Business Degree Entry Requirements
A business degree is one of the most popular courses available in the UK. Entry requirements are constantly changing and will vary depending on which university you are attending.
Not all universities have the same entry requirements for their courses. Some universities may not even accept the same qualifications as others.
What is a Business degree?
A business degree is a degree that focuses on business, industry and finance. It is a multi-faceted course that combines elements of several related subjects, preparing students for a rewarding career.
Many who study business courses do not always follow the conventional route. It is a subject that has long since attracted budding entrepreneurs, and university is often the best place to foster this growing interest.
Business degree entry requirements
The entry requirements for a business degree will change depending on your university. Some universities may prioritise certain subjects or grades over others.
The most common entry requirements are:
Type | Min. grades/points required overall | Max. grades/points required overall | Average grades/points required |
---|---|---|---|
UCAS points | 112 | 168 | 135 |
A Levels | CCC | AAA | BBB |
BTEC | MMP | DDD | DDM-DMM |
International Baccalaureate | 26 | 38 | 32 |
This is just a baseline for you to use for future reference. Not all universities will have the same entry requirements some may even ask you to complete additional work beforehand, be it a professional qualification or even attending a university interview.
When applying to university, do not just focus on UCAS tariff points. Typically, universities will want you to have received the required UCAS points before you apply. However, you will need to make sure that your points are also in the required subjects for business courses.
A Levels
A Levels are the most likely and common qualification needed for a business degree. At this level, you will need to have studied mathematics as a minimum. Other subjects will also be accepted. However, maths will be the most desired.
BTECs
Universities will likely accept a BTEC for a business degree. This will, again, depend on what you have studied. Generally, you will need to have studied a business or maths-related subject at BTEC before universities will consider you.
International Baccalaureate
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is only for international students. This is a qualification in which you will need to have studied maths at a Higher Level. Some universities have been known to accept students who have worked at a level 6 or lower, but this is rare.
T Levels
T Levels are becoming increasingly common. Although these are more technical-based qualifications, some universities have been known to accept those with T Levels if they have studied the correct subject. Accountancy, digital business services and financial subjects will be accepted. Remember, not all universities accept T Levels as part of their application.
What are the best universities for Business in the UK?
This will depend on you and what you are looking for. Some universities may specialise in business, but this does not mean they are the best place for you to study, as with the Russell Group of Universities.
The best place to study a business degree in the UK is the university that best caters to your needs. Finding the best university for you is the most important thing. Whether this be the support offered to students, the university’s ties to the industry you want to join or the on-site facilities, it is up to you to make the best decision.
What are similar courses to Business?
Business is a very broad subject. It encompasses learning from lots of different subjects and courses.
The most related subjects to Business are:
- Business courses
- Data analysis courses
- Economics courses
- Finance courses
- Management courses
- Marketing courses
- Mathematics courses
- Statistics courses
These subjects will not all necessarily touch on the same aspects of business as a business degree, however. Though they may not be related subjects, other subjects pair with business very well, either at a postgraduate level after completing an undergraduate business course or as an undergraduate course, with business as a postgraduate option, such as modern foreign languages courses. You may also see some entrepreneurship courses added to their degrees too.
How to write a personal statement for a Business degree
Your personal statement needs to focus on you and sell you to the university. When applying for a business course, it is important to make references to how important you consider business to be to you and touch on what it is about the course that draws you to it.
It is essential to reference important milestones in your life related to the course itself. If you have any professional qualifications or certificates that are related to business, then make sure you mention them! Work experience can also be a helpful thing to reference in your personal statement too.
What jobs can I get with a Business degree?
As business is such a broad and wide-ranging degree, there are plenty of jobs you can apply for.
The most common jobs associated with a business degree are:
- Actuary
- Arbitrator
- Business adviser
- Business analyst
- Business development manager
- Data analyst
- Data scientist
- Marketing executive
- Project manager
- Stockbroker
- Systems analyst
It is also possible to look into the world of teaching. To embark on this route, you must have a PGCE degree or a Master’s in Education before you apply. It is also common for business graduates to begin looking at starting their own businesses.
Can I apply for Business through Clearing?
Clearing business courses are usually available. This will depend on what universities have made them available and where they are offered.
Some universities may not enter into Clearing. If you were hoping to see a certain university open its spots during Clearing you might be disappointed. Check out the university’s website to see if they will enter Clearing in 2023 or if they won’t.
Universities change their Clearing policies all the time. Just because a university does not enter one year does not mean they won’t enter it the next.
Courses may also come and go. Invariably, a business course will fall into Clearing. However, you need to make sure that the ones that fall into Clearing are to your exact specifications and are what you want to be studying.