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Foundation Programme in Business and Social Science

Study level:
Undergraduate

Course options

Study mode:
Full-time
Qualification:
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Duration:
5 Years
Start date:
14/09/2026
Campus:
Main Site
2026-2027
Apply

Course summary

Successful graduation from our foundation programme paves the way to a degree programme at the College of Business and Social Sciences.

Course description

The course offers a progression route and a way to gain direct entry to our undergraduate degrees in the College of Business and Social Sciences.

As well as developing your subject-specific knowledge it will build on your key skills, such as teamworking and leadership to start you on your path towards your future career.

You will study core content but also have the opportunity, to choose from optional modules. This way you can make sure your foundation course is tailored to your interests and the path to your chosen degree.

You will also have the opportunity to conduct your own research project.

Key course benefits

  • Recognised for quality – Aston Business School is proud to be among 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation

  • Broaden your perspective – Sample a number of different business and social science subjects and find where your passion lies

  • Gold standard teaching – Aston University was awarded Gold – the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

  • Development opportunities – Opportunity to progress onto an undergraduate degree programme

  • Broaden your perspective – Sample a number of different business and social science subjects and find where your passion lies

  • Safe in our hands – An excellent introduction to studying your chosen subject

  • Top 100 in Europe - We've been ranked 17th in the UK and 97th in Europe (Financial Times European Business Schools ranking 2024)

  • 87th in the world - We’ve been ranked as 87th in the world and 11th in the UK for business and management studies (QS World University Rankings By Subject 2025)

Course details

Modules
For more information on this course and a full list of modules, visit the course page: https://www.aston.ac.uk/study/courses/foundation-programme-business-and-social-science-fdsc

Assessment method
For more information on the methods of assessment on this course, visit the course page: https://www.aston.ac.uk/study/courses/foundation-programme-business-and-social-science-fdsc

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
NL10
Institution code:
A80
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Foundation

Aston University, Birmingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
NL10
Institution code:
A80
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - CCC

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM

The University also accepts the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate/BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma and BTEC Level 3 National Diploma/BTEC Level 3 Diploma for entry onto degree programmes, provided that they are studied in combination with other qualifications that are equivalent to three full A2 Levels.

Access to HE Diploma - Not accepted

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 27 points

27 points overall in the IB diploma with grades 4,4,4 in 3 higher level subjects.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE requirements vary depending on the course you would like to progress to. Please see the progression course page for full details of GCSE requirements. All courses require a minimum of: GCSE Maths – grade C/4 (some progression courses require a B/5 in GCSE Maths) GCSE English Language or English Literature – grade C/4

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Data from:
This course
Date range:
2022-2024

Grades held by accepted students

For Aston University, Birmingham, the top and bottom 5% of student grades have been removed from these calculations. This change helps to remove any extraordinary circumstances that could impact the data. Learn more here .
CDD Most common
  1. CCD
  2. Highest grades
  3. DDD
  4. Lowest grades

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

98% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£5760Year 1
Northern Ireland£5760Year 1
Scotland£5760Year 1
Wales£5760Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The tuition fee for the Foundation Year commencing in the academic year 2025/6 will be £5,760. This is subject to the passing of legislation implementing the Government’s policy to decrease the maximum tuition fee payable by home undergraduate students on full-time business foundation courses from £9,250 to £5,760.

Following successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will pay the full time undergraduate annual tuition fee, which is currently £9,535. This is subject to the passing of legislation implementing the Government’s policy to increase the maximum tuition fee payable by home undergraduate students on full-time courses from £9,250 to £9,535.

The fee for the Placement Year is £1,250.

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