“Studying Business Enterprise has been challenging but rewarding. A unique learning experience.”

Beth Smith / 2017 graduate

Our two year BSc Business Enterprise degree combines academic theory with real world experience in setting up and running a business.

Launched in January 2006, our BSc Business Enterprise degree is the first undergraduate Venture Creation Programme (VCP) offered at a university anywhere in the world. This requires students to start and run a business as part of their degree, a valuable experience in applying your learning.  This is not your typical degree, as this programme is split between real-world application and theoretical knowledge.

The BSc Business Enterprise (BBE) Programme will interest you if you want to:

• Start and develop your own new business at the same time as studying for an honours degree.
• Make a positive contribution to the strategic development of a family business or other small or medium enterprise.
• Develop an entrepreneurial or “can do” approach to life to enhance your future career anywhere.

Alongside your studies you’ll get the experience of working with like-minded, creative and entrepreneurial people – not just your fellow students but also the staff who are there to inspire and support you.

Many BEIU graduates have been successful in either running their own business, contributing significantly to a family business or achieving a graduate role in industry.

The career paths of others include fields such as accounting, marketing, banking and consultancy, whilst many have continued their education with a masters degree.

This course provides the opportunity for you to pitch for seed-corn capital of up to £5,000, enabling you to start and run a business as an integral part of your honours degree.  We offer a range of subjects, spanning marketing, leadership, growth strategy, selling, finance and skills that will help you to establish your business.

In the first semester, you will learn how to create an effective business plan. This will form the basis of your ‘pitch’ to obtain your ‘seed-corn’ capital from our investment panel ‘Buckingham Angels’.

During the following 18 months, you will be establishing and ‘growing’ the business, at the same time as developing your academic knowledge in-depth across the range of business subjects needed to obtain an honours degree in Business Enterprise.

1 Starting A Business

Business Planning & Pitching · Innovation & Entrepreneurship · Introduction To Marketing · Introduction To Accounting Operations Management

2 Pitch For Up To £5000 Of Funding

3 Business Launch

eBusiness · Leadership & Management · Selling Yourself & Your Products · Business Economics · Disruptive Technology

4 Business Operation

Finance for Small Business · Stakeholder Communications · Success Through Service Excellence · Social Responsibility & Ethics · Business
Law

5 Business Transition

International Business · Human Resources Management · Strategy for Business Growth · Risks in Business · Financial Records & Funding

MSc in Entrepreneurial Consultancy and Practice

Our MSc in Entrepreneurial Consultancy and Practice from January 2020 will take our globally recognised approach of entrepreneurial education to the discipline of consultancy. Working in liaison with KPMG Enterprise we offer our students the chance to learn how to provide growth consultancy services to real businesses.

Typical offers

The typical A-level offer is normally BBB-BCC, IB:30-32, BTEC: DDM from relevant National Diploma or equivalent UCAS Tariff points.

Applications to Buckingham are individually considered by the Admissions Tutor and other factors may be taken in to account. Applicants with BTEC qualifications are welcome to apply, including if you have a mix of BTEC and A levels.

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A-levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in a slightly lower A-level grade offer.

Foundation options are also available. Please contact the Admissions Office (admissions@buckingham.ac.uk or +44 (0)1280 820227) for more information.

Applicants must also have GCSE English and Maths at Grade C / Grade 4, or above (or equivalent). IELTS requirements are as follows: (Academic) 6.5 Average of 6.5 (with 6.0 or above in each component).

Flexible entry

All of our undergraduate programmes operate a flexible entry process, and the Admissions Tutor is happy to consider entrants from all backgrounds with slightly lower qualifications if they are able to demonstrate alternative eligibility for the course. This may be in the form of relevant work experience, keen aptitude and a passion for the subject, or unlocked potential that you feel can be discovered through your studies at Buckingham. If you are uncertain whether you will be eligible to apply for this course, please contact the Admissions Team.

UCAS applications

You may apply either through the national UCAS university admissions system or at any time directly to the University using our own online application form.

Mature students

Because of our two-year degree, we find that the age range of our student body varies between those who have recently completed A-levels (or equivalent) to more mature students. Age is no barrier to learning and we welcome all applications from suitably qualified students.

International students

We are happy to consider all international applications and if you are an international student, you may find it useful to visit our international pages for details of entry requirements from your home country.

