BA (Hons) Business Administration

Build commercial acumen from day one online

Online only

3 years full-time360 creditsEnglish

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Overview

The BA (Hons) Business Administration immerses you in the realities of modern commerce from your first term. You will analyse live case studies, present to faculty panels, and collaborate on consultancy projects with Edinburgh-based SMEs. Modules progress from organisational behaviour and accounting fundamentals to strategy, digital transformation, and responsible leadership. Small seminar groups ensure personalised feedback, while the GMU Business Lab hosts pitch nights and employer mentoring each semester.

Year 3 includes a credited internship or enterprise project. Graduates may progress directly to the GMU MBA with advanced standing where eligible.

Who This Programme Is For

School leavers aiming for management, consulting, or finance careers
Entrepreneurs seeking formal business credentials alongside campus networks
International students wanting a UK honours degree with employer connections

Faculty spotlight

Professor Helena MacLeod leads Strategy & Finance; Dr. Amara Okafor supervises enterprise projects with a focus on inclusive growth.

How you can study

Digital only

Study online

100% tuition-free online

Every programme can be completed fully online with zero tuition fees — study from anywhere in the world.

✦ Tuition: £0 / $0
✦ Course exams from $45 — 95% sponsorship rate
✦ Learn from anywhere · Live online seminars

Apply online →

What You Will Learn

Prepare management accounts and interpret financial performance for decision-making
Develop marketing plans grounded in customer insight and digital analytics
Lead team-based consulting projects with professional presentation standards
Evaluate ethical and ESG considerations in business strategy

Curriculum

Year 1 — Foundations

Code	Course	Credits
BUS101	Introduction to Management Introduction to Management — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Introduction to Management Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
BUS102	Financial Accounting Financial Accounting — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Financial Accounting Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
BUS103	Marketing Principles Marketing Principles — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Marketing Principles Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
BUS104	Business Economics Business Economics — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Business Economics Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20

Year 2 — Application

Code	Course	Credits
BUS201	Corporate Finance Corporate Finance — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Corporate Finance Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
BUS202	Operations & Supply Chain Operations & Supply Chain — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Operations & Supply Chain Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
BUS203	Digital Business Digital Business — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Digital Business Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
BUS204	Organisational Behaviour Organisational Behaviour — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Organisational Behaviour Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20

Year 3 — Honours

Code

Course

Credits

BUS301

Strategic Management

Strategic Management — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Strategic Management
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

BUS302

Leadership & Ethics

Leadership & Ethics — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Leadership & Ethics
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

BUS303

Business Consultancy Project

Business Consultancy Project — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Business Consultancy Project
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

Career Paths

Management Trainee
Business Analyst
Marketing Executive
Entrepreneur
Corporate Finance Assistant

Programme Highlights

GMU Business Lab and employer mentoring programme
Optional year abroad with partner universities
Accredited pathway toward Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 5
Digital delivery with library, careers, and SU facilities

Admission Requirements

A-levels BBB (or equivalent) in relevant subjects, or an Access to HE Diploma with Merit profile
International Baccalaureate 28 points, or high school diploma with GPA 3.0/4.0 minimum
Personal statement (400–600 words) explaining your academic interests and career goals
One academic reference from a teacher, tutor, or school counsellor
English proficiency: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 46, or equivalent (waived for prior English-medium study)
Optional: portfolio or interview for creative and professional programmes

Recognised & Accredited

Ready to begin?BA (Hons) Business Administration

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Overview

Year 3 includes a credited internship or enterprise project. Graduates may progress directly to the GMU MBA with advanced standing where eligible.

Who This Programme Is For

School leavers aiming for management, consulting, or finance careers

Entrepreneurs seeking formal business credentials alongside campus networks

International students wanting a UK honours degree with employer connections

Faculty spotlight

Professor Helena MacLeod leads Strategy & Finance; Dr. Amara Okafor supervises enterprise projects with a focus on inclusive growth.

What You Will Learn

Prepare management accounts and interpret financial performance for decision-making

Develop marketing plans grounded in customer insight and digital analytics

Lead team-based consulting projects with professional presentation standards

Evaluate ethical and ESG considerations in business strategy

Curriculum

Year 1 — Foundations

Code	Course	Credits
BUS101	Introduction to Management Introduction to Management — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Introduction to Management Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
BUS102	Financial Accounting Financial Accounting — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Financial Accounting Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
BUS103	Marketing Principles Marketing Principles — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Marketing Principles Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
BUS104	Business Economics Business Economics — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Business Economics Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20

Year 2 — Application

Code	Course	Credits
BUS201	Corporate Finance Corporate Finance — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Corporate Finance Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
BUS202	Operations & Supply Chain Operations & Supply Chain — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Operations & Supply Chain Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
BUS203	Digital Business Digital Business — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Digital Business Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20
BUS204	Organisational Behaviour Organisational Behaviour — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway. Core concepts and frameworks in Organisational Behaviour Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases Methods, tools, and professional standards Ethics, risk, and responsible practice Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project	20

Year 3 — Honours

Code

Course

Credits

BUS301

Strategic Management

Strategic Management — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Strategic Management
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

BUS302

Leadership & Ethics

Leadership & Ethics — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Leadership & Ethics
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

BUS303

Business Consultancy Project

Business Consultancy Project — core module covering foundational concepts, applied practice, and formal assessment on this degree pathway.

Core concepts and frameworks in Business Consultancy Project
Theory applied to contemporary organisational cases
Methods, tools, and professional standards
Ethics, risk, and responsible practice
Assessment: coursework, exam, or applied project

Admission Requirements

A-levels BBB (or equivalent) in relevant subjects, or an Access to HE Diploma with Merit profile

International Baccalaureate 28 points, or high school diploma with GPA 3.0/4.0 minimum

Personal statement (400–600 words) explaining your academic interests and career goals

One academic reference from a teacher, tutor, or school counsellor

English proficiency: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 46, or equivalent (waived for prior English-medium study)

Optional: portfolio or interview for creative and professional programmes

Recognised & Accredited