Business and Management Online Degree Pathway - Year 1

Business and Management Online Degree Pathway - Year 1

This Course at a Glance

• Globally recognised online alternative to Year 1 of university
• Get on the pathway to obtaining a BSc (Hons) Business Management degree
• In partnership with the international awarding organisation ATHE
• Unlocks Year 2 of your degree with learndirect
• Complete Year 3 with the prestigious University of Bolton
• Flexible online study rather than on-campus lectures
• Get on the fast track to your university qualification
• Avoid rising loan repayment fees
• Save on expensive living costs associated with on-campus study

Achieving a degree in business management or a relevant subject can propel you towards a range of careers, such as data analysis, business development and more. With our Business and Management Online Degree Pathway – Year 1, which consists of the first year of an Honours degree, removing in-person lectures and restrictive timetables, you have the option to complete Year 1 of your degree when it suits your schedule.

About Your Online Degree Pathway

This undergraduate online degree pathway in business management is made up of 120 credits and is designed as an online alternative to completing Year 1 at university. Studying with us will fast-track you to the final year of an associated Honours degree, which can be completed online at our partnered university.

This has been made possible through our partnership with ATHE, an Ofqual-regulated global awarding organisation that spans more than 55 countries worldwide. ATHE partners with 25 UK and international universities, providing top-up degrees to learners seeking an alternative to traditional university learning.

The course is delivered online, through an engaging array of online learning materials. So, you will find your education both interesting and rewarding. As a self-paced online course, you can also work towards your qualification without pressure, around your existing commitments.

What Will You Learn?

In Year 1, you'll gain insights into the key aspects of business environments and the people within them. During your studies, you'll develop the necessary skills and knowledge to become an effective organisational manager and leader, while also understanding the communication challenges faced by modern businesses.

Unlock Year 2 of Your Degree

Upon successful completion of Year 1 of this Business and Management Online Degree Pathway, you will be able to study Year 2 with us as well. If you’d like to save even more on the cost of your education with us, purchase both Year 1 and Year 2 together.

University Progression

Upon successful completion of Year 1 and Year 2 with us, you will be guaranteed admission to complete Year 3 of your undergraduate degree with the University of Bolton, named in the top 30 best UK universities in The Guardian guide (2024).

For example, you could study:

BSc (Hons) Business and Management (top-up)

Want a complete online degree pathway experience? Year 3 can also be studied online at home with the University of Bolton. The fees for your third year are an additional cost and are paid separately to the university.

*On-campus options are available for Year 3, but prices vary.

Study for a Degree Without Expensive Fees

If you want to study for a degree in business management but don’t want to be saddled with rising student loan debt, then our Business and Management Online Degree Pathway – Year 1 is the perfect alternative for you. This is a degree programme that serves as an online alternative to the first year of university study, enabling you to complete one-third of your business degree remotely. By freeing you from the constraints of classes and timetables, you can efficiently work through the learning materials and reach your third year in a shorter timeframe.

We’re A High-Value Alternative

With student loan repayments set to double following a change in student finance rules, and repayments beginning at an annual salary of £25,000 as opposed to £27,660, you may be wondering if it’s possible to get a degree without having to deal with these rising costs.

With inflation and interest rates rising in the UK due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, university graduates are affected. For the 2022/23 academic year, there was a risk of student loan interest rates reaching 12%, further hitting the pockets of students.

Due to the current economic uncertainty, a university graduate could end up with an average of £42,900 of student loan debt, with tuition fees costing an average of £9,250 per year.

According to YouGov, 37% of people feel that current tuition fees are unfair, so it’s no surprise that many are looking for alternative options. Here at learndirect, we can offer you an affordable alternative that covers the first year of a degree for a fraction of the cost of the traditional route.

Please note, that once you complete our online degree pathway (Year 1 and Year 2), you will need to pay your select university directly to study the third year of your course online. You can opt to complete your third year on campus, but prices vary.

