Business Management with Marketing with Foundation Year
Full-time
With placement
Four year
Five year
September 2025
In a nutshell
This foundation year programme will prepare you for your future business and marketing studies. You will gain the confidence and abilities needed to continue your education and go on to have a successful career in marketing or related positions.
- Learn the fundamental principles that underpin marketing and learn to apply them in practice.
- Develop your academic and personal skills, preparing you for future studies
- Gain the confidence to progress in your academic journey
Become industry ready
Our teaching is practical and career-focused, with input from our industry partners, so you'll build the expertise that employers look for. You'll develop personal skills, such as communication and confidence, alongside the practical, including business concepts and the tools and techniques used in the industry.
The Business Management with Marketing course is accredited by The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) so you know that what you learn is aligned with industry standards. This means you can reduce the number of assessments you need to take after graduation to gain a CIM qualification as well as gaining access to the CIM Marketing club, its regular webinars and newsletter.
You’ll look ahead to the technologies that will affect the work of marketing professionals in the future and gain the essential digitals skills that will help you go further in the industry, such as:
- Body swap technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Project, Outlook
- Generative AI
- AI Certification
- iDea Bronze Award
- Microsoft Specialist - Microsoft 365
- Xero Accounting Software
- Power BI.
Your journey starts here
Ready to take the next step? Discover more by attending an Open Day, or speak to our dedicated course enquiries team for further information.
options available
Course accreditations
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This is for you if...
You want to build a foundation of knowledge ahead of your future studies
You want to learn how marketing plays a vital role in business
You are looking to develop a range of highly employable skills
All about the course
Your foundation year will give you a grounding in business and marketing, preparing you for your future studies. As you progress into your first, second and third years of study, you will further develop your understanding in these fields, developing the skills needed for responsible leadership and strategic thinking.
You will also have access to placement, study abroad year and additional opportunities to develop your real-world skills.
Foundations of Business
This module will introduce you to key concepts of business and management, looking at what business is (and isn’t). You will be encouraged to draw on real-life examples found in the businesses you use in your every day life. You will develop an understanding of the key functions used within contemporary businesses and learn about the tools and techniques used in business for analysis and planning.
Academic and Personal Skills
Academic and Personal Skills is delivered with your future in mind. This module takes you through how to get to grips with the technology you need to succeed, as well as using the library, how to reference and how to produce the different styles of academic writing.
It also helps you to develop yourself; you will create a CV, learn how to write a cover letter and find out what your learning style is. The module has guest speakers who share their expert knowledge and experience with you. All the skills covered in this module will help you to succeed in your chosen degree.
Sustainable Business Development
This module looks at what’s involved in starting up a sustainable business. You will discover what is needed for long term business success. We’ll look at financing and funding, business formation, planning, business ethics and sustainability along with other core aspects of start-ups. You will work closely with industry partners to gain insight into the world of start-ups. If you are interested in starting a business, this module will really help you to discover what is involved. You also gain key knowledge which your degree will build upon.
Digital Business
This module will explain the importance and key elements of digital business. You will explore how digital business ideas drive technology choices and how those technologies support the development of the business.
Business Project
This module is studied in term 2 of the foundation year and brings together everything that you have learnt so far on the foundation year. This is your opportunity to put your knowledge into practice. You will work as part of a team to develop a business idea; you will work through the process of setting up the business. As a team you will pitch your idea to a panel to gain investment in your start-up. You will then start the business and create an event with the profits being donated to a local charity of your choice. Whatever your chosen business discipline this module will give you the opportunity to demonstrate and develop your skills.
Employability for Life
The module aims to acquire and develop an understanding of the employability skills required to succeed in your chosen industry. This is a practical module which will help you create and develop a professional CV and will develop your understanding of the recruitment and selection process. You will learn essential life-long skills to help you succeed in job applications whether they are for part-time work whilst you are a student or for your future graduate career.
Digital and Business Skills
The Digital and Business Skills module introduces a range of digital tools for academia and the workplace. Important business skills such as management, collaboration and teamwork are fundamental to the module. Regular engagement with online platforms provides tasks to improve digital competency. Also, co creation work presents self-reflection and confidence building opportunities. Gaining the inspiring digital enterprise award (iDEA), completing LinkedIn learning assessments for Microsoft software applications, and completing collaborative video creation tasks will increase your digital and business skills as you progress towards the completion of this module. Digital Business is here to stay, so it is vital to improve these 21st century skills.
