Overview

Ranked first in London, and third in the UK*, the BSc Business Studies degree equips you with the broad based knowledge, skills and training for a career in the global business world.

The Cass Business Studies degree takes a macro view of the business environment, employing an integrated analysis of business issues and providing the tools to implement appropiate responses.

At Cass, our Business Studies course is well known for being rich in provision of problem solving skills, something that will set you apart with employers. We will equip you with those skills, both soft and technical, that employers most prize.  We do this within a framework that integrates academic rigour with practical skills enabling graduates to succeed in a wide range of enterprises.  Distinctive in its flexibility, the degree allows you to specialise in either finance or marketing in the second year. 

Typically students who undertake the BSc Business Studies degree are willing to question and be pro active. They can adapt to the bigger picture and do not need a prescriptive brief.  Our new module, Functions of Organisations: Connections, Understanding and Strategy (FOCUS), delivered by a team of leading practitioners will equip you with an overview of key issues and dilemmas that arise in modern businesses and how to deal with them.

Course content

Year 1

In year one, you will be introduced to some of the essential tools needed to function effectively in the business world. These include Accounting & Quantitative methods. You will also study modules that give you awareness of the business world and its environment such as Introduction to Business & Economics. Finally you will study modules that build on the 'softer' skills that employers increasingly value such as effective business communication, team-working and leadership.

Six modules (ten core and one elective)

Core modules:

  • Foundations of Economics for Business
  • Introduction to Accounting for Business and Management
  • Management Practice and Skills
  • Functions of Organisations - Connections, Understanding and Strategy
  • Financial Mathematics and Business Statistics

Elective modules:

  • French for Business 1
  • French for Business (Beginner level)
  • International Business Environment
  • Introduction to Business Law
  • The Reflective Practitioner
  • Spanish for Business 1
  • Spanish for Business (Beginner level)

Year 2

Year two will see you continue to develop your knowledge of the concepts and analytical tools of business and management, gaining detailed understanding of the functions of business.  We will advance your employability skills so that you are ready for work experience at the end of the year if you so choose.

Ten modules (seven core and two electives)

Core modules:

  • Business Management
  • Business Statistics
  • IT for Business 1
  • Management of Human Resources
  • Operations Management
  • Principles of Finance
  • Principles of Marketing

Elective modules:

  • Business and Industrial Economics
  • Corporate Law
  • European Business Culture
  • European Studies
  • Financial Accounting
  • Financial Analysis
  • French for Business 2
  • French for Business (Lower Intermediate)
  • Management Accounting
  • Marketing Management
  • New Venture Thinking
  • Personal Finance
  • Spanish for Business 2
  • Spanish for Business (Lower Intermediate)

Year 3

In the final year you will study three core modules and six electives enabling you to tailor the course to your ambitions and talents. The core modules are Business Strategy, Corporate Governance and a final year project, which involves the analysis of a business situation or management problem of your choosing.  This individual research project, apart from providing opportunities for researching the newest management literature will teach you self-management and motivation.

All students take three core modules:

  • Corporate Governance
  • Final Year Project (double module)
  • Strategy for Business

Students may choose to specialise in their final year in either Marketing or Finance and if so, must undertake the core modules shown below:

Core modules (finance specialisation)

  • Corporate Finance
  • Financial Management (also available for general specialisation)
  • International Financial Management (also available for general specialisation)

Core modules (marketing specialisation)

  • Consumer Behaviour (also available for general specialisation)
  • Market Research
  • Strategic Marketing (also available for general specialisation)
  • New Product Development

Students who are specialising in either finance or marketing are required to take a further two electives from the list below of General Electives. Students who choose not to specialise must choose seven electives from the list below:

General electives:

  • Advanced Strategic Management
  • Advertising
  • Arts and Antiques Markets
  • Climate Change and its Impact on the World Economy
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Emerging Markets
  • European Business Seminar
  • Financial Services Regulation
  • French for Business 3
  • French for Business (Upper Intermediate)
  • German for Business 3
  • German for Business (Upper Intermediate)
  • International Human Resource Management
  • IT for Business 2
  • Management and Problem Solving
  • Management of Innovation and Change
  • Spanish for Business 3
  • Spanish for Business (Upper Intermediate)
  • Technical Analysis (only for finance specialisation)
  • Topics in Money, Banking and Finance
  • Virtual Organisations

Placements and internships

A key part of a Cass degree is the opportunity to gain professional experience working for a leading organisation. All Cass students are eligible to take either a short-term internship or a one-year placement programme as part of your degree.

