Business Management with Foundation Year

Master the 360 business world with our flexible Business Management degree
At St Mary's, our Business Management course is designed for practical, ambitious individuals ready to make a real impact in the workplace. Our focus on ethical standards and working with third-sector organisations helps you develop as a thoughtful, forward-thinking leader. And with small class sizes, you’ll be truly valued. Our high employability shows this is an approach that works.

Practical skills that boost employability
This course is designed by industry professionals who know employers seek graduates who can apply ideas to practical situations, are confident with the latest technological and digital developments, and maintain the best professional management and ethical standards.

You’ll be assessed on real-world projects, business cases, presentations and simulated exercises (rather than exams) so you’ll have plenty of extra experience for your CV. As you explore our wide range of specialist modules, you’ll:

• earn exemptions and professional accreditations

• complete short courses on Excel and Canva.

We’ll help you find a work placement that complements your goals. You’ll:

• apply knowledge and skills to the real world

• gain crucial experience and confidence

• build your network.

So you’re always building on your employability and can join the 96% of SMU graduates in employment, vocation, or further study within 15 months of graduation (HESA, 2024).

Modules to match your passions

Our wide mix of optional modules across finance, business law, marketing and digital business help you discover what makes you, and businesses, tick. You can focus on contemporary approaches and critical skills in your first year, and then specialise in areas like management consultancy and digital business.
Learn how to:

• manage people, and how to organise for success

• manage the long-term future of a business by studying changes in societies, markets, finances, economies, technology, political intervention and legal or ethical requirements

• develop and implement strategies to meet business requirements with in-depth research projects investigating the different choices your business needs to make.

Gain:

• managerial experience during one of several work placements offered throughout the programme

• professional accreditation and certificate exemptions with professional bodies like CMI, CIMA and CIM.

Get inspired by industry experts
Our courses are designed and taught by industry professionals with decades of experience, and connections with business leaders who share their insight with our students. Course Lead, Kofi Amegashie, has 30+ years of international business experience across Chevron, Shell, World Bank, Alexander Forbes, and more.

Build experience through employability events
Take part in events designed to develop your skills and give you valuable practical experience – our Business Clinic Marketing Hackathon creates real-life challenges where you pitch your proposal to expert judges. Put into practice the knowledge and skills you gain, collaborate, and develop your presentation skills.

About the Foundation Year
Our four-year degree programmes (including a foundation year) provide an alternative route to undergraduate study at university if you do not have the grades to access higher education in the traditional way.

Hear From Our Students

"Our academics are really helpful and always on hand when help is needed, both in lectures and tutorials."

• Lauren, Business student

Why St Mary’s University (SMU)?
With high-quality teaching, real-world experience, and a community that lifts each other up, students gain the skills and support to make a positive impact – for themselves and for others. All at our London oasis, where our campus blends city energy with open space to think, connect, and grow.

Students will take four core modules as part of the foundation year: Personal Learning Competencies, Taking a professional Approach; Thinking Critically, Creatively and Ethically, The Individual Project, London: A Global City and Fundamentals of Business Management

You will be assessed in a variety of ways to test knowledge, understanding and skills development throughout your degree. The programme uses a broad range of assessments including business reports, essays, practical exercises, presentations, case studies, examinations, seminar performance and simulation exercises. As well as traditional exam-based assessments and coursework, the programme makes use of online technology, such as building wikis and online seminar discussion.