Understanding Organisations
This module provides you with an introduction to the key functions of business and is an opportunity to see how they work. You will get an understanding of functions including people management, accounting, marketing and operations, and how they underpin business success. This is illustrated through the lens of some of the successful businesses from across the Greater Manchester region that Salford Business School work with: we will look at a range of businesses including startups, family businesses and large scale enterprises and multinationals from different industry sectors. It is a first opportunity to see what makes businesses tick and will help you think about your future learning and employment journeys.
Transmedia Marketing
In this module, you will gain an understanding of the rapidly changing world of entertainment and media marketing, learning how to integrate storytelling and marketing content across multiple media platforms. You will learn how to develop a core story crafted for a defined audience, as well as a narrative universe that can be flexibly franchised across multiple media platforms.
Data Analysis for Business
In this module you will be introduced to a variety of data analysis methods, which will be practiced on real world data sets. Regular formative assessment will be set for practice, with timely feedback given to aid learning and personal development.
You will have an opportunity to formulate your own research questions before analysing data to draw reasonable conclusions. The module will predominantly utilise real data and include a mixture of computer-based questions, calculations, interpretation and drawing conclusions.
The Future of Business
What are the opportunities for business in the future? Starting with a grounding in the business context you will gain an understanding of economics and the digital environment, including the role of the digital economy. We will explore some of the key challenges that are on the horizon such as the impact of massive digitisation and industry 4.0, inclusive growth, food security and the climate emergency, and look at the opportunities for business to provide responsible and sustainable solutions
Campaigns in Practice
This will be your first opportunity to work on a real life problem, giving you insights into problem solving and decision making in a team environment. Working in teams you will apply the fundamental principles of marketing to develop a campaign for a University of Salford client.
Professional Development
This module will enable you to plan and carry out appropriate professional development activities to increase your employability and performance. These include self-presentation, professional networking, project planning and implementation, team working, influencing and multimedia communication. You will gain all the necessary experience required to take advantage of global employment opportunities.
Customer Experience and Value Creation
Providing an immersive customer experience is a critical differentiating factor for firms today and, notably, one of the fastest growing business disciplines in the world. This module will provide you with the skills to develop and implement a coherent customer experience strategy that is both practical and actionable. It explores the theories and concepts of customer experience management with a customer centric focus by analysing the strategies, issues and dilemmas that are characteristic of the service industry and the delivery of an engaging customer experience.
You will learn how to apply various tools and processes to help you bring your organisation closer to its customers with emphasis on creating value for customers, through relationship building strategies, mapping the customer journey and engaging in service innovation and excellence.
Analysis for Social Media
Analysing and understanding data is at the heart of business decision making. In this module you will build on the data analysis skills that you learned in your first year, looking specifically at social media analytics and getting practical experience of using data to inform management decisions. You will work with data used every day by marketing professionals and develop the skills you will need for your future career.
Formative assessment will be set for practice, with timely feedback given to aid learning and personal development.
The decision making techniques introduced in the module can be applied to a wide range of settings, such as interpreting market performance, forecasting growth, make or buy decisions and optimisation of scarce resources.
Marketing to Consumers in the Digital Age
The module will introduce you to key issues in marketing and the impact that this has on consumers as well as their behaviour. It draws upon key theories in marketing and consumer behaviour and reflects on the relevance to marketing practice in the digital age.
Project Management
During this module we take a detailed look at various aspects of Project Management through a variety of means such as lectures and practical seminars informed by research and industrial collaborations. We will focus on theoretical approaches, tools and techniques of planning and controlling projects.
We will discuss project management as an important and integral part of a business whether this is product or service based.
Live Project in Digital Marketing
This module is a chance to get hands on experience inside a real organisation. Working in teams, reflecting your future working environment, you will help one of our partner organisations develop a solution to a current business problem. This is a chance to apply your people, project and time management skills in a real-world situation and to see how your solutions can apply in practice. Our employers tell us that experience of live briefs is important to them, and this is your chance to apply the knowledge you have gained on the course in that context. It's also a great addition to your CV!
In the first semester, you have the opportunity to choose a short (10 credit) module in an area you might be interested in or that you've never tried before. Alternatively, you can secure a short work placement and get credit for it in your results. Choose one from the options below.
The Digital Workplace
The digital workplace is here to stay. This module helps you gain an understanding of the application of digital technologies in organisations. You will develop a critical awareness of the relationship between people and the workplaces of the future. You will also explore the issues around implementing a digital strategy.
