skip to main content
graphics-home-left-pink
graphics-home-right-green

Ulster University Foundation Degree in Business Management (HLA)

Level 5
Part-Time
26/27
EXC50041HLA
Ulster University logo

Overview

This qualification provides the foundation for your career in business management in the private or public sector.

The Foundation Degree in Business Management focuses on developing your knowledge, skills and abilities to prepare you for a range of careers in business such as Management, Marketing, Finance and Economics. Learners are supported to reflect local and regional economic needs.

Course Level Contact: Noreen.McGirr@swc.ac.uk

The Programme will offer you the opportunity to study a range of modules relevant to Business Management including accounting, entrepreneurship, management, marketing, organisational behaviour and change, economics & global business environment, digital transformation, finance for decision making, leading and managing people.

Whilst the programme structure requires you to work with an employer for four days a week and attend college one day a week, in Year 3 you will undertake a focused Work-Based Learning module which will integrate your practical experience and academic knowledge, enabling you to complete a targeted workplace project.

Furthermore, you will learn academic and career enhancement skills which will support successful study on the Programme.

There is a strong focus on industry engagement, with live projects and industry visits. The Programme will involve attending lectures and seminars with lecturing staff. You will have a weekly tutorial session with the Programme Director. You will also be supported by an Academic Mentor. Academic Mentors will also hold regular meetings with an Industry Mentor to review your progress. Learning will be through a blended approach where learning is supported via the College VLE.

Modules focus on equipping Learners with the skills, knowledge and abilities to secure a management position in a business. There is a strong focus on industry engagement, with live projects and industry visits.

The modules taken include:

  • Academic and Career Enhancement Skills
  • Principles of Management
  • Principles of Marketing
  • Principles of Accounting
  • Principles of Economics & Global Environment
  • Foundations of Entrepreneurship
  • Organisational Behaviour and Change
  • Digital Transformation
  • Finance for Decision Making
  • Leading & Managing People
  • Work Based Learning

Range 64-72 UCAS points, four GCSE passes to include English Language and Maths at grade C/04 (or equivalent), ‘A’ Levels or an approved qualification at Level 3 or via the College’s APEL process.

Where an applicant does not hold the formal academic requirements for entry to the programme but can demonstrate relevant experiential learning across a range of industries, they may apply for admission through the College Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process. In such cases, contact the Programme Director for the programme who will advise further.

To be eligible to commence study on this HLA Pathway, applicants must have secured full-time paid employment in a relevant business sector.

Course International Entry Requirements:

Any applicant whose first language is not English should demonstrate their competence in written and spoken English. Usually, the minimum English language entry requirement is IELTS (academic) of 6.0 (with no band score of less than 5.5 in all four elements of the test).

We accept a wide range of alternative English language examinations and tests so please contact us for an updated list of other accepted tests.

Testing knowledge, understanding and application to industry will principally be through work-based assessment, practical reports, oral and written submissions and formal examinations.

The programme offers progression to the following:

  • Ulster University BSc (Hons) in Business Studies programme (delivered part-time or as a HLA at South West College);
  • Ulster University BSc (Hons) Global Business programme (delivered full-time or part-time at Ulster University’s Derry/Londonderry campus); or other degrees at Ulster University.

More options are available through the UCAS or CAO systems.

Note: It is the responsibility of the applicant to check each University’s admission and progression requirements before enrolling on a Programme at the College.

  • A range of careers in business such as marketing, finance, administration, purchasing and management, with a specific emphasis on meeting local and regional needs.

Work Based Learning module is an integral part of this course, providing students with on-the-job training that provides valuable employability skills for their current position and employer.

You may be required to purchase Programme textbooks and incur additional costs for field trips, printing, photocopying and binding. The overall additional costs incurred to support your studies may be in the region of £100 or more per year.

Students are required to:

  • Submit all coursework and assessments by specified dates. Coursework submitted without consent after the deadline shall not normally be accepted.

Achieve the minimum overall pass mark of 40%, in all modules .

3 Available Sessions

* The fees quoted are per annum and are payable for each year of the course’s duration and are subject to additional examination fees as per fees policy.

Dungannon

Part-Time

P5050DP10B

Session Code

3 Year(s)

Duration

Higher Education

Mode of Study

7

Hours per Week

30

Number of Weeks

Interview Required

26/27

Academic Year

09/09/2026

Start Date

Subject to Timetable

Day/s

marina.malcolm@swc.ac.uk, Noreen.McGirr@swc.ac.uk

Coordinator(s)

Total Annual Fee N/A

Total Concessionary Fee N/A

Full Fee Breakdown

**Concession Fee Breakdown

Fees Payable Each Year

**Am I eligible for concessionary fees?

Enrolment is currently closed

Omagh

Part-Time

P5050OP10B

Session Code

3 Year(s)

Duration

Higher Education

Mode of Study

7

Hours per Week

30

Number of Weeks

Interview Required

26/27

Academic Year

09/09/2026

Start Date

09:00-17:00

Time

Subject to Timetable

Day/s

Amanda.Moss@swc.ac.uk, Noreen.McGirr@swc.ac.uk

Coordinator(s)

Total Annual Fee N/A

Total Concessionary Fee N/A

Full Fee Breakdown

**Concession Fee Breakdown

Fees Payable Each Year

**Am I eligible for concessionary fees?

Enrolment is currently closed

Enniskillen

Part-Time

P5050EP10B

Session Code

3 Year(s)

Duration

Higher Education

Mode of Study

7

Hours per Week

30

Number of Weeks

Interview Required

26/27

Academic Year

10/09/2026

Start Date

09:00-17:00

Time

Subject to Timetable

Day/s

Noreen.McGirr@swc.ac.uk, Stephen.Crawford@swc.ac.uk

Coordinator(s)

Total Annual Fee N/A

Total Concessionary Fee N/A

Full Fee Breakdown

**Concession Fee Breakdown

Fees Payable Each Year

**Am I eligible for concessionary fees?

Enrolment is currently closed

Discover Other Courses

Level 6

Ulster University BSc (Hons) in Business Studies (Including Link Year)

View

Level 6

Ulster University BSc (Hons) in Business Studies HLA

View

Level 3

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Business RQF

View