Why this course?
Business enterprise is about the creation of wealth, creativity and resourcefulness and exploiting change. 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.
In business law, you’ll study commercial law and business legal regulations. These include company law, competition law and human rights law.
Business law can only be studied as a second subject as a joint Honours option.
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
Business Enterprise
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 2nd 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.
Business Law
Year 1
The core Business Law class introduces the main areas of study including the law of contract and negligence – the essential building blocks for all areas of law.
Year 2 & 3
You can choose from a variety business-related law subjects and select from a wide range of electives.
Year 4
You can select Business Law as part of a joint Honours degree, studying it in greater detail.
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.
Year 1
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.
Business Enterprise
Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice
This class is intended to give you a broad understanding of entrepreneurship, the arenas in which entrepreneurship is practiced, and the role of the entrepreneur in economy and society. The practical component will introduce you to entrepreneurship in the real world through engagement with entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial process (e.g. guest lectures, cases, desk research, and group work).
Business Law
Course summary
Business Law class includes the main areas of legal study. This includes law-making in the UK parliament and the devolved Parliament in Scotland, court systems and contract law.
Year 2
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.
Business Enterprise
Creativity & Innovation Management
This class aims to provide you with a rigorous understanding of creativity and innovation through an intensive blend of theoretical and experiential learning activities. You'll be strongly encouraged to submit your work to relevant business/innovation competitions (e.g. the Scottish Institute for Enterprise Young Innovators Competition and the New York City Big Idea Innovation Challenge).
New Venture Planning
This class is designed to provide a practical introduction to drawing up business plans and understanding how new ventures are managed and developed. It will not follow the traditional lecture pattern but will be highly interactive. You'll be involved in individual and group activities which will encourage creative thinking and “learning by doing” in addressing the real opportunities and challenges that face the first-time entrepreneur.
Elective classes
Business Law
Course summary
You can choose from a wide range of business law subjects and electives from the areas you’re interested in.
Year 3
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.
Business Enterprise
Entrepreneurial Capital & Resources
This class provides an intense grounding in entrepreneurial capital. The need for both capability and commitment are stressed. After a grounding in the theoretical and empirical literature on entrepreneurial capital, you'll enhance your own entrepreneurial capital through a set of practical assignments. The class aims to build your awareness of different forms of entrepreneurial capital and build their effectiveness in entrepreneurial finance.
Having established a good understanding of the economic and social impact of entrepreneurship, opportunity identification, and starting and resourcing a new venture in previous modules, in this class you're presented with the challenges and opportunities of managing and growing the venture in a sustainable way. Through working with local businesses, you'll have the opportunity to assess the management practices of Scottish SMEs and consult them on their growth strategies.
Business Law
Course summary
You can choose from a wide range of business law subjects and electives from the areas you’re interested in.
Year 4
Business Enterprise
Venture Management in Practice
The class investigates the entrepreneurial and management issues associated with the growth of an established venture. It allows you to extend and build on your knowledge of entrepreneurship and small firms, by investigating internal and external issues faced by growth oriented ventures; as they seek to grow in a sustainable way through the application multiple capital resources. You'll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and understanding in a real situation by undertaking an individual applied business development project, within an established entrepreneurial venture.
This class is designed to highlight the growing importance of entrepreneurship in the international arena and to enable you to understand both the entry modes for international entrepreneurship and the typical obstacles faced by entrepreneurs and SMEs in moving into the international arena.
This class will provide an opportunity to explore contemporary, emerging and cutting edge themes in entrepreneurship theory and practice. It will provide you with up-to-date and relevant insights into contemporary academic thinking on the entrepreneurship discipline, insights from practicing ‘master’ entrepreneurs and exposure to emerging trends that will shape the future entrepreneurial landscape. This course builds on the academic content of previous courses with in-depth exposure to contemporary academic theories and empirical studies on entrepreneurship.
In Honours year, you should develop as an independent learner who can demonstrate the ability to conduct research independently within the Business Enterprise discipline. The module is supported with a Research Methods class, which aims to enhance your research skills.
