Undergraduate · Business & Management

BA (Hons)Global Business Managementwith Foundation Year

Think internationally. Understand how businesses work, build your management skills and develop the confidence to explore opportunities in a connected global economy.

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Delivered by GBS. Awarded by the University of Suffolk. Personal guidance from GLP.

Business management students solving an international supply chain case using a tabletop model of shipping containers and routes — A wider business perspectiveThink globally.
Build your management future.

Duration: 4 yearsIncluding Foundation Year
Delivery: Weekdays, evenings & weekendsSubject to confirmation
Entry guidance: 80 UCAS pointsOr accepted equivalent qualifications
Intakes: September, February, JuneSubject to confirmation

Awarded degree: BA (Hons) Global Business (Business Management) with Foundation Year
Locations: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds — subject to availability

A foundation for your ambitions

Understand business.
Lead with a global perspective.

Businesses operate across borders, cultures and changing markets. This four-year course introduces the knowledge and skills needed to understand that environment, whether you hope to develop a management career, contribute to an established organisation or explore a venture of your own.

Your Foundation Year builds the academic literacy, research, communication and digital skills that support degree-level study. You will also explore entrepreneurship, economics, politics and wellbeing in the workplace before progressing into three years of business and management study.

Develop your understanding of marketing, organisational behaviour, accounting, international business and strategic management. Examine how economic and financial conditions influence decisions, how marketing supports business development, and how people and information contribute to effective organisations.

As your interests develop, connect your learning with the industries and management questions that matter to you. The course supports transferable skills in analysis, communication, leadership, research and problem-solving, with a final-year dissertation offering a focused opportunity for independent investigation.

Your experience matters

Find your entry route.

Applicants must be aged 18 or over. Use the entry guidance below to explore your route. GBS assesses your qualifications and experience and confirms the requirements for your intended intake.

Standard academic route

80UCAS tariff points

Or an accepted equivalent, such as a recognised Level 3 qualification with 60 credits. Confirm the accepted qualifications and evidence with admissions.

School qualifications

5GCSEs

At grade C/4 or above, or accepted equivalents. Check any subject-specific requirements and the evidence needed for your application.

Applicants under 21

The standard academic route requires the qualifications above. If your qualifications differ, discuss your circumstances with admissions before assuming that you are eligible or ineligible.

Applicants aged 21 and over

If you do not meet the standard academic requirements, relevant life, work, professional or vocational experience may demonstrate your suitability for foundation-level study. The admissions team considers the evidence in your application individually.

Admissions assessment

The GBS Admissions Team assesses applicants through a personal interview covering listening and speaking skills, alongside a supervised Personal Reflection Statement assessing writing. Confirm any additional assessment or supporting-document requirements for your intake.

Your application steps

Complete the application form.
Provide supporting documents when requested.
Complete a supervised Personal Reflection Statement.
Attend a personal interview with the admissions team.

Discuss your entry requirements

Your learning, year by year

Structure & content

Begin with a Foundation Year, then progress through three degree years. The four-year curriculum contains 120 credits in each year, with a 40-credit dissertation in the final year.

Foundation year · Year 0Build academic confidence and an international business perspective

Academic Literacy for Global Business Management (20 credits)
Academic Research and Writing for Global Business Management (20 credits)
Communication and Digital Literacy Skills (20 credits)
Entrepreneurial Mindset (20 credits)
Introduction to Economics and Politics in a Global Context (20 credits)
Wellbeing in the Workplace (20 credits)

Year oneUnderstand how organisations, markets and management work

Data Skills for Business Management (20 credits)
International Business (20 credits)
Introduction to Business Accounting (20 credits)
Marketing Fundamentals (20 credits)
Principles of Management (20 credits)
Understanding the Economic Environment (20 credits)

Year twoApply your knowledge to business decisions and new ventures

Digital Marketing and Social Media for a Global Market (20 credits)
Entrepreneurial Small Business Venture (20 credits)
Information Systems and Business Intelligence (20 credits)
Management Accounting (20 credits)
Organisational Behaviour in a Global Context (20 credits)
Research Methods (20 credits)

Year threeDevelop strategic thinking and complete an independent research project

Applying Entrepreneurship in a Global Context (20 credits)
International Strategic Management (20 credits)
Issues in Global Business Management (20 credits)
Project Management (20 credits)
Dissertation (40 credits)

Module titles and availability are indicative and subject to review. Confirm the current curriculum and progression requirements before accepting an offer.

