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Business with Business Communication (Top-up) BA (Hons)

Top-up your previous higher education studies to a full BA (Hons) degree. You’ll combine core business subjects with classes to improve your business English.

Key information

UCAS code:

N191

Typical offer:

Relevant HE study leading to a Level 4 qualification

See full entry requirements
Study mode and duration
Start date

Showing content for section Overview

Overview

Improve your English and learn valuable business communication skills while you study core subjects such as global business, leadership and strategic management.

With this top-up degree you can build on your previous higher education studies in business to gain a full BA (Hons) degree in just 1 or 2 years.

This degree combines English language improvement with the study of business. You can do this undergraduate degree in a single year or in 2 years, depending on your level of previous study and your ability to write and speak English.

Business and management studies at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 2nd of the modern universities by research power

Research Excellence Framework (REF), 2021

Read more about our business and management research

Eligibility

This course is open to international, EU and UK students whose first language is not English. A key part of the course is improving your written and spoken business English.

Course highlights

  • Learn in a Business School that's ranked 3rd in the UK for teaching power (Financial Times 2021)
  • Improve your English in 3 ways:
    • dedicated English language classes to improve your vocabulary and grammar
    • business communications classes where you'll practise presentations, interviews and writing for business
    • living and working with both UK and international students and experiencing life in a welcoming UK city
  • Understand the global business environment through study that explores cross cultural awareness for business, international business and ethics and sustainability in business
  • Research an independent study project in an area that interests you
  • Experience excellent support from both your tutors and our dedicated global team

No. 3

influential business school in the world

Financial Times Teaching Power Rankings 2021

AACSB Logo

Contact information

Admissions

+44 (0) 23 9284 5566

Contact Admissions

Entry requirements

BA (Hons) Business with Business Communication (Top-up) degree entry requirements

Typical offers

  • Applicants for the 2 year course require relevant HE study leading to a Level 4 qualification, for example an appropriate HNC, or 120 credits from year 1 of an undergraduate degree (BA/BSc), in a relevant subject. Applicants for the 1 year course require relevant HE study leading to a Level 5 qualification, for example an appropriate HND, foundation degree or Advanced Diploma, or 240 credits from year 1 and year 2 of an undergraduate degree (BA/BSc), in a relevant subject.

You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept at UCAS.

English language requirements

  • For year 2 entry applicants require English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 5.5 with no component score below 5.5. For year 3 entry applicants require English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

See alternative English language qualifications

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

We look at more than just your grades

While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.

Explore more about how we make your offer

marketing students talking in a crowd

Feel at home in our international community

Over 5,000 international students from over 150 countries study with us. You'll find clubs and societies for everything you can imagine.

In our welcoming and diverse city, you can enjoy a wide range of global cuisine and international food shops.

Explore student life in Portsmouth

 

​The resources here are excellent. Portsmouth Business School is based in a modern building, equipped with large lecture theatres and state-of-the-art computer suites.

Andy Dymond, Business with Business Communication (Top-up)

Careers and opportunities

Graduates of this course have gone into careers such as:

  • business development and consultancy
  • recruitment
  • digital marketing
  • publicity
  • financial and risk analysis

Postgraduate study

Many graduates of this course go on to postgraduate study on master's courses such as MSc International Business or MA Business Communication for International Leadership. As a graduate of Portsmouth you may be able to get a scholarship or a reduction on your postgraduate tuition fees if you continue your studies with us.

Set up your own business

We're an endorsing institution for UK start-up visas, so we can offer you lots of help and support if you want to stay in the UK after you graduate and set up your own business.

Female student at computer

Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.

Ways to enrich your study

Entrepreneurs in Residence Programme (EiR)

Entrepreneurs in Residence Programme (EiR)

We have over 20 experienced business entrepreneurs on our free EiR programme who can help you develop your business idea.

"I have a business idea, but I was not too sure about it. After this meeting, I felt so encouraged and positive about it! I felt so motivated to pursue my business venture. He gave me real life advice and helped me how to approach my ideas."

Rabab El Habchi Mahir meeting EiR Mark Smith

What you'll study on this BA (Hons) Business with Business Communication Top-up degree

What you'll study

Core modules in this year:

  • Business Analysis and Decision Making - 20 credits
  • Business Communication 2 - 20 credits
  • General Language Grade 5 (English) - 20 credits
  • International Business - 20 credits
  • Leadership, Ethics, Governance and Sustainability - 20 credits
  • Services Marketing - 20 credits

There are no optional modules in this year.

