BA (Hons) Business and Management (Top-up)

If you’ve previously completed a Foundation degree or equivalent, this course offers the opportunity to gain a full Bachelors degree in just 16 months. You’ll sharpen your interpersonal skills as a future business leader and build your understanding of the global business environment, useful for roles within multinational companies.

University of Essex
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BA (Hons) Business and Management (Top-up)

START DATE

October 2026 / January 2027

DURATION

16 months

LEARNING MODE

100% online, expertly facilitated

LANGUAGE

English

CERTIFIED

Certificate on completion

What Will You Learn?

Gain a competitive edge in the business world while developing key management skills, with this 100% online BA (Hons) Business and Management (Top-up).
If you’ve previously completed a Foundation degree or equivalent, this course offers the opportunity to gain a full Bachelors degree in just 16 months. You’ll sharpen your interpersonal skills as a future business leader and build your understanding of the global business environment, useful for roles within multinational companies.
Explore a range of exciting topics, including:  

  • The global business environment and barriers to internationalism 
  • Fundamentals of international marketing 
  • The role of strategic human resource management within organisations 
  • Forming a business strategy: key concepts and approaches 

You can also tailor your studies to specific interests with optional modules: Business Law; Business Finance; and eBusiness Marketing. And towards the end of your studies you’ll plan, research and present a project on a topic of interest within business and management. You’ll also provide thoughtful commentary on projects produced by fellow students.

What Will You Study?

Level 6/ Core Module

Core Module:

Global Business Environment (15 credits): Immerse yourself in the key elements of the global business environment with this comprehensive module. You'll review international trade theories, the global financial marketplace and discover the organisations which support it. You’ll also learn to critically analyse the motives for and barriers to internationalism. 

Business Strategy (15 credits): Hone your strategic management skills with this exciting module. You’ll benefit from an engaging introduction to the key theories, approaches and concepts which form business strategy. Not only that, you’ll learn to critically evaluate the limitations of emerging schools of thoughts and how to they best work in practice. 

Strategic Human Resource Management (15 credits): Develop your understanding of the role strategic human resource management plays in organisational effectiveness. In this insightful module, you’ll explore processes that include workforce planning; performance management; employment relations and reward; and learn how these processes contribute to the overall operational success of the business.  

International Marketing Strategy (15 credits): Examine the development of international marketing strategy as a planned response to the global business environment. In this defining module, you’ll develop a solid understanding and appreciation of the underlying theories of international marketing, and critically assess the various steps taken by an organisation when looking to internationalise.  

Advanced Business Project (30 credits): Immerse yourself in the research process by generating research ideas with clear objectives. Understand the differences between key data collection techniques and analysis procedures and explore why these are not mutually exclusive. 

Level 6/ Optional Module

Business Law (15 credits): In this engaging module, you’ll identify the core foundations of law that regulate businesses and evaluate the changing legal environment and how this affects businesses on an operational level. Dive into the fundamental issues that face all businesses, contract, employment, tort and business operations. 

Business Finance (15 credits): Develop an understanding of business finance and its applications to the decision-making process in organisations. In this valuable module, you’ll work through the theoretical concepts and approaches to finance management within a domestic context – before critically analysing opportunities for expansion and divestment. 

e-Business and Marketing (15 credits): Identify the key concepts of e-commerce and e-business marketing in this exciting module. You'll learn how to attract customers through digital media channels; develop a solid understanding of search engine marketing, campaign performance and metrics; and discover how each of these channels interacts with the overall customer journey.  

Entry Requirements

What you need to apply?

Academic entry route

Applicants must have completed relevant university-level education within the past five years, such as a Foundation degree, two years of a BA (Hons), or a Higher National Diploma (HND), and meet the required English language proficiency standards.

Work experience entry route

Applicants must meet the programme’s English language requirements. Additionally, they must pass their first assignment, which is set within the first three weeks of the course, to demonstrate satisfactory progress and continue with their studies.

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency equivalent to IELTS (Academic) 6.0. Those without an IELTS certificate may take a free online English test to assess their proficiency and meet the programme’s English language requirements.

How much you invest?

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

How much you invest?

£7,234 UK / £7,234 International (2026/27)

Our course fees are fully inclusive, with teaching materials and required reading provided at no extra cost. Flexible monthly payment options are available, or pay upfront to secure your total tuition cost. Scholarships and discounts are available, including Global Scholarships of up to 15% for eligible international students. Please be in touch to find out more.

Application and Admission Process

“Know the Steps. Secure Your Future.”

“Follow our step-by-step admission process, from submitting your application “

  1. Check your eligibility

    Check your eligibility and confirm that you meet the required academic, English language, and entry criteria before proceeding with your application. 

  2. Submit your application

    Complete the online application form with your personal, academic, and programme details. Ensure all required information is accurate before submitting your application.

  3. Accept the offer

    Review your admission offer and confirm your acceptance within the given timeframe. Complete any required formalities to secure your place on the programme.

  4. Pay the tuition fee

    Complete the required tuition fee payment through the available payment options. Once payment is confirmed, proceed to the final stage of your enrolment.

  5. Start your study

    Begin your learning journey with access to your programme, learning resources, and academic support. Get ready to learn, engage, and achieve your goals with us.

What Will You Become?

Your future

What Will You Become?

Gaining an undergraduate qualification with the University of Essex Online also puts you in good stead for your career prospects. Results from our 2024 Career and Employability Survey showed:

  • 4 in 5 undergraduates said their studies helped career progression
  • 2 in 5 students feel ready to make a career change
  • 90% of students felt better prepared for their career after studying with us
  • 7 in 10 undergraduate students would recommend us to a friend
University of Essex
University of Essex

University of Essex

The University of Essex has a powerful global outlook. They’re one of the top 12 universities in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2026) and were named University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards 2018 for their determination to do things differently. All University of Essex Online degrees are awarded and validated by the University of Essex. This means you’ll get to benefit from world-class research, ground-breaking teaching, and become part of a truly global community. At the end of your degree, you’ll be invited to celebrate your achievements among family and friends at a graduation ceremony held on the beautiful Colchester campus. You’ll also receive the same certificate as students who studied on campus. Learn more about graduation.

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