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BA (Hons) Business and Management (Top-up)

Accelerate your career with an online top-up degree, building on your existing qualifications to gain a full Bachelor’s degree in just 16 months. Develop essential business management skills while studying 100% online.

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Time investment: 16 months

Location: Online

Cost: £20,987

Language: English

About this degree

Unlock career opportunities with advanced business management expertise

Take the lead in the fast-paced world of business management with the University of Essex’s BA (Hons) Business and Management (Top-up).

This online degree equips you with essential skills to tackle real-world business challenges, from finance and marketing to leadership and strategy.

In the final year, you can tailor your studies to focus on areas that will boost your career prospects, giving you a competitive edge in a variety of industries.

With practical assignments, global business insights, and the flexibility to specialise in your areas of interest, this programme is perfect for those looking to lead and innovate in the business world.

Master the fundamentals of business management

Starting with key concepts in finance, marketing, and HR, you’ll build a strong foundation in business – and your career.

You’ll learn how to apply theory to real-world situations, helping you become a well-rounded business leader ready to take on any challenge.

Develop a global business mindset

You’ll learn how businesses operate on a global scale and the challenges that arise from international markets.

This degree covers essential areas like global business strategy and international marketing, preparing you for success in diverse environments.

Strengthen your leadership and team management skills

More importantly, you’ll learn to lead with confidence and manage teams effectively.

From managing cross-functional teams to understanding human resource strategies, you’ll gain the practical leadership skills needed to drive results in any organisation.

Shape your future with flexible learning

Tailor your studies to match your professional aspirations. With optional modules in areas like business law and e-business, you’ll be able to customise your learning journey to specialise in the areas that matter most to your career goals.

Where you’ll be studying

Studying at the University of Essex Online

The University of Essex Online offers over 80 industry-led undergraduate and postgraduate courses in business, computing, criminology, education, health, law and psychology.

Teaching is delivered 100% online and students benefit from a flexible approach to learning, while receiving the dedicated support expected from a top 25 UK university (The Guardian University Guide 2025).

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Learning outcomes

Analyse the global business environment and identify international barriers.

Develop strategic human resource management approaches.

Formulate and implement international marketing strategies.

Apply key business strategies to real-world challenges.

Complete an advanced business project based on your chosen topic and critically assess peers’ work.

Additional information

To join this course, you must have completed one of the following within the past five years:

A relevant Foundation degree from the University of Essex Online or another recognized institution
Two years of a relevant BA (Hons) degree
A relevant Higher National Diploma (HND)

Additionally, you’ll need to pass your first assignment within the first three weeks to continue with the course.

If English isn't your first language, you should have an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 or an equivalent qualification.

You have the flexibility to study part-time, which allows you to balance your education with professional and personal commitments. The course is 100% online, making it easy to learn whenever and wherever works best for you.

Assessment is a combination of coursework, exams, and project-based tasks. You will demonstrate your knowledge through practical assignments that reflect real-world business challenges, enabling you to apply theory to practice. This approach ensures you're well-prepared to tackle leadership challenges in your career.

With the versatile skills gained from this course, you’ll be equipped for roles in management, finance, consultancy, project management, marketing, and advertising.

The practical business knowledge you develop will also open doors to leadership positions across various industries, empowering you to navigate the complexities of the modern business world.