Contemporary Issues in International Marketing
On this short module, you'll look at the issues affecting current marketing in a global setting and the impact this has on the wider business environment. You'll look at different marketing niches from a social, economic and environmental perspective, considering the importance of minority group affiliations associated with Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ+, social inclusion, ethics, sustainability and the marketing-savvy green consumer. You'll also gain an understanding of the ethical, moral and legal requirements that managers must appreciate when engaging in international marketing activities.
Applied Econometrics
This module aims to equip you with the analytical skills required to handle and analyse business, financial and economic data using basic econometric methods, including simple and multiple linear regression models, inference and hypothesis testing. As part of this module, you will get hands-on experience with the Data Analysis Toolkit within Excel and the Econometric/Statistical software package Stata. You will also undertake an applied empirical project where you are expected to demonstrate your understanding of data analysis and econometric methods.
Internship
A short internship, whether paid or unpaid, is invaluable for you to develop and demonstrate your skills in the real-world. This module allows you to gain credits for work you do that is relevant to your degree and contributes to your employability. The Business School will provide support and guidance when you are looking for internship opportunities. This may be done during the summer period between the end of level 4 and the start of level 5, but other opportunities may be possible provided the relevant amount of work-based learning is undertaken. During term time, you will work on a reflective report to demonstrate what you learned during the internship.
Young Enterprise
Students will be introduced to a variety of methods of analysis to inform decision-making which will be practised on real data sets to support a new business venture as part of the Young Enterprise programme. Formative assessment will be set, with timely feedback given to aid learning and personal development.
The decision making techniques introduced in the module can be applied to a wide range of settings, such as interpreting market performance, forecasting growth, make or buy decisions, optimisations of scarce resources, marketing planning etc.
Advertising Strategy
The aim of this short module is to support and empower you with the right skills and confidence to enter the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Pitch competition. CIM is the professional body for the marketing industry.
You will learn to interpret a campaign brief and how to respond to it in a strategic way, developing the strategies, tactics and tools you need to be able to make a professional pitch to industry. At the same time, you will increase your skills for employment and gain experience of a live brief from the leading professional body. You will be able to use your pitch and the presentation of your creative advertising ideas as evidence of your abilities for prospective employers.
Business Accounting
You will be introduced to some fundamentals of basic financial and management accounting, learning to understand the content of financial statements and the accountancy practices required to prepare these statements. You will learn to analyse and interpret financial statements and use the data to make informed management decisions. With cost (and its impact on profit) a key factor in an organisation’s success, you will learn to communicate financial information both in writing and speaking.
Legal Aspects of Business
On this module, you will learn about some of the key aspects of law and how these impact upon business. You will be introduced to the outline of the English Legal System, Contract Law, Employment Law and Company Law. You will develop a critical understanding of legal issues that may arise in business situations and be able to use your knowledge of the law in relevant business practices.
Marketing Communications
Being able to communicate effectively with your key markets and target audiences is an important part of business success. This module gives you an effective introduction to the key aspects of marketing communications theory and practice.
You will design and develop an efficient integrated marketing communications plan and strategy, and study key topics including: advertising, public relations, direct marketing, sales promotion, personal selling, point-of-purchase and e-communications.
Sports Business Finance: Trends and Analysis
The module provides a comprehensive understanding of economic and financial principles as applied to the sports industry. Students will analyse contemporary sport issues, financial statements, revenues, costs, demand, pricing strategies, and the market structure of the sport industry. The module also covers financial strategies for sport organizations, including business formation, fund-raising, maintaining a healthy financial position, and expansion strategies. Additionally, students will learn about the application of economics and financial management in sport organizations, data-driven decision making, and the role of sport in political and diplomatic issues. This module equips students with the knowledge and skills to make sound financial decisions and strategic management in the dynamic and evolving field of sports business
Professional Placement
You have the option to do a professional placement year, taking a year in industry to learn in a real-life environment whilst earning a salary and paying no tuition fees.
This is an excellent opportunity to take advantage of and we will help you find out about vacancies and make the right connections with high profile employers through regular events and presentations.
For more information, please visit the placement and internships page.
You have the option to do a professional placement year, taking a year in industry to learn in a real-life environment whilst earning a salary and paying no tuition fees. Learn more about our placement and internship opportunities.