The experience of working for a leading institution can be invaluable in terms of your future career. It will enable you to acquire skills and competencies sought by graduate employers, and give you an edge over the competition.

Cass Business School fully prepares you for these placements, with a dedicated Placements Office to help you with CVs, interview techniques and tips on how to make a winning application.

There is an incredible range of placements available, across a wide range of industry sectors.
Students have recently completed placements at leading financial services organisations such as Morgan Stanley and the Bank of England, through to not-for-profit organisations such as Unicef. Other employers have been as diverse as Dior, Universal Pictures and IBM.

Whilst on placement, Cass students have been involved with real-world projects such as the development of marketing events and promotional materials, financial modelling and development of plans, assisting in research, project management, and database analysis.

A list of current employers is as follows:

  • Audit Commission
  • Dior
  • IBM UK Ltd
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Nomura International
  • Pricewaterhouse Coopers
  • SMBC Ltd
  • Taylor Nelson Soffres UK
  • Universal Pictures International

Study abroad

International study opportunities

In today's global business environment, international exposure gives you a vital edge in the employment market. A period of study abroad is an excellent opportunity to enhance your education with an international dimension.

Cass Business School gives you the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying at one of our partner institutions. This could be in Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, the US, South Korea or Europe.

Available study abroad programme structures and partner institutions

1. Replacement 2nd Year Abroad

You can spend the second year of your three year degree course studying abroad at one of our partner institutions.

During your time abroad you will cover all core material of your second year Cass programme, taking equivalent courses at the host institution. Teaching is in English, but subjects are taught from a different perspective.  Elective modules will enable you to focus on the specialist areas of the partner institution, or the business practice of the country in which you are studying. You can study at one of our partner universities listed below:


Country

Host institution (Replacement 2nd Year, Business Studies)

Canada

Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario

Hong Kong

Chinese University of Hong Kong

University of Hong Kong (HKU)

Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST)

Singapore

Singapore Management University

Sweden

Stockholm University, Stockholm

United States

Emory University, Atlanta

2. Sandwich Year Abroad

You can spend a year of your degree course studying at one of our partner institutions, between your second and third year of study. This would add a year to your degree and you would complete your degree infour years.

Teaching here can be in the relevant native language which would require appropriate foreign language skills. However most host universities are now offering an increasing number of courses taught in English and in Singapore all teaching will be in English.

You can also choose to combine your study overseas with a work placement, which involves spending six months studying and the remaining six months working. You would be expected to organise your own placement, although some of our partner schools may be able to help you.

This additional year of study does not form a part of your degree, however you will need to spend the full year studying and pass all assessments. Your degree certificate will state 'with Study Abroad'. The partner university will also provide you with a transcript of the modules you have studied there.


Country

Host institution (Sandwich Year, Business Studies)

Austria

Universität Wien, Vienna

Belgium

Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, Brussels

Canada

HEC, Montréal

France

ESCP Europe, Paris

Germany

Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin

Technische Universität Münchcn, Munich

Italy

LUISS Guido Carli, Rome

The Netherlands

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University

Norway

BI Norwegian School of Management, Oslo

Singapore

National University of Singapore

Spain

Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona

Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid

Sweden

Stockholm University, Stockholm

Credit for prior learning

The course gives exemption from some of the professional examinations of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Specific marketing modules lead to direct entry to the Chartered Institute of Marketing Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing.

Teaching style

We have more than 100 full time academic staff, complemented by over 25 visiting lecturers, who combine expertise with successful careers as business leaders, policy makers and/or government advisors. Our academic team works with businesses, alumni and leading thinkers to devise and update our course content so that is relevant and specific to market realities.

