Key information
UCAS code:
N191
Typical offer:
Relevant HE study leading to a Level 4 qualification
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Improve your English and learn valuable business communication skills while you study core subjects such as global business, leadership and strategic management.
With this top-up degree you can build on your previous higher education studies in business to gain a full BA (Hons) degree in just 1 or 2 years.
This degree combines English language improvement with the study of business. You can do this undergraduate degree in a single year or in 2 years, depending on your level of previous study and your ability to write and speak English.
Read more about our business and management researchBusiness and management studies at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 2nd of the modern universities by research power
Eligibility
This course is open to international, EU and UK students whose first language is not English. A key part of the course is improving your written and spoken business English.
Course highlights
- Learn in a Business School that's ranked 3rd in the UK for teaching power (Financial Times 2021)
- Improve your English in 3 ways:
- dedicated English language classes to improve your vocabulary and grammar
- business communications classes where you'll practise presentations, interviews and writing for business
- living and working with both UK and international students and experiencing life in a welcoming UK city
- Understand the global business environment through study that explores cross cultural awareness for business, international business and ethics and sustainability in business
- Research an independent study project in an area that interests you
- Experience excellent support from both your tutors and our dedicated global team
No. 3
influential business school in the world
Financial Times Teaching Power Rankings 2021
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 with Business Communication (Top-up) degree entry requirements
Typical offers
- Applicants for the 2 year course require relevant HE study leading to a Level 4 qualification, for example an appropriate HNC, or 120 credits from year 1 of an undergraduate degree (BA/BSc), in a relevant subject. Applicants for the 1 year course require 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
- For year 2 entry applicants require English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 5.5 with no component score below 5.5. For year 3 entry applicants require 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.
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
The resources here are excellent. Portsmouth Business School is based in a modern building, equipped with large lecture theatres and state-of-the-art computer suites.
Careers and opportunities
Graduates of this course have gone into careers such as:
- business development and consultancy
- recruitment
- digital marketing
- publicity
- financial and risk analysis
Postgraduate study
Many graduates of this course go on to postgraduate study on master's courses such as MSc International Business or MA Business Communication for International Leadership. As a graduate of Portsmouth you may be able to get a scholarship or a reduction on your postgraduate tuition fees if you continue your studies with us.
Set up your own business
We're an endorsing institution for UK start-up visas, so we can offer you lots of help and support if you want to stay in the UK after you graduate and set up your own business.
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.
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
What you'll study on this BA (Hons) Business with Business Communication Top-up degree
What you'll study
Core modules
You'll gain strategies for effective writing and speaking in diverse professional settings, building skills for successful negotiations, teamwork, and cross-cultural communication. You'll learn how to write persuasive business reports, deliver engaging presentations and lead productive meetings.
By the end of the module, you'll have the ability to communicate your ideas clearly and influence your audiences - essential skills for today's global business environment.
Develop your reading, speaking, listening, and writing skills by analysing a variety of written and spoken texts and debating topics of interest. You'll learn how to communicate clearly in a variety of subjects and structures, and make informed choices depending on your audience.
By using skimming and scanning skills, you'll broaden your grammatical and lexical understanding of listening texts and build the critical thinking skills needed to progress.
You’ll analyse how organisational purpose connects with strategy, governance and outcomes, and explore ways to consider stakeholder needs alongside profit.
Evaluating concepts like corporate social responsibility and circular economics, you’ll recommend how leaders can account for community and environmental issues.
By using real modern cases, you'll assess business models and strengthen critical faculties to balance complex imperatives. By the end of this module you’ll be ready to champion organisational development in an ethical, responsible and sustainable manner.
Students are introduced to the characteristics of services and how the extended marketing mix and technology can help to mitigate against these.
Seminars provide opportunity for discussion and practical application of theories learned. Students knowledge is assessed through a series of online tests and their understanding and application of theory is assessed through a report reflecting on industry practice. The module addresses UoP Hallmarks 1, 2, 4, 7, 8 and 10.
Develop core skills in financial and non-financial analysis, and learn how to critique everything from financial statements to market reports.
You’ll interpret intricate data sets and learn to identify meaningful insights to inform strategy and planning.
By blending lectures with seminars and completing coursework focused on real companies, you’ll evaluate data, identify issues and improve decision quality. With regular feedback, you’ll bridge the gap between theory and practice.
You'll finish this module ready to tackle problems with an analytical eye.
You'll explore the major factors, issues and forces that shape trade and operations across borders.
