BA (Hons) Business Management (Top-up)

Complete your degree whilst working

Designed for professionals with vocational qualifications, this programme lets you advance your career without interrupting your income. It awards a University of South Wales degree that is recognised internationally.

• Work full-time while you study Sessions are at weekends only, with no weekday or evening classes to disrupt your job.
• Study from anywhere Fully online, plus four optional in-person workshops in Germany. No relocation required.
• Finish in 12 months Your vocational qualification counts as the first two years of the UK partner university degree.
• Apply your learning right away Every module is connected to your workplace, so the value shows up immediately.

The BA (Hons) Business Management at ECBM is a top-up degree. Your vocational qualification counts as the first two years of our UK partner university, so you join at the final stage and complete a full Bachelor's degree in 12 months.

It is delivered fully online, with intensive weekend sessions and optional in-person workshops in Germany, so you can study from anywhere with no relocation. Every module connects to your workplace, so you apply your learning right away.

The award is a full UK honours degree, worth 180 ECTS at Level 6, granted by the University of South Wales and recognised internationally. On completion you can progress directly to a Master's, either the MSc or the MBA.

Your vocational qualification counts as the first two years

A top-up degree recognises the learning you have already done. Because your vocational qualification counts as the first stages of the degree, you complete just the final honours year and graduate with a full Bachelor's.

• Your vocational qualification – A Kaufmann or Kauffrau, Fremdsprachenkorrespondent, or other recognised business qualification counts as the first two years of the degree.
• HN Flex entrance course (If required) – A short Top-Up Entrance Course (HN Flex), £500, may be needed to meet entry requirements. Many applicants do not require it.
• The BA top-up year – The final Level 6 stage, 12 months part-time, studied online through weekend sessions with optional workshops in Germany.
• Your honours degree – Graduate with a full BA (Hons) awarded by the University of South Wales, then progress to the MSc or MBA.

Everything at a glance

The essentials in one place. If a figure here matters to your decision, you will find it explained in full further down the page or in the FAQ.
 

A short pre-course may be required in order for applicants to meet UK university level 6 entry requirements.

A short pre-course may be required in order for applicants to meet UK university level 6 entry requirements.

Your tuition fee

After £1,500 ECBM Scholarship

Full fee £9,790, with scholarships of £1,500 if eligible. Pay a £600 deposit to secure your place, then spread the balance across three instalments. A £500 HN Flex pre-course applies only if required.

Your entry pathway

• Hold a vocational qualification: Kaufmann or Kauffrau, Fremdsprachenkorrespondent, or other recognised business certification.
• Complete the HN Flex Top-Up Entrance Course (£500) only if it is required.
• Study the BA top-up over 12 months at Level 6, online with weekend sessions.
• Graduate with a University of South Wales BA (Hons) degree.

Additional costs

Your tuition fee for the academic year is stated above. This programme is delivered online and no travel is required in order to complete it or to be awarded your degree.

We also offer optional in-person events: a 2-day event in London, and four Saturday workshops in Germany. Attendance is entirely voluntary and is not assessed. If you choose to attend, you arrange and pay for your own travel and accommodation; these costs are not included in your tuition fee and are not booked, funded or reimbursed by ECBM.

As a guide, based on 2026 prices, a 2-day visit to London from Germany costs approximately £230 to £555 including return travel, one night’s accommodation, local transport and meals, plus a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation. Costs for the Saturday workshops in Germany depend on your point of departure and typically require day travel only.

These figures are estimates only, provided to help you budget. They are not a quotation and actual costs will vary.

Clear and manageable, with everything covered

• Tuition for the whole programme
• University of South Wales registration and award
• Live online weekend teaching and materials
• Dedicated tutor and student support
• Access to the ECBM professional alumni network
• A graduation event to mark your achievement

From enrolment to graduation in 12 months

A clear, month-by-month path through six modules, with the research module preparing you directly for your Management Project.

• Enrolment (Start) – 48-hour application review.
• Module 1 (Months 1 to 2) – Applied Management.
• Modules 2 and 3 (Months 3 to 5) – Strategy and Accounting.
• Modules 4 and 5 (Months 6 to 8) – Ethics and Research.
• Module 6 (Months 9 to 12) – Management Project.
• Graduation (Complete) – USW BA (Hons).
• Live virtual sessions Interactive lectures with professional academics, seminars, breakout rooms and guest speakers, Friday to Sunday.
• Virtual Learning Environment Readings, recorded lectures, forums and group projects available at any time between sessions.
• Clear progression On successful completion, advance to the MSc International Business and Management or the MBA.

Flexible, online, and structured around your working week

Live virtual teaching at weekends, combined with self-paced study you can fit around work. No weekday or evening classes.

• Interactive online lectures with real-time tutor interaction and live Q&A.
• Virtual seminars with a live tutor for discussions, debates and collaborative inquiry.
• Breakout rooms for case analysis and team problem-solving.
• Guest speakers and multimedia presentations from industry practitioners.
• Optional in-person workshops in Germany for networking and face-to-face discussion.
• Academic content and recorded lecture replays, available any time.
• Independent and group assessments throughout the programme.
• Discussion forums and group projects with your cohort.
• Full University of South Wales digital library access.
• Academic and wellbeing mentor support throughout your studies.
• October 2026 and March 2027 intakes Intensive weekends, with no weekday or evening classes.
• Virtual Learning Environment All academic materials and communications in one place.

Alumni at leading organisations worldwide

ECBM graduates hold roles in respected companies across industry, finance and technology. Through the alumni network you gain access to their experience and introductions.

• VP and Director positions Senior leadership roles across sectors.
• Finance, investment and banking Roles at leading financial institutions.
• Marketing and entrepreneurship Corporate management and business ownership.

Olympus SurgicalAllianz Insurance AGREWE DigitalCommerzbank AGDeutsche BankJPMorgan ChaseMercedes-Benz GroupRobert Bosch GmbHSiemens AGEuropean Central BankNewton InvestmentVolkswagen Group

Employer names reflect organisations where ECBM alumni have worked. Logos are used only with written permission from each company.

What you will study

Six modules across the honours year, from the foundations of management through to your capstone Management Project. The curriculum is practical and evidence-based, with every module connected to your workplace.

• Applied Management – Leadership frameworks and management theory help you explore business challenges across diverse organisations using evidence-based approaches.
• Business Strategy – Learn how culture, stakeholder management, resource allocation and leadership combine to drive strategic decisions across global organisations.
• Principles of Accounting – Understand financial resource management, from budget preparation and costing to variance analysis. Practical, applied financial literacy.
• Business Ethics and Sustainability – Explore core ethical frameworks, corporate social responsibility and environmental responsibility. Analyse stakeholder perspectives and sustainability in strategic decisions.
• Business Research: Principles and Practice – Learn business research methodology, analytical techniques, skills and evaluative frameworks to prepare you for your Management Project.

6 modules over 12 months

180 ECTS full honours degree

FHEQ Level 6 top-up

Awarding body: University of South Wales

Management Project Conduct independent applied research on a live business challenge in your own professional context. You demonstrate analytical and project-management capabilities at degree level, supervised by faculty throughout, and apply your findings directly at work.

Assessment: written reports, essays, tests and presentations, plus your independent Management Project. Employability skills built in: critical and analytical thinking, communication, AI in business, leadership and management.

What you receive

On completion you receive a full BA (Hons) Business Management degree awarded by the University of South Wales, an accredited UK university regulated by the Office for Students.

ECBM arranges a graduation event so you can mark the achievement with your cohort, faculty and family.

A London college, a Welsh university

ECBM was founded in London by the German-British Chamber of Industry and Commerce, with Bosch UK and Commerzbank London as founding partners. It provides complete tuition and administration of the programme.