Avoid Extra Costs of University Living

You won’t have to contest all the expenses that come with a full-term university stint. By studying Year 1 and Year 2, you’ll effectively be completing the first and second years from the comfort of your own home. This means that you won’t have to pay for student housing, there are no travel costs involved, and you can fit studying around your lifestyle as opposed to cancelling commitments to fit around a university timetable. So, if you’re currently working, you won’t have to give that up for university life.

Modules

Year 1 consists of eight units

Unit 1: The Business Environment

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand types of organisations, their purposes and responsibilities
• Understand the structure of organisations
• Understand the impact of the market environment on organisations
• Understand the nature of the national environment in which organisations operate

Unit 2: People in Organisations

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand communication within organisations
• Understand effective teamwork
• Understand the issues associated with remote working
• Understand how organisations monitor and support people in the workplace

Unit 3: Financial and Management Accounting Techniques for Managers

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand financial and management accounting systems
• Can assess business organisation performance
• Can apply management accounting techniques for decision-making

Unit 4: Communication Skills for Business

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand how internal communication takes place within organisations
• Understand how organisations communicate with customers
• Understand the factors that impact on the effectiveness of communications in business
• Can present oral information effectively
• Can communicate effectively in writing

Unit 5: The Marketing Mix

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the elements of the marketing mix
• Understand the application of the marketing mix
• Understand digital elements of the marketing mix

Unit 6: Corporate Social Responsibility

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand current corporate social responsibility issues facing business
• Understand the impact of corporate social responsibility policy on different stakeholders
• Can make recommendations for responsible business practice

Unit 7: Customer Relationship Management

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the importance of customer relationship management (CRM) to business
• Understand how effective customer relationship management is achieved
• Understand the use of loyalty schemes in customer relationship management
• Can plan improvements to customer relationship management in a named organisation

Unit 8: Managing Information and Knowledge

Upon completion of this unit, you will:

• Understand the meaning and sources of information and knowledge for the workplace
• Understand how information and knowledge are shared and used in the workplace and why they are important
• Understand the importance of using current, valid and reliable information and knowledge in the workplace
• Understand policies, procedures, legislation and best practices for managing information

Entry Requirements

You’ll need to possess an appropriate level of English and have prior qualifications, which can include:

• A GCE Advanced level profile with achievement in 2 or more subjects supported by 5 or more GCSEs at grades 4/C and above
• Other related level 3 subjects such as ATHE level 3 Diplomas
• An Access to Higher Education Certificate delivered by an approved further education institute and validated by an Access Validating Agency
• Other equivalent international qualifications

For individuals whose first language is not English, we recommend the following English language proficiency standards or an approved equivalent for this qualification:

IELTS: A score of 5.5 or higher

• Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR): Achieving at least B2 level
• Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): Scoring 162 or above
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Achieving a score between 42-49

Minimum Age Restriction

These qualifications are designed for learners aged 18 and older.

Average Completion Timeframe

ATHE qualifications typically take learners an average of 18 months to complete.

Assessment Requirements

There are no exams included in this study programme, instead, you will complete several written assignments.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

You will complete a series of assignments to demonstrate that you have successfully achieved the learning outcomes of each unit. 

ATHE

Upon successful completion of this online course, you will achieve two globally recognised ATHE qualifications:

• ATHE Level 4 Extended Diploma in Business and Management – Qualification Number: (610/2058/8)

Awards for Training and Higher Education (ATHE) is a global awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual and other United Kingdom and international regulators.

ATHE is a global awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual and other UK and international regulators since 2011. They work with more than 280 recognised centres in over 55 countries to complement our strong brand presence in the UK.

On completion of this online Business and Management Online Degree Pathway – Year 1, you can go on to complete Year 2 in the same way with learndirect.

Only upon successful completion of Year 2 can you progress to the third year of an undergraduate degree in the subject – or a closely related subject - at an array of UK universities.

This includes:

University of Bolton – BSc (Hons) Business and Management (top up) – Please note, this is delivered online.

Following completion of the final year of your degree, you'll be qualified to pursue career opportunities in:

• Accounting
• Business Consultancy
• Human Resources
• Marketing

For more insight on what your degree could lead to, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions