Key information
UCAS code:
NN25
Typical offer:
Relevant HE study leading to a Level 5 qualification
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Develop your strategic view of business on this BA (Hons) Business and Management (Top-up) degree. If you’ve studied a related subject at higher education, such as completing two years of study on a bachelor's degree or HND course, and want to build on your knowledge to convert your previous learning into a full bachelor’s degree over one year, this course is for you.
This broad degree explores the key disciplines within an organisation so you’ll learn to strategically grow and develop a business in a responsible and sustainable way.
You’ll learn to explain and critique the theory and practice of business and management, develop creative business solutions, manage a project, refine your communication skills, and discover how to identify, analyse and appropriately respond to issues that arise within today’s global business context.
You'll complete this course with a final project that presents a real opportunity for you to demonstrate the breadth of your skills and knowledge gained on the course through research and discussion of real-world international, ethical or sustainability challenges faced by an organisation. You'll choose your project topic during your course.
This degree keeps your career options open so you’ll learn skills and management techniques that are transferable to different sectors, giving you many opportunities across the broad spectrum of business disciplines.
Course highlights
- Identify, analyse and respond to ethical, social and environmental issues in today’s global business context
- Work on real-world scenarios and projects and apply your new knowledge to challenges faced by real local and global businesses
- Hear from experienced guest lectures and industry practitioners and Learn from lecturers and tutors with years of industry experience
- Network with industry professionals at presentations and networking events with the local business community
- Graduate ready to apply your knowledge and experience to the business world
Accreditation
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
Accredited by:
The University of Portsmouth has earned business accreditation from the AACSB in recognition of the outstanding quality of its business and management education. Less than six percent of the world's schools offering business degree programs hold AACSB business accreditation.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsClearing is open
This course is available through Clearing.
How to apply for accommodation
We have a variety of accommodation options, including studios, en-suites, catered, self-catered and private rental options. See how our housing team can help you find a place to call home.
Clearing FAQs
To work out your UCAS points, use our UCAS Calculator to work out how many UCAS points you have.
The tariff calculator will allow you to see what grades you need to get into your preferred course at Portsmouth.
You can apply through Clearing if:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university
- You don't hold any offers
- You've accepted an offer but changed your mind about the course you want to do
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June 2024
After we make you an offer we'll send you a confirmation email. This email will let you know what you need to do next and it will tell you what you need to provide us. In some instances we may ask you to send us copies of certificates or you may need to send us a portfolio.
If you've previously applied through UCAS you'll need to use your UCAS Hub to accept our offer by adding us as your Clearing choice.
If you're having issues, please contact us on +44 (0)23 9284 8090 or admissions@port.ac.uk
Once you've accepted your Clearing course offer, we'll be in touch with details of available accommodation in the area. This will include our latest hall availability and support to find local rented accommodation via portsmouthstudentpad.co.uk
See our accommodation page for more information.
No, it's not too late and you should make your application for student finance as soon as possible. You don't have to wait for your results. You can make your application now and just amend it when you know where you're going to be.
If you've already applied for your student loan, you'll need to log into your account and update details about your new course/university. If you haven't applied for your student loan yet, don't panic. Apply today – it only takes 30 minutes.
Find out more in our Student finance for Clearing guide.
If you're an EU or international student and you need a visa to study here, you need to start the process quickly as visas can take some time to come through. Get in touch with our visa support team if you have a question or problem.
See more on visa advice.
If you would like further information or guidance, please contact our international office or call our International Clearing Hotline on +44(0)23 9284 8785.
Entry requirements
BA (Hons) Business and Management (Top-Up) entry requirements
Typical offers
- Relevant HE study leading to a Level 5 qualification, for example an appropriate HND, foundation degree or Advanced Diploma, or 240 credits from year 1 and year 2 of an undergraduate degree (BA/BSc), in a relevant subject.
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs - see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Facilities and clinics
Business Simulation Suite
Experience the boardroom in our replica business suite.
Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) room
Our technology enhanced active learning space promotes social learning.
Careers and opportunities
You’ll graduate ready to join the business world, and have the skills and knowledge you need to provide innovative and sustainable solutions to business problems across the globe.
Graduates from our business and management courses have gone on to work for companies across all business sectors, such as national and local government, technology companies, automotive, hospitality, media and entertainment, and retail firms.
You could choose to study a postgraduate qualification in a more specialised business-related area such as project management, digital marketing or human resource management.
Graduates from our business and management courses have gone into careers such as:
- HR manager
- business analyst
- marketing manager
- supply chain analyst
- business operations manager
- talent acquisition
- account analyst
Previous business and management graduates have gone on to work for companies such as:
- Santander Bank
- CapGemini
- Jardine Motors Group
- NHS
- Lenovo
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
Why do a business management degree?
Read our blog to find out why a business management degree is a good idea and how it opens doors to lots of different careers.
Ways to enrich your study
Entrepreneurs in Residence Programme (EiR)
We have over 20 experienced business entrepreneurs on our free EiR programme who can help you develop your business idea.
"I have a business idea, but I was not too sure about it. After this meeting, I felt so encouraged and positive about it! I felt so motivated to pursue my business venture. He gave me real life advice and helped me how to approach my ideas."
Rabab El Habchi Mahir meeting EiR Mark Smith
Modules
What you'll study
Core modules
Exploring the models and best practices related to ideation, development and launch, you’ll understand the processes that bring ideas to market.
Analysing factors from sustainability to globalisation, you’ll tackle the contemporary issues impacting development in the modern landscape. This module will equip you with understanding to give you a cutting edge in the jobs market.
With assessments focused on addressing real-world cases, you'll boost your strategic skills to manage initiatives smoothly from vision to rollout, leaving you prepared to champion disruption responsibly across industries ahead.
Sharpen your research skills as you master methodologies from objectives to analysis, and join collaborative workshops to identify meaningful research topics grounded in sustainability and social justice.
You'll finish this module ready to undertake incisive research.
You'll build your skills to lead investigations into ethical business issues. You'll manage every step of the project from framing meaningful questions to drawing insightful solutions.
You'll explore inventive data analysis approaches and learn to clearly communicate conclusions. This project is your chance to lead change by addressing dilemmas like inequality and environmental harm head-on.
To end the module you'll present your authoritative findings to the Faculty. You'll finish this module ready to inform decision-making through research.
It explores the responsibilities and boundaries of businesses in a range of contemporary environmental and social issues and in the context of differing ethical frameworks. In this module we will also investigate how areas ranging from business ethics, law, politics, economics, strategy and management affect our understanding and practice related to responsible and sustainable business. Topics addressed in this module include, but will not be restricted to: foundation in business ethics, stakeholder theory, definitions and conceptions and practical applications of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability.
By appraising issues at business and corporate levels, you'll develop expertise in applying strategic frameworks to identify options.
You'll examine theory, weigh evidence and propose strategies as you develop practical skills for issue resolution and driving strategic change. By the end of this module you'll be ready to evaluate propositions critically, and to recommend implementations to real-world challenges.
I chose Business and Management because I wanted to gain a wider knowledge of business, with the hope I'd find something I enjoyed doing, and could then specialise. I enjoyed the variety and flexibility, the ability to be able to tailor the course to meet my own interests.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Teaching
The majority of your timetabled teaching will be face-to-face and will include:
- lectures
- workshops
- seminars
- one-on-one tutorials
- practical sessions
- group discussions
We pride ourselves on the academic support we offer our students. In addition to our dedicated teaching team, you'll have a personal tutor, student engagement officers and study support staff to help you throughout your studies.
Assessment
How you're assessed will depend on the modules you choose.
As well as online assessments and coursework you may be assessed using:
- written reports
- presentations
- portfolios
- exams
- final project
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for this degree.
For example, your typical week may look like:
- timetabled teaching activities (lectures, seminars, tutorials, classes and workshops) = about 12 hours a week
- independent study (research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group) = about 23 hours a week
You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in your final year.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting you
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you'll also have access to our student engagement officers. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing, and refer you to specialist support services if you need extra help or support.
You'll have help from a team of study support tutors. Based within the Faculty of Business and Law, these tutors are familiar with the specific requirements your assignments and work closely with faculty academics. This means they can give you focused support with the specific study skills you need to be successful on your course. They're available face-to-face, by phone, email, and by video call.
They can help with:
- Academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations, projects and literature reviews)
- Reflective writing skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- Understanding and using assignment feedback
- Managing your time and workload
- Revision and exam techniques
If you're a mature student, specialist support to help you return to learning is available.
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University's library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from librarians who specialise in business and law.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Feel at home in our international community
Over 5,000 international students from over 150 countries study with us. You'll find clubs and societies for everything you can imagine.
In our welcoming and diverse city, you can enjoy a wide range of global cuisine and international food shops.
Explore student life in Portsmouth
One thing I have liked about studying at the Faculty of Business and Law is the great amount of support I have received, from study support to placement search. I feel strongly supported at every stage of my degree.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,535 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,535 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £16,200 a year (subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Apply
Ready to apply?
To start this course in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – NN25
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form:
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.