Business Management (Top-up) (Top-up) BSc (Hons)

UCAS code N251

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Designed to meet the needs of employers and industry, this course covers the latest trends, opportunities, and challenges in business management. There are lots of exciting opportunities to make your mark in the world of business.

The Level 6 Top-Up year of the BSc (Hons) Business Management has been designed specifically for students progressing from qualifications such as HNDs, foundation degrees, or equivalent international programmes and those that would like to study online.

Delivered entirely through distance learning, this final year of study supports students in consolidating their prior knowledge while deepening their understanding of strategic and operational business challenges. You will also experience business simulations, make financial decisions, and explore key areas such as operations, marketing, and HR.

It encourages the critical application of theory to real-world business problems and develops students' ability to make informed, evidence-based decisions in complex and dynamic environments. Graduates of this programme will be equipped with advanced academic, analytical, and professional skills.

Our Business Management (Top-Up) degree will equip you the skills and connections to launch a successful career. You’ll learn about central themes in business practice and will also get a taste of many different aspects of business.

You’ll explore everything from a real-world perspective and will get the chance to create your own consultancy to work with existing companies on projects.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Business Management

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Business Management

Duration

  • Full-time distance learning course runs for 1 year

Course content

The course covers change management, where we’ll teach you about dealing with conflict and transforming organisational cultures. Other topics include authentic leadership and data and decision-making.

You’ll also get to grips with how to research markets, prepare reports and drive overall organisational success.

To help give you the edge with employers, we offer double accreditation. It means you’ll get a leadership and management qualification from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) as well as your degree.

The course covers change management, where we’ll teach you about dealing with conflict and transforming organisational cultures. Other topics include authentic leadership and data and decision-making.

You’ll also get to grips with how to research markets, prepare reports and drive overall organisational success.

To help give you the edge with employers, we offer double accreditation. It means you’ll get a leadership and management qualification from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) as well as your degree.

Academic year

Professional body accreditation

Accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

Chartered Management Institute

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Authentic Leadership (Dl) 20 credits
Consultancy/Management Project (Dl) 40 credits
Data And Decision Making (Dl) 20 credits
Strategic Management In A Global Context (Dl) 20 credits

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Entry requirements

You will need to have a business related FdA/HND/DipHE or equivalent qualification.

You will need to have a business related FdA/HND/DipHE or equivalent qualification.

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Get country-specific details on entry requirements, fees, scholarships and support services. Choose your country to see how University of Staffordshire can support you from application to arrival.

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Facilities

The University’s Blackboard virtual learning environment provides a central platform for accessing learning materials, recorded lectures, weekly study guides and academic resources. Microsoft Teams is used extensively to support real-time engagement through live tutorials, virtual workshops, collaborative discussions, and assessment support sessions. Breakout rooms, polls, and chat-based engagement tools enhance interactivity and build a strong sense of online learning community.

Blackboard (VLE)

Blackboard is a virtual learning environment which houses your learning content. It enables online teaching/learning, provides spaces to build online communities and knowledge sharing.

Off-campus library services

Distance learners benefit from a range of services including access to e-books, postal loans of physical books, online support from subject librarians and more. Read more

Library services and learning resources

We offer an extensive range of library services to our off-campus students and help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our comprehensive online catalogue of eResources are available for you to search for and access material such as eBooks, journals and databases. Our team of librarians can help you find your way around the electronic resources and library catalogues, or if there’s something specific you need, they can help you to source it.

Our LibGuides provide information and advice on using our online resources, with specific pages for each subject area, and can help you search for quality-assured websites. 

Find out more: Library Resources

Support for distance learners

Studying remotely doesn't mean that you will be left to study alone. Which is why we ensure that however you study with us, you'll still be able to access the same services as our on-campus students. Read more

However you study with us, or wherever in the world you’re based, you’ll still be able to access the same services as our on-campus students, including IT and study support, online library, careers and wellbeing service. We’ll help to connect with other online learners to help you get the most out of your learning experience and feel a part of the community. Find out more: Support for distance learners

Careers

This degree will give you lots of career options in business. In recent years, graduates have entered marketing, human resource management, and operations management in the public and private sectors.

Many have set up their own successful businesses.

Students on this programme have the opportunity to enhance their studies with a placement year, gain valuable work experience, and take part in international activities—potentially supported by the Turing funding.

