Business and Management
with a Foundation Year
At Medway, you’ll gain the skills to aspire, grow and lead.
At Medway, you’ll gain the skills to aspire, grow and lead.
If your ambitions include leading a business or building your own, choose this course. As a graduate made at Kent Business School, you’ll have the skills and confidence to lead and inspire others, be innovative, and manage sustainably.
Kent Business School is a supportive community, where you’ll work closely with your academic adviser and other academic staff. They are experts in all areas of business who will expose you to the right mix of detailed theory and hands-on experience.
You’ll gain important leadership skills across a variety of business areas and learn how businesses operate. Topics covered include management principles, marketing, accounting and the international business environment. As you progress, you’ll be introduced to the advanced concepts of many business and management disciplines with the flexibility to tailor your course to suit your interests.
The foundation year is for students whose school-leaving qualifications are below the level required. It offers one year of full-time study prior to the start of your BSc course.
Love the sound of this course, but want a traditional self-contained campus? Our course at Canterbury might be for you.
Gain work experience with a paid year in industry.
Study at a ‘Triple Crown’ business school accredited by AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS.
Take a ‘selfie year’ and bring your business ideas to life at our aspire centre.
in the UK for Business and Management (The Guardian University Guide 2024).
Providing an excellent student experience at Medway.
Our typical offer levels are listed below and include indicative contextual offers. If you hold alternative qualifications just get in touch and we'll be glad to discuss these with you.
If you don't meet the academic requirements for direct entry, our Business and Management with a Foundation Year course offers one year of full-time study prior to the start of the BSc degree.
CDD
MMP
80 Tariff points from your IB Diploma, Typically H5, H4, H4 or equivalent
Mathematics grade 4 / C and English grade 4 / C
N/A
The University will consider applicants holding T level qualifications in subjects closely aligned to the course.
Access to HE Diploma in (subject being taken) with a minimum of 45 Credits at level 3 with 9 credits at Distinction and 12 credits at Merit
The Foundation Year aims to extend access to university education to students from a wide variety of educational backgrounds and age groups and prepares these students for our three or four-year degrees.
After successful completion of the foundation year, you can transfer on to the three or four-year Business and Management programmes. Please refer to the BSc Business and Management, BSc Business and Management with a Year Abroad or BSc Business and Management with a Year in Industry programme for more information about specific modules.
Through this module, students will develop the transferable linguistic and academic skills necessary to successfully complete all the other modules on the IFP. The programme of study focuses primarily on grammar, vocabulary and academic writing skills but will include all language skills.
The module begins with an intensive revision of language structures and goes on to embed these structures into academic writing. Students will learn key steps in the writing process and be introduced to a range of written academic genres. Throughout the module, students will also develop their academic vocabulary through reading and writing tasks specially designed for this.
Through this module, students will improve the transferable academic skills necessary to successfully complete their other modules on the IFP and to succeed on their future undergraduate programmes. The programme of study will cover the development of critical and analytical skills.
Students will attend regular seminars/workshops each week, focusing on furthering their academic skills. They will receive input on developing a research topic; writing and presenting a proposal; developing research questions; and engaging in reflection on the research and writing process. Students will also review how to write an annotated bibliography; briefly revisit how to plan and write an essay and how to undertake research; and practice presentation skills. They will have the opportunity to meet with their tutor regularly during the term for tutorials, to discuss their individual projects and progress on the module.
Every lecturer we had was an expert in their field – we had some of the best people teaching us.Zaid Mahmood
The law affects how we conduct business in the real world and online. You'll gain an understanding of how the law governs business transactions; what is required for legally compliant contracts; the obligations and responsibilities that can arise in commerce, and how businesses can avoid legal disputes.
We make the law accessible by enabling you to apply the legal knowledge you gain to business-related client disputes. By learning how to analyse and argue legal issues, you'll become more confident in solving problems based on clear thinking and evidence, as well as expressing and defending your ideas across different audiences. By becoming aware of those parts of the law that you are most likely to encounter in your future careers, you’ll better understand the legal obligations you have to others, and those they, in turn, have to you.
The importance of business ethics within organisations has drastically increased in the last decades and the issues of ethical relevance have expanded greatly. How can a business and the people who are a part of it ensure that it acts ethically given the expansion of ethical scrutiny into contemporary organisations?
You'll learn to apply different ethical concepts and frameworks to the analysis of practical problems in business and management. This will enable you to develop a greater ability to articulate a complex argument and enhance your critical thinking skills, so you can ensure your career is spent building better business, for a better tomorrow.
This module explores the ever-changing trends of retailers both in the UK and globally. It will explore the dynamics of multi-channel retailing following the development of on-line retailing. It will also consider the store design and visual merchandising techniques that influence the characteristics of the retail brand and environment, which encourage a satisfying retail experience. The learner will understand how to analyse and interpret how the location of products in line with store purchasing and marketing policies influences sales and profit. The complexities of store management will further be explored.
Indicative topics are:
The dynamics of retail management and the macro environment
Retail theories and strategic approaches
Store formats
Store location and international factors
E-Retail
Store design and visual merchandising
Store operational management
Customer service and the customer experience
Commercial management and selling skills
Case Studies of Food and Fashion retailing
Why are entrepreneurs important? You'll learn about the diverse nature of entrepreneurs, their characteristics and motivations and the barriers and issues facing them when planning and establishing a new venture. Understand the barriers to start-up enterprise growth and success, and evaluate and apply a range of strategic decisions to maximise the viability of the enterprise. You’ll apply theory to practice, using your theoretical insights to develop an innovative enterprise of your own.
The law expects businesses to be governed responsibly, and the individuals within them to be mindful as to how they fulfil their legal obligations to their customers, the environment, their workforce and the public. You'll learn about key aspects of negligence, company, employment and discrimination law, from how organisations are legally structured, to their responsibilities to those over whom they have a duty of care.
You'll consider current news on legal issues and apply the law to real world business situations, increasing your knowledge of relevant business law. You’ll learn how to analyse and solve problems, and appreciate how the law impacts different cultures, backgrounds and circumstances both domestically and internationally.
Learning the law challenges you to question assumptions and look at both sides of an issue or dispute. Often you expect a particular outcome, only to find a court decided the opposite – and when you see the real impact this has on people’s lives and livelihoods, it can seem unfair or unsettling. Gaining the ability to navigate such ambiguities and realities is crucial for your future studies and career, helping you to develop an enquiring mind and equipping you to behave responsibly, fairly and with integrity in business.
Business is more international than ever, crossing cultures and borders across the globe. Through the study of macroeconomics you'll learn how to interpret macroeconomic trends, forecast the movement of the economy and understand the importance of international trade. Equipped with advanced tools of analysis, you will skilfully interpret the ever-changing world economy and become an effective decision maker across pricing, production and investment.
The law affects how we conduct business in the real world and online. You'll gain an understanding of how the law governs business transactions; what is required for legally compliant contracts; the obligations and responsibilities that can arise in commerce, and how businesses can avoid legal disputes.
We make the law accessible by enabling you to apply the legal knowledge you gain to business-related client disputes. By learning how to analyse and argue legal issues, you'll become more confident in solving problems based on clear thinking and evidence, as well as expressing and defending your ideas across different audiences. By becoming aware of those parts of the law that you are most likely to encounter in your future careers, you’ll better understand the legal obligations you have to others, and those they, in turn, have to you.
The importance of business ethics within organisations has drastically increased in the last decades and the issues of ethical relevance have expanded greatly. How can a business and the people who are a part of it ensure that it acts ethically given the expansion of ethical scrutiny into contemporary organisations?
You'll learn to apply different ethical concepts and frameworks to the analysis of practical problems in business and management. This will enable you to develop a greater ability to articulate a complex argument and enhance your critical thinking skills, so you can ensure your career is spent building better business, for a better tomorrow.
Indicative areas to be covered are:
Introduction to Business/Management Projects
Research Methodologies
Literature search and Literature Review
Data collection and questionnaire
Structuring a Project Report
Data Analysis
Presentations
This module investigates the importance of having a dynamic buying function in retailing to meet the ever-changing needs of the consumer and maintain a profitable business. It explores both Fashion and Food retailing, and the differences between these industries. It considers how different strategic approaches influence new product design and purchasing, as well as the importance of economic, legal and financial issues. Students will acquire expertise in how to plan and develop a range of products; how to develop pricing strategies, and how to work with strategic suppliers and partners to get a product that exceeds consumer needs to market ahead of the competition.
