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Intakes

October, February, June

Awarding Institution

University of Suffolk

Awarded Degree

BA (Hons) Global Business (Business Management) with Foundation Year

Duration

4 years

Location

London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds

Delivery

Weekdays and/or evenings *Classes are subject to availability

Fees

Foundation Year: £5,760. Years 1 to 3: £9,535 per year

 

All modules you complete are 20 credits, unless otherwise stated. 

Year 0 (Foundation):

  • Academic Literacy for Global Business Management 
  • Academic Research and Writing for Global Business Management 
  • Introduction to Economics and Politics in a Global Context 
  • Communication and Digital Literacy Skills 
  • Entrepreneurial Mindset 
  • Wellbeing in the Workplace

Year 1:

  • Understanding the Economic Environment
  • Principles of Management 
  • Data Skills for Business Decision Making
  • Marketing Fundamentals 
  • Introduction to Business Accounting
  • International Business 

Year 2:

  • Information Systems and Business Intelligence
  • Organisational Behaviour in a Global Context 
  • Entrepreneurial Small Business Venture
  • Digital Marketing and Social Media for a Global Market 
  • Management Accounting 
  • Research Methods 

Year 3:

  • International Strategic Management
  • Project Management 
  • Applying Entrepreneurship in a Global Context 
  • Contemporary Issues in Global Business Management 
  • Dissertation (40 credits)

Please note: The modules listed are those currently offered and may change through our ongoing review processes. However, the core learning outcomes and themes will remain similar. 

This GBS course will provide you with opportunities to test your knowledge and understanding informally through ‘formative’ assessments. Formative assessments will be completed before your formal ‘summative’ assessment, which will determine your final marks.  Students who do not engage with informal assessments often struggle with progression from the Foundation Year, as well as with the subsequent academic levels. 

To support your success and progression, each module will contain a weekly formative assessment from which you will receive feedback from your course team. The formative assessments are purely to support your developmental purposes and do not count towards your final module mark. They are designed to help you to gain more knowledge and confidence in the module material and approaches to formal assessment.  

The formal “summative” assessment usually occurs towards the end of each module. A range of assessment methods are utilised and include reports, portfolios, essays and presentations. The marks awarded for summative assessments count towards your final module mark. 

Assessment methods at GBS are reviewed annually and may be updated based on student feedback, in line with developments in the subject area or based upon feedback from an External Examiner. An External Examiner is an independent academic expert from another higher education provider and they are appointed by the University of Suffolk to provide external assurance regarding the academic standards of your course. 

Here are the entry requirements for this course:

Applicants Must be Aged 18+ and:

  • Have a Level 3 qualification equivalent to 80 UCAS tariff points only.
  • Have five GCSEs at grade 4/C or above or equivalent.
  • Be assessed via an interview for listening, speaking, numeracy and writing (more details shown in ‘Next steps’ section).

Applicants Aged 21+: 

  • We welcome applications from students 21+ who do not match the standard entry requirements but who can demonstrate willingness and commitment to studying this subject, and who can evidence academic, professional or vocational experience in a related field.

Next Steps:

  • Please fill out an application form by clicking the 'Apply Now' button on this page.
  • Send your supporting documents when requested by GBS.
  • A panel interview and supervised personal reflection statement takes place.
  • GBS make a final decision on your application.
Fees
Course Name Fees for June 2026 Fees for New and Existing Students from August 2026
BA (Hons) Global Business (Business Management) with Foundation Year

Foundation Year: £5,760

Years 1 – 3: £9,535 (per year)

Foundation Year: £5,760

Years 1 – 3: £9,790 (per year)

Following the Government’s announcement that Undergraduate tuition fees for UK Undergraduate students will change for students enrolling or re-enrolling after 1 August 2026 GBS has updated the Fees information, as shown above. 

Tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the government.

Funding Your Study
 
You may be able to borrow money from the UK Government to help pay your tuition fees and to help with your living costs while studying. 
 
This could take the form of a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, and/or a Maintenance Loan to support you with living costs whilst studying.
 
Please visit our Fees & Funding page for more information.

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Global Business (Management) are equipped with a broad, flexible skill set that supports entry into a wide range of graduate level and junior management roles across the private, public and third sectors. The programme develops strong foundations in management, marketing, finance, data analysis, entrepreneurship, project management and strategic thinking, enabling graduates to adapt to diverse organisational contexts. 

Common career destinations include assistant or junior management roles, operations and business support positions, marketing and digital roles, business and data analysis roles, and commercial or finance related positions. The programme’s emphasis on global business, ethics, cultural awareness and digital literacy also prepares graduates for international business environments and organisations operating across borders. 