Core modules in this year include:

  • Business Communication 3 - 20 credits
  • Business Improvement & Creativity - 20 credits
  • Cross Cultural Awareness For Business - 20 credits
  • General Language Grade 6 (English) - 20 credits
  • Independent Study Project - 20 credits
  • Strategic Management - 20 credits

There are no optional modules in this year.

Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Alternative courses

Not quite sure this course is right for you? Take a look at our other business and communications courses to compare your options.

You can join this top-up BA (Hons) Finance and Business Communication degree in either the 2nd or 3rd year, depending on your level of previous study and your ability to speak and write English. This degree is designed for non-native English speakers and combines the study of global finance with classes to improve your business English and communication skills.

This full, 3-year BA (Hons) Business and Management degree is a great option for you if you have good English and you'd like to do a 3-year degree exploring a wide range of business and management subject areas, including economics, operations management, accounting, product development and data analysis. There are no English language modules in this course.

Teaching

Portsmouth Business School is ranked 3rd in the UK for teaching power. You'll be taught by a dedicated team of specialist staff that includes a great mix of research expertise and industry experience.

We listened to our students when they told us that they wanted to keep some of the positive changes we've made to teaching and learning, so we're keeping a blended teaching model with some online learning. Around 20% of your timetabled teaching will be online.

The majority of your timetabled teaching will be face-to-face and will include:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • tutorials
  • workshops
  • practical sessions

We pride ourselves on the academic support we offer our students. In addition to our dedicated teaching team, you'll have a personal tutor, student engagement officers and study support staff to help you throughout your studies. 

Assessment

Your assessments will depend on the modules that you take.

Assessment methods are likely to include:

  • analysis of topical case studies
  • written reports
  • essays
  • presentations
  • examinations
  • group work
  • your choice of independent research

What happens if I can't get to Portsmouth?

We strongly encourage you to join us in Portsmouth as soon as possible, but on this course we will provide blended teaching with online learning if you cannot join us on campus due to travel restrictions.

Teaching staff profiles

These are some of the expert staff who'll teach you on this degree course.

Ian Piper Portrait

Media ready expert

Mr Ian Piper

Senior Teaching Fellow

Ian.Piper@port.ac.uk

Portsmouth Business School

Faculty of Business and Law

Read more

How you'll spend your time

One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.

We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies.  As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.

A typical week

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for this degree.

Your total study time will depend on the modules that you take, but in your first year this is what your week may look like:

  • timetabled teaching activities (lectures, seminars, tutorials, classes and workshops) = about 15 hours a week
  • independent study (research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group) = about 20 hours a week

You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.

Term dates

The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.

See term dates

Supporting you

Types of support

Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.

As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.

You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.

They can help with:

  • improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
  • understanding and using assignment feedback
  • managing your time and workload
  • revision and exam techniques

As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).

ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:

  • academic writing
  • note taking
  • time management
  • critical thinking
  • presentation skills
  • referencing
  • working in groups
  • revision, memory and exam techniques

Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.

You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.

If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.

They'll help you to

  • discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
  • liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
  • access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
  • liaise with external services

Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.

The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.

The Maths Café offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop or use our online resources.

If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.

03/12/2018 Welcome Ambassadors Shoot

Arrival support

Whether you're travelling halfway around the world or just a few miles, starting university can be nerve-wracking. Our airport pickup service, international orientation week events, and amazing support teams will help you settle in.

Explore the welfare support we offer

See an example orientation week

​Course costs and funding

Tuition fees

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
  • International (non-EU) students – £16,200 per year (subject to annual increase)

Funding your studies

Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.

Additional course costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

Additional costs

Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.

You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.

You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.

We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.

 

If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.

Apply

Please only apply for this course if English is not your first language.

Note this course is a top-up degree, which means you'll start in year 2 or 3.

How to apply

To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:

  • the UCAS course code – N191
  • our institution code – P80

Apply now through UCAS

 

If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.

You can also sign up to an Open Day to:

  • Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
  • Speak with lecturers and chat with our students 
  • Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join

If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.

Applying from outside the UK

As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things. 

You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.

Find out what additional information you need in our international students section

If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.