BA Hons Business Enterprise
ApplyKey facts
- UCAS Code: N190
- Start date: Sep 2020
- Accreditation: Strathclyde Business School is triple accreditated (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA)
Ranked: 7th in the UK for Business & Management Studies (Complete University Guide Subject Tables 2020)
Second-year entry: may be available to suitably-qualified applicants
Work placement: you'll gain valuable industry experience in your Honours year
Study with us
- develop the skills and expertise required to set up your own business and the entrepreneurship required by organisations
- gain valuable industry experience in Years 3 and 4, working with placement companies
- learn from the experiences of our guest lecturers who include industrial contacts and alumni
- gain real-world skills, which are valued by employers, through taking part in student competitions in which you will plan and develop a business idea
- develop skills in key areas of management, teamworking and communication, which are highly valued by graduate recruiters
- Strathclyde Business School (SBS) was awarded Times Higher Education UK Business School of the Year 2016
Why this course?
This course is designed for students who want to start a new enterprise, those who want to take over the management of an existing business and those who are aiming for leadership positions.
Business enterprise is about the creation of wealth. This course focuses on the ability of entrepreneurship to challenge the norm and disrupt established markets through the creation of new ventures.
This programme will allow you to develop an awareness of academic and practitioner perspectives and apply them in real-life settings. It will also give you the real-world skills that are highly valued in a competitive employment market.
Create your own course
Modern business is too complex to be covered by a single subject: modern managers need to have a broad outlook.
You choose basic classes in business and other disciplines, alongside the Business School’s Management Development Programme. You’ll study a wide variety of subjects and create a curriculum to suit your interests and needs.
You also have the opportunity to try new subjects, some of which you won’t have experienced at school or college. At the beginning of Year 2, you choose two subjects to continue studying in Years 2 and 3. You’ll also select a third, ‘minor’ subject and take further Management Development skills classes.
Apply under the general UCAS entry code N100 if you’d prefer to discuss your subject choices once you arrive. To study accounting, apply under N400 or one of the other accounting codes listed on the site.
What you’ll study
Year 1
You’ll gain an understanding of entrepreneurship and its ability to change industries, markets and society, introducing the vocabulary, concepts and practice of enterprise.
In the second semester, you’ll take part in Value Challenge – a group assignment to give you real-life experience of creating value through entrepreneurial activity.
Year 2
You’ll be introduced to key entrepreneurial processes through core classes and electives.
Year 3
Examines entrepreneurial processes and enterprising skills in different settings.
Year 4
You’ll study core classes and also undertake a dissertation.
Work placement
In your Honours year, you’ll work alongside a placement company as part of the class Venture Management in Practice. You’ll spend a full working day there once a week.
The project will provide you with the opportunity to conduct primary and secondary research, building upon existing knowledge.
Student competitions
Win a trip to Texas
In Creativity and Innovation Management you’ll have the chance to win a trip to Texas to compete in a Values and Ventures Business Plan Competition. Your group will develop an idea and Business Plan and the team with the most successful idea and presentation will be selected to compete in Texas.
Value Challenge
As part of Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, you’ll take part in the Value Challenge. The project aims to create value through an entrepreneurial activity. With an initial investment of £20, the group who make the most profit will win the competition. All proceeds are donated to Yorkhill Children’s Charity.
Course content
The Management Development Programme (MDP) is a core element of the undergraduate degree programme in the Strathclyde Business School.
The programme runs for the first three years of the BA degree. The entire class is driven by real business problems. The approach to learning is active problem-based, with students working in project teams.
The class aims to encourage integration of the knowledge and experience gained in Principal Subjects. Each year of the MDP focuses on different aspects of business and the content of MDP is constantly evolving and being updated and enhanced.
Management Development Programme 1
Topics
First Year aims to help you make the transition to the university context. Semester 1 is the Thematic Semester: The World of Business Today and covers topics such as:
- Social-Ethical-Environmental Governance (SEEG)
- Business Ethics
- Disruptive Technologies
Semester 2: Functional Semester: Organisations Today covers topics such as:
- Creativity & Responsibility
- Marketing & Sustainability across Domains
Class description
The first year of the programme is centred on the construction of knowledge in classroom setting with theoretical constructs developed. For each topic we’ve recorded a video by a Strathclyde academic who is a leading expert in the field.
