BSc Business Administration
Prepare for today's highly competitive business environment and learn to devise effective solutions to real management situations. Based at Athens International College, a recognised teaching centre for University of London programs, you can study general Business Administration or specialise in one of three pathways: Human Resource Management, International Business or Marketing.
Enhance your employability skills
Build in-demand expertise informed by Royal Holloway's world-leading research that can be applied to any business sector across Management, Marketing, Human Resource Management, and more. Throughout your course, you will be developing and strengthening the Global Employability Skills, highlighted by the University of London Careers Service, that will help you to progress your career.
Study without relocating
Studying at AIC you gain a prestigious qualification without the need to relocate. With no travel, relocation or accommodation costs, studying a University of London degree at a distance is more affordable.
A world-class degree valued internationally
Benefit from a degree that is internationally recognised and valued. The BSc is awarded by the University of London, a trusted provider of distance learning for over 160 years, under academic direction from Royal Holloway, a UK top 29 university (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023).
Join our global alumni community
Follow in the footsteps of a distinguished list of University of London alumni from Nobel prize-winners to leaders in law, finance, humanities and other fields in more than 190 countries. Enjoy wide-ranging benefits including events, free online courses and more.
Outstanding study support
Benefit from local support and the facilities of a campus-style environment at AIC. We offer lectures and workshops to guide you through your studies and the opportunity for face-to-face interaction with academics and other students.
Benefit from extensive resources
Benefit from study materials designed for distance learning via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), including notes, videos, podcasts, book chapters, past examination papers, and a range of learning activities. You can interact with your tutors and fellow students or access academic electronic resources through the Online Library.
In the context of University of London Teaching Centres, academic direction refers to the design, development, and oversight of the academic content and standards of a program. It is provided by a lead college (e.g., LSE, Royal Holloway, Goldsmiths), which ensures the quality and sets assessments. Teaching Centres like AIC deliver the teaching, but the academic authority and curriculum come from the University of London’s member institution directing the program.
The University of London is the awarding body for all these programmes.
As a Recognised Teaching Centre for University of London (UoL) programmes, AIC supports students studying for UoL degrees through distance and flexible learning.
AIC provides local, in-person academic support and resources to complement the materials and online platforms provided by UoL.
AIC offers face-to-face classes, tutorials, revision sessions, and access to facilities like libraries, computer labs, and study spaces.
AIC instructors are trained and familiar with UoL's academic standards and assessment requirements, helping students prepare effectively for exams and coursework.
While students are officially registered with the University of London and receive their degrees from the university itself, AIC, as a Recognised Teaching Centre plays a role in delivering structured learning in a classroom environment, especially valuable for students who prefer guidance and interaction.
AIC, as a centre, may also assist with administrative processes such as registration, exam arrangements, and academic advising.
AIC, as a Recognised Teaching Centres serves as a local partner in maintaining the quality and accessibility of the University of London’s global programs.
You complete 12 courses to earn the BSc degree.
There are four degree pathways you can choose from:
- Business Administration
- Business Administration - Human Resource Management
- Business Administration - International Business
- Business Administration - Marketing
We also offer a Business Administration CertHE for which you must complete four courses. This is a qualification in its own right that also provides an entry route to degree-level study.
The Programme Specification and Programme Regulations contain information and rules regarding what courses you can choose and the order in which they must be studied.
1st of four pathways
Stage 1- four compulsory courses
- Foundations of quantitative methods for sustainable organisations
- Interpreting management, market and consumption
- International business and accounting
- Information systems and organisation studies
Stage 2 - three compulsory courses
- Employability and Human Resource Management
- Operations management and marketing strategy
- Strategic management and accounting
Plus one optional Stage 2 course
- Managing organisational change and performance, or
- Marketing research and digital marketing, or
- The global economy and multinational enterprise
Stage 3 - one compulsory course
Plus three optional Stage 3 courses
2nd of four pathways
Stage 1- four compulsory courses
- Foundations of quantitative methods for sustainable organisations
- International business and accounting
- Interpreting management, market and consumption
- International business and accounting
Stage 2 - four compulsory courses
- Employability and Human Resource Management
- Operations management and marketing strategy
- Managing organisational change and performance
- Strategic management and accounting
Stage 3 - three compulsory courses
- Integrating management: business in context, leadership and innovation
- International human resource management
- The individual at work and globalisation
Plus one optional Stage 3 course
3rd of four pathways
Stage 1- four compulsory courses
- Foundations of quantitative methods for sustainable organisations
- Interpreting management, market and consumption
- Information systems and organisation studies
- International business and accounting
Stage 2 - four compulsory courses
- Employability and Human Resource Management
- Operations management and marketing strategy
- Strategic management and accounting
- The global economy and multinational enterprise
Stage 3 - three compulsory courses
- Integrating management: business in context, leadership and innovation
- Emerging markets and Asia Pacific business
- European business and international competition
Plus one optional Stage 3 course
4th of four pathways
Stage 1- four compulsory courses
- Foundations of quantitative methods for sustainable organisations
- Interpreting management, market and consumption
- Information systems and organisation studies
- International business and accounting
Stage 2 - four compulsory courses
- Employability and Human Resource Management
- Marketing research and digital marketing
- Operations management and marketing strategy
- Strategic management and accounting
Stage 3 - three compulsory courses
- Brands, branding and advertising, or
- Consumer behaviour and global marketing, or
- Integrating management: business in context, leadership and innovation
Plus one optional Stage 3 course
Local teaching support
To study the BSc Business Administration you must register also at AIC an approved teaching centre that supports this programme. In this way, you benefit from local support and the facilities of a campus-style environment.
