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Confidently climb the corporate ladder with our practical Business Management (Top-Up) degree. 
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Why study Business Management (Top up)?

Navigate the corporate world with our hands-on Business Management (Top-Up) degree. You will focus on contemporary approaches and critical skills, covering topics like:

  • strategy
  • digital business
  • ethical issues.

Our Business Management (Top-Up) BA is designed by industry professionals who understand that employers seek graduates who:

  • can apply ideas to practical situations
  • maintain the best professional management and ethical standards.

This undergraduate top-up programme is designed for those with a foundation degree, Higher National Diploma, or equivalent qualification. You may also join if you wish to transfer to St Mary’s during the final year of your undergraduate degree.

Why St Mary's?

We are only 30 minutes from central London. Therefore, you’ll have opportunities to explore a diverse hub for business. We also have connections with large companies and small businesses in the local area.

Our campus feels like a community. Your lecturers learn your name and are here to support your needs. 

You can attend business talks led by guest speakers to enhance your employability and understanding of the industry.

You can also undertake a work placement to:

  • develop practical skills
  • apply theory to real-world scenarios
  • understand a globalised business environment
  • build your network.

The programme is seeking accreditation from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) (subject to CMI moderation).  

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Course lead

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Entry requirements

N/AUCAS points required

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240 UK credits from a Higher National Diploma (HND), a foundation degree (FdA/ FdSc), or equivalent international qualification in Business Management or a related subject, or

240 UK credits from years one and two of an undergraduate degree (BA/BSc) in Business Management or a related subject at a different institution.

We will make you an offer if you are within the tariff band range and you meet subject-specific requirements (where applicable).

For undergraduate programmes we will take into account subjects studied at Level 3, your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile, relevant non-academic achievements outlined in your personal statement, references, and your motivation for study.

International requirements

International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent).

UCAS Personal statement support

Create your UCAS personal statement through our online builder and we'll email you a copy of your completed version at the end.

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Course content

You will learn what makes business tick, including the financial and economic aspects of business, how to manage people, and how to organise for success.

You will learn how to manage the long-term future of a business by studying changes taking place in the business world, in societies, markets, finances, economies, technology, political intervention and legal or ethical requirements.

You will also discover how to develop and implement strategy to meet requirements and the processes behind completing in-depth research projects investigating the different choices your business needs to make.

Year one

  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Optional
  •  Optional

Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.

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Career opportunities

Our Business Management (Top-Up) degree will help you develop essential transferrable skills, such as teamwork, critical thinking, and time management.

You could pursue a career in:

  • banking
  • insurance
  • law
  • business consultancy
  • leisure and sport
  • marketing
  • human resources.

Contact our Career Services at careersnetwork@stmarys.ac.uk for further information on work and postgraduate opportunities.

The Careers Service has more information on careers and postgraduate study options available to Business Management (Top up) students who have started their studies at St Mary’s.

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How the degree is taught

Teaching methods

You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.

As well as highly interactive lectures, you’ll receive presentations from leading researchers and top management professionals and practitioners. Seminars will deepen your understanding of the skills you’ll need to be an effective manager. Individual tutorials offer further support in learning the subject matter on a one-to-one basis.

These approaches are supplemented by an online virtual learning environment where you can find additional learning materials.

Class sizes in year one lectures can be up to 190 students. In year two and three, lectures will be around 70 students as optional modules are chosen. Seminar groups are typically around 30-35 students.

Teaching breakdown

Learning on the course is made up through a combination of:

  • Contact time: 22%
  • Work-based learning: 5%
  • Guided learning: 12%
  • Independent study: 61%

Independent study is a key feature of your degree and is crucial to furthering your knowledge.

You will receive your timetable a week before teaching is due to start at the latest.

Assessment methods

You will be assessed in a variety of ways that test knowledge, understanding and skills development throughout your degree.

The programme uses a broad range of assessments including business reports, essays, practical exercises, presentations, case studies, examinations, assessed blogs, seminar and simulation exercises as well as traditional exam-based assessments and coursework. Wherever possible, you’ll be assessed using digital methods and online feedback.

Feedback

We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within three weeks.

See how your final degree mark is calculated...

Compensated passes

Please refer to the information on compensated passes throughout your degree as outlined in the academic regulations.

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Facilities

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Fees and funding

2023/24 fees

  • Home: £9,250
  • International: £14,850

*Please note: these fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the Governments review of Higher Education Funding.

Information about tuition fees, student loans, and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section.

Additional costs

Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.

Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.

For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage. 

Scholarships

A range of scholarships and bursaries are available to new undergraduate students. This includes:

Living costs

A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.

Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.

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Meet your lecturers

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Further information


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Visit the campus

Upcoming open days

Meet current students, explore our green campus, and find out why St Mary’s could be the place for you.

You'll also get a chance to:

Staff from various teams, including the Student’s Union, Student Funding, and Admissions, will also be around to discuss any questions you may have about studying at St Mary’s.

Book your place now

Campus tours

There are plenty of opportunities for you to explore the campus, even if you can't make it to an Open Day. We run campus tours every Wednesday at 12pm. If you'd like to join us for one of these tours please register your place for your preferred day.

Virtual tour

We know that for it's important to you to see where you'll be living and studying before you make your decision. However, we also know that for many people it's not always easy to make it to the campus.

That's why we've developed a virtual tour of campus, allowing you to explore that facilities and the beautiful views that we have to offer.

Launch the virtual tour

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UCAS Application Timeline

1

UCAS Apply Opens

You will be able to register and begin your application, but won't yet be able to submit it.

May (year before entry)

Find out more about the application process
2

Completed applications can be submitted to UCAS

From September you'll be able to submit your UCAS application. Universities will start making decisions on applications.

September (year before entry)

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3

UCAS application deadline

You will need to submit your application by this date.

January 26th

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4

UCAS Extra opens

If you've used all five choices, but are not holding any offers, you might be able to add another choice.

Late February

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5

Replying to offers

Your deadline for replying to your offers depends on when you received all your decisions by. If you miss your deadline, UCAS will automatically decline all your offers

Spring/Summer

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6

Late applications are entered into Clearing

If your application is received after 30th June, it will be entered into Clearing.

30th June

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7

UCAS Extra application deadline

If you've used all five choices, but are not holding any offers, this will be your last chance to add an Extra choice.

Early July

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8

Clearing Opens

Clearing vacancies will be displayed in the UCAS search tool.

Early July

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9

Clearing hotline opens

On A-Level results day, we open our Clearing hotline. If you're eligible to apply through Clearing, you'll be able to apply to us via phone.

Mid-August

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10

Adjustment opens

If you've exceeded the conditions of your firm choice, you may be able to apply for an alternative course.

Mid-August

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11

Final application deadline

This is the final opportunity to apply for a course beginning in that year.

September

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12

Clearing closes

This is your final chance to apply through Clearing. Please note: you will not be able to apply for Primary Education beyond mid-September.

October

Find out more about Clearing