The programme is global in its outlook with specialist modules in business communications, from crisis communications to social networking for business. A series of workshops develop a range of communications skills for business, supporting theoretical study. The overall programme produces graduates who’re skilled communicators. If you are looking for an international career in business management and recognize the importance communication will have in your future role, then this programme is for you.

First year

This year lays the foundation for the study of business and management and public relations. You study the same programme as students on the BSc Business Management with Communications, including key message delivery and crisis communications, including key message delivery and crisis communications.

Second and fourth years

In these years you begin to have some choice within the themed structure of the programme. The modules offered will change from time to time, as they are developed to reflect the ever-changing world of business. During the second year you also prepare for your study abroad. In the final (fourth) year there is the opportunity to undertake a placement with a local media institution.

Third year

After two years at Birmingham Business School, you will spend your third year abroad at one of our partner institutions all of which are highly regarded. As the number of places at each institution varies from year to year, you’ll need to be flexible about where you go. The exact subjects you study will depend on where you go but are compatible with the Business Management and the Business Communications degrees. Please note that your year abroad is conditional upon a good performance in the first and second year exams, please see International Business with Language BSc for more information. If at the end of your second year you decide you do not want to take up the year abroad you can choose to transfer to the three year programme.

This year enables you to improve your understanding of the cultural context of business management and communications in another country. Our partner universities are in countries including:  

• USA 
• Mexico 
• Hong Kong
• Czech Republic 
• Canada 
• Australia 
• New Zealand

You can also arrange an exchange through the Universitas 21 programme (a list of partners is available at www.universitas21.com ) or other partners in the wider University.

European exchanges are part of the EU’s Erasmus programme and you will be eligible for a small EU grant. For students who take a Universitas 21 place, there is the possibility of a University bursary.

Your year abroad is taught in English, although many students benefit from the opportunity to learn their host country’s language.It may also be possible to undertake a work-based placement, boosting your practical experience.

It may also be possible to undertake a work-based placement.

This degree has been developed in response to the changing economic, commercial and financial environment as well as developing research in leadership and change management to ensure that is it directly relevant to the needs of industry as well as students.

Your learning will take place in a range of different settings, from scheduled teaching in lectures and small group tutorials, to self-study and peer group learning (for example preparing and delivering presentations with your classmates).

To begin with you may find this way of working challenging, but rest assured that we’ll enable you to make this transition and you’ll soon be benefiting from some of the most highly regarded teaching in this subject in the country, as our independent accreditations show.

You will have access to a comprehensive support system that will assist and encourage you, including personal tutors and welfare tutors who can help with both academic and welfare issues, and a formal transition review during your first year to check on your progress and offer you help for any particular areas where you need support.

Find out more about our academics' approaches to teaching and learning.

Personal Tutor

From the outset, you will be assigned your own Personal Tutor who will get to know you as you progress through your studies, providing academic and welfare advice, encouraging you and offering assistance in any areas you may feel you need extra support to make the most of your potential and your time here at Birmingham.

Contact hours

As well as time with your lecturers and personal tutor, academic and professional services staff (like our dedicated Careers Network team) will be aviailable to offer individual and group support throughout your time here at Birmingham.

Learning settings

You’ll find academic and professional staff involved in the delivery of your degree here at Birmingham located in University House. Set in landscaped gardens this multi-million pound home to Birmingham Business School is equipped with the latest facilities and technology to ensure your studies are inspired by their surroundings.Lectures and teaching will take place in a variety of versatile lecture theatres and breakout rooms which, as well as the traditional whiteboard and pen, are equipped with wireless connection and constantly updated technology including all the audio-visual equipment that you would expect from one of the UK’s premier insitutions.

Small-group tutorials/personal tutorials run alongside our lectures, addressing any individual problems you may have and allowing you to consolidate lecture material, as well as test your understanding through problem-solving exercises.

Self study is an essential part of the programme and requires self motivation and enthusiasm for your subject. It also allows you to pursue your own lines of enquiry and become an independent thinker.

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is an excellent tool for supporting our academic courses, allowing you to share throughts on assignments with other students via the discussion group facilities, and even submit your work electronically.

Enquiry Based Learning (EBL) is a group activity which requires you to work in a team, with a variety of assessment methods; in either a group or individually, by written reports and sometimes as a presentation. Based on techniques used in research-led organisations like the University of Birmingham, EBL gives you a research-orientated approach to a problem and helps you to gain essential skills that are highly valued by employers.

Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.

Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CV’s and job applications will help give you the edge. In addition, our employer-endorsed award-winning Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities, and provides an accredited employability programme designed to improve your career prospects.

Your Birmingham degree is evidence of your ability to succeed in a demanding academic environment. Employers target Birmingham students for their drive, diversity, communication and problem-solving skills, their team-working abilities and cultural awareness, and our graduate employment statistics have continued to climb at a rate well above national trends. If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.

Our business degrees are highly regarded by employers and our graduates are very successful in the job market. Employers tell us that they value PR and communications skills highly, and organisations such as the BBC have recruited our graduates. In addition, internal communications specialists are increasingly sought after by human resource departments.

Our business degrees have long been recognised by major employers across all sectors of the economy. Our students find employment in areas as diverse as retail management, financial services, accountancy, motor manufacturing, management consultancy and pharmaceuticals; some become self employed.  The latest graduate destination information shows that six months after graduation the vast majority of our graduates are employed, whilst others are undertaking further training. Some of our students have also gone on to set up their own businesses after graduation.

The University is investing £3.5m in sector-leading employability services which will provide Birmingham students with access to mentoring by some of the University's most successful alumni, internships in the UK and overseas, and specialist staff offering unique careers guidance tailored to each academic subject area: ensuring that Birmingham graduates continue to succeed after university. We are also building on our personal academic tutoring system to provide the support and guidance that you will need to achieve your full academic potential.