Marketing in Action
This module will prepare you for one of the modules that is part of the CIM Certificate in Professional Marketing. You will explore one theme – marketing communications campaign in detail using the CIM brief to help them understand the current needs surrounding an organisation’s communication with the wider audience/s. You will develop a communications plan around a real communication issue which requires the use of decision-making skills and creative ideas as a solution for the issues identified. Issues may include a new product/service launch, refreshing a brand identity or reminding audiences as examples. Satisfactory pass completion of this module subject to all other mapped modules achieving a pass will enable students to attain the Certificate Level in CIM. The assessment will use the current CIM assessment for each academic year
Business Ethics and Sustainability
This module equips you with an appreciation and in-depth understanding of the implications of Business Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability within national and international organisations. This module will also develop your knowledge with respect to the importance of the balance between shareholders, stakeholders and the purpose and values of the organisation. It will explore the roles of social and technological innovation in global ethical organisations in order to prepare you for future employability.
Advanced Digital Marketing
This module aims to develop your core skills in digital and social media-based targeting and communication strategies. It’s a practical module where you will cover a host of topics; you will look at how to create an effective digital presence and consider the critical components of a digital marketing strategy and its strategic significance.
You will also extend you capabilities in digital brand awareness, search engine optimisation and search engine marketing, content optimisation etc.
You will be working in intensive case discussion sessions and group activities, and learning from guest lectures and insightful study materials to understand how the concepts that underpin digital and social media marketing support business success.
Leadership and Management in Marketing
This module will help you to develop your leadership skills and prepare you for your future career. You will explore theory, behaviour, people management and leadership within a general organisational framework and apply it within a specific marketing context. This is an opportunity to develop the skills you have gained in the early part of your degree and apply them to prepare you for the responsible and authentic leadership that future business requires
This module offers a unique in-depth knowledge and understanding of the key practical and theoretical aspects of leadership and management in contemporary organisations. There is a focus on specific individual leaders, leadership styles and traits and offers an insight into how leaders operate in an organisational context. The module also explores personal leadership, the development of leadership and how leadership occurs at all levels. This module will allow you to reflect on your own leadership development and application, enhancing your employability.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Employers tell us that they are looking for employees with an entrepreneurial mindset. Or perhaps you're thinking of setting up your own business.
In this module you have the opportunity to undertake an enterprise project for an internal or external sponsor on a topic of common interest. Alternatively, you can use this opportunity to undertake in-depth research for your own project, for example, a business plan if you are wanting to start up a company after you graduate. The nature of the project will be negotiated by yourself, the module leader and the sponsoring company.
Strategic Management
This module will provide a detailed understanding of business strategy, so that you acquire an organisation-wide perspective through exploring strategy techniques and processes within the global environment. You will draw together your knowledge from across the Business Management with Marketing programme, and apply this to real world organisational problems, deploying accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry, some of which are at the forefront of strategic research and practice. Working on industry problems drawn from Marketing situations, you will prepare for a career in Marketing management.
This is a further opportunity for you to choose a short (10 credit) module in an area you might be interested in or that you've never tried before. Alternatively, you can secure a short work placement and get credit for it in your results. Choose one from the options below.
Internship
A short internship, whether paid or unpaid, is invaluable for you to develop and demonstrate your skills in the real-world. This modules allows you to gain credits for work you do that is relevant to your degree and contributes to your employability. The Business School will provide support and guidance when you are looking for internship opportunities. This may be done during the summer period between the end of level 5 and the start of level 6 but other opportunities may be possible provided the relevant amount of work-based learning is undertaken. During term time, you will work on a reflective report to demonstrate what you learned during the internship.
Technology Innovation
Technology innovation is concerned with developing your awareness and understanding of the use of digital technologies and their role in digital transformation. We will examine contemporary issues in this area and explore the impact that digital technology had had on business and will have in the future. On completion, you will have a critical awareness of the digital industry and have considered the application of technology to business problems. This module links with and is supported by Launch@ Salford, the University’s incubation centre.
Big Data Analytics
Modern businesses derive significant insight from applying advanced analytical techniques to massive volumes of data. In the module, you will learn a range of established Big Data and analytics techniques and the value they provide to organisations. On successful completion of the module, you will not only be able to collect and analyse data to underpin business decisions but also be able to apply them within the business context, looking at strategy, business goals and organisational competitive advantage.
Climate Change and Sustainability in Business
Climate change is a fundamental stressor which erodes past development and threatens future developments in vital areas of the well-being of humans. The sustainable use of energy is important in the 21st century due to our dependence on energy for transportation, business and heating which is the main factor behind climate change and the key to its solution. Therefore, energy and climate change are inextricably linked. The import of this module is to provide you with a background on issues pertaining to climate change from a multidisciplinary lens. You will study the science and policy of climate change, international climate finance, energy policy, business and sustainability and environmental policy.