Online support
When you register, UoL will give you access to the Student Portal. You can then access your University of London email account and other key resources:
- The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Here, you can access electronic copies of all printed study materials, resources including audio-visual and revision guides, and forums to discuss study material and work collaboratively with others.
- The Online Library. As a student at the University of London, you will have access to a range of resources, databases, and journals via the Online Library. You will be able to contact a team of professional and qualified librarians for any help you require.
Senate House Library
If you are visiting London, make sure to visit Senate House Library. Students studying with the University of London can join the library free of charge. Membership includes a 10-book borrowing allowance, access to all reading rooms and study areas, and on-site access to Senate House Library digital resources.
Student Support
UoL are committed to delivering an exceptional student experience for all of our students, regardless of which programmes you are studying.
You will have access to support through:
- The Enquiry Hub – provides support for application and Student Portal queries.
- The Skills Hub – This offers a range of courses and activities to help students strengthen key skills and enhance their learning experience.
- Wellbeing Hub – self-directed resources to help students stay happy and healthy through their studies.
- TalkCampus – a peer support service that offers a safe and confidential way to talk about whatever is on your mind at any time of day or night.
Assessment
Each module is examined by one written examination and one piece of coursework. You can sit examinations at any of our 400 examination centres around the world. Conversely, the coursework is submitted in the Virtual Learning Environment.
Founded in 1879, Royal Holloway is one of the University of London’s six largest federation members and is home to more than 9,000 students.
The BSc Business Administration is led by academics within the School of Management. Now one of Royal Holloway’s largest departments, the School gives high priority to original research in international business, and the deep understanding of the subject that follows is reflected in its teaching of management studies. All staff members are active researchers, and the publication of their findings in books and journals is a key part of their professional work.
Programme Director
Dr Ran Bhamra is Senior Lecturer in Operations & SCM at Royal Holloway University of London, UK. He is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and a Member of the Institution of Engineering & Technology (MIET). Ran is the Editor of Continuity & Resilience Review Journal and Chief Examiner for the Business Continuity Institute. Ran's earlier industrial career includes process/productivity improvement, project and operations management for organisations that include Siemens Ltd., SCA Hygiene and Alstom Power Service UK. Ran has been a Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Hong Kong, is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an expert in operations & supply chain management.
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| Programme starts | November 2025 |
What qualifications do you need?
For access to the BSc Business Administration degree, you will usually meet the following criteria:
- Be aged 17+ by the date of registration
- Satisfy our General Entrance Requirements.
Even if you don’t meet the standard requirements, we will consider each application on its own merits. Our Admissions Panel will consider whether any alternative/incomplete qualifications or work experience you have are suitable for entry to the programme.
I don’t meet the entry requirements. What can I do?
CertHE Business Administration
If you are not eligible for this programme, you may be able to study the CertHE Business Administration before progressing with credit onto this programme. This must be studied at an approved local teaching centre.
Alternatively, you might be interested in our International Foundation Programme. This pre-university programme is equivalent in standard to qualifications studied in Year 13 (i.e. A levels) and must also be studied at an approved local teaching centre.
English Language requirements
You need to demonstrate a good level of English to be admitted to our programmes. We accept a range of evidence, including proficiency test scores. If you don’t have evidence but believe you can meet the standard, we may consider your case.
Do I meet the language requirements?
Computer requirements
There are minimum basic computer requirements because your study resources are accessed via the Student Portal and it is vital that you can access this regularly. For this degree, you will also need to view video material and a media player (such as VLC) to play video files.
If you have studied material as part of a previous qualification that is comparable in content, level and standard to our Business Administration modules, you might be exempted from the equivalent course of our degree. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Exemption. You will not need to study or be assessed in the module(s) to complete your award.
To be considered for RPL you should make a formal request within your application when applying online. Alternatively, this can be done through an online enquiry, once you have submitted your application.
This is available for both Stage 1 and Stage 2 courses
We will not consider any application for recognition of prior learning if you have already entered the exam for the course concerned.
Automatic:
Some qualifications are automatically recognised as meeting the learning outcomes of our courses. If you satisfy the conditions, make a formal request and supply the necessary evidence, we will accredit your prior learning as detailed here: Recognition of Prior Learning degrees in Business Administration. No fees are charged for this service.
Discretionary:
Other qualifications will need to be assessed by specialist academics on a case by case basis, before we can potentially approve RPL. A formal application is required and an RPL application fee is payable. The RPL application fee is non-refundable, even if your prior learning is not recognised. Further details can be found here: Recognition of Prior Learning degrees in Business Administration.
Note: The application/ request for Discretionary RPL and all required supporting evidence must be received before the deadlines stated, in the year that you apply, to be processed.
Discretionary RPL application key dates
Submit RPL application by 01 October 2025
Submit supporting evidence by 15 October 2025
Further information on rules regarding RPL is covered in the Recognition of Prior Learning section of the appropriate Programme Regulations and Section 3 of the General Regulations.
Contact Athens International College for a quote.
When you graduate from the programme, you will be well-equipped for careers in business, management, consultancy and beyond, as well as for advanced academic study.
What do employers think of our graduates?
University of London graduates are among the most employable in the world. Our rigorous degrees provide not only subject specific knowledge but also important transferable skills that are valuable to your career progression.
In some countries, qualifications earned by distance and flexible learning may not be recognised by certain authorities or regulators for the purposes of public sector employment or further study. We advise you to explore the local recognition status before you register, even if you plan to receive support from a local teaching centre.
You’ll have access to a wide range of careers and employability support through the University of London Careers Service, including live webinars and online drop-in sessions.
