Overview
Brunel's Business and Management degree course will equip you with a broad knowledge and appreciation of issues faced in the world of business. You’ll gain the analytical, technical and interpersonal skills required to understand, analyse and address the challenges faced by today’s companies.
The components of this programme offer you a range of core skills in business and management. This includes market economies; theoretical and practical characteristics of organisations; various business models and frameworks; coping with future uncertainty, and managing change.
Emphasis on this programme is on globalisation issues generated by multinational enterprises (MNEs). As they account for over fifty percent of global output, a deeper understanding of the commercial power of MNEs will help you position yourself strategically in a competitive job market.
This programme will broaden your knowledge of business concepts as you work on real life business issues and live case studies, to develop managerial skills and enhance your career prospects.
You will also learn valuable technical skills along the way including numerical methods and how to use statistical software packages such as SPSS and EXCEL, without the need for A level maths or the overseas equivalent.
The programme includes a module on Management Enquiry to help you adapt to university study through active learning sessions on topics such as working in groups, report writing and time management.
Brunel University is also a Chartered Institute of Management (CIMA) accredited university, which means you will gain exemptions from some of their professional papers if you wish to undertake further study towards being a chartered management accountant after you graduate.
There is the option to take a year’s work placement between your second and third year. Previous employers have included Adidas, Microsoft, British Airways, PwC and Nissan. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience and make valuable contacts for your future career. Find out more on our work placement year page.
Course content
Key elements of business and management are explored in the compulsory modules of your first and second year. Areas such as accounting, marketing, PR, international business, and project and operations management are also touched upon. Your final year offers the chance to select optional modules.
Compulsory
- Introduction to Management Enquiry
This module’s primary aim is to broaden students’ knowledge and skills in the use of IT and statistics in managing and analysing data for business to improve the quality of decision-making in a dynamic business environment.
- Managing Information with Technology
This module’s primary aim is to broaden students’ knowledge and skills in the use of IT and statistics in managing and analysing data for business to improve the quality of decision-making in a dynamic business environment.
- Organisational Behaviour
This module introduces students to the study of organisations. It outlines key sociological and psychological perspectives used to analyse organisations and occupational groups. Students encounter core topics including organisational design, bureaucracy and contingency theory. Theory and practice are linked via seminars, case study discussions and reflections on students’ experience of organisations.
- Introduction to Accounting & Financial Management
The module introduces students to the essential concepts of accounting and financial management. As the foundation of all other accounting modules, you will study how financial information is prepared, communicated and used. You will develop skills in critically evaluating and appreciating the importance of the accounting and finance function within organisations particularly in connection with business decision making. Students will learn how to: prepare a set of essential financial statements for a business, prepare information for business planning - such as budgets, prepare information for decision making using techniques such as cost, volume, profit analysis and investment appraisal techniques.
- International Business Environment
Developing students’ understanding of the basic economic concepts and principles that apply to the international business environment with emphasis on European business, and developing analytical and conceptual skills in economic and business environment for them to be able to respond to problems associated with modern international business environment.
- Principles and Practice of Marketing
This module focuses on developing an understanding of concepts of marketing, marketing mix principles and practices. It also aims to develop students’ awareness of skills needed and ethical issues in marketing.
Compulsory
- Critical Perspectives in Management
The module seeks to introduce students to a critical approach to the study of management and organisations. This will be achieved through an exploration of bureaucratic/post-bureaucratic organisations, new forms of work organisations, new forms of managerial control, resistance and power, new forms of employment, gender and work organisations.
- Research Methods in Business and Management
This module aims to develop the students' understanding and skills in the application of quantitative and qualitative research methods in business management and interpret data and present coherent and appropriate recommendations that lead to effective business and management decisions.
- Project Management
This module offers opportunity to examine the approaches, practices, contributions and skills involved in project management. Responsibilities for projects involve ability to analyse business needs, design solutions, plan, test, and co-ordinate implementation, being aware of the human factor requirements and the use of computer-based information system tools.