For students with entrepreneurial ambitions, the strong focus on enterprise and business planning supports start‑up creation, small business management and self-employment. Graduates are also well placed to pursue careers within public sector bodies, charities and social enterprises, where analytical, project and leadership skills are highly valued. 

In addition, the programme provides a solid academic and professional foundation for postgraduate study (such as master’s degrees or an MBA) and for progression into professional qualifications in areas including management, marketing, project management, finance or accounting. 

Our Partners

What Our Students Say

Alexandra Popica

This course is relevant for the industry and every module feels like a blueprint for the future. I have learned to think like a manager, and not just a student.

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Hajnalka Miklos

After a long time out of education as a stay-at-home mum, I returned to study at GBS to gain a qualification and improve my life.

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Lana Lanina

If you have an idea to open a business or grow your existing business then GBS is definitely the right place for you.

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Mouna Ayare

My daughters are really proud of me for returning to study, and I am also proud of myself. I’m really thankful for GBS for giving me this pathway back to education.

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Richard Hevesi

The supportive study schedule at GBS allows me to attend classes alongside working my job. This course has already improved my personal and professional skills.

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Sebal Albasyri

The lecturers at GBS are great and they have supported me every step of the way to achieve my goals.

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Syed Kazmi

This course not only allows me to pursue my passion but provides job security for the future. I feel like my future is really bright thanks to GBS.

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Vasile Carnavaschi

I’m studying at GBS to change my career path. I’m learning practical, real-world skills and not just theory.

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FAQ

1. Is the BA (Hons) Global Business (Business Management) with Foundation Year course for me?

Our Global Business (Business Management) with Foundation Year is ideally for those who already have professional business or management experience — or seeking to develop a better understanding of effective management on a global scale. Whether you are already in management, running a promising business or looking for a new challenge, this course is will be suited to your aspiration. 

Your Foundation Year (Year 0; level 3 study) is designed to provide you with a strong fundamental understanding of business and management before moving on to your degree studies.  We will teach you about academic literacy and support development of your knowledge skills and understanding in a range of areas including research; global business; economics and politics; communication and digital literacy; and entrepreneurial mindset and well-being in the workplace.  This builds a strong foundation for moving onto your level 4 studies in year 1. 

Year 1 (level 4 study) of your Bachelor’s studies will expose you to several key areas including the business environment –including a global perspective, managing people, marketing & communications in a digital world, and business finance and economics.  We will also continue to support your development in academic research and writing to facilitate your success. 

Year 2 (level 5 study) will build on the previous year of studies with a more intense curriculum and more emphasis on your ability to learn and think critically.  Our team of experts will support you in your development.  You will learn about effective research methods, business decision making, organisational behaviour, business planning and analysis, project management and international business law. 

The curriculum during the final year (Year 3; level 6 study) is geared around exploring advanced areas of business management and preparations for your final major project of the course, the dissertation. Your final year covers topics such as global leadership and organisational behaviour, building a sustainable business, and a rage of contemporary issues seen within global business management.   In this final year, we will guide and support you through completion of your 40-credit dissertation. 

The Global Business (Business Management) with Foundation Year can be taken at our campuses in London, Birmingham, Manchester or Leeds — providing a great selection of locations across the UK. Although the experience inside the classroom will be very similar, there’s a big difference in the cultural feel of each campus region. No matter what lifestyle you prefer, there will be a campus that suits your preferences.

Finding the right course with a schedule that suits your lifestyle isn’t always easy. That’s why we continually strive to make our programmes more accessible for students from all backgrounds. The Global Business (Business Management) with Foundation Year course offers flexible study options, with classes available on weekdays and in the evenings—helping you maintain a balanced lifestyle both inside and outside the classroom.

This GBS Global Business (Business Management) with Foundation Year course will provide you with opportunities to test your knowledge and understanding informally through ‘formative’ assessments. Formative assessments will be completed before your formal ‘summative’ assessment, which will determine your final marks. 

You will get a weekly formative assessment from which you will receive feedback from your course team. Formative assessments are purely for developmental purposes and do not count towards your final module mark. These are designed to help you to gain more knowledge and confidence in the module material and approaches to formal “summative” assessment. 

The formal summative assessment usually occurs towards the end of each module. Assessment methods include a range of coursework, including reports, portfolios, essays and presentations. The marks awarded for summative assessments count towards your final module mark. 

You will be taught by experienced academics who are experts in their subject areas.  They will support your development of your knowledge, skills and behaviour required to successfully complete all elements of your course.  There is a team of senior academics who have oversight of the course and their team members to ensure you are supported effectively.  We also have a team whose work is dedicated to supporting students who are based at each campus.  Alongside this, there are the wider GBS student services that are available to support you during your studies such as study skills support; librarians and a student welfare team. 

All our courses/classes are subject to availability.