.

Read more about our approach to A levels and AS levels.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level (unless studied alongside A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics alone). Read more about our approach to this qualification.

A level Contextual offer

ABB

ABB in three A levels.

We seek to foster an outstanding and inclusive community at Bath. As part of that, we make reduced contextual offers to applicants from backgrounds who have historically been less likely to join us.

Find out if you may be eligible for a contextual offer.

Contextual offers are automatic - if you receive an offer and meet our eligibility criteria, you will receive the contextual offer instead of our typical or alternative offers.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level (unless studied alongside A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics alone). Read more about our approach to this qualification.

A level Alternative offer

AAB

We know that you may have study beyond three A levels that will help prepare you for your degree. If you are not eligible for a contextual offer, we recognise these studies through our alternative offers.

AAB in three A levels plus one of:

  • grade A in an EPQ or IEPQ
  • grade B in a Core Mathematics qualification
  • grade B in AS level Mathematics or Statistics (except if you are studying an A level in that subject)
  • grade B in a fourth A level, where your four A levels include A level Mathematics or Statistics
  • an appropriate grade in any other project qualification we recognise

The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales is not accepted in place of an A level for these offers. If you are studying three A levels and this qualification you are eligible for an alternative offer:

AABB in three A levels and the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

If you receive an offer, you will receive each alternative offer you qualify for alongside the typical offer. You only need to meet one of these sets of conditions to meet your offer overall.

Read more about how our alternative offers work.

International Baccalaureate Typical offer

6, 6, 6 or 7, 6, 5 at HL

International Baccalaureate Diploma

36 points overall and 6, 6, 6 or 7, 6, 5 in three Higher Level subjects.

Read more about how we consider the IB Diploma.

We consider applicants studying the IBCP on a case-by-case basis based on the individual IB certificates and vocational qualifications you study within the programme. You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider IB Certificates and common vocational qualifications.

International Baccalaureate Certificates

If you are studying IB subjects as part of the IB Diploma, you will usually need to complete the full diploma programme to be considered.

If you do not follow the IB Diploma programme, we can consider stand-alone IB Higher Level Certificates either on their own or combined with other qualifications. You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider IB Certificates.

International Baccalaureate Contextual offer

6, 5, 5 at HL

International Baccalaureate Diploma

36 points overall and 6, 5, 5 in three Higher Level subjects.

We seek to foster an outstanding and inclusive community at Bath. As part of that, we make reduced contextual offers to applicants from backgrounds who have historically been less likely to join us.

Find out if you may be eligible for a contextual offer.

Contextual offers are automatic - if you receive an offer and meet our eligibility criteria, you will receive the contextual offer instead of our typical or alternative offers.

Pearson Edexcel BTEC RQF Typical offer

DDD

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (RQF)

DDD in the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF).

We are able to consider the above qualifications in Business. You should be studying units that provide preparation for both numerical and essay-based study. We may be able to consider BTEC qualifications in other subject areas if they provide the same balance of numerical and essay-based study and you are able to demonstrate your aptitude for Business in other ways: please contact us to discuss your profile.

Your GCSE profile is important in selection for this course - see the GCSE section for more details.

Suitable applicants progressing via this route will be invited to interview as part the admissions process.

Read more about our approach to Extended Diplomas.

BTEC Diplomas and Extended Certificates

We accept Level 3 Diplomas and Extended Certificates alongside A levels or in combination with each other. You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider BTEC Diplomas and Extended Certificates.

OCR Cambridge Technical Typical offer

D*DD

Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma

D*DD in the Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma.

We are able to consider the above qualifications in Business. You should be studying units that provide preparation for both numerical and essay-based study. We may be able to consider Cambridge Technical qualifications in other subject areas if they provide the same balance of numerical and essay-based study and you are able to demonstrate your aptitude for Business in other ways: please contact us to discuss your profile.

Your GCSE profile is important in selection for this course - see the GCSE section for more details.

Suitable applicants progressing via this route will be invited to interview as part the admissions process.

Read more about our approach to Extended Diplomas.

Cambridge Technical Diplomas and Extended Certificates

We accept Level 3 Diplomas and Extended Certificates alongside A levels or in combination with each other. You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider OCR Cambridge Technical Diplomas and Extended Certificates.

