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BSc (Hons) Placement year available

Business Management

Build a sound understanding of management practices, and the skills and connections you need to launch your business career.

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of business operations and management strategies. You'll cover topics like business strategy, leadership and decision-making to develop practical skills like problem-solving to prepare you for roles in various industries.

There’s a focus on advanced management training too. Our training is professionally accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), giving you a competitive advantage in the jobs market.

Accredited course

You’ll be a member of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) while you’re studying at ARU, with the membership cost included in your course fees.

Chartered Management Institute logo
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    Find out more about studying Business Management at ARU.

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Why ARU?

  • Study for a degree that's professionally accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

  • Develop the ability to work, manage and lead in a variety of team settings

  • Learn to think critically and strategically to make informed decisions

  • Experience practical learning with live projects, interdisciplinary team collaborations, and real-world exposure

  • Become a well-rounded, versatile manager by exploring multiple disciplines, including marketing and finance

  • Develop fundamental management skills that improve your employability

Logo: THE Awards 2023
 

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Course options

Key facts

Looking for different course options?

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1
  • Global Business Environment and International Strategy
  • Organisational Behaviour
  • Introduction to Business Contracts and the Law
  • Introduction to Financial Analysis and Management
  • Digital Business and Principles of Marketing
  • Into ARU
Year 2
  • The Entrepreneurial Journey
  • Project Management and Implementation
  • Ruskin Module (15 credits)
  • Understanding the Consumer
  • Applied Leadership and Communication
  • Business Innovation *
  • Developing Professional Practice and Using Information in HR *
  • Financial Management *
  • Foundations of Leadership Studies *
Year 3
  • Strategic Management
  • Sustainability and Responsible Business
  • Undergraduate Major Project
  • International Intercultural Management *
  • The Reflective and Empathetic Entrepreneur *
  • Marketing Communications *
  • Employment Law and Relations *
  • Contemporary Issues in Leadership and Management *
Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.

Year 1
  • Foundation in Business
Module details

You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.

Placement year
  • Work Placement School of Economics Finance and Law
Module details

You have the option to study this course as an accelerated degree over two years. You’ll study the same modules as students taking the standard BSc (Hons) degree, but sometimes in different years and/or in a different order.

Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.

Facilities

At ARU you’ll be part of our School of Management:

  • benefit from award-winning facilities
  • learn from qualified, expert staff
  • choose to study abroad for a semester (3 and 4 year courses only).

Take a guided tour and meet our students.

Careers

A business management degree can prepare you for careers in a range of industries, in the UK and internationally.

At ARU, we’ll help you on your way. In lectures and through team-based learning, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills and abilities to kick-start your business career. But we also work closely with employers in Cambridge and Chelmsford to offer valuable work placements and business-related experience. It’s a great chance to build your networks and set yourself apart from the competition.

There’s the option to study Business Management as a four-year degree, with a placement year. During your placement year you’ll really get to immerse yourself in the day-to-day operations of a business. Many students who’ve chosen this route have been offered graduate roles by their placement companies.

You might decide to stay at ARU and study for a Masters. There are plenty of options, including our MBA, MSc Marketing or MSc International Business. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Employability and personal career development

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.

To amplify your career ambition, you will need to actively dedicate time outside of your studies, whether you choose to explore an ARU Certificate for Professional Development, placements, internships or volunteering. Or you could make a social impact by collaborating with our partner organisations through our volunteer scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.

Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.

Business Management student Ganesh Gupta

“The level of experience I’m getting from working alongside senior, successful people and seeing first-hand how they work is going to be invaluable to my studies and my career. It’s putting me a step ahead before I’ve even graduated.”

Ganesh Gupta

BSc (Hons) Business Management student

Read Ganesh's story

Entry requirements

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Alessia Mevoli addressing the camera Watch a preview of our Subject Spotlight video

Society & Environment: what are the ethical responsibilities of a business?

Hear from ARU Management Lecturer Alessia Mevoli in this Springpod Subject Spotlight.

Watch the full lecture on Springpod
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Vibrant campuses

Choose where you study: we offer this degree course in the heart of Cambridge and Chelmsford.

Explore our campuses