Course overview
This Business Management degree combines contemporary business practice with world-class research.
You’ll embark on a journey through a structured learning strategy which values applied learning. It encourages you to take a reflective approach to develop your business management knowledge, skills and behaviours.
You’ll emerge as a critical thinker and a reflexive practitioner. You will be self-aware and able to deal with complexity and ambiguity.
You will be taught by our specialist lecturers and professors. They are internationally renowned in their areas of expertise. You’ll have access to the latest thinking and practice, which we continually embed into our programme.
The taught modules adopt a combination of research approaches. You will learn to:
- conduct research
- extract research knowledge and analyse research from others
- apply research to your own practice
You will get opportunities to engage with the wider business community throughout the programme.
You will also have the option to select modules which give you the opportunity to gain associate level membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Quality and ranking
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Top 200 for Business and Management Studies – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
Professional accreditation and recognition
- Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)This degree offers the opportunity for a graduate pathway to professional accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
You are guaranteed associate-level membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), subject to module choice.
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you’ll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Stage 1
- the global business environment
- integrated business practice
- management theory and research
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Accounting and Finance (for Business School Students) | 20 |
| Global Business Environment | 20 |
| Management and Organisation | 20 |
| Academic and Professional Skill Development | 20 |
| Digital Business | 20 |
| Introduction to Marketing | 20 |
Stage 2
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Research Methods | 20 |
| Operations Strategy and Management | 20 |
| Human Resource Management and the Future of Work | 20 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Interpreting Company Accounts | 20 |
| Business Enterprise | 20 |
| Introduction to Innovation and Technology Management | 20 |
| Understanding Work and Organisations | 20 |
| Managing Change | 20 |
| HR to Improve Working Lives | 20 |
| Business Analysis and Business Analytics | 20 |
| Introduction to Sustainability – Theory and Practice | 20 |
| Introduction to Business Law | 20 |
| Global Marketing | 20 |
| Placement and Study Abroad Info Sessions (Stage 2) | 0 |
| Career Development for second year students | 20 |
Stage 3
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Strategy, Organizations & Society | 20 |
| The Responsible Management Practitioner | 20 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Case Studies in Finance, Accounting and Business | 20 |
| Advanced Business Practice | 40 |
| Business Information Systems | 20 |
| Managing Diversity | 20 |
| Management Research Briefing for Sustainable Organisational Futures | 40 |
| Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics | 20 |
| Innovation and Creativity | 20 |
| Contemporary Issues in International and Comparative Business | 20 |
| Management Dissertation | 40 |
| Management Consultancy Project | 40 |
| International Entrepreneurship | 20 |
| Corporate Communication and Social Media | 20 |
| International Human Resource Management | 20 |
| Critical Issues Human Resource Management: Pragmatic Dilemmas in Managing the Workplace of the Future | 20 |
| Tackling Social Issues via Social Ventures | 20 |
| New Product and Service Development | 20 |
| Supply Chain Management | 20 |
| Career Development for final year students | 20 |
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
You’ll learn through a combination of:
- lectures
- seminars
- case studies
- group work
- projects
- business simulation
Each week you will have a variety of learning opportunities to supplement your independent study.
Skills and experience
Practical skills/hands on experience
You will receive training on personal effectiveness. You’ll develop your presentation skills and leadership abilities. You’ll also identify ways to enhance your employability
Real business skills
Throughout the programme, you will have a range of opportunities to develop contemporary business skills. These include:
- digital skills
- communication skills, and
- data analysis skills
These are all designed to help you succeed in a modern workplace.
Research skills
You’ll get a range of opportunities to develop your research skills as you progress on the programme.
In your final year you may choose an elective with a research based project, or use research skills to explore business issues.
Opportunities
Work placement
You’ll spend 9 to 12 months working in an organisation either in the UK or internationally. You’ll receive University support from our dedicated team to help you apply for work placements. Work placements take place between Stage 2 and 3.
You’ll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
Recent placement students are in roles such as:
- business support intern
- finance assistant
- trainee assistant buyer
- analyst
- continuous improvement technician
They are working on the following projects:
- mapping out business development opportunities and market alignment planning at IBM
- working within Mars’ manufacturing environment to support activities to increase efficiencies
- providing relationship management to the Private Wealth Management division at Goldman Sachs
If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Placements are subject to availability and must be secured by the student.
Find out more about work placements
Study abroad
Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.
You may choose to spend a year abroad as part of your degree in one of our partner institutions. If you choose to take a study abroad year, it will extend your degree by a year.
Find out more about study abroad
Facilities and environment
Facilities
Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 3,500 students representing over 80 nationalities. This valuable network extends beyond our current students to include:
- regional, national and international leaders
- over 34,000 alumni in our network, spanning over 150 countries
- leading professionals and practitioners from industry
The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix – an innovation hub and community that brings together industry leaders, businesses and top researchers.
Our facilities include:
- flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city
- Wi-Fi enabled connectivity throughout the building, including three computer clusters housing over 120 PCs
- four large lecture theatres and over 25 seminar and teaching spaces, providing comfortable teaching and group study space
- dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a balanced mix of study space for group work or quiet, individual study
- contemporary café
- employability hub to support your career aspirations
- Bloomberg Room to give you a real feel for the trading room floor
- Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology
This is in addition to our Frederick Douglass Centre at Newcastle Helix, which offers further study and learning spaces including a 750 seat auditorium – the largest in the University.
Support
Each degree offers you a stimulating curriculum and a supportive teaching and learning environment.
You will have an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have.
Your future
Professional accreditation and recognition
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
This degree offers the opportunity for a graduate pathway to professional accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
By studying a combination of human resources modules at stage 2 and 3, students gain the underpinning knowledge required for associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Benefit from excellent links
We have excellent links with national and international organisations, allowing you to benefit from work placements, guest speakers, and networking opportunities.
Through these links, you’ll have the chance to gain commercial experience through an optional paid work placement or a summer internship.
You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to develop personal, employability, and enterprise skills that will make you highly employable amongst a diverse range of companies when you graduate.
Join a network of successful graduates
82% of our 2018/19 graduates were in work or further study within 15 months of graduating*.
Recent graduates have secured roles such as;
- recruitment consultant
- project analyst
- leaders for business graduate
- logistics freight coordinator
- tactical buyer
- civil servant
- client relationship executive
at companies including:
- EY
- British Airways
- Ministry of Defence
- Santander
- Cummins Limited
Careers support
You’ll have access to a wealth of resources and support to enhance your employability, including:
- the annual Future Focus: Careers Conference, tailored to different industry areas
- interwoven employability provision
- access to a dedicated placement officer within the Business School who can help you find a work placement in your area of interest
- specialist careers and business start-up support from the University’s award-winning Careers Service and the Business School’s careers consultants
- career management sessions with a careers consultant
- work experience opportunities while studying with us
- Business School summer internship scheme
We’re also one of 140 business schools worldwide to be accredited by the EQUIS scheme for our managerial and entrepreneurial skills development.
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Check the government’s website for more information.
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2025 entry.
| A-Level | |
|---|---|
AAB excluding General Studies. We will consider any combination of A level subjects (excluding General Studies), including at least two from the following list:
GCSE Mathematics and English Language or Literature (minimum grade B or 6) required if not taken at A or AS Level. Please see the ‘Additional information on GCSEs’ section in the drop down below. |
|
| International Baccalaureate | |
|---|---|
| 34 points. Standard Level Mathematics or Mathematical Studies and English (Language and/or Literature) required at grade 5 if not offered at Higher Level.
Please see the ‘Additional information on GCSEs’ section in the drop down below. |
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