- Human Resource Management and its International Dimensions
The aim of this module is to introduce students to issues, debates, and controversies relating to the field of Human Resource Management. The module intends to develop students’ awareness of people management issues within and outside the workplace. The people management issues are set against the background of national and international issues that affect HRM policies and practices.
- Operations Management
The aims of this module are to introduce students to the core concepts underpinning effective operations management, in both manufacturing and service operations settings; to enhance students understanding of the contribution of the operations function to strategy and organisational performance, foster a critical appreciation of the key operational issues faced by operations managers; and to develop analytical skills which underpin sound operations management infrastructure decision making
- B2B Marketing
This module explores the key defining characteristics of Business-to-Business (B2B) Markets and the marketing processes involved. We examine the differences between to Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C) Markets, and focus on how this affects the practice of Marketing Management in the B2B context. Students will hopefully acquire the knowledge to apply relevant frameworks (both theoretical and applied) to critically analyse tactical and strategic marketing decisions.
Compulsory
- Strategic Management
This module aims to enable students to appreciate the many, wide ranging issues and challenges that confront strategic managers, introduce concepts, topics and methodological approaches relevant to the analysis of the strategic position of the organisation and the development and implementation of strategies in complex uncertain environments, including a consideration of major operational implications, and to develop skills of strategic thinking, analysis and argument.
- Business Ethics, Environmental Sustainability and Governance
The module aims to provide students with the opportunity to gain critical understanding of theories and contemporary approaches to business ethics, corporate social responsibility and governance in the age of globalisation, and the challenges of sustainable development and business responses to it.
- Issues and Controversies in Management Project
This core module helps students to conduct critical appraisals of issues and controversies involving contemporary organisations and of managerial responses to these challenges. It also provides focused support in appropriate research methods and in the effective communication of research findings in oral presentations, small group discussions and an extended written report.
Optional
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business Ventures
This module provides an integrated and critical analysis of entrepreneurship and small business management related theories and frameworks underpinning the practice and policy of entrepreneurship and small business management. It will enable you to draw on evidence and contemporary research to explore entrepreneurial value creation and capture, and the imperatives of innovative new technologies on small business growth, as well as identify and evaluate the opportunities and distinctive challenges faced by entrepreneurs and their firms.
- Gender and Organisations
This module will introduce students to the issue of gender as a critical approach to the study of organizations. The module aims to provide students with a critical insight into the impact of gender on individuals' experience of the world of work. It seeks to introduce students to a number of gender perspectives, highlighting how each perspective conceptualises the issue of gender differently, presents a distinct account of gender inequality, and proposes different "solutions" to the "problem of gender" in organizations.
- International Marketing
This module addresses critical understanding and ability in assessing the effectiveness of international marketing theory and practice. It targets principles and issues that drive markets world-wide. Students will develop insight and investigative ability concerning issues facing a business that needs to research markets and develop and implement market strategies, techniques and methods across a range of international sectors.
- Innovation and Knowledge Management
This module is designed to give students an understanding of the role of knowledge assets as a key to corporate success and particularly in relation to innovation. It examines how organisations create, utilise and exploit knowledge in the globalising knowledge-based economy, and the wider social and economic factors affecting knowledge creation and transfer.
- Strategic Human Resource Management
This module will help students to develop an understanding of the role of strategic human resource management in the achievement of organisational goals and in the context of the environments in which organisations function. It will enable students to critically evaluate the strategic importance of human resource management, understand the links between strategic human resource management and business strategy as well as performance outcomes associated with different forms of strategic HRM.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of undergraduate degrees at Brunel.
Careers and your future
We have extensive links with employers and industry and you’ll benefit from our networks as well as having the opportunity to learn from a variety of guest speakers. Our degrees offer an optional work placement year and we’ll encourage you to take this up. This experience in the workplace is highly valued by employers and will give you the edge when you apply for jobs. Our programmes are built with input from business professionals with the specific aim of helping you enter the workplace fully equipped and confident of your abilities.
As a graduate you’ll be equipped to enter a number job roles, including: Business Analyst, Business Development Manager, Data Analyst, Project Manager, Risk Manager, Sales Executive, and Supply Chain Manager. You will learn Project Management, Operations Management and knowledge of strategy.