T Level Typical offer

Distinction and A*

D overall with grade A* in the core component in an Accounting, Digital Business Services, Finance, Legal Services or Management and Administration T Level.

We are able to consider the above T Level technical qualification in Accounting, Digital Business Services, Finance, Legal Services or Management and Administration.

Your GCSE profile is important in selection for this course - see the GCSE section for more details.

Suitable applicants progressing via this route will be invited to interview as part of the admissions process.

Scottish Highers Typical offer

AA in Advanced Highers

AA in two Advanced Highers.

We make offers based on Advanced Highers. You will typically be expected to have completed five Scottish Highers and your grades in these will be considered as part of your application. We prefer applicants who have achieved at least AAAAB in their Highers.

Read more about how we consider Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

Access to HE Diploma Typical offer

36 credits at Distinction

A pass in the Access to HE Diploma with at least 36 credits achieved at Distinction and 3 credits achieved at Merit or above.

We are able to consider the Access to HE Diploma for entry. Your Access course units should demonstrate a broad skill-set that includes both numerical skills, such as those developed in Mathematics or science-based units, and discursive reasoning skills, such as those developed in essay based subjects such as English or humanities. Studying Business units as part of your Access course is beneficial but not essential.

Suitable applicants progressing via this route will be invited to interview as part the admissions process.

Combinations of qualifications Typical offer

We accept a range of other qualifications offered in UK, as well as combinations of typically studied qualifications (such as A levels and BTECs). You will need qualifications equal to at least three A levels to be considered.

Read more about how we consider UK qualifications.

You can contact us at admissions@bath.ac.uk for more advice.

English language requirements

Category A

If you do not meet our English GCSE requirements, you will need a suitable English language qualification. Examples include:

  • IELTS: 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in all components
  • IELTS Indicator: 7.0 with 6.5 in each component
  • TOEFL IBT: 100 overall with a minimum 24 in all 4 components
  • TOEFL iBT and iBT Special Home Edition: 100 overall with 24 in each component
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 69 with no less than 62 in any element
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic Online (PTE Academic Online): we do not accept this qualification
  • Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 185 with no less than 176 in all elements
  • Duolingo (taken up to 1 July 2024): 130 overall with sub scores of Literacy 130, Comprehension 140, Conversation 125, Production 110
  • Duolingo (taken after 1 July 2024): 130 overall with sub scores of Literacy 130, Comprehension 130, Conversation 130, Production 130
  • LanguageCert SELT: C1 Expert Pass in both the Speaking test and the Listening, Reading, and Writing test

See the full list of accepted English qualifications.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Business BSc (Hons) with two six-month work placements

Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees

Fee information is not yet available for this course. Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all University of Bath students.

Find out more about student fees

How to pay

Tuition fee loans

If you are studying an undergraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.

Read more about tuition fee loans

Scholarships and bursaries

You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. This is in addition to your student loan and you do not have to pay it back.

Read more about bursaries and scholarships

Other payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.

Read more about your payment options

Budgeting

You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of textbooks.

Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.

If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement. If you are thinking about studying or working abroad as part of your course, you may have to prove that you have a certain amount of money in your bank account to get a visa.

Please read the information about planning your finances for your placement year which includes potential sources of funding, travel insurance, and visas.

Application information

  • Course title
    Business
  • Final award
    BSc (Hons)
  • Mode of study
    Full-time
  • Course code
    C110
  • Institution code
    B16
  • Department
    School of Management
  • Location
    University of Bath
    Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
  • Home application deadline
    14 January 2026
  • Overseas application deadline
    14 January 2026
  • Application eligibility
    Home and Overseas students are eligible to apply
  • Regulator
    The Office for Students (OfS)

Selection process

If you are studying certain qualifications, such as an Access to HE Diploma, BTEC Extended Diploma or T Level, you will be invited to attend a group interview as part of our selection process. If you are studying an Access to HE Diploma, BTEC Extended Diploma or T Level, please make sure that your UCAS application is submitted by 31 January: if you apply after this deadline, then it may be too late for us to include you in our interview process.

Very exceptionally we may invite you to an interview if you have circumstances we cannot assess from an application alone.

Our interview page gives more information on what you should expect from an interview.

Course enquiries

Visit our undergraduate virtual experience