The University is a UKVI Tier 4 Sponsor.

English levels

If English is not your first language, please check our undergraduate English language requirements. If your English levels don’t meet our minimum requirements, you may be interested in applying for our Pre-sessional English Language Foundation Programmes.

Selection process

Wherever possible, you will be invited to the University to meet the Admissions Tutor for an informal interview and to have a tour of our campus. If you are an international applicant, it may not be possible for you to visit in person, so if the Admissions Tutor has any queries about your application you may be conducted by Skype, email or phone.

Our Admissions Team will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Call us on +44 (0)1280 820227 or email: admissions@buckingham.ac.uk.

Terms and conditions for prospective students

When you are offered a place at the University you will be notified of the terms and conditions between the University and students on our courses of study. When you accept an offer of a place on the course at the University a legal contract is formed between you and the University on the basis of the terms and conditions outlined in your offer letter. Your offer letter and the terms and conditions contain important information which you should read carefully before accepting an offer. Read the admissions terms and conditions > >

Quality of teaching

We offer high quality, Oxbridge style teaching, which has lead to our degrees being internationally recognised . The standard of our degrees and awards are safeguarded by external examiners, senior academic staff from universities across the UK who are distinguished within their field of study, who invigilate and moderate assessed work.

High calibre staff

Most of our academic staff teach for three terms out of four, with the remaining term used for research. Because of this, we have no difficulty in attracting high calibre, highly respected lecturers, many of whom also have a background in business or industry and can offer networking opportunities for students.

Teaching methods

Teaching is carried out through a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials. A key feature of the Buckingham teaching method is the use of small tutorial groups which provide the most effective means of ensuring that the students benefit from the academic expertise at their disposal. It is also the philosophy of the Business School faculty to be available to students outside the scheduled tutorial times and to encourage good working relationships between staff and students.

Business Enterprise is unique in offering practical workshops, as well as an open-door policy with the course tutors, whom students can always approach to ask for help or advice. External entrepreneurs are invited to make presentations to BSc Business Enterprise students in the Winter and Summer Terms to help inspire, as well as inform, the students on the programme.

Assessment methods

The assessment method for each module varies according to the subject. Assessment is usually by coursework, examination or a combination of the two. Information on individual modules for further details on assessment methods is available.

Preparation for work

All our degree courses combine academic challenge with the transferable skills that will stand you in good stead for future employment. Many of our more vocationally-focused degrees offer the opportunity of work placements and experience in industry.

See the Business Curriculum Handbook for further course details.

For September 2020 entry all students UK applicants will be automatically eligible for our Accelerating the Next Generation programme 

For up to date information on fees, discounts and scholarships please visit the Fees and Finance page links below:

• Fee illustration: International students
• Fee illustration: Home students

You may also find it useful to visit the following fee related information:

• Estimated Living Costs
• Grants and Loans

The following automatic awards are available to undergraduate Home students:

• The Kingham Scholarship
  The University of Buckingham is offering one budding entrepreneur the chance to win a scholarship to study a unique two-year BSc Business Enterprise degree worth over £15,000. Find out more >
• High Achiever Scholarship
  We offer a reduction of £2,000 per annum if you achieve AAB or above in your A levels (or equivalent) excluding General Studies. This scholarship is dependent on your making Buckingham your firm choice. It will be reviewed after your preliminary and subsequent examinations and will continue if your average mark is in the upper second or first class.
• Five Counties Scholarship
  If you live in Buckinghamshire (including Milton Keynes), Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire or Oxfordshire, you will be entitled to a local scholarship of £1,100 per annum providing you meet the conditions of your offer. This scholarship is dependent on your making Buckingham your firm choice. You are not eligible for this award if you hold another scholarship from the University. (subject to change for Sep 2019 and Jan 2020 entries)
• Buckingham Bursaries
  If, when you join the University, you are in receipt of a Maintenance Loan of £5,000 or more from Student Finance, you will receive a further bursary of £1,100 towards your tuition fees. This bursary may not be held with any other scholarship from the University.

Details of other scholarships can be found on our main Bursaries and Scholarships page.

To find out about accommodation available please visit our Accommodation pages or get in touch with our Accommodation Team.

We recommend that all prospective students visit our campus if they are able to, and campus tours include a visit to a typical student room. Arrange a tour via your Admissions Officer.