Are you interested in a career in business management and law, but need to build your academic skills ahead of your studies? Our CMI accredited BA (Hons) Business Management and Law with Foundation Year degree will help you do just that, offering study skills and guidance at every stage.
The course will equip you with everything you need to succeed in higher education, even if you don’t have the academic confidence or qualifications to join a standard undergraduate course. It will then go on to instil fundamental business skills alongside the impact of law on everyday business practices, helping you gain valuable workplace skills across both disciplines.
This course has been designed in close consultation with some of today’s biggest players, such as Google, Coca Cola, and Oracle, ensuring the skills you gain are both in-demand and highly relevant to today’s workplace. You’ll acquire an in-depth understanding of the relationship between business and law, and the ability to make effective decisions in both practices - from the day-to-day running of a business all the way through to drawing up and negotiating contracts, acquiring new business assets, and everything in between.
Through case studies and our business simulation software, SimVenture, you’ll have the opportunity to apply your learning to practise in a safe environment, allowing you to experience first-hand how to run a business and overcome the challenges you might face along the way. You’ll also have access to our Arden Enterprise Incubator, which hosts resources aimed at nurturing your business acumen, including training, coaching, workshops, and talks led by industry experts.
Your course modules combine a foundation year followed by a full undergraduate qualification. After reviewing key preparatory academic study skills, you’ll go on to develop your knowledge of the legal aspects of running a business. Your modules will explore the core skills underpinning both disciplines, giving you the ability to apply law principles to improve business practices and make effective business decisions.
"I was already in the working world and running two businesses. Not to mention I also have a young family, so the freedom online learning offered, and the cost effectiveness of the course, was a big draw for me."
You have 4-12 years to complete this course, meaning you can take up to 3 years to complete each level. Most of our students, however, aim to complete the course within 4-8 years.
Unlike on more traditional degree courses, you won’t be sitting any exams on this course. Instead, our assessments have been designed to help you apply your learning to real-world scenarios, emphasising modern skills such as drafting business documents and reports, ethical dilemma exercises, data analyses, and more.
Through negotiated assessments and an independent study, you’ll also have the opportunity to choose your topics of interest with your module lecturer, allowing you to align your studies with your ambitions and future career goals.
Your assessments are aimed at providing you with a range of transferable skills that go far beyond just the business and law sector, including analytical and critical thinking, problem solving, analysis and evaluation of data, independent learning, communication, and an appreciation of organisational behaviours and structures.
Throughout the course you’ll have the opportunity to apply your learning through a range of assessments including:
At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application.
Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can study your degree in a flexible and convenient way. That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or desktop PC (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good internet connection. Through ilearn, our online university campus in the cloud, you'll be able to access your course calendar, support services, learning materials, and our online library containing thousands of ebooks, as well as tools for creating assignments, keeping notes, and collaborating with other students on your course.
Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can join us, wherever you are.
That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection. With this one tool, you'll be able to access information, advice, support, learning materials and our online library, as well as create assignments, keep notes, and collaborate with other students effectively.
To be eligible for the BA (Hons) Business Management and Law with Foundation Year, you should normally have:
We also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency. More information can be found here.
Dr. Alison Watson is the Head of School for Leadership and Management, she was also the Programme Team Leader for UG Business and Accounting programmes. Having taught at Arden for 15 years, she has supported many students on various management courses at all levels of study. Prior to this, Alison was an operations and project manager for a number of large retailers, and therefore has a wealth of experience in the field of business and management.
Perhaps you have a strong idea of where you want to go with your business management and law degree, or perhaps you're still a little unsure. Don’t worry if you’re still weighing up your future career options. We prepare you with a range of advanced multidisciplinary skills that employers from a variety of organisations will value, enhancing your career options wherever they might lie.
Your course will focus strongly on real-world practice, giving you the opportunity to apply what you learn to real business management and law scenarios. By mastering a range of transferable skills, your qualification is sure to set you up for success in your future career. These skills include:
The real-world insight and practical workplace skills gained on your course will give you a competitive advantage in an exciting and challenging industry. Some of your career options could include:
This course awards a CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management & Leadership and offers CMI Foundation Chartered Manager Status *
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) promotes excellence in UK management and leadership. As the CMI possesses a Royal Charter, they are the only organisation in the UK that can award Chartered Manager status to their members – the gold standard in management. With 140,000 members, the institute aims to boost career development across the management sector and connect like-minded professionals.
As an Arden student, you’ll have free CMI Membership throughout your studies, giving you access to a range of additional resources including a mentoring service and invitations to networking events both online and offline.
Upon completion of this CMI-accredited course, you will be awarded CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management & Leadership and gain CMI Foundation Chartered Manager Status. This recognises you have the skills needed to be an effective manager, helping you stand out from the competition and start your management career journey - with a CMI qualification and a clear pathway to full Chartered Manager status.
*Upon completion of your course, the CMI award and level of chartered status awarded will depend on your level and length of study, whether you entered your course with Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) or if any compensation is applied on your modules throughout the duration of study. If this criteria applies to you, you may receive one of the 2 different levels; an Award or Certificate.
Arden University is a member of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide.
This membership reflects the fact that Arden University has successfully matched the high standards required by the AACSB, and enables the sharing of ideas and the exchange best practises between global business schools. Membership also gives our faculty members access to in-depth data and research to support the development of our courses and teaching methods, ensuring that we are able to provide you with the best possible university experience.
The BGA is a membership and quality assurance body. As a member, Arden University have signed up to the BGA Charter, committing their institution to responsible management practices and lifelong learning, positively impacting their students, communities, and the economy. This shows our students that we are demonstrating responsible management ourselves, as well as it being a central theme that runs through our own courses.
As Arden University is a member of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), students will receive complementary BGA student and graduate membership. Through this membership, current students will have access to the BGA Career Development Centre, packed with interactive tools, e-learning content, partner discounts and the latest job opportunities. This is a lifetime access, which means students will continue to have access to these services even after they graduate.
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to the IBISWorld database, which provides trusted industry research on thousands of industries worldwide. Their in-house analysts leverage economic, demographic, and market data, as well as analytical and forward-thinking insights to help organisations of all types make better business decisions. You’ll be able to use this resource to both inform and enhance your academic and professional work.
As an Arden University student, you’ll have access to the Arden Enterprise Incubator (AEI) online platform to support you in the area of entrepreneurship. Whether students are exploring the idea of setting up their own company or need help and guidance launching or growing an existing business, the AEI provides everything students need to kick start their entrepreneurial journey, as well as to support and empower them along the way.
The AEI has a wealth of resources available including monthly master classes, boot camps, podcasts, blogs, external events, and mentorship. Mentors include Arden University lecturers and industry experts so our students receive the very best support and expertise.
All Arden students will have free access to LinkedIn Learning through the Library Portal. LinkedIn Learning is a video-based online learning platform offering over 16,500 expert-led courses across a wide range of subjects including business, technology, and creative skills.
With LinkedIn Learning, you can: