Business Studies with Foundation Year BSc
Year of entry 2024
2023 course information- UCAS code
- BFY0
- Start date
- September 2024
- 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
This extended four-year course allows you to study for a degree in either accounting and finance, banking and finance, business management with marketing, human resource management, economics, international business or management.
The first year of the course is primarily taught by the Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC) but could also involve modules delivered by Leeds University Business School (LUBS) depending on your choice of pathway. The second year of the course involves modules delivered by the both the LLC and LUBS.
During the first two years, you'll gain an understanding of the key aspects of business studies, covering subjects such as innovation and enterprise, organisational environment, marketing and organisational behaviour, as well as specialist modules depending on your choice of pathway. The first two years will provide you with intensive and well-structured support to help you develop the skills and knowledge required to be successful.
On successful completion of the first two years and subject to meeting the specific requirements for progression, you'll progress onto your chosen degree course at Leeds University Business School.
This course is for UK students from a widening participation background (who meet our additional entry criteria) and who don’t currently meet the typical entry requirements for direct entry to a degree. This course does not accept students with previous higher education experience, including other foundation years or international students.
Additional highlights
The first year of the course has been specifically designed such that academic, digital and professional skills are woven through a set of three compulsory modules. During the first year, these transferable skills can be acquired and then developed with the help of module tutors and dedicated skills tutors to give you the very best chance of success both on the course and beyond.
Lifelong Learning Centre support
The Lifelong Learning Centre provides a supportive environment to enable you to progress to degree-level study.
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
- international business and finance pathway - this leads to the award of BSc International Business and Finance
- international business and marketing pathway - this leads to the award of BSc International Business and Marketing
- management pathway – this leads to the award of BA Business Management
In your first two years, you'll gain an understanding of the key aspects of business studies. The structure has 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.
On completion of the first two years of the course, students should have provided evidence of being able to:
- Apply knowledge and understanding of the nature, purpose, function and structure of different types of organisations.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the inter-relationships between organisational structure, culture and the wider organisational environment and the impact on organisations brought about by changes in the internal, external and global environment.
- Apply a critical understanding of theories of business management across a range of organisational contexts in the areas such as innovation and enterprise, marketing, organisational behaviour, organisational environment, management, economics and accounting.
- Demonstrate digital, academic and professional literacies within business related disciplines.
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
Introduction to Innovation and Enterprise (20 credits) - This module will allow you to explore the nature and role of entrepreneurship and will encourage you to develop the skills and knowledge that you'll need to apply innovative and creative problem-solving skills within an organisational context.
Introduction to the Organisational Environment (20 credits) - This module provides you with a broad understanding of the nature, purpose and structure of different types of organisations and the tools used to analyse the impact on organisations brought about by changes in the internal, external and global environment.
Introduction to Marketing (20 credits) - The aim of this module is to introduce you to the philosophy of market orientation and the tools for environmental scanning, market research, segmentation, targeting and positioning through the process of marketing planning leading to the marketing tactics (the marketing mix decisions).
Year 2 compulsory modules
Organisational behaviour (20 credits) - This module presents and evaluates current knowledge about human behaviour in organisations from the point of view of the individual employee, the work group and the organisation itself. There is an emphasis on developing relevant skills through learning theoretical content and following this up with the practical application of ideas in a management context. A critical perspective is adopted throughout.
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
You'll learn through a mix of face-to-face workshops, seminars and lectures complemented by tutor support, group work and a range of digital resources.
There is a strong emphasis during the first two years on building your academic skills to help you achieve your full potential. You’ll be taught by our expert academics who have subject and research specialism in the areas of degree progression, as well as vast experience of working with mature and under-represented students.
Teaching is imaginative, inclusive and supportive to make sure that you're intellectually stretched and helped through any sticking points in your learning. You’ll receive support from your academic personal tutor 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
Assessment is an important way of enabling you to learn actively and feedback from tutors supports this process.
Methods of assessment used in the first two years reflect those that you'll find later in your degree to ensure that you're well prepared for continuing study and help to ensure that your written, discussion and digital skills are developed in preparation for Years 3 and 4 of your degree.
Our range of assessment methods help you to develop numerous transferable academic and professional skills that can be applied within both academic and employment contexts. Our assessment methods include essays, business reports, journals, real life case studies, presentations, creative portfolios, and timed assessments.
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, Economics or International Business with Finance pathway will need GCSE maths at grade B/6 or above, or equivalent. Applicants interested in following the Business Management with Marketing or International Business 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. We welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.
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 30 must be at Merit or above and 15 at Pass.
BTEC
Merit, Merit, Pass
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 School’s 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.
Admissions Guidance
Visit our Admissions Guidance page for more information about applying to the Lifelong Learning Centre.
Please mention on your personal statement the subject area you want to progress to.
Please note that this course is for UK students from a widening participation background (who meet our additional entry criteria) and who don’t currently meet the typical entry requirements for direct entry to a degree. This course does not accept students with previous higher education experience, including other foundation years or international students.
Application Process
Your application will be reviewed by the Admissions Team.
The admissions team, when making offer decisions, take into account a wide variety of factors which include, but are not limited to, actual performance to date and predicted results for qualifications currently being studied, contextual information and your personal statement. In some cases, you may be invited to an interview if it will help inform whether or not an offer should be made.
Mature applicants are encouraged to apply early.
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.
If you’re entering through the Alternative Entry Scheme , you’ll be sent details once you've been made an offer.
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
On successful completion of the foundation element, you could progress onto a degree in accounting and finance, banking and finance, business management with marketing, human resource management, economics, international business, or management taught by Leeds University Business School. For more information about specific career opportunities, please check the entry for the degree course to which you wish to progress.
A qualification from the University of Leeds counts; our graduates are highly valued by employers. When you complete your degree, you will also become part of a network of highly employable graduates.
Careers support
The Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC) has a strong commitment to enhancing opportunity with its own dedicated expert guidance team. Enhancing employability and opportunity are embedded into the LLC, 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 University of 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 at the Careers website.
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad opportunities are part of the progression degree after the foundation year. All opportunities available within the specific progression degree are available to foundation year students.
The 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.