Business
Award
BA (Hons)
Duration & study mode
4 years full-time, typically 6 years part-time*
Location
Dumfries, Lanarkshire, Paisley
Additional information
Ucas code
N104
Course starting dates
-
Paisley: September & January**
UWS is now open for Clearing 2026. If you already have your results use our application form and if you are still waiting on results you can register your interest below. You can also check out our Clearing hub where you can search our courses, hear from our students and get all the Clearing information and guidance you need.
The BA (Hons) Business is developed in alignment with the needs of modern organisations in the private, public and tertiary sectors. The degree prepares students for a wide range of careers requiring business acumen and expertise, including the evolving nature and impact of AI in contemporary organisations.
The degree cuts across business, management and organisation studies disciplines, including marketing, human resources, entrepreneurship, sustainability, strategy and leadership to foster development of broad knowledge that prepares students for a wide range of careers. Whether your career aspirations lie in business, government or the charitable sector, the BA (Hons) Business will help you take them head on and with confidence.
Our highly competitive study abroad scheme, which will allow you to study with one of our international partner institutions in the third year of your studies, will further help you if you are aspiring to embark on a career that will span the globe.
Our business programmes are designed to build a strong foundation in essential business studies in years one and two. We call this common modules where all our business students learn core business concepts including finance, HR and marketing.
In years three and four, our students then tailor the degree to specialise in one of our four pathways: Business, Finance, Human Resources, and Marketing.
This degree gives you the freedom to shape your studies around your personal interests and career goals.
(National Student Survey 2026)
AI is poised to be as transformative as the industrial revolution or the internet. However, the exact scope and extent of the AI revolution remains unclear.
While some areas of business, management and organisations will erode, others will thrive.
Want to be ready for the unknown? Join the BA (Hons) Business.
Our Business programmes give you the skills, experience, and confidence to launch your career. Pursue a range of careers in Scottish, UK-wide and multi-national organisations incuding:
Management consultancy;
The transferable skills developed – communication, teamwork, project management, creative problem-solving and technical literacy – are highly valued in business.
Networking opportunities, industry briefs and real-world relevent projects help students build confidence and professional connections before graduation.
The course provides a strong foundation for further study, including postgraduate programmes in:
The BA (Hons) Business provides students with the opportunity to gain foundational knowledge of human resource management, marketing accounting, finance and entrepreneurship. It further helps them develop a critical understanding organisational strategy, organisational culture, leadership, change management and knowledge management.
Finally, BA (Hons) Business students have the opportunity to elevate their awareness of contemporary business issues, including sustainability, globalisation and the transformative potential of AI and other novel technologies.
In the first year of their studies, you will be introduced to key areas of business, management and organisation studies, including finance, human resources management marketing and entrepreneurship.
You will also begin to explore the role of AI and other technologies in contemporary work settings.
In the second year of your studies, you will develop knowledge in areas that are highly relevant to contemporary organisations, including sustainability, operations management and digital workplaces.
As you progress through the AI suite of modules, you will also explore the role of AI in innovation and analytics.
In the third year of their studies, you will explore emerging business issues, as well as delve into topics relevant to the most senior organisational leaders - strategy, organisational culture, leadership and the transformative potential of AI.
You will also learn research methods in preparation for undertaking an honours dissertation/project in the final year of your studies.
In the final year of your studies, you will complete an honours dissertation/project on a topic of your choice.
Simultaneously, you will develop critical understanding of globalisation, knowledge management and change management.
You will have the opportunity to either deepen your understanding of sustainability and ethics, or explore the transformative impact of accelerating AI on businesses, organisations and societies of the future.
Join a diverse student cohort and learn together through a combination of on-campus lectures, tutorials and workshops designed to allow you to explore your interests and take the initiative in defining the type of professional you wish to become. Tap into your and/or your peers work experiences to take your learning beyond textbooks.
Engage in assessments designed with diverse learning styles in mind, many of which emulate real-life business and organisational challenges:
In the third year of your studies, you will also be required to submit a research proposal that will lay the fundaments for your honours/final year dissertation/project on a topic of your choice.
As you progress on the BA (Hons) Business degree, you will have the opportunity to take advantage of various competitive study abroad schemes – from short courses lasting several weeks to a full year at one of our international partners.