The class examines the distinctive advantages and unique challenges that face family firms and builds an enhanced appreciation of the different perspectives of the various stakeholders associated with family business. It allows you to extend your knowledge of entrepreneurship and small firms by considering the specific dynamics of family ownership. The class will benefit from the input of guest speakers, including owners of family firms.
Business Law
Course summary
You can select Business Law to study in greater detail as part of a Joint Honours degree.
Management Science 4
An important aspect of this class is the experiential learning element, where you'll work in teams on management science projects, directly for external clients.
The clients will introduce their problems, provide information during the project, and listen to your recommended solutions. These client projects will be chosen to highlight the differing nature of individual practice, allowing comparisons between qualitative and quantitative projects to be explored.
Alongside the experiential learning will be a reflective element, which will focus on issues relating to client, consultant relations and implementation of management science, as well as addressing more conceptual issues relating to problem structuring, modelling, data collection, and choosing and mixing methods in the light of your growing experience.
Professional and ethical considerations will be highlighted, introducing you to the areas of agreement and debate within the profession. This class will also include an individual or small group project, where you'll select a technique or method they haven’t previously studied to research in more depth, mirroring professional development that they will undertake in practice. This component of the class will be managed through learning contracts.
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 exemption from the final exam if you achieve a specific mark for your coursework (and satisfying attendance requirements).
Learning & teaching
Teaching is over two 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.
Entry requirements
Required subjects are indicated following typically accepted grades.
Highers
Standard entry requirements
1st sitting: AAAB or AABBB (English B, Maths National 5B/Intermediate 2)
2nd sitting: AAABBB (English B, Maths National 5B/Intermediate 2)
A Levels
Typical entry requirements: ABB (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)
Minimum entry requirements: 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)
International Baccalaureate
36 (no subject below 5 and including English SL5, Maths/Maths Studies SL5)
HNC/HND
Successful completion of relevant HNC/HND at first attempt with A passes in all graded Units. Contact Business School Admissions for advice on entry to Year 2.
Irish Leaving Certificate
AAABBB at Higher level, including English B and Maths B
Additional information
Advanced Highers
An Advanced Higher and a Higher are given equal credit and the grades for each qualification count towards the total grades required.
Deferred entry
Deferred entry not accepted.
Admission to Honours
All students will be admitted as potential Honours students. Students may exit with a Bachelor of Arts degree at the end of year three of the Honours programme if they have accumulated at least 360 credits and satisfied the appropriate specialisation requirements. For admission to the final year of the Honours course, a student must have qualified for the award of the Bachelor of Arts degree and achieved an approved standard of performance.
English language requirement
A pass in an English language qualification is normally required from applicants outside the UK whose first language is not English. The following provides information on the main qualifications considered for entry to the Business School undergraduate degree courses.
IELTS: Minimum overall band score of 6.5 (no individual test score below 5.5)
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.
Find out if you can benefit from this type of offer.
International students
Find out entry requirements for your country.
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.
Fees & funding
How much will my course cost?
All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.
Scotland/EU
Rest of UK
Assuming no change in Rest of UK fees policy over the period, the total amount payable by undergraduate students will be capped. For students commencing study in 2017/18, this is capped at £27,750 (with the exception of the MPharm and Integrated Masters courses); 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
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 fees
Course materials & costs
Students are required to purchase one book for undergraduate core class - ONW Z1217. The cost is kept to a maximum £15.
Placement & field trips
Students will need to cover any travel costs associated with data collection for the undergraduate dissertation. This may be approximately in the region of £70 - dependent on location of travel.
Other costs
Students are required to pay for printing and binding of their undergraduate dissertation. Costs will depend on the length of dissertation - but on average is around £40.
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 UK, EEA)
We have a number of scholarships available to international students. Take a look at our scholarship search to find out more.
Available scholarships
We have a wide range of scholarships available. Have a look at our scholarship search to find a scholarship.
Careers
Graduates specialising in business enterprise develop the skills to set up their own business and the entrepreneurial mind set and business skills 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.
Graduates who specialise in business law develop excellent research and analytical skills.
You’ll be able to interpret and explain complex information both verbally and in writing and have good commercial awareness.
You have the potential to work in government services, commerce and industry, banking and insurance, management and administration.
Some of our graduates go on to do an accelerated graduate LLB degree.