Our teaching style is based on encouraging you to think independently, to form your own opinions and critique relevant theory. We underpin your learning with the pertinent theories in your field embed with real life practices so you understand the way modern markets and businesses operate. Our courses offer numerous practical applications (or have a strong vocational element) without compromising their academic rigour. We use case studies, thought provoking scenarios and group work to give you a head start in the real world.

Each module will be a mix of lectures, seminars and group work. Most modules are assessed by a combination of exams and coursework. The first year of your programme contributes 10% to your final degree classification, the second year 30% and the final year 60%.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements:

A-level: AAA

BTEC NND: Distinction Distinction Distinction

IB: 35 points overall including 6 in all Higher Level subjects and 5 in all Standard Level subjects.  Consideration will be given to 1 bonus point.

International Students: A comprehensive list of international equivalents to follow.

If you do not qualify for direct entry, INTO City University London offers an International Foundation programme. Successful completion to the required standard of the International Foundation Programme in Business & Economics with Accounting at INTO City University London means guaranteed progression to this degree. Please note, there are limitations on the number of places available on undergraduate courses offered by Cass Business School at City University London

Additionally, the University works in partnership with Kaplan International College (KIC) London to provide preparatory courses for international students. Foundation and Pre Masters courses at KIC London offer comprehensive support to students including regular one-to-one tuition. Progression to the University is guaranteed if you complete the KIC London course at the required level. Please note: There are limitations on the number of places available on undergraduate courses offered by Cass Business School at City University London.

GCSE: Maths (grade A) and English language (grade C) or equivalent

If you are studying General Studies, Critical Thinking or a native language A-level then these subjects will not be included in any offer condition.

English language requirements:

If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency.  Minimum requirements are:

IELTS: 6.5 with a minimum of 6 in any unit.

TOEFL: 100 internet-based total with a minimum of 23 in all sub-tests.

GCSE: English language grade C

Application, fees, and term dates

All applications should be made through UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Applications are made via Apply, UCAS's online application system.

Institution code: C60 (Cass Business School and City University)
Course code: N100

You can find more information at UCAS and in the UCAS Handbook.

More information about applying to Cass

Fees

The fees for 2012 entry are:

  • UK/EU students: £9,000 per annum 
  • Non-EU international students: £12,500 per annum
  • Placement and study abroad students:
    If you are taking a professional placement or study abroad year, this forms an element of your degree and therefore you will be expected to pay a proportion of the standard year's tuition fees.
  • Students who have already studied to degree level:
    UK and EU nationals who have already obtained a degree (BSc/BA or higher qualification, or equivalent) are no longer entitled to public funding (HEFCE). The tuition fee for these students will be charged at the international students rate. 

Scholarships

New for 2012 entrants: Up to £ 3,000 cash each year for at least three years for students on this course. Read more here to see if you might qualify.

Term dates

Term dates for first year entry BSc students

Autumn Term: 19 September - 09 December 2011

Spring Term: 9 January - 6 April 2012

Summer Term: 30 April - 22 June 2012

Term dates for returning second & third year BSc students

Autumn Term: 26 September - 09 December 2011

Spring Term: 9 January - 6 April 2012

Summer Term: 30 April - 22 June 2012

Your career after Cass

BSc Business Studies graduates can enter the industry with a wide range of opportunities open to them in various disciplines and areas of business including finance, marketing, operations and HR. A number of students have also set up their own start-up companies.

Students securing first time employment after graduating from BSc Business Studies receive an average salary of £27,500. Recent graduates have secured jobs with internationally recognised companies such as Goldman Sachs, Ernst & Young, and the BBC.

The Careers Centre

All Cass students have the use of the Careers Service at City University. The Careers service offers a wide range of services to students such as professional advice with job applications, CVs, covering letters and any career questions. They also organise mock interviews and psychometric testing, allowing you to practise answering relevant interview questions and then receive feedback on your responses.

In addition, there is the opportunity to attend specialist career guidance interviews. This will enable you to make a well-informed and realistic decision about your future career with an experienced advisor on a confidential one-to-one basis.