Investment Management
The module will provide an introduction to the investment environment. The module will explain risk and how investors can manage risk. Furthermore, the module will explain about time value of money, portfolio management and the relationship between risk and return.
Information Security Management
The aim of this module is to understand the management and protection of digital information across various technologies. The module also concerns managing data security risk, cybersecurity risk, data policy in contemporary digital technologies, the strategic aspects of information security management and digital forensics and the legal, ethical ad professional concerns in data security.
Sport Event Management
The module will introduce to students the strategic and systematic process of planning and managing sport events. Students will learn key managerial issues associated with project management, logistics, risk management, sustainability, sponsorship, and human resources through case studies, readings, discussions, lectures, and assignments. The module aims to develop students' leadership behaviours, enhance their ability to create risk management solutions, and prepare them to respond to managerial challenges facing sport event managers. By the end of the module, students will be equipped to apply event management processes to sport events and successfully manage diverse populations in the context of sports event management
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Frequently asked questions
What is business management with marketing?
Business Management with Marketing combines business management principles with marketing strategies, teaching students how to manage business operations and effectively promote products or services. Topics include market research, consumer behaviour, strategic management, and financial analysis.
Is a business management and marketing degree worth it?
A business management and marketing degree is worth studying if you are interested in pursuing a career in business, marketing, or management. This degree can provide you with valuable skills in strategic planning, marketing analysis and leadership, which are highly sought after in various industries.
Is marketing part of business management?
Marketing is a crucial part of business management. Effective marketing strategies help businesses reach their target audience, build brand awareness and drive sales, all of which are essential for successful business management.
Meet Becky
"The Business Management with Marketing programme involves a varied range of modules: the course has something for everyone, with endless support and prospects for enhancing your CV."
It’s more than just a course; it’s a gateway into a more employable self.
"I love the diversity of the modules and that they actually contribute to the development of necessary skills for a job in this industry. This course has introduced me to so many possibilities I never knew were achievable. The ability to network is phenomenal, and the work is never boring. I enjoy every aspect of the course."
What about after uni?
A postgraduate degree is a great option if you want to take your knowledge and skills to the next level. Salford graduates and alumni also receive a fee discount.
A Business Management with Marketing graduate could continue their studies at postgraduate level in areas such as:
Career Links
Studying Business Management with Marketing at Salford Business School will open opportunities in a wide variety of career paths, and by completing a professional placement year, you can enhance your skills, confidence and employability.
We work with a wide range of employers to support our students, helping them to develop their skills and access internships, placements and graduate jobs. Employers we have worked with previously include PwC, EY, Bank of New York Mellon, Beevers & Struthers, the NHS and Salford City Council.
What you need to know
This course isn’t suitable for international students. If you are an international student and interested in studying a foundation year, please visit our International Foundation Year course page.
Applicant profile
You might be a school leaver looking to better prepare for academic life or perhaps you didn’t get the grades you needed. You might also be a returning student, having taken a break from studies and looking to regain your confidence in academic processes. Whatever your situation, our foundation year programmes help learners gain the skills, understanding and confidence needed to progress to further studies.
GCSE
Maths and English at grade C / grade 4 or above. Applicants who do not have the equivalent of grade C or above in these areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.
UCAS Tariff points
64 UCAS Tariff points
A level
64 UCAS tariff points from A Levels or equivalent
BTEC National Diploma
MPP in any subject
T level
Pass – D or E
Access to HE
Pass Level 3 with 64 points
Scottish Highers
64 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of one Advanced Higher.
Irish Leaving Certificate
64 points
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
How much?
Your tuition fees are regulated by the UK government who has proposed changes to tuition fees for UK students studying in England from 1 August 2025. The fee stated reflects this proposed change, but remains subject to parliamentary approval. Your tuition fees may increase in your first and each subsequent year of your programme to the maximum amount permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year.
Type of study | Year | Fees |
---|---|---|
Full-time home | 2025/26 | £5,760.00 for Foundation Year and £9,535.00 for subsequent years. |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
All set? Let's apply
Still have some questions? Register for one of our Open Days or contact us:
By email (UK applicants): enquiries@salford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0) 161 295 4545
Additional UCAS Information
Business Management with Marketing - UCAS Course ID - N1N5
Business Management with Marketing with Placement Year - UCAS Course ID - N1NM
Enrolment dates
UCAS information
Course ID N1N8
Institution S03