Business Management with Foundation Year

The BA (Hons) Business Management degree at the University of Hertfordshire is designed for future leaders, problem-solvers, and strategic thinkers who want to make a real impact in the world of business. Whether you see yourself managing people, running operations, or leading organisational change, this course equips you with the skills, confidence, and experience to succeed across industries.

You’ll begin with a broad introduction to business before specialising in management. From your second year of study onwards, you’ll explore areas such as data-driven decision-making, responsible operations, organisational leadership, and strategic planning, developing the practical and analytical skills required for real-world management roles.

The course is shaped by current industry needs and future-focused trends. You’ll work on live business projects, simulate leadership challenges, and collaborate on problem-solving tasks that reflect professional practice. Modules like People, Culture and Leadership and the live business challenge give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned in a practical setting.

Career opportunities include roles such as project manager, operations lead, team supervisor, business consultant, or entrepreneur. You’ll also build essential transferable skills in communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and digital tools, skills that employers value in every sector.

With options to study abroad or take a placement year, and a graduate success portfolio to showcase your development, this course prepares you to step confidently into management roles in a fast-changing, globalised economy.

Why choose this course?

This course prepares you to lead with confidence in fast-paced, global business environments: You’ll learn through applied modules focused on strategy, decision-making, operations, and people management, equipping you to manage complexity and change.

You’ll take part in consultancy-style challenges, simulations, and a live business challenge: You'll have the opportunity to apply your learning to real organisational problems. There are no exams; assessment is 100% coursework, designed to reflect professional practice.

Learn from experts: Learn from staff with extensive experience in management, consultancy, operations, and entrepreneurship. Their academic research and real-world backgrounds mean your learning is informed by the latest developments in leadership and organisational practice.

Pick your area of interest: You’ll specialise in management while tailoring your experience through placement or study abroad opportunities. You’ll also build a graduate success portfolio, tracking your development in leadership, collaboration, and digital skills.

Just 25 minutes from central London: You’ll benefit from access to employer events, business networks, and leadership inspiration in one of the world’s most dynamic commercial centres.

Strong employment prospects: 93% of Herts graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes, 2021/22).

Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

Personnel and Development, Chartered Institute of
Chartered Institute of Marketing
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

The University of Hertfordshire will provide you with the skills needed for the modern workplace by delivering career-focused degrees. Herts consults with employers when designing courses and their facilities provide you with up-to-date, real-world experience, mirroring the careers and industries you'll work in after graduation.

You'll have the opportunity to take part in a range of co-curricular activities to help boost your CV, including an award-winning mock assessment centre.

Herts is a campus-based university spread over two sites with easy access to London, opening up a wealth of opportunities for placements, work experience, teaching and learning, as well as social and cultural experiences. It has a wonderfully diverse community of students and staff and offers a range of support services, from counselling to childcare, ensuring you can concentrate on studying and make the most of your time at university.