Business Studies with Foundation Year BSc
Year of entry 2023
2024 course information- UCAS code
- BFY0
- Start date
- September 2023
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 4 years full time
- Work placement
- Optional
- Study abroad
- Optional
- Typical A-level offer
- CCC (specific subject requirements)
Full entry requirements - Available to UK residents only
- Yes
- Contact
- bm@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview

If you would like to study for a degree in accounting and finance, banking and finance, business management with marketing, human resource management, economics, international business or management at university, but don’t currently meet the typical entry requirements for direct entry to a degree, then this extended degree is for you (subject to meeting our additional entry criteria).
The foundation year will give you an understanding of the key aspects of business studies. You’ll study a range of subjects, including innovation and enterprise, marketing and organisational behaviour, as well as specialist modules depending on your choice of pathway.
On successful completion of the foundation year, and subject to meeting the specific requirements for progression, you’ll continue to year two of your chosen degree course at Leeds University Business School.
The foundation year course is designed specifically for UK students from a widening participation background and therefore does not accept students with previous higher education experience, or international students.
The foundation year is taught by the Lifelong Learning Centre.
Lifelong Learning Centre Support
The Lifelong Learning Centre provides a supportive environment to enable you to progress to degree-level study. We’ll work with you during your foundation year to provide guidance and help to identify the degree pathway most appropriate for you.
Course details
The Business Studies with Foundation Year is a full-time, four-year course that allows you to follow one of seven pathways to study towards a full honours degree from Leeds University Business School.
Accounting and Finance pathway – this leads to the award of BSc Accounting and Finance
Banking and Finance pathway - this leads to the award of BSc Banking and Finance
Business Management with Marketing pathway - this leads to the award of BA Business Management with Marketing
Economics pathway - this leads to the award of BSc Economics
Human Resource pathway – this leads to the award of BA Human Resource Management
International Business pathway - this leads to the award of BSc International Business
Management pathway – this leads to the award of BA Business Management
In your first two years, you will gain an understanding of the key aspects of business studies. They have been designed to offer you academic, personal, and professional development in a supportive and encouraging environment. This will help to ensure that you have the academic knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the third and fourth years of study.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Year 1 compulsory modules
Module Name | Credits |
---|---|
Introduction to Marketing | 20 |
Innovation and Enterprise | 40 |
Year 2 compulsory modules
Module Name | Credits |
---|---|
Organisational Behaviour | 20 |
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
There is a strong emphasis during the foundation year on helping you achieve your full potential. Teaching is imaginative and supportive to make sure that you are intellectually stretched and helped through any sticking points in your learning. You’ll receive support for your academic and professional development.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Methods of assessment reflect those that you will find later in your degree to ensure that you are well prepared for continuing study. Assessment is a key way of enabling you to learn by doing and feedback from tutors supports this process.
Our range of assessment methods helps you to utilise numerous academic skills, such as essays, journals, presentations, creative portfolios, and timed assessments. The foundation year ensures that your written, discussion and digital skills are developed in preparation for your degree.
Entry requirements
A-level: CCC excluding critical thinking and general studies. Applicants taking a Science A-level (in England) will be required to achieve a pass in the practical element in addition to the standard A-level grade requirement.
GCSE: English and maths grade C/4 or above, or equivalent. Applicants interested in following the Accounting and Finance, Banking and Finance or Economics pathway will need GCSE maths at grade B/6 or above, or equivalent. Applicants interested in following the Business Management with Marketing pathway will need grade B/6 or above in GCSE English Language and GCSE Maths at grade C/4. T Levels will be considered on a case by case basis.
Other course specific tests:
Additional entry criteria
Your permanent address is in a neighbourhood with low progression to higher education (we use the OfS postcode checker).
You attended a school that achieved less than the national average of five A*-C / 9-4 passes (including English and Maths) at GCSE or attainment 8 score at GCSE in a state school. We use the All England State-funded attainment 8 score, excluding applicants from selective and/or independent schools.
You grew up in public care
We actively encourage applications from mature students. Further consideration will be given to the life experience of mature applicants and the circumstances in which they gained prior qualifications.
Alternative qualification
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits overall with 45 graded credits at Level 3 of which 45 must be at Merit or above
BTEC
Merit, Merit, Merit
Cambridge Pre-U
P1, P2, P3
International Baccalaureate
24 overall (12 higher)
Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
Please contact the Lifelong Learning Admissions Team
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
Please contact the Lifelong Learning Admissions Team
Welsh Baccalaureate
Please contact the Lifelong Learning Admissions Team
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
Alternative Entry Scheme for mature applicants.
If you are a mature applicant (over 21 at the point of entry) and you don’t have the required A Levels or GCSE qualifications, you can complete our Alternative Entry Scheme (subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for the scheme). As part of this, you may be asked to take tests in English and maths and to write an essay. Contact the Lifelong Learning Centre for more information.
Fees
UK: £9,250 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will remain capped at £9,250 for 2023/24 and 2024/25. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 and 2024/25 are available on individual course pages.
There are no upfront fees to pay. All eligible students are able to borrow the entire cost of tuition fees making study free at the point of entry, with good repayment terms. You are eligible if you are studying for 30+ credits per year on a programme which is at a higher level than any qualification you already hold. Previous study in Higher Education may affect your eligibility.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Depending on your circumstances, non-repayable financial support including a fee discount is available from the Leeds Financial Support scheme.
Applying
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
For guidance on applying to a Lifelong Learning Centre course, visit our admissions guidance page. Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
Please mention on your personal statement the area you want to progress to.
Your application will be reviewed by the Admissions Team and if you’re successful, you’ll be invited to an interview. This could be either in person or on the phone.
If you are made an offer, you'll be asked to engage with KickStart. This is a pre-entry programme designed to ease your move into studying at the University of Leeds. You're welcome to contact us for further information.
Admissions policy
Lifelong Learning Centre Admissions Policy 2023
This course is taught by
Contact us
LLC Foundation Year Business Admissions
Email: bm@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Career opportunities
Careers support
The Lifelong Learning Centre has a strong commitment to enhancing opportunity with its own dedicated expert guidance team. Enhancing employability and opportunity are embedded into the Centre so our students can get dedicated support, as well as the excellent wider university provision.
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.
Study abroad and work placements
The study abroad and work placement options are part of the progression degree after the foundation year. All opportunities available within the specific progression degree are available to foundation year students.