The structure of a typical business course at university

Most business degrees teach the basic areas of business during Years 1 and 2 and then in Year 3 you’ll be able to choose from a range of options allowing you to specialize in particular areas. 

The example below illustrates this; it is from the University of Bath, UK. A top 5 UK business university.

Look carefully at the structure of this course and note the following:

  1. Basic business modules covered in Year 1
  2. Placement in a company + select modules of interest in Year 2
  3. Placement in a company + select modules of interest in Year 3
  4. A range of areas to explore depending on your interest in Year 4 + final project in a team + opportunity to study abroad to gain international experience.

‘Learn the practical, analytical and critical skills you need to become a business leader. Get real professional experience with two placements. This flexible business and management degree is different. You will complete two six-month placements with separate companies rather than 12 months with one. Experience of two roles will help you decide on your future career direction and expand your professional network. You’ll also work with businesses through applied research including the Final Year Project. Whatever your career goals, you’ll be able to customise your degree with optional units. 

YEAR 1.   Study the fundamental subjects relevant to business and management including business and society, economics, data analysis and accounting. These core units will help you decide your path through the rest of your degree. 

YEAR 2.   You choose which options to study. Year 2 Experience the working world earlier than on most degrees with a six-month placement in your first semester. In the second semester, you’ll be able to pick from a range of optional units in areas like marketing and human resources, and will do a research project on a topic of your own choice. 

YEAR 3.   Continue to customise your course with more optional units in areas like decision making, finance and consumer psychology. Work with a charity or NGO on an entrepreneurship action project. Get more practical work experience with your second six-month placement. Recent employers include Ferrero, Kraft Heinz and Vita Coco. 

YEAR 4.   Choose the units to explore areas of interest such as entrepreneurship and innovation, business and marketing in a digital world, behavioural finance, leading and managing change, and investment banking. 

For your Final Year Project, you’ll work in groups to tackle a real business issue for one of our partner organisations. 

In your final year you can apply for our International Academic Exchange programme. You’ll gain international exposure by spending a semester studying abroad at one of our partner business schools.’

Source: UCAS – Uni Bath Business course

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