Some of the well-known names who value Brunel Business School graduates include Accenture, Amazon, Barclays, British Airways, Capgemini, HSBC, Jaguar Land Rover, L’Oréal, McCann, Microsoft, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Xerox.
Find out more about how we'll support your future goals.
UK entry requirements
2024/25 entry
- GCE A-level AAB-BBB.
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDM in Business or Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.
- BTEC Level 3 Diploma DM in Business, Enterprise & Entrepreneurship or Personal & Business Finance with A-level at grade B. (Other combinations may be considered on a case-by-case basis).
- BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma D with A-levels grade BC.
- International Baccalaureate Diploma 30 points. GCSE English equivalent SL 5 or HL 4 and Mathematics SL 4 or HL 4.
- Obtain a minimum of 120 UCAS tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma in Business, Business and Management or Business and Law with 45 credits at Level 3.
- T levels : Distinction overall.
A minimum of five GCSEs are required, including GCSE Mathematics grade C or grade 4 and GCSE English Language grade C or grade 4 or GCSE English Literature grade B or grade 5.
Brunel University London is committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We will fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants within our grade range as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.
EU and International entry requirements
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 5.5 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 55% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2024/25 entry
UK
£9,250 full-time
£1,385 placement year
International
£21,260 full-time
£1,385 placement year
Fees quoted are per year and may be subject to an annual increase. Home undergraduate student fees are regulated and are currently capped at £9,250 per year; any changes will be subject to changes in government policy. International fees will increase annually, by no more than 5% or RPI (Retail Price Index), whichever is the greater.
More information on any additional course-related costs.
See our fees and funding page for full details of undergraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Please refer to the scholarships pages to view discounts available to eligible EU undergraduate applicants.
Teaching and learning
At Brunel Business School (BBS), you will experience a rich and engaging on-campus learning environment. Our modules are delivered through engaging lectures, and in most modules, through seminars that allow for interactions in smaller groups. Additionally, you will have access to a wide range of resources on Brightspace, our online learning platform, including PowerPoint slides, video recordings, and peer-reviewed academic publications that align with the module learning objectives. Moreover, BBS students benefit from a range of support and opportunities from our dedicated staff and faculty, such as:
- Extra-curricular activities designed to enhance your skills and expand your network, such as social events, guest speakers and industry visits/field trips (please note these may vary within programmes)
- A dedicated Student Experience Team to provide pastoral care
- A dedicated ASK Academic Skills support team to help you understand and address coursework requirements
- Personalised tutoring and wellbeing advice to support your academic and personal development
- Employability guidance and career planning from our in-house director.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
Many of our lecturers are internationally or nationally recognised for their innovative work and research, which results in challenging and stimulating course content. Lecturers may consult for major companies and have practical business experience, potentially from running their own companies. All of this contributes to real-time, real world observations and teaching.
There'll be email discussion groups and you’re encouraged to engage with online material using the university’s virtual learning environment. To support your course content, Brunel Business School regularly offers research talks on key management issues and presentations by outside speakers. Throughout the course, you'll also be expected to undertake group work and individual projects and presentations.
Your personal tutor will be assigned in your first year and will be available to help with academic or personal issues. In your second year, this support will be continued through the Business School’s Pastoral Care programme – BBS Student Support – a team of specially chosen personal tutors who are available throughout the working week. Additionally, if you choose a four-year sandwich course, you'll be allocated an industrial tutor who will provide support during your work placement. In your final year you'll receive one‑to‑one supervision for your major project.
Academic staff are available for a number of hours each week should you need to get advice. Their availability will be displayed on their office doors so you can make an appointment or drop by to see them if you have any concerns about your studies.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
Each subject is assessed either by a combination of continuous appraisal and examination or by coursework or examination alone. As a rough guide, the split is approximately 50:50 exam to coursework but the exact ratio varies depending on the modules you select.
Your results from Level 1 do not count towards your final degree classification, but you have to pass the first year to continue with the degree. Level 2 is worth a third of your final mark and Level 3 - the rest. In your final year you will undertake an assessed project of around 8,000 words worth a third of your Level 3 marks.