Business Start-up

If you are thinking of starting your own business you are in good company - a very important share of the UK's wealth and employment is generated by small companies.

The problem for the "apprentice" is where to start - do you go to college or university to learn all about it first, or do you just go ahead (hoping it will work out!)? Now you can do both! Staffordshire University offers a unique, ground-breaking approach to getting a new business going; focussing on the business itself while at the same time offering the opportunity to achieve a qualification.

In association with the University's Business Villages, we are offering the budding entrepreneur the opportunity to start the business in low-cost, prestigious premises with full support throughout the first vital years of growth, leading to a Foundation Degree in Business Start-up. We believe that this new approach offers one of the best means of establishing the new business and improving its chances of survival and growth for the future.

Read Foundation Degree in Business Start-up course information (PDF, file size: 847.06KB)

This unique, flexible and innovative Foundation Degree is aimed at anyone with a business idea, regardless of their present qualifications. Your application will be decided based on a one-on-one interview to assess your enthusiasm and determination to make your idea a reality.

This degree will allow you, with the help of your academic tutors and business mentors, to move your business idea into a reality – becoming your own boss and running your own business; whilst at the same time gaining an academic qualification.

We have a full mentoring programme available which runs alongside this degree so you will have access to appropriate Business Mentors for your business area.

All assessments in this award are based on the documentation you need to produce to start a business such as a Business Plan, Profit and Loss sheet etc. and it will be tailored to your business idea.

So, if you are looking to develop your business idea(s) within the safety of a focused, structured programme, with help any time you need it – this is your opportunity to take the plunge and be your own boss.

The course provides you with the knowledge needed to start and maintain a business as well as the skills necessary to complete a degree level qualification. It also helps you develop skills such as essay and report writing, presentation and communication skills.

You will be taught through a variety of methods including, lectures, teamwork, online materials, presentations and seminars. Assessment is also designed to prepare you for a degree through reports and presentations. This is a 48-week course which runs between September and August. This ensures that your tutors/mentors are on hand when you need them and allows maximum flexibility in the time- tabling of lectures.

Successful completion of this Foundation Degree in Business Start-Up will allow you to progress to a place on the BA(Hons) Business Management and Entrepreneurship or the BA(Hons) Business Management degree within the Business School.

• Business Management and Entrepreneurship

For more information about Business Start-up (N190) please contact: