BSc Business Administration (study online)

The degree offers a variety of highly engaging learning materials and activities.

 Online support 

When you register, we will give you access to your Student Portal. You can then access your University of London email account and other key resources: 

• The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Here, you can access electronic copies of all printed study materials, resources including audio-visual and revision guides, and forums to discuss course material and work collaboratively with others. 
• The Online Library. As a student at the University of London, you will have access to a range of resources, databases, and journals via the Online Library. You will be able to contact a team of professional and qualified librarians for any help you require.  

Senate House Library  

• If you’re based in the United Kingdom, or are visiting London, make sure to visit Senate House Library. Students studying with the University of London can join the library free of charge. Membership includes a 10-book borrowing allowance, access to all reading rooms and study areas, and on-site access to Senate House Library digital resources. 

Are you affected by US-imposed restrictions?

United States export control regulations prevent Coursera from offering services and content to users in certain countries or regions. More information about which countries or regions are affected can be found on Coursera's website.

Coursera must enforce this restriction in order to remain in compliance with US law and, for that reason, we advise that all learners check this information before applying to the programme.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have appropriate internet access for this Programme and that you meet any related technical requirements for your Programme.

Time commitment

Each 30-credit module comprises weekly topics, corresponding to the key content items detailed in the module descriptors.

Your study equates to approximately 10 to 12 hours of directed learning per week.

Assessment

During your study period you will undertake formative assessments, which help you to measure your progress but do not count towards your grade.

You will also take summative assessments, which do count towards the final grade. Summative assessments comprise multiple choice question tests evenly spaced out throughout the study session and an online assessment at the end of the session.

All assessments are 100 per cent online.

Founded in 1879, Royal Holloway is one of the University of London’s six largest federation members and is home to more than 11,000 students.

This degree is led by academics at Royal Holloway’s School of Business and Management. Royal Holloway is ranked in the top 25 universities in the UK and the top 30 in the UK for International outlook (The Guardian University Guide 2022, Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2022).

Its commitment to research excellence, in combination with an emphasis on practical, applied skills, helps to establish a strong business foundation and ensure job readiness.

The programme also balances quantitative and qualitative research theory and practice, and incorporates an innovative emphasis on business ethics. All staff members are active researchers, and the publication of their findings in books and journals is a key part of their professional work.

Programme Director

Dr Ran Bhamra is Senior Lecturer in Operations & SCM at Royal Holloway University of London, UK. He is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and a Member of the Institution of Engineering & Technology (MIET). Ran is the Editor of Continuity & Resilience Review Journal and Chief Examiner for the Business Continuity Institute. Ran's earlier industrial career includes process/productivity improvement, project and operations management for organisations that include Siemens Ltd., SCA Hygiene and Alstom Power Service UK. Ran has been a Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Hong Kong, is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an expert in operations & supply chain management.

Senior Lecturer in International Business and Strategy

Dr Mariya Eranova is a sinologist by training, she worked as a chief representative of a Russian company in China prior to her doctoral studies at the University of Nottingham. Her research interests relate to strategic decision-making, paradox theory, pedagogy and East-West differences with special reference to China. She has published in Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Long Range Planning and European Management Journal.

What qualifications do you need?

For direct access to the BSc Business Administration degree, you will usually meet the following criteria:

• Age 17+ by the registration deadline of your enrolment session.
• Satisfy our General Entrance Requirements.

For access by Performance-Based Admission

If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you can apply for the programme via the performance-based admission route.

To be eligible to register, you must normally:

• Age 17+ by the registration deadline of your enrolment session.
• Have passed at least four separate subjects at GCSE level, with grades A* - C / 9 - 4, or the equivalent. Equivalents include successful completion of the US High School Diploma.
• If you do not satisfy the above GCSE requirement then work experience will be considered on an individual basis.

If registering through the performance-based admission route you must satisfy the following before progressing onto the full degree:

• Pass one required module with an overall result of 40 per cent or above.

If you are unsure as to which entry route you are eligible for, please apply via the direct entry route only.

If you do not meet all of the entrance criteria for this route your application will automatically be considered for performance-based admission.

Even if you do not meet the standard requirements for direct entry, we will consider each application on its own merits. Our Admissions Panel will consider whether any alternative/incomplete qualifications or work experience you have are suitable for entry to the programme.

If we are unable to issue you an offer then if available we will advise on further alternatives such as our International Foundation Programme or on additional qualifications you need to take in order to meet our minimum entrance criteria.

English Language requirements

You need to demonstrate a good level of English to be admitted to our programmes. We accept a range of evidence, including proficiency test scores. If you don’t have evidence but believe you can meet the standard, we may consider your case.

Do I meet the language requirements?

Computer requirements

We set minimum basic computer requirements because your study resources are accessed via the Student Portal and it is vital that you can access this regularly.

For this programme, you will need regular access to a computer with a strong internet connection allowing internet access to all Programme resources and systems. You will also need a media player (such as VLC) to play video files.

More about computer requirements.

If you have studied material as part of a previous qualification that is comparable in content, level and standard to our Business Administration modules, you may be exempted from the equivalent course of our degree. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Exemption. You will not need to study or be assessed in the module(s) to complete your award.

You may be awarded RPL for the Stage 1 and Stage 2 modules (up to 240 credits).

To be considered for RPL you should make a formal request within your application when applying for the programme. Or, you can submit an online enquiry, if you have already applied.

You will need to have met the entrance requirements for the programme to be considered for RPL.

You must have completed the qualification/ examination(s), on which the application for RPL is based on, within the five years preceding the application.

We will not recognise or accredit prior learning for a module later than 14 days after the module start date. You will be deemed to have started a module once you have been given access to the learning materials on the VLE.

Automatic

Some qualifications are automatically recognised as meeting the learning outcomes of our courses. If you satisfy the conditions, we will accredit your prior learning as detailed here: Recognition of Prior Learning for Online Taught BSc Business Administration. No fees are charged for this service.

With the exception of the qualifications noted in the automatic RPL section on our website, applications for RPL based on examinations from professional institutions or professional certificates will not normally be considered.

Discretionary

Other qualifications will need to be assessed by specialist academics on a case by case basis, before we can approve RPL. A formal application is required and an RPL application fee is payable. The RPL application fee is non-refundable, even if your prior learning is not recognised.

Your qualification must be at the appropriate level (equivalent to a UK Level 4 or above) to be considered.

For your discretionary RPL request to be processed, you will need to provide: a completed RPL request form, the supporting documentary evidence (normally a scanned copy of an official transcript and syllabus of your previous studies) and the discretionary RPL fee.

You should apply as soon as possible so that we can process your request. You will need to allow time for academics to consider your documentation, so you can register by the registration deadline.

All discretionary RPL requests must be submitted by the dates specified for the April or October intake, in the year that you apply. We must receive all required supporting evidence by the deadline stated.

If you submit your discretionary RPL application but are too late to be considered for RPL in the current session, we will still process your application to study the programme. If you receive an offer, you can still register. If you wish to be considered for RPL in a subsequent session, then you shouldn’t register on the modules you want to apply for RPL.

RPL and Performance-Based Admission

If you apply or register via the Performance-Based Admission (PBA) route, you may apply for RPL. Any approved RPL will be formally applied to your record once you have been successfully admitted onto the full BSc programme.

To enter the BSc via the PBA route, you must first register for and pass one of:

• Interpreting management, markets and consumption [BU1520]; OR
• International business and accounting [BU1540]

We cannot approve RPL or accredit prior learning for these modules.

If you do not successfully meet the requirements to progress onto the full BSc programme, any application fees paid for discretionary RPL are non-refundable.

RPL and Performance Based Admission 

If you apply or register via the Performance Based Admission (PBA) route, you may apply for RPL. Any approved RPL will be formally applied to your record once you have been successfully admitted onto the full BSc programme. 

To enter the BSc via the PBA route, you must first register for and pass one of: 

Interpreting management, markets and consumption [BU1520]; OR 

International business and accounting [BU1540] 

We cannot approve RPL or accredit prior learning for these modules. 

If you do not successfully meet the requirements to progress onto the full BSc programme, any application fees paid for discretionary RPL are non-refundable. 

How to request RPL 

Additional information about the process of applying for RPL. 

Further information regarding RPL is covered in the Recognition of Prior Learning section of the appropriate Programme Regulations and Section 3 of the General Regulations.

The fees below relate to new students registering for the 2024-2025 session. On average, fees are subject to a five per cent year-on-year increase. 

Students who registered earlier can view their fees on the Course Fees page. 

Your fees will depend on whether you live in a developing (Band A) or developed (Band B) nation. See the list of Band A and B countries [PDF].

Disclaimer: Currency conversion tool.

*The indicative total is a guide to what you would pay if you allow for fee increases and complete the degree in three years (with no assessment resits).

**The full programme fee does not include the fees payable to resit or repeat the assessment of a failed module.

• More about programme fees.

Sales Tax

Please note: all student fees shown are net of any local VAT, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or any other sales tax payable by the student in their country of residence. Where the University is required to add VAT, GST or any other sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the fees shown during the payment process. For students resident in the UK, our fees are exempt from VAT.

Further information on Sales Tax.

Your payment provider may apply additional transaction fees (if in doubt, please check with them before making a payment).

Without the cost of moving to London, studying for your University of London degree anywhere in the world represents excellent value for money. However, there are additional sources of support depending on where you live and how you choose to study.

More on funding your study.

Scholarships for refugees and displaced persons to study this programme are available in the scholarships section.

You can pay your fees in a number of ways, including an online payment facility via the Student Portal and Western Union Quick Pay.

More on how to pay your fees

When you graduate from the degree, you will be well-equipped for careers in business, management, consultancy and beyond, as well as for advanced academic study (including the Global MBA).

What do employers think of our graduates?

University of London graduates are among the most employable in the world. Our rigorous degrees provide not only subject specific knowledge but also important transferable skills that are valuable to your career progression.

In some countries, qualifications earned by distance and flexible learning may not be recognised by certain authorities or regulators for the purposes of public sector employment or further study. We advise you to explore the local recognition status before you register.

You’ll have access to a wide range of careers and employability support through the University of London Careers Service, including live webinars and online drop-in sessions.

More on the University of London Careers Service