ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã

BA (Hons) Business Studies

Gain a broad foundation of business expertise and knowledge. Kick-start your future in the world of business.

Business Studies

Key facts

  • Award BA (Hons)
  • Start date September 2026, January 2027
  • Duration 48 months
  • Mode of study full time, part time
  • Delivery on campus
  • UCAS Code N100
  • ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã abroad opportunities

Overview

Business graduates are in high demand. They possess the necessary skills to help businesses navigate complex environments (Source: TargetJobs).

This degree will give you a strong foundation for the world of business. You’ll gain a broad business knowledge and the freedom to tailor the degree to your interests.

You’ll learn about entrepreneurial thinking, strategic management and business structure. You’ll explore the role of technology – from social media to artificial intelligence. We also focus on the importance of responsible business and sustainability as key business values. This course will give you versatile skills, so you are ready for a career in a variety of industries.

Practical learning and business expertise

This business degree gives you the practical, transferable skills valued by employers.

  • Learn to apply problem solving skills and concepts in the real-world.
  • Take part in business simulations.
  • You can complete a live consultancy project.
  • Solve real organisational challenges.
  • Building a strong professional profile.
  • Develop career skills such as communication, project management, leadership, confidence and technology assessment.
  • Work directly with local business through our ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã Business Lab.

Real-world links and industry engagement

We ensure your skills are always in tune with the business world through our industry links. You’ll hear guest lectures from business leaders and innovative thinkers. There are opportunities to network with business professionals. We are linked to entrepreneurs and business technology trainers from the:

  • Scottish Business Network
  • BAE systems
  • BP
  • Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec)
  • the emerging space industry

We have further connections to business and technology policymakers at the Scottish and UK Government, and the BBC. We also work with leading academic scholars in the fields of innovation, management, and organisation.

Focus on future change

Business operates in a fast-changing modern world. With AI, geopolitical challenges, and climate change, businesses must be agile. You’ll understand how organisations work and how they must evolve for the future. You’ll learn about strategic management, the challenge of change and integrating new technology.

We make sure you have the mindset and analytical skills needed to navigate and shape the evolving business landscape.

We are AACSB accredited

The ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is the world's largest global standard-setting body for business education. Only 6% of the world’s leading business schools achieve this accreditation. This recognises our excellence in business education and societal impact.

AACSB Accredited logo

Top reasons to study with us

Professional accreditation

The university is accredited by AACSB International.

Prizes or awards

Professor Rob Ball Memorial Prize

A prize of £100 is awarded to the graduating student with the best overall academic performance on the BA (Hons) Business Studies course. Rob Ball was a Professor of Public Service Management and worked at the ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã for many years. This prize is kindly funded by Professor Ball's family.

Entry requirements

Year 1 entry ¨C Four-year honours

Highers
AABB

A-levels
BBB

IB Diploma
28

BTEC (Level 3)
DDM

Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.

Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.

Year 2 entry ¨C Three-year honours

Advanced Highers
ABB

A-levels
ABB

IB Diploma
32

Other Scottish qualifications

Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.

Access courses
ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.

SWAP Access course - for mature students only.

Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.

Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B

Other qualifications

English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions

English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.

International entry requirements

Advanced entry

Year 2 and Year 3 entry
Entry into Year 2 or Year 3 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.

Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.

Other routes of entry

If you don’t currently meet our academic requirements, ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã International ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã International ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã Centre to see the routes available.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

  • IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
  • TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 80 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking.
  • TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4 overall with no less than 4 in any band.

See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.

Pre-sessional English language courses

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã International ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.

Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses

Course details

Develop your careers skills with our HeadStart Programme 

We go beyond textbooks and lecture rooms to focus on your personal and professional development. HeadStart will help you develop practical career skills such as effective public or conflict management. 

ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã and careers support 

You'll have a mentor who will guide you through your studies. The Careers Service provides support for CV design, interview skills and other career skills. 

Modules

Course details

Teaching

Our research-led teaching and close links to the business world shape everything you’ll learn on your Business Studies course. Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. In the advanced modules, a special emphasis is placed on the acquisition of skills as well as knowledge, and you’ll give presentations in various formats to help enhance your abilities in up-front communication.   

Assessment

Assessment will be by exams and coursework.

Work placement opportunities

From year two you can apply for a University of  ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã internship, working for a client organisation which may be anywhere in the world. Work placements typically last around four weeks over the summer, providing you with vital experience and, sometimes, even job offers. These are highly desirable and make a great contribution to your CV. 

ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã abroad

In year three you can apply to study abroad, which is a fantastic opportunity to access universities around the world without paying their often very high fees. You may find you can take courses we don’t offer in ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã although they must be consistent with your course of study and be approved by the Course Director.

If you study abroad, you'll pay your travel and living costs.

Find out more about studying abroad.

Contact

Dr Carol Marshall, Course Director

Fees and funding

Annual fees
Scottish students

This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.

Although you¡¯re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland

This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.

You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the (SAAS).

We also offer additional funding for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.

International students (including EU)

Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000–£20,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.

Fee information

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Additional costs

There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.

Funding

See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.

Students from Scotland

Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland

Eligible students will receive our ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã Success Scholarship which is worth £5,000.

International students

Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.

Cost of living

If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

Find out about the cost of living for students at ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã.

Payment options

We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods—including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.

After you graduate

A business degree ensures you’re well placed for a variety of jobs across many different sectors. Our Business Studies graduates have gone on to work in:

  • communications
  • banking
  • insurance
  • human resources
  • information management
  • advertising
  • retailing international trade
  • research and development

Discover Uni

Discover Uni provides official data on each university's undergraduate courses, including satisfaction scores from the National Student Survey, details of graduate jobs and salaries, and other key information for prospective students.

What our students said

Alexander Johnstone
Alexander Johnstone
United Kingdom
BA Business Studies and Management
ÍæÅ¼½ã½ãing at the ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã provided me with a solid foundation for my career. I am grateful for the benefits I gained from my time at ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã, which continue to have a positive impact on my professional journey.
Read Alexander's story
Piotr Kasperek
Piotr Kasperek
Poland
BA (Hons) Business Studies and Economics
The campus is so beautiful and unique, it's been a pleasure to study here.
Read Piotr's story
Meem Tasnim
Meem Tasnim
Scotland
BA Business Studies and Marketing
During my time at ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã, I had the pleasure of completing three internships. Following my internships, I was kept on and worked with two of these companies part-time alongside my studies.
Read Meem's story

Flexible study

Are you interested in more than one of our courses? You might not have to choose between them. Here at ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã, we believe in choice and offer more than 170 course combinations.

Business Studies can be combined with any of the following courses:
Course nameUCAS code
Accountancy UCAS code for this combination: NNF4
Economics UCAS code for this combination: LN11
English Studies UCAS code for this combination: NQ13
Film and Media UCAS code for this combination: NP13
Finance UCAS code for this combination: NN13
French UCAS code for this combination: NRF1
Human Resource Management UCAS code for this combination: NN16
Law UCAS code for this combination: MN11
Management UCAS code for this combination: NN12
Marketing UCAS code for this combination: NN25
Politics UCAS code for this combination: LN21
Psychology UCAS code for this combination: CN81
Spanish and Latin American Studies UCAS code for this combination: NRF4
Sport UCAS code for this combination: NC16
Modern Languages UCAS code for this combination: NT19

For a combined honours degree where the two subjects have different entry requirements, you will usually be asked to meet the higher entry requirement.

Find out more about degree flexibility and how you can take combined courses.