You’ll watch these lectures in advance of each session and complete a pre-sessional activity. The pre-sessional work then forms the basis of team based activities work in the classroom (groups of 50 and teams of six-seven) where you develop an agreed understanding of the topic and present this to the group.
The feedback gained from this activity then feeds directly into the assessment for the block. You’ll complete 16 assignments in the two semesters of the class.
Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice
Management Development Programme 2
Topics
Semester 1 topics include:
- Working in Business Organisations
- Working Business Research & Consultancy
- Working Internationally
- Working in the Third Sector
- Rhetorics & Oratory
Semester 2 is about developing the proposal of MDP3; with a presentation and a final report.
Class description
The second year concentrates on developing understanding through industry-specific contextualisation. Sessions are weekly and three hours in length.
The sessions are thematically linked to the pathways for individualised experience in third year whilst also drawing on the theoretical knowledge developed in MDP 1. In order to develop understanding, organisations will deliver a half-day session. This consists of a one hour plenary introduction where the company and case study are introduced. This is followed by the group sessions where you undertake activities in relation to the case study set by the company.
Creativity & Innovation Management
New Venture Planning
Management Development Programme 3
The third year of centres on individualised experience in an organisational context through one of the following pathways:
- Internship/Charities - gain practical experience in a private or third sector organisation. You need to negotiate and locate your own organisation and experience – this is one of the key learning points of the pathway.
- Research and consultancy - a facility for local small businesses to gain from the experience and expertise of those within SBS. You work on two live business consultancy projects (one in each semester) and, as a team of 6, develop solutions and strategic initiatives for the local SME economy.
- International experience – only available for students who are undertaking an international exchange for either one semester or full year.
- Vertically Integrated Projects - working on a cross-faculty basis to research longitudinal projects (including the ‘Bill Gates Toilet Challenge, Solar Panels for Gambia and Enterprise in Schools) you work with a team of students from all levels of study (first year undergraduate to final year PhD) to further the work of the project.
In addition, you’re required to undertake a social responsibility element (this accounts for one quarter of the overall workload).
These have been designed to provide support to the Curriculum for Excellence and the Widening Access to Higher Education programme. There are no formal classes for MDP3 although there is pathway support with the pathway leads and tutor support.
Entrepreneurial Capital & Resources
Venture Management Strategy & Growth
Venture Management in Practice
International Entrepreneurship
Issues & Trends in Entrepreneurship
Research Methods
Family Business Theory & Practice
Triple-accredited business school
Learning & teaching
Teaching is over 2 semesters in blocks of 12 weeks. Classes are taught through lectures, tutorials, and seminars alongside team-based projects, online materials, and interactive sessions using personal response systems.
External contributors from partnership corporate organisations are involved in teaching and/or assessment of student presentations.
The innovative and highly acclaimed Management Development Programme (MDP) is at the core of our undergraduate degrees in the Business School and comprises a series of classes which you take throughout Years 1 to 3.
You develop knowledge and skills in key areas of management, and team-working, communication and decision-making skills, all of which are highly sought-after by employers.
Major employers and alumni from all sectors are involved in the MDP, participating in group sessions, observing student presentations, and providing feedback. Organisations involved include Barclays, Deloitte, Procter & Gamble and Ernst & Young. In first year the best teams are selected to present to senior staff in one of the sponsoring organisations, and there are prizes for the best projects.
The programme builds your confidence and entrepreneurial capabilities and promotes awareness of globalisation and ethical issues in personal and business decision-making. In Year 3, you develop your own pathway from internships, involvement with business projects, engagement in interdisciplinary activities and business clinics.
Assessment
The majority of classes involve a final unseen exam which is normally at the end of the semester. This is normally supplemented by individual and/or group coursework.
In some cases, you can get an exemption from the final exam if you achieve a specific mark for your coursework (and satisfying attendance requirements).
Students normally have one opportunity to be re-assessed for a failed class. Exam resits normally take place during the summer.
A range of assessment techniques are used including business reports, case studies, essays, presentations, individual and group projects, learning journals and peer assessments.
