Business Management BA/BA (Hons)



This flexible course allows you to study Business Management and specialise in the area that interests you the most.

Overview

This course provides you with opportunities to discover how organisations are managed whilst developing your business mindset. 

You'll explore the internal structures and strategies which businesses adopt in response to key external drivers for change that impact upon them.
With flexible study options and practical content, the aim of the BA (Hons) Business Management programme is to offer several major/minor combinations that take advantage of the flexibility of the modular structure and promote student choice. 

The course provides modules that give you real-world experience and the option to undertake a work placement. The practical knowledge and wide range of skills you will acquire through studying the programme will enable you to pursue a broad range of career opportunities upon graduation. 

For those who wish to start their own business whilst studying or after graduating, The Bright Red Triangle – our start-up incubator with certified and experienced business advisors and a sleek co-working space in central Edinburgh – is available to make use of. 

We are a top 5 UK Modern University for career and graduate prospects, (Guardian Good University Guide 2024)

 
Photo of Edinburgh Napier University students meeting industry contacts at a business event

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

N200

Placement:

Yes

Study Abroad:

Yes

Course details

In your first two years you'll build a foundation in the essentials of effective business management. This foundation prepares you for the options to engage with applied learning within an industry placement, or to explore diverse cultures through studying abroad within our extensive partner network.

This course offers you excellent employability skills including professional presentation, team working, leadership, communication and problem solving.

How will my degree reflect sustainability and sustainable development?

The Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) – established under the UN Global Compact – places a clear onus on Higher Education to ‘transform management education and develop the responsible decision-makers of tomorrow to advance sustainable development’. The Business School is a PRME signatory, and we seek to influence professional practice and policy nationally and internationally, helping to drive key societal, economic and environmental impacts.

Our mission is ‘to empower communities to apply business knowledge for positive societal impact’ and we work constantly to embed practical actions into our curriculum, to promote sustainability and relate these to the key ideas of sustainability, as reflected in the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes now reflect one or more of the SDG, and our research is targeted to solve real world problems, mapped against the criteria used in the Times Higher Education’s Impact Ranking. 

The most recent annual league table for Sustainability - compiled by People & Planet, the UK’s largest student campaigning network - again places Edinburgh Napier in a top 3 position among Scotland’s 19 universities. This reflects their assessment of our performance across a range of environmental and ethical considerations, which include carbon reduction and management, and education.

What is distinct about equality, diversity and inclusion?

Edinburgh Napier University is enriched by the diversity of perspectives, cultures and backgrounds brought by all within our global community. We are committed to a positive environment where diversity and inclusiveness is celebrated and everyone is treated fairly regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability, age, ethnic origin, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status or whether pregnant or on maternity leave. We commit ourselves to providing a learning, working and social environment that is free from discrimination, prejudice, intimidation, stigmatisation and all forms of harassment and bullying.

The Business School's vision: 'To be the Business School for empowerment, enterprise and employability for all'.

Our mission statement: 'Empowering our communities to apply business knowledge for positive societal impact'.

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    How you’ll be taught

     You'll learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials and through independent study.
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    Work placement

    There is an optional six month work placement in Year 3.

    Placement and Study Abroad opportunities are subject to UK and Scottish Government health and travel advice.
  • study abroad

    Study abroad

    You can choose to study abroad, in English, at one of our partner universities for one trimester.

    Placement and Study Abroad opportunities are subject to UK and Scottish Government health and travel advice.

Popular modules

Year 1

  • Academic Skills for Business Management
  • Behavioural Studies
  • Accounting for Business
  • Marketing
  • Principles of Economics
  • Exploring Entrepreneurship

Year 2

  • Research Skills and Data Analysis
  • Introduction to Human Resource Management
  • Marketing Research & Communications
  • World Economy
  • Creativity, Innovation and Enterprise

Year 3

  • Strategic Management in an International Context
  • Live Project
  • 1 Option

Year 4

  • Business Strategy and Sustainable Development
  • Digital Business and Innovation
  • Dissertation

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Business Management?

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Can you go straight into second year of university?

Advanced entry into Year 2 or Year 3 of this course is possible for students with suitable qualifications. See the individual year tabs for more information.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

Minimum Year 1

SQA Higher

Standard Entry Requirement: BBBB

Minimum Offer Entry Requirement:BCCC

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

A Level

  • BCC

Irish Leaving Certificate 

  • H2, H2, H3, H3 at Higher Level

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades DMM (Distinction, Merit, Merit).

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades D*D

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3 plus A Level

  • Minimum grades DM (Distinction, Merit).
  • A Level grade C

T Level

  • Merit

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Award of Diploma with 28 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4. 

Scottish HNC

  • Other HNC subjects may be considered for year 1 entry where a C in the graded unit is achieved.

Minimum Year 2

HNC

  • Pass HNC in Administration and IT, Business, Business & Finance, Human Resource Management, Management (not Retail), Marketing or Marketing Communication with grade C at SCQF level 7 in the graded unit.

SQA Advanced Higher

  • BBC

A Level

  • BBB
 
 

 

Minimum Year 3

HND

  • Pass HND in Administration and IT, Business, Business & Finance, Human Resource Management or Marketing with grade CC at SCQF Level 8 in the graded unit(s).
 
 

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.


We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland £1,820 £1,820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,250 £9,250
Overseas and EU £15,160 £16,680
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.
Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers

Edinburgh Napier University Students talking together.

What can you do with a Business Management Degree?

With a Business Management Degree from Edinburgh Napier University, you will have developed a professional attitude and business mindset, allowing you to develop the practical skills to plan and analyse business strategies and come up with solutions to business problems. You will be able to communicate effectively and be a team player, with sound decision making skills. If you are a good problem solver, and enjoy presenting and collaborating with others, then this might be the right course for you. Careers you may pursue on completion of this degree will likely be in starting your own business or working in the commercial or public sector in financial services, sales and marketing or human resources.

What does a Business Analyst do?

A Business Analyst is responsible for improving business output by solving issues related to the organisation you work for and finding solutions. You will most likely have to communicate effectively with cross functional teams including IT, Project Managers and Finance to ensure effective implementation of projects or solutions. Typical daily tasks you may carry out include:

 

  • Planning and drafting a business case for your project. E.g, why it is required.

  • Gathering documents and market and industry analysis on certain issues.

  • Developing feasibility studies.

  • Rewriting and developing business processes to make them better.

  • Presenting progress updates to stakeholders.

  • Carrying out User Acceptance Testing to monitor how your solution may work or benefit service or product users.

  • Tracking market trends and developing business strategies.

 

Photo of students smiling while working together