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

The teaching and learning approach is fully designed for distance learning delivery, using a variety of asynchronous and synchronous digital methods.

Students are encouraged to engage in peer collaboration and group activities via platforms such as Viva Engage, simulating the collaborative technologies used in the modern business world. These tools support teamwork, co-creation, and communication in ways that reflect authentic professional practice. The course also provides structured academic support, including opportunities for virtual 1:1 tutorials, formative feedback, and tailored academic skills development sessions to meet the individual needs of distance learners.

You will be taught via a combination of lectures, tutorials, industry visits and independent study. You will use resources including books, journals and digital databases, social media resource banks and more to immerse yourself in each discipline and you will be challenged to picture what the business landscape of the future will be.

Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of around 16-18 students. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your academic mentor at least twice a year. You will be taught in first-class learning spaces throughout your course. Many of our courses are accredited or recognised by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies.

Assessment

Assessment methods depend on the modules you will be studying. The primary methods of assessment are coursework, evaluative assignments, project report, online exam and recorded poster presentations.

Assessment methods depend on the modules you will be studying. The primary methods of assessment are coursework and evaluative assignments, digital portfolio development, in-class tests, presentations (both individual and group) and examinations. Most modules include a Tutorial Assessment, which carry a weighting of around 10% and your attendance and participation in class will be reflected in the awarded mark.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

  • study skills such as reading, note-taking and presentation skills
  • written English, including punctuation and grammatical accuracy
  • academic writing and how to reference
  • research skills
  • critical thinking and understanding arguments
  • revision, assessment and examination skills
  • time management

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

This course is designed to be flexible using asynchronous and synchronous digital methods to deliver sessions. When you're not in lectures or seminars, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will involve using our virtual learning environment to access a wide range of digital resources, reading academic journals and books, and working on individual and group projects. You'll also prepare coursework assignments and presentations.

All of your independent learning will be supported by our extensive online resources and digital facilities, ensuring you have what you need no matter where you are in the world.

This course is designed to be flexible using asynchronous and synchronous digital methods to deliver sessions. When you're not in lectures or seminars, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will involve using our virtual learning environment to access a wide range of digital resources, reading academic journals and books, and working on individual and group projects. You'll also prepare coursework assignments and presentations.

All of your independent learning will be supported by our extensive online resources and digital facilities, ensuring you have what you need no matter where you are in the world.

Staff

Andrew Hanks

Senior Lecturer

Postgraduate HRM Award Leader Andy joined Staffordshire University in the summer of 2015 after spending four years at Keele University whilst he completed a PhD in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations. Before entering academia as…

Andrew's profile

Karl Mccormack

Senior Lecturer

Karl has experience teaching on Apprenticeship and Foundation Degrees, BA accounting programmes, MBA modules. He has also taught as a subject specialist in forensic accounting, computerised accounting and management accounting.

Karl's profile

Bharati Singh

Course Director

Bharati is the Course Leader for the MBA and undergraduate Business Management and Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship courses. She teaches across the undergraduate, postgraduate and professional programmes within the Business School.

Bharati's profile

Dr Mohammad Wasim

Senior Lecturer

Ali has industry experience in roles such as product management, brand management and operations. He joined Staffordshire University in 2017 after completing his PhD in Management. He is Deputy Award Leader for Undergraduate Business Management.

Mohammad's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 26 January 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,535 per year of study £16,750 per year of study

For the course starting on 21 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,535 per year of study £17,085 per year of study

For the course starting on 25 January 2027 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,535 per year of study £17,085 per year of study

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,535 per year of study £16,750 per year of study

For the course starting on 26 January 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,535 per year of study £16,750 per year of study

For the course starting on 21 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,535 per year of study £17,085 per year of study

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Sources of financial support

If you receive funding from Student Finance you may be eligible to apply for additional benefits. Details can be obtained by reading our additional funding web pages, or visiting www.gov.uk.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus BSc (Hons) Full-time, top-up, distance learning 26 January 2026 Apply now
Stoke-on-Trent campus BSc (Hons) Full-time, top-up, distance learning 21 September 2026 Apply now
Stoke-on-Trent campus BSc (Hons) Full-time, top-up, distance learning 25 January 2027 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

Have you considered?

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

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