Using current affairs coverage, you'll participate in discussions to demonstrate your appreciation for the socioeconomic, cultural and institutional contexts that impact the international marketplace.
By the end of this module you'll have a crucial perspective on how global businesses navigate complex realities while sustaining success, so that you're ready to enter today's international firms.
Core modules
In terms of spoken communication, you’ll be introduced to the sounds of the Standard Southern British (SSB) accent and develop a repertoire of suitable language for taking part in discussions with students and staff in seminars.
When it comes to written communication, you’ll not only further develop your knowledge of vocabulary and sentence structure, but also learn how to integrate academic sources into your own writing effectively, appropriately, and responsibly.
Guided by experts, you'll outline aims, critically appraising literature to position your contribution. Then, through rigourous analysis, you'll draw meaningful conclusions and make recommendations for the future.
Developing your skills as an agile, solutions-focused professional, you'll refine project management, research and communications capabilities essential in any career.
Ultimately, you'll produce a compelling showcase piece - evidencing your ability to drive progress through independent enquiry.
You’ll dive into the business world, gathering intel and ideas from experts through articles, videos and websites.
You’ll bring it all together in meetings, presenting your proposals and refining plans. Finally, you’ll make your case in a formal report, evaluating options and setting forth a recommendation to solve a simulated business problem.
With teamwork, communication skills and creativity, you’ll gain hands-on experience solving the types of challenges businesses face every day.
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
-
Examine what is meant by culture and its influence on the individual's behaviour
-
Analyse the nature of differences in workplace behaviour in a cross cultural context
- Articulate the need to develop cross cultural competence as a business attribute
- Justify the significance of the cross cultural dimension in the increasingly multicultural globalised working environment
The Module makes use of case examples to review applicable theory and frameworks to illustrate the combined roles of Continuous Improvement (CI), Organisational Learning (OL), Change Management, and the importance of a Creative Environment (CE) as a springboard for innovation. This module will develop your knowledge and understanding in the application of ideas, methodologies, processes, and techniques for improving and sustaining organisational performance. The module emphasises the operationalising of business and functional strategy and focuses on how to facilitate and sustain successful change. The module evaluates the cultural, behavioural and human elements, and considers the role people have in leading and being part of successful and sustainable improvement.
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.
Alternative courses
Not quite sure this course is right for you? Take a look at our other business and communications courses to compare your options.
You can join this top-up BA (Hons) Finance and Business Communication degree in either the 2nd or 3rd year, depending on your level of previous study and your ability to speak and write English. This degree is designed for non-native English speakers and combines the study of global finance with classes to improve your business English and communication skills.
This full, 3-year BA (Hons) Business and Management degree is a great option for you if you have good English and you'd like to do a 3-year degree exploring a wide range of business and management subject areas, including economics, operations management, accounting, product development and data analysis. There are no English language modules in this course.
Teaching
Portsmouth Business School is ranked 3rd in the UK for teaching power. You'll be taught by a dedicated team of specialist staff that includes a great mix of research expertise and industry experience.
We listened to our students when they told us that they wanted to keep some of the positive changes we've made to teaching and learning, so we're keeping a blended teaching model with some online learning. Around 20% of your timetabled teaching will be online.
The majority of your timetabled teaching will be face-to-face and will include:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- workshops
- practical sessions
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
Your assessments will depend on the modules that you take.
Assessment methods are likely to include:
- analysis of topical case studies
- written reports
- essays
- presentations
- examinations
- group work
- your choice of independent research
What happens if I can't get to Portsmouth?
We strongly encourage you to join us in Portsmouth as soon as possible, but on this course we will provide blended teaching with online learning if you cannot join us on campus due to travel restrictions.
Teaching staff profiles
These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this degree course.
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.
Your total study time will depend on the modules that you take, but in your first year this is what your week may look like:
- timetabled teaching activities (lectures, seminars, tutorials, classes and workshops) = about 15 hours a week
- independent study (research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group) = about 20 hours a week
You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting you
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.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
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.
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
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 a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
The Maths Café offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
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.
Arrival support
Whether you're travelling halfway around the world or just a few miles, starting university can be nerve-wracking. Our airport pickup service, international orientation week events, and amazing support teams will help you settle in.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,535 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,535 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International (non-EU) students – £16,200 per 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
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight 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
Please only apply for this course if English is not your first language.
Note this course is a top-up degree, which means you'll start in year 2 or 3.
Ready to apply?
To start this course in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – N191
- 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.