Entry requirements
Required subjects are shown in brackets.
| Highers | Standard entry requirements*:
(Higher English B; Maths National 5 B, or equivalent; Higher Maths A for combinations with Accounting; Higher Maths B for combinations with Finance) Minimum entry requirements**:
(English B; National 5 Maths B; Higher Maths at B for Finance combinations) |
|---|---|
| A Levels | ABB-BBB (GCSE English Language 6/B or Literature 6/B, or an essay-based A Level B may be considered in lieu of English; GCSE Maths 6/B; A Level Maths A for combinations with Accounting; A Level Maths B for combinations with Finance) |
| International Baccalaureate | 36 (no subject below 5 and including English SL5, Maths/Maths Skills SL5; Maths HL6 for combinations with Accounting; Maths/Maths studies SL6 for combinations with Finance) |
| HNC/HND | Relevant HNC/HND, A in Graded Units; for advice on entry to Year 2 contact Business School Admissions: |
| International students | Find out entry requirements for your country by visiting our country pages. |
*Standard entry requirements
Offers are made in accordance with specified entry requirements although admission to undergraduate programmes is considered on a competitive basis and entry requirements stated are normally the minimum level required for entry.
Whilst offers are made primarily on the basis of an applicant meeting or exceeding the stated entry criteria, admission to the University is granted on the basis of merit, and the potential to succeed. As such, a range of information is considered in determining suitability.
In exceptional cases, where an applicant does not meet the competitive entry standard, evidence may be sought in the personal statement or reference to account for performance which was affected by exceptional circumstances, and which in the view of the judgement of the selector would give confidence that the applicant is capable of completing the programme of study successfully.
**Minimum entry requirements
Widening access
We want to increase opportunities for people from every background. Strathclyde selects our students based on merit, potential and the ability to benefit from the education we offer. We look for more than just your grades. We consider the circumstances of your education and will make lower offers to certain applicants as a result.
Degree preparation course for international students
We offer international students (non-EU/UK) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for an undergraduate degree at Strathclyde the option of completing an Undergraduate Foundation year programme at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre.
Upon successful completion, you will be able to progress to this degree course at the University of Strathclyde.
International students
We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 100 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.
Visit our international students' section
Fees & funding
2020/21
All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.
| Scotland/EU | £1,820 |
|---|---|
| Rest of UK | £9,250 Assuming no change in RUK fees policy over the period, the total amount payable by undergraduate students will be capped. For students commencing study in 2020/21, this is capped at £27,750 (with the exception of the MPharm and integrated Masters programmes), MPharm students pay £9,250 for each of the four years. Students studying on integrated Masters degree programmes pay an additional £9,250 for the Masters year with the exception of those undertaking a full-year industrial placement where a separate placement fee will apply. |
| International | £15,300 |
| University preparation programme fees | International students can find out more about the costs and payments of studying a university preparation programme at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre. |
| Additional costs | Course materialsStudents are required to provide materials/props for a second year Tradeshow event. The cost of this will vary dependant on the group project however could be in the region of £10. Placements & field tripsStudents will be required to cover any travel costs associated with data collection for their Undergraduate Dissertation, this may be in the region of £70 but is dependent on the location. Other costsStudents are required to pay for printing and binding of their Undergraduate Dissertation. The cost will depend on the length of dissertation but an average cost would be in the region of £40. |
| Available scholarships | Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities. |
Please note: All fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.
How can I fund my studies?
Students from Scotland and the EU
If you're a Scottish or EU student, you may be able to apply to the Student Award Agency Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government. Scottish students may also be eligible for a bursary and loan to help cover living costs while at University.
For more information on funding your studies have a look at our University Funding page.
Students from England, Wales & Northern Ireland
We have a generous package of bursaries on offer for students from England, Northern Ireland and Wales:
You don’t need to make a separate application for these. When your place is confirmed at Strathclyde, we’ll assess your eligibility. Have a look at our scholarship search for any more funding opportunities.
International Students (Non-UKScholarships, EEA)
We have a number of scholarships available to international students. Take a look at our scholarship search to find out more.
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We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.
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Business Enterprise graduates develop the skills and expertise to set up their own business and the entrepreneurship required by organisations.
You’ll have the potential to work in financial services, retail, consultancy and manufacturing with job titles such as analyst, business development manager and project manager.
I worked with a leading Scottish entrepreneur as a consultant to identify growth strategies for their business. It gave me hands-on experience and has been great for my CV. I was also part of a team which was awarded the Ernst & Young prize for the Management Development Programme presentation.
Alice Leyshon, BA (Honours) Business Enterprise
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Business Enterprise
Qualification: BA