Business Studies with Foundation Year BSc

If you would like to study for a degree in management, accounting and finance, human resource management, economics or international business 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 provides a supportive environment where you can make the transition to university study and gain the academic knowledge and study skills you’ll need to succeed.

The foundation element covers two years, during which you'll gain an understanding of 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 component, 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 element is taught by the Lifelong Learning Centre and caters for a wide range of students whether you’re a school leaver continuing your education or a mature learner returning to study.

Additional support

The Lifelong Learning Centre provides a supportive environment to help you make the transition to degree-level study. We’ll work closely with you during your foundation year to provide guidance and help to identify the degree most appropriate for you.

The Business Studies with Foundation Year is a full-time, four year course which allows you to follow one of five 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
• Management pathway – this leads to the award of BA Management
• Human Resource pathway – this leads to the award of BA Human Resource Management
• Economics pathway - this leads to the award of BSc Economics
• International Business pathway - this leads to the award of BSc International Business

In your first two years you will gain an understanding of key aspects of business studies. You will study a range of business management subjects including, innovation and enterprise, marketing and organisational behaviour, as well as specialist modules depending on your choice of pathway.

These first two years 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

Details of typical modules/components for this course will be published on May 1st. These may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Broadening your academic horizons

At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. On this course you broaden your learning through core and/or optional modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

There is a strong emphasis during the foundation year on helping you to achieve to 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. Group sizes are small enabling you to engage actively and be well supported by your peers.

Assessment

Methods of assessment during the foundation year reflect those that you will find later in your degree in order to ensure that you are well prepared for continuing study. Assessment is a key way of enabling students to learn by doing and feedback from tutors supports this process.

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 or Economics pathway will need GCSE maths at grade B/6 or above, or equivalent.

Other course specific tests:

Additional entry criteria

As well as the academic requirements above, you must live permanently in the UK and meet at least one of the following:

• Your permanent address is in a neighbourhood with low progression to higher education.
• You attended a school which achieved less than the national average of five A*-C / 9-4 passes at GCSE or attainment 8 score at GCSE
• 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.

• Access to HE Diploma

  60 credits overall including at least 45 credits at level 3 of which 25 must be at Merit or above.

• BTEC

  Merit, Merit, Merit

• Cambridge Pre-U

  P1, P2, P3

• International Baccalaureate

  24 overall (12 higher)

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  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

If you don’t have the required A-levels or GCSE qualifications, you can complete our Alternative Entry 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.

How to apply

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’re entering through the Alternative Entry Scheme you’ll be sent details after your interview.

Admissions policy

Lifelong Learning Centre Admissions Policy 2019

Fees

UK: To be confirmed

Tuition fees for 2019 entry 
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2019, the fee for 2019/20 will be £9,250. 

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. For example, the increase of 2.8% in 2017/18 was based on the government’s forecast for the RPI-X measure of inflation.

The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2019/20 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans for the duration of their course. The UK government has not confirmed the situation for future years, so keep checking our website for updates.

Tuition fees for 2020 entry 
For all full-time students starting in 2020, our fees for 2020/21 have not yet been confirmed and we expect to publish an update later in 2019.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

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.

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.

On successful completion of the foundation element you could progress onto a degree in management, accounting and finance, human resource management, economics or international business taught by Leeds University Business School. For more information about specific career opportunities please check the entry for the degree course you wish to progress to.

A qualification from the University of Leeds counts: our graduates are highly valued by employers. When you complete your degree programme you will also become part of a network of highly employable graduates.

Careers support

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 at the Careers website.