In recent years, BA (Hons) Business travelled to study abroad across Europe, the Middle East and North America.
You can add language modules in BSL, French or Spanish to your studies which can count towards your degree or as extra modules?
Go on! Broaden your horizons, extend your international perspective and enhance your CV.
This programme is in Clearing for students resident in Scotland, Rest of the UK, Republic of Ireland, and EU. During Clearing our entry requirements remain flexible, and we are committed to providing opportunities to study with us based on a range of qualifications. Please get in touch, and we can discuss your specific circumstances. You can apply now through UCAS or find out more information about the Clearing process on our dedicated Clearing hub
We understand that results don’t always go to plan, so our entry requirements during Clearing are flexible. We accept a wide range of qualifications and typically use the UCAS Tariff and the SCQF tariff as a guide, while also taking a holistic approach to each application. This means we’ll consider your overall academic profile and individual circumstances when making decisions.
If you’re close to meeting the entry requirements for your offer or planning to apply through Clearing and looking to top up your qualifications, our Summer School could help you secure your place this September.
If you’re interested, we encourage you to get in touch with our team to discuss your options—we’re here to help.
Visit our dedicated Clearing hub to find out more about the process and next steps.
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page for information on our different entry requirements, including country-specific details for EU and non-EU qualifications.
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The qualifications below must have been gained within two years of the start of your course.
General English language requirements at UWS: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see section below for more details).
SOCIAL WORK DEGREES
For our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work programmes, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to, or require professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council, applicants are required to have an IELTS or Occupational English Test (OET)*.
For such courses, the IELTS score is as follows:
* Note that the Occupational English Test (OET) will now be accepted in addition to IELTS as proof of a Nurse's English Language Competence (Nursing & Midwifery Council, 2019).
For our BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science programmes, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
TOEFL IBT*: 78; no sub-test less than:
* Please note that TOEFL is still acceptable for admission to this programme for both home/EU and international students.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use TOEFL to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level courses. We therefore still accept TOEFL tests taken in the last two years for admission to this programme.
West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE) including acceptance of WAEC Scratchcard*
*UWS will accept a WAEC scratchcard confirming that an applicant has achieved C6 or above as evidence of meeting English language requirement from Nigeria if the student graduated within the last 5 years. After 5 years applicants would be required to provide the WAEC Certificate.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
Join a community and dynamic culture that’s all about creativity, inclusion, connection, skills development and careers.
Making new friends is one of the best parts of university life and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to connect with others and enjoy an exciting social life through events, clubs and shared interests.
Proud to be The Times and The Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year for Social Inclusion 2026. UWS is a leading institution for widening participation in higher education, committed to driving social inclusion and reducing inequalities.
Our Undergraduate events are perfect chance to get to know more about the student experience and what it is like to study at UWS.
We host a range of events throughout the year, both on campus and online.
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,535 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
£9,535 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
£15,500 per year of study
£305 per module (20 credits)
£1,590 per module (20 credits)
£1,590 per module (20 credits)
£2,580 per module (20 credits)
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,790 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
£9,790 per year of study (4 years of study for the price of 3 years)
£16,275 per year of study
£305 per module (20 credits)
£1,630 per module (20 credits)
£1,630 per module (20 credits)
£2,710 per module (20 credits)
Ready to apply? All UK & EU Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS. Further information for international, part-time and exchange applications can be found below.
Apply on UCASAs part of our portfolio review process, the BA Business is being phased out at our Lanarkshire campus. For those seeking September 2026 entry at our Lanarkshire campus, there will only be advanced entry to Year 3 for suitably qualified individuals.
All UK and EU applicants for undergraduate study, not applying through an agent or partner, should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide for domestic & EU/EEA to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS. You can find out more about applying for this undergraduate course on UCAS.
Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries can apply directly to UWS via our dedicated online application system. The latest we can process your application is 6 weeks before the course start date to allow for visa processing times. For more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS please refer to our International Undergraduate Application Guide.
For part-time & online study, you should apply directly to the University through our online application system, not through UCAS. Please select the part-time mode of study when submitting your application. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.
To come to UWS as a visiting student on a study abroad or exchange programme, you must apply entirely through our online system.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
UK students
Our enquiry team is here to help: clearing@uws.ac.uk
International students
Contact our dedicated international team: international@uws.ac.uk
We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.