Foundation Degree · Banking & Management

FdABusiness ManagementLevel 5 Foundation Degree

Understand how organisations work and develop the skills to move forward. Explore business practice, leadership and enterprise while building confidence in research, teamwork and problem-solving.

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NCG-awarded foundation degree, with personal guidance from GLP.

Mature learner discussing workplace operations with an experienced manager on a small manufacturing floor, respectful professional setting — Knowledge. Enterprise. Progression.Explore business in practice.
Build your next step.

Duration: 2 yearsFull programme · confirm any advanced entry
Mode of study: Full-timeConfirm delivery and attendance arrangements
Qualification: Level 5Foundation Degree awarded by NCG
Intakes: To be confirmedAsk GLP about current start dates

Awarding institution: NCG
Independent study: Minimum 10 hours weekly in the supplied outline — confirm total workload

A practical foundation for your ambitions

Understand organisations.
Develop your potential.

Build knowledge, skills and competencies relevant to a range of business organisations. This foundation degree supports professional development and further academic study through an understanding of organisations and the business environment.

Explore finance, marketing, human resources and leadership alongside specialist subjects such as ethics, sustainability, operations and enterprise. Work-based learning connects business ideas with professional contexts.

Learn with guidance from academics with relevant industry backgrounds. Varied teaching approaches develop your research, critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving as you become a more independent learner.

The programme outline describes a course developed with employer input and focused on employability. Discuss the projects, work-related learning and employer activities available at your delivery centre.

Understand your starting point

An FdA is a Level 5 foundation degree. NCG lists the full Business Management programme as two years full-time, including Level 4 study before Level 5. The six subjects supplied for this page match its second-year outline. Applicants with a relevant CertHE should confirm recognition of prior learning, entry point and remaining duration.

ResearchCritical thinkingTeamworkProblem-solvingBusiness understandingProfessional development

Find your starting point

Explore your entry route.

Minimum age in the supplied outline

18+years of age

Admissions assesses your qualifications and experience and confirms the entry route available to you.

Prior higher education

CertHEin Business Management

A relevant Certificate of Higher Education is one of the listed routes. Confirm whether it supports advanced entry and which credits can be recognised.

Listed qualification routes

BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in a business-related subject.
NVQ Level 4 in a relevant vocational area, or equivalent A-levels.
Certificate of Higher Education in Business Management.

The supplied outline also requires GCSE Mathematics and English, or equivalent Level 2 Numeracy and Literacy qualifications. Mature applicants with relevant work experience are welcome to seek individual admissions guidance.

Confirm current entry conditions

NCG’s current full-programme guidance lists a UK Level 3 qualification with at least 64 UCAS points, or an equivalent international qualification. Applicants aged 21 and over may be considered with at least two years of relevant experience. Confirm the requirements for your delivery centre and entry point.

Your learning journey

Connect business knowledge with practice.

The six supplied subjects explore professional practice and specialist business areas. NCG lists them in the Level 5 year; the full programme also includes Level 4 study.

Year two · Level 5The six supplied subjects in NCG’s current second-year outline

NCG places these subjects in Year Two, at 20 credits each. Digital Marketing is listed as optional. Confirm your module selection and the full Level 4–5 curriculum with admissions.

Ethics and Sustainability (20 credits)
Operations and Supply Chain Management (20 credits)
Work-Based Learning (20 credits)
Digital Marketing (20 credits)Optional
Listed as optional in the current NCG guide. Confirm availability and your permitted module choices.
Professional Development (20 credits)
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (20 credits)

NCG also lists Organisational Behaviour, Management Accounting and Principles of Leadership as optional subjects. Confirm which options are available and how they fit your programme; the listed subjects should not be read as additional compulsory modules.

Confirm the full curriculum, credit requirements, optional choices and recognition of prior learning. The six-subject outline is not the complete two-year module list.

Develop as an independent learner

Study with purpose.

How you’ll develop

Build understanding of organisations and the business environment.
Explore core business functions and specialist subjects.
Apply research techniques to find and evaluate information.
Develop teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving.
Connect academic learning with work-related experience.

The supplied outline specifies at least ten hours of independent study weekly, with substantial reading and research. Confirm your total workload, taught timetable and any work-based commitments.

Assessment and support

NCG’s current guide lists presentations and quizzes.
Report writing and essays also form part of assessment.
Tutor guidance supports your knowledge and academic development.
Applied learning helps connect concepts with professional contexts.

Confirm module assessment tasks, weighting, work-based arrangements and support at your delivery centre.

Looking beyond the foundation degree

Find your business direction.

Develop a foundation for employment, career development and further study across business functions. Your interests, work-based experience and module choices can help shape your next step.

Marketing assistant
Finance assistant
Human resources officer
Team leader
Customer service management
Accounts assistant
Retail management
Project management pathways

These are possible career directions. Employers set their own requirements, and management or specialist roles may require further experience, training or qualifications. Completing the FdA does not guarantee employment or a management position.

Explore entrepreneurship

Enterprise study can support the development of your own business ideas. Starting a business requires further planning, research and practical decisions; commercial success is not guaranteed.

Progress to Level 6

The supplied pathway leads towards BA (Hons) Business Management. NCG’s current guide describes progression to an honours top-up in a business-related discipline. Confirm the receiving course’s current award title, entry conditions, credit recognition and availability; progression is subject to its requirements.

Ask about Level 6 progression

Explore the Business Management top-up

Plan your next step

Understand the cost of study.

Published annual tuition fee

£9,790 per year

NCG’s current Higher Education Centre guide lists this annual fee, subject to its published conditions. Confirm the fee for your delivery centre, entry year and remaining years of study, including any additional costs.

Ask about fees & funding

The £9,250 figure in the earlier outline is not the current published NCG Higher Education Centre fee. Confirm your own fee schedule and payment options before accepting an offer.

Funding your studies

Eligible students may be able to apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and support with living costs. Eligibility depends on your confirmed course and provider, previous study, age, nationality and residency status. Confirm your individual entitlement with Student Finance.

For most courses starting on or after 1 January 2027, applications use Lifelong Learning Entitlement funding. Check the guidance for your start date. Repayment conditions depend on the applicable loan plan.

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.

NCG Higher Education Centre course and fee guide Student finance eligibility — GOV.UK Funding for courses starting from January 2027 — GOV.UK

Your questions, answered

A little more clarity.

What qualification will I receive?

Successful completion leads to an FdA Business Management, a Level 5 foundation degree awarded by NCG.

How long is the programme?

NCG lists the full programme as two years full-time. If you already hold a relevant CertHE or higher education credits, ask admissions to assess your entry point and remaining duration.

Are the six listed subjects the complete course?

No. They match NCG’s second-year outline. The full programme also includes Level 4 study. Digital Marketing is listed as optional, and other choices may be available.

How much independent study is expected?

The supplied outline specifies at least ten hours weekly, with extensive reading and research. Confirm your full workload, timetable and work-based commitments.

Can mature students apply?

Relevant experience may support an application. Admissions confirms the evidence required and assesses your suitability and entry route individually.

Can I progress to a BA (Hons)?

A suitable Level 6 business top-up may be available after successful completion. Confirm the current course title, admission requirements, credit recognition and available places with the receiving institution.

What careers could I explore?

Possible directions include marketing, finance, HR, accounts, team leadership, customer service, retail and project work. Role requirements vary, and some positions require additional experience or qualifications.

When can I start?

Intakes are to be confirmed. Contact GLP for the current start dates, delivery centre and application arrangements.

Ask another course question

Your next chapter starts here

Build your future
in business management.

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