Your final-year project

The detailed module list specifies a dissertation. If you are interested in a consulting project or internship instead, ask the provider whether that alternative is available for your intake and what requirements apply.

Connect understanding with practice

Teaching & assessment

Explore business ideas through subject study, practical tasks and independent research. Build your confidence in evaluating evidence, communicating your conclusions and working with others as you progress from foundation-level preparation to your final project.

How you’ll study

Build academic research, writing and digital literacy skills.
Explore international markets, management, accounting and marketing.
Apply data and information to business questions.
Develop entrepreneurial thinking through venture-related study.
Investigate a business topic through independent research.

Plan for independent study and assessment preparation alongside scheduled classes.

How you’ll be assessed

Business reports and essays.
Case studies and portfolios.
Presentations and collaborative work.
Formative tasks and feedback to support your progress.
A final-year dissertation and independent research.

Assessment methods can change through programme review. Check the current arrangements for your chosen intake.

Looking beyond graduation

Build your business direction.

Develop a flexible combination of management knowledge and transferable skills. Your interests, previous experience and further development can shape the organisations and roles you explore after graduating.

Business management and operations
Marketing and digital marketing
Business development
Project coordination
Enterprise and your own business
Further study in business or management

The course can help you understand business decisions in national and international settings. Consider how your developing skills connect with the sectors that interest you, and use guidance conversations to plan relevant experience alongside your studies.

These are possible directions to explore. A degree does not guarantee employment, a management role or business success.

Plan your studies

Fees & funding

Tuition fees

To be confirmed

Contact GLP for the current fee schedule for your entry year, including the foundation year and subsequent degree years.

Ask about fees & funding

Student finance depends on your eligibility, course, previous study, age, nationality and residency circumstances. Funding is not automatic for every student, and the rules depend on when your course starts.

Tuition and living-cost support

Eligible students may be able to apply for tuition fee and maintenance support. Additional grants or allowances depend on individual circumstances. Check the current official guidance for the type and amount of support available to you.

Check the rules for your start date

For most courses starting on or after 1 January 2027, student finance applications use Lifelong Learning Entitlement funding. Confirm that your course qualifies and check the relevant eligibility and repayment guidance before making financial plans.

Before you apply

Confirm your entry route, eligibility, intake availability, modules and current fees with the provider. This page brings together course information and GLP guidance.

GBS course information GBS current fees and funding GOV.UK student finance eligibility GOV.UK funding for courses starting from January 2027

A little more clarity

Your course questions.

Who is this course for?

It may suit learners interested in business or management, people exploring entrepreneurship, and those seeking a stronger understanding of organisations in an international context. The foundation route provides preparation before degree-level study.

What will I gain from the Foundation Year?

Develop academic literacy, research and writing, communication and digital skills, alongside an introduction to entrepreneurship, economics, politics and workplace wellbeing. These areas support your transition into the degree years.

Can I study near where I live?

The course locations are London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. Ask which campuses offer your chosen intake and timetable, and check the travel and attendance requirements before applying.

Will the timetable fit around my commitments?

Weekday, evening and weekend study options are subject to confirmation. Request the actual timetable for your campus and intake rather than assuming that every option will be offered.

Can work experience support my application?

Applicants aged 21 and over who do not meet the standard requirements may be considered through relevant life and work experience. GBS confirms the evidence and admissions assessments required for your circumstances.

Ask another course question

Your next chapter starts here

Build your future
in global business management.

Explore your next step with personal guidance from Global Learning Pathway.