The key elements of the curriculum are as follows:
• Organisational approaches to buying and the impact on the brand
• Process models of buying
• Competitor analysis
• Impact of trends and fashion on new product development
• Impact of innovation and technology on new product development
• Range planning
• Quality strategies and quality assurance
• Supplier selection and management
• Sustainability of product sourcing
Whether you want to launch a business or save an entrepreneurial idea for later, working on your own business plan will help you to develop your problem-solving skills and demonstrate your overall business acumen – as well as potentially kick-start your future.
Utilising the knowledge and experience you have gained during your years at university and in industry, you'll produce a tailored business plan to a commercial standard. You'll gain an enhanced understanding of the issues that need to be addressed in setting up a new business, and develop the skills to create, run and pitch your own enterprise.
Your ability to think through the challenges of creating a new enterprise – and produce a coherent, convincing and commercial-ready plan – will showcase your value to potential employers and put you in the driving seat when launching your own business.
The law expects businesses to be governed responsibly, and the individuals within them to be mindful as to how they fulfil their legal obligations to their customers, the environment, their workforce and the public. You'll learn about key aspects of negligence, company, employment and discrimination law, from how organisations are legally structured, to their responsibilities to those over whom they have a duty of care.
You'll consider current news on legal issues and apply the law to real world business situations, increasing your knowledge of relevant business law. You’ll learn how to analyse and solve problems, and appreciate how the law impacts different cultures, backgrounds and circumstances both domestically and internationally.
Learning the law challenges you to question assumptions and look at both sides of an issue or dispute. Often you expect a particular outcome, only to find a court decided the opposite – and when you see the real impact this has on people’s lives and livelihoods, it can seem unfair or unsettling. Gaining the ability to navigate such ambiguities and realities is crucial for your future studies and career, helping you to develop an enquiring mind and equipping you to behave responsibly, fairly and with integrity in business.
Students will be expected to develop the ability to use appropriate techniques of analysis and enquiry within supply chain and service management, and to learn how to evaluate the alternatives and make recommendations. Topics include:
• The nature of services and service strategy
• Supply chain management
• Managing quality within supply chains
• Service development and technology
• Service quality and the service encounter
• Project/Event management and control
• Managing capacity and demand in services
A well-executed corporate social responsibility strategy can enhance a company's reputation and brand image. By studying socially responsible management you’ll make sense of societal changes and what it means for you and your future in business. Key components of corporate social responsibility and ethical theory are applied in the context of social issues. You’ll gain a strong understanding of the ethical concerns in business through the study of example cases involving key issues such as shareholder activism, employee discrimination, working conditions, ethical issues in marketing, accountability and collaboration with civil society organisations. You’ll begin to see the importance of a collaborative approach with internal and external stakeholder groups as you apply key concepts, theories and frameworks related to social responsibility in different contexts.
Our enthusiastic team of international teaching staff are all experts in their field of study and are regularly published in leading journals worldwide. They guide and support your learning, bringing their subject to life and drawing you into the conversation.
We use a variety of teaching methods, including;
Classroom-based learning is supported by the latest online technologies and learning platforms.
Your progress is assessed through coursework and exams. Coursework takes a variety of forms and includes;
Exams are individual written assessments tested under time-controlled conditions.
As part of your studies it is also possible to take a foreign language module in stage 1 and for students going on a Year Abroad in year 1 and 2 subject to programme requirements. Alternatively, our university also offers language courses as part of extra-curricular activities.
To proceed to the next year you must achieve satisfactory results. Your final degree is based on marks gained in the second and third years (and Placement Year/Year Abroad if chosen) and credits which you build up throughout the whole programme.
Undergraduate students can expect around 8 contact hours per week, depending on year of study and optional module choices made. The remainder of the working week consists of self-guided study based on degree programme content and requirements of specific modules. For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours, which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
For programme aims and learning outcomes please see the programme specification.
Our graduates look to make their mark on the organisations they join, whether they are large multinational companies or small local firms in Kent.
Kent Business School students make their ambitions known, working at companies like:
The 2024/25 annual tuition fees for this course are:
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
We welcome applications from students all around the world with a wide range of international qualifications.
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In the QS World University Rankings 2024, Kent has been ranked 39th within the UK and is in the top 25% of Higher Education Institutions worldwide.
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Kent has risen 11 places in THE’s REF 2021 ranking, confirming us as a leading research university.
An unmissable part of your student experience.