Degree type: BA (Hons)
UCAS Code: N100 BA/BS
Duration: 4 years (full-time) / 8 years (part-time)
Our Business Studies course will give you a clear understanding of how complex organisations work, particularly in a world where change is the only constant. Changes in markets, government policy, technology and shifting patterns in social trends require graduates ready to take up and develop management careers where there is a requirement for an appropriate range and mix of knowledge and skills.
Whether you want to become an entrepreneur and start your own business, or you are looking for a position as a manager, an adviser or consultant, a Business Studies degree prepares you for such a future. Our course concentrates on the contemporary nature of business and management thinking and on the practice of making business decisions.
You have many options on the Business Studies course. You will study a range of subjects you will need to work as a manager in today’s business world. If you want to combine academic study and real-life application of your knowledge and skills in the world of business, there are also opportunities to undertake a business placement.
If you want to develop specialist knowledge you can opt for a specialist pathway. We currently offer pathways in Economics, Finance, and Marketing. Pathways begin at stage 2 or stage 3, according to subject.
You may also choose to develop your own business research project (at Honours level) in an area of business you find particularly interesting.
Specialist pathways
In years 1 and 2, you study a range of core business subjects. You can also specialise in a specific field of business by choosing from a range of pathway courses (see below).
Our pathway courses are referred to as ‘Business Studies with’. They are designed to give you a deep knowledge and understanding of a specific business area while keeping the value of a thorough general business degree.
If you want to work in the business-critical areas of finance or marketing, you can combine your study of business with one of these specialist areas and take a joint Honours degree course in BA (Hons) Finance and Business or BA (Hons) Marketing and Business (see Related Courses).
How you learn
In the first two years lectures will help you develop your knowledge of the various subjects you take and your understanding of how they work in the real world of business. In seminars you will explore business cases and develop your ability to respond to the complex challenges that organisations face today. You will spend between 8 and 15 hours per week attending classes, in addition to around 25-30 hours of private study directed by your tutors.
As you progress to years 3 and 4, you will have more opportunity to direct your own studies, developing your own interests within subject areas, and choosing your own reading and approach to your work. In other words, you develop the skills of independent research and problem-solving that you’ll need to deal with a whole range of issues facing business today.
Throughout your studies you will also develop your team working, problem solving, and project management skills, and you will also learn how to work effectively in an online environment.
How you are assessed
You undertake a range of assessment activities designed to practise the skills you need in business. Assessments are in a variety of formats including class tests and examinations, problem-solving exercises and case studies. You will write reports and essays and give presentations to your lecturers and fellow students. If you undertake a project in the Honours year of the course, this will give you a further opportunity to develop your critical, analytical and research skills.
Higher BBC; A Level DDD; ILC (H) BBC; UCAS Tariff 168-180 points*
*See below for UCAS Tariff guidance
Essential subjects: literate subject (e.g. English)
Advanced entry (Year 2)
A Level CCC; Advanced Higher CCC; UCAS Tariff 240 points
*See below for UCAS Tariff guidance
Essential subjects: literate subject (e.g. English)
HND Entry
Applicants with an HND or equivalent in a relevant subject will gain entry with advanced standing, and are invited to contact us to discuss their options.
UCAS Tariff Guidance
Although there is no limit to the number of points that you can accumulate, for entry to Abertay you must have qualifications at an appropriate level (SCQF 6/NQF 3); you cannot count the same or similar qualifications twice; Standard Grades, Intermediate 2s, GCSEs and key/core skills cannot be counted; and D grades at SQA Higher and Advanced Higher are not counted.
Applicants who have taken either SQA Highers or A Levels must offer at least three Highers or two A Levels for degree entry (or two Highers or one A Level for DipHE entry). If you have studied a subject at two different levels, the most advanced will be taken into consideration, e.g. if you studied both Higher Biology and Advanced Higher Biology, then only the Advanced Higher will be counted.
If you are using the tariff remember to check for any essential subjects you must have to meet the entry criteria for a course. It’s not just the number of points achieved that secures you a place.
Overseas
All applicants are required to provide certified proof of competence in English Lanuage. The University's minimum requirements are IELTS 6.0 (with no band lower than 5.0), TOEFL CBT 223, TOEFL 563, TOEFL IBT 85 or a suitable equivalent qualification.
Mature
Applications from mature students are assessed on the same criteria used for school leavers, e.g. SQA Highers or GCE A Levels, where relevant school leaving qualifications exist. For those without standard entry qualifications, consideration is given to experience gained as well as professional qualifications and other forms of learning that could provide evidence of ability to benefit from a particular course.
The successful completion of approved access courses (such as those offered by Dundee College in association with the universities of Abertay, Dundee and St Andrews) provides significant evidence of ability to benefit from study at Abertay.
For further advice please use our Ask a Question section.
Related courses
BA (Hons) Finance & Business
BA (Hons) Marketing & Business
BA (Hons) Management
Career
The course offers a wide choice of career opportunities, in general and specialist management areas such as accounting, finance, HRM, marketing, operations, business development or strategy, and in the private as well as the public sector, for example as Personnel Manager, Director of Administration, Contracts Manager, and Public Relations Executive.
Professional accreditation
All graduates of this programme registering with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants from 16/8/02 will be assessed for exemption from papers at Parts 1 and 2 on relevant module content only.
Graduates may seek exemption from the professional exams of other professional bodies on an individual basis.
Specialist facilities
The Dundee Business School is home to a number of modern and well equipped teaching rooms. This is in addition to the University's state of the art library and extensive computing facilities.
