FdA Business Management (Oaklands College)

Key information

Typical offer:
Entry requirements
Fees: See below
Full details
UCAS code: N101
Institute code: H36
Work placement option
Find out more

The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.

Standard entry requirements

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC
48	Made up of at least one A Level (A2), BTEC National Award or equivalent

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and 3/D in Mathematics

Applications will be welcome from those working in relevant employment who may not fully meet the above entry requirements but have a number of years relevant experience.

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC
48	Made up of at least one A Level (A2), BTEC National Award or equivalent

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and 3/D in Mathematics

Applications will be welcome from those working in relevant employment who may not fully meet the above entry requirements but have a number of years relevant experience.

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC	Accepted T Levels	Access Course Tariff	IB Requirement
48	Made up of at least one A Level (A2), BTEC National Award or equivalent	PPP	48 UCAS points Please see additional requirements for accepted T Level subjects.	Overall pass	48 UCAS points

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and 3/D in Mathematics

Accepted T Levels: Design Survey and Planning for Construction; Design Production, Design and Development; Education and Childcare; Healthcare Science; Health; Science; Digital Support Services; Digital Business Services; Onsite Construction; Building Services Engineering for Construction; Accounting; Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control; Finance; Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing; Management and Administration; Agriculture, Land Management and Production; Legal Services.

Applications will be welcome from those working in relevant employment who may not fully meet the above entry requirements but have a number of years relevant experience.

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.

Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC	Accepted T Levels	Access Course Tariff	IB Requirement
48	DD	PPP	48 UCAS points Please see additional requirements for accepted T Level subjects.	Overall pass	48 UCAS points

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics.

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.

Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

Why choose this course?

A progression route to the BA (Hons) Business Administration degree at the University of Hertfordshire.
Prepare you for a career in business and management
Develop your practical, transferable, intellectual, employability and entrepreneurial skills
Provide you witha throrough understanding of business and management practices in local, national and international contexts
Enable you to apply your learning in work-related contexts. For example, in the work-based learning projects and through work experience.
Equip you for further academic study.

What's the course about?

The Foundation Degree Business Management is a two-year programme designed to provide the essential skills, knowledge and understanding of business enabling you to enter employment and/or progress to the honours top-up in Business Administration at the University of Hertfordshire.

This course is delivered at Oaklands College. You will be registered at the college as well as at the University of Hertfordshire, which means you have access to both college and University facilities, including accommodation and libraries.

The programme offers an education in general business which puts emphasis on personal professional development, employability, and entrepreneurship, focusing on small to medium businesses and start-ups. This widens your knowledge and understanding of managing a business, allowing you to make a choice between starting a business or working in an SME as your first step in the business world.

Additionally, the programme will improve your academic and employability skills at the same time as developing key skills required by employers or to run a small business. For example, in the second year of study, you will design a work-based learning project that encompasses and draws on the knowledge and understanding learned throughout your studies.

This course can be studied in various locations:

Progression routes

This Foundation Degree enables you to progress to the final year of the BA (Hons) Business Administration degree at the University of Hertfordshire or the BA (Hons) Business Administration (online) degree. This programme is fundamental to enabling you to develop your ability to take personal responsibility and decision-making as the qualities necessary for employment.

What will I study?

Throughout the course, you are taught through a combination of lectures, small group tutorials, course work and practical assignments. Throughout you are encouraged to undertake independent study to consolidate your learning and to broaden your knowledge and understanding of the subject.

In addition, you will be exposed to the application of Business and Management skills and knowledge in the workplace through completion of a work-based project. You will study a range of business modules at levels 4 and 5 culminating in a work-based learning project negotiated and agreed with an employer in year two.

Level 4

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Accounting for Managers (OAK)	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module provides an introduction to accounting from the manager's viewpoint. Areas covered include the collection and reporting of accounting information to both internal and external users, as well as the use and interpretation of publicity available accounting information. The role of accounting in supporting the management functions of planning, control and decision-making is also covered. Indicative topics include: - preparation and presentation of a simple income statement and balance sheet, including the need for adjustments such as depreciation, accruals, prepayments and bad debts; - the difference between profit and cash; - interpretation of an income statement and a balance sheet using ratio analysis; - costing: cost behaviour; marginal costing - methods and uses; absorption costing - methods and uses; - budgeting: nature and purpose of budgeting; its contribution to planning, control and motivation in an organisation; preparation of simple budgets.
Methods and Systems for Business Decisions (OAK)	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will introduce the students to a variety of quantitative techniques commonly used in analysing and solving business and management problems in the modern organisation. The module will involve the use of a variety of statistical and management science software in order to structure, formulate, and solve business problems. The module includes the following topics: project management, probability and normal distribution, basic optimisation methods, linear regression, introduction to forecasting, business software and databases.
Developing the Business Professional (OAK)	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module will provide students with an understanding of key topics relevant to business management, such as business culture, functions, operations and the attributes of business professionals. It aims to enhance their academic and professional skills in order to facilitate their transition to higher levels of learning and to the workplace. Students will have the opportunity to carry out self-analysis using different learning styles and personality assessments, understand their team roles and reflect on their continuous professional development. Students will also be able to identify and develop skills and strategies to aid their future studies, and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, individually and in teams. The module will enable students to explore and understand the methods used for acquiring, sharing and maintaining knowledge in an organisation. They will also be able to develop skills in gathering, synthesising and managing business intelligence.
Economics for Business (OAK)	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module aims to enable students to understand the economic context of modern business by introducing and developing an appreciation of the utility of economic approaches in studying the business environment. The basic tools and approaches which economists use; demand and supply and industry analysis, among others; will be introduced and applied to help understand the economic issues involved and the public policy which can be derived. Economics, of course, provides one of the key pillars of a solid education in business and this module represents some first steps in this direction as well as highlighting some of the major contemporary issues in our society such as the credit crunch and recession.
Introduction to Human Resource Management (OAK)	15 Credits	Compulsory
Develop students' understanding of management and the purpose of the main activities of HRM. Understand key principles of management, managing self and others and the expectations of a business professional. Identify and develop a series of self-management skills - self-analysis; Reflection and continuous professional development. Links between people management and business objectives. Gather, synthesise and manage related business intelligence. Develop effective communication skills, orally and in writing; individually and in teams. Understand key activities of Human Resources - Role of line manager; interventions used to develop knowledge and skills of employees; managing people for performance, motivation and the link with reward management; diversity of people in the organisation; and relevant employment and equality legislation. Appreciate and apply the principles and policies for effective HRM - effective strategies for encouraging employee collaboration and team working; approaches to implement equality and diversity and compliance with employment and equality legislation.
Principles of Marketing (OAK)	15 Credits	Compulsory
This initial marketing module, which assumes no prior knowledge of marketing, aims to introduce students to some of the key ideas of marketing and is suitable for both marketing and non-marketing students. It examines the environment within which organisations operate and the role of marketing within the organisation so that students can understand the context within which marketing personnel work, and the different activities which are carried out under the umbrella term of 'marketing'. Concepts central to an understanding of marketing are considered - segmentation; targeting and positioning; the product life cycle; the 4Ps; buyer behaviour, etc.
Introduction to Research Methods (OAK)	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will introduce students to a range of tools and techniques used for both qualitative and quantitative research. Students will be given the opportunity to develop their research and enquiry skills. Appropriate methods for specific research will be identified.
Business Law (OAK)	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module is designed to introduce students to key aspects of business law. It introduces students to the structure of the English legal system, the sources of English law and methods of dispute resolution. It also introduces students to the contract law and the law of negligence, both important to business. It recognises the importance of international influences including European law on English law. By concentrating on these areas, students are provided with a framework to build on in the second year of their studies.

Level 5

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Work-Based Learning Project OAK	30 Credits	Compulsory
In conjunction with an employer, student will have the opportunity to plan and implement a project under supervision and to give a written account of their experience. This will facilitate and enable them to demonstrate a range of ability, including discipline, resilience, negotiation and project management skills while developing their knowledge and understanding in relation to an identified area. The aim of the project is to provide the opportunity for students to develop and apply Level 5 skills of independent research, analysis, evaluation, writing and presentation; and to deepen students' knowledge and understanding of the context of the Business Management discipline. Students will be encouraged to develop the necessary employer links independently for their project with the support of their supervisor within their college.
Management Accounting for Business Decisions OAK	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module introduces students with the role and function of the management accountant who typically takes historic financial data to analyse and present them effectively to facilitate decision-making in business. It extends the concepts learnt in the Level 4 module on "Accounting in practice" by focusing on managing costs and cash flow in management accounting. Typical topics may include the value of management accounting techniques such as budgeting, costing and cash flow to promote business profitability and viability.
Exploring Business Ethics OAK	15 Credits	Compulsory
The way one operates a business impact not only the organisation or an entrepreneur as well as the larger community. The Exploring Business Ethics module is all about the process of doing the right thing while making money. A simple law obeying is not a good business ethics practice. This module will help you to analyse your personal as well as organisational decisions to identify potential consequences. Running an ethical business is linked to increased profit, decreased employee turnover and overall higher customer satisfaction. Good business ethics leads to a win-win situation.
Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship OAK	15 Credits	Compulsory
Students analyse the different entrepreneurial phases from idea generation to a business proposal. In an idea generation exercise at the start, with opportunity to generate new innovative ideas to create a pool of "venture" ideas. Key content will explore the systematic process and structure to entrepreneurship and innovation. This will include an understanding of the trend towards the digital transformation of manual processes and the impact on business. The stages in both the innovation process and the entrepreneurship process will be explored alongside looking at the student's existing personal capabilities as entrepreneurs, or as "intrapreneur" in a larger organisation, and their development needs. Core to this module are the business model, the way the business engages with its current and future customers and the use of content to create value that draws followers in to support and monetise the business.
Enterprise OAK	15 Credits	Compulsory
In this module, students study the contribution of start-ups to the national economy and the opportunities for individuals to improve career outcomes. Students will work collaboratively to identify new business opportunities, and then develop this further into a business plan, ending in a formal presentation of their proposed enterprise. The assessments for this module will enable students to develop their ability to communicate using appropriate forms of technology or media to present their ideas or proposal.
Global Business OAK	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces students to understand how global companies' actions and political leaders' plans have an impact on every business. Thus, careful consideration of global business factors is essential as it will enable entrepreneurs to gain an overview of the economic and politic situation, social context and competition to identify potential opportunities. This requires clear vision and insight into cultural, political, economic and social differences. To be aware of the global environment, students will be provided with the ability to think of ways to adapt to a continuously evolving business environment. This is significant as the internationalisation of business is creating a substantial increase in intercultural contact, which is reflected in the skills set of managers operating in a globalised world. Employees and managers need to develop sensitivity to, and a critical understanding of, issues arising out of cultural difference and be equipped to manage and operate in diverse context. This is aimed at developing students' cultural awareness as it introduces them to different management structure and styles in global organisations.
Small Business Management OAK	15 Credits	Compulsory
The module will examine how small business works in practice, focusing on how an owner manager builds a team and how that team evolves when managing or growing the business, reflecting people management issues relating to small and medium sized businesses today. Other topics may include the small business context; characteristics; types of entrepreneur; leadership and management; finance and marketing. There is scope for the student to bring in their own experiences of small business and they will be encouraged to pursue their own particular interests within the overall framework of the syllabus, partly through exercises and case-based activities.

Work placement

If you decide to progress to the BA (Hons) top up Degree you may, subject to guidance and approval, also consider applying for a Work Placement, or Study Abroad opportunity in North America, Europe, Australia, Mexico or Singapore. This study opportunity should be taken before progressing onto your final year of study at the University of Hertfordshire.

Check out our student blogs

What's next for my career?

Following the success of achieving a Foundation Degree status, there are several supportive routes open for graduates with specialised career guidance from the University. Career options include Management, Business Administration, Marketing, Project Management, Finance and Human Resource Management and Law, to mention a few.

As part of the Foundation Degree, you will have access to the Careers, Employment and Enterprise Department at the University of Hertfordshire.

Course fact sheets
FdA Business Management	Download

Programme specifications
FdA Business Management - OAK	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	No
Course length	Full Time, 2 Years
Location	Oaklands College

How to apply?

2024
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
12/09/2024 31/05/2025 1 Oaklands College Apply online (Full Time)
11/09/2024 31/05/2025 2 Oaklands College Apply online (Full Time)
2025
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
12/09/2025 31/05/2026 1 Oaklands College Apply online (Full Time)
11/09/2025 31/05/2026 2 Oaklands College Apply online (Full Time)
Fees and funding
Fees 2024
UK Students
Full time
- £6165 for the 2024/2025 academic year
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
12/09/2024	31/05/2025	1	Oaklands College	Apply online (Full Time)
11/09/2024	31/05/2025	2	Oaklands College	Apply online (Full Time)

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
12/09/2025	31/05/2026	1	Oaklands College	Apply online (Full Time)
11/09/2025	31/05/2026	2	Oaklands College	Apply online (Full Time)

Apply now

FdA Business Management (Oaklands College)

Key information

Typical offer:

Fees: See below

UCAS code: N101

Institute code: H36

Work placement option

Standard entry requirements

Additional requirements

Additional requirements

Additional requirements

Additional requirements

Why choose this course?

What's the course about?

Progression routes

What will I study?

Check out our student blogs

Student Blogs

Life at college

University life

The future

2024

2025

Fees 2024

UK Students

Full time

Other financial support

Living costs / accommodation