Duration: Two years, with the option for students to either enter employment upon completion or progress to a top-up programme. 
Tuition Fees: UK/EU citizens – £9,535 per annum 
OVERVIEW
Step into the world of business with our Foundation Degree (FdA) in Applied Business Management, designed around creativity, enterprise and real-world experience. This programme equips you with the professional skills and academic knowledge to thrive in today’s fast-changing business landscape, while keeping your learning practical, project-based and employment-focused.
From the start, you’ll apply ideas directly through hands-on projects, tackling real business challenges that reflect contemporary social, economic and environmental issues. Continuous development is built into the course, giving you the chance to reflect on your progress, grow your confidence and prepare for the next stage of study or your career.
Collaboration sits at the core of your experience. You’ll work alongside peers and industry experts, building strategic thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills that employers value. By graduation, you’ll have the mindset, adaptability and practical expertise to launch your own venture or succeed in a wide range of professional business roles.
*We regularly carry out periodic reviews of all our programmes. This is to ensure they continue to meet industry best practice and the highest academic standards. The next review is taking place in 2026 and therefore modules and course names may be subject to change.
COURSE STRUCTURE
Before the course begins, you’ll join My Toolkit for Success, a two-week pre-course programme that supports your transition into higher education. With one-to-one guidance from Student Success Tutors, skills refreshers and preparation workshops, you’ll be ready to start your studies with confidence.
Year 1 (Level 4): Building Foundations
In your first year, you’ll build confidence in core business principles while developing the academic and digital skills to progress in applied business management.
Contemporary Business Environment
In this module, you’ll be introduced to core business principles, organisational structures and the external factors shaping today’s business world.
Marketing in the Digital Age
You’ll explore fundamental marketing concepts and digital strategies, applying your knowledge through practical case studies.
Digital Transformation and Business Innovation
Here, you’ll learn how digital tools drive innovation, from e-commerce platforms to generative AI, while developing start-up ideas of your own.
Academic Skills for Success
You’ll strengthen your academic writing, research and digital literacy skills, while reflecting on your progress and building employability skills throughout the year.
In your second year, you’ll take part in the one-week Successful Transitions Toolkit, a focused programme designed to consolidate your Year 1 learning and prepare you for Level 5 study.
Year 2 (Level 5): Advanced Application
In your second year, you’ll apply your knowledge to real-world business contexts, developing leadership skills, creative problem-solving and data-driven decision-making.
Leading and Managing Real-World Businesses
In this module, you’ll study leadership, motivation, team dynamics and organisational culture, gaining insight into what makes businesses succeed.
Agility and Operational Excellence
You’ll learn how lean and agile methods like Kanban, Scrum and value stream mapping can improve efficiency and adaptability in business operations.
Creative Business Project
Here, you’ll work on a project that develops your creativity and entrepreneurial thinking, putting innovation at the heart of your approach.
Data-Driven Decision Making
You’ll use digital tools and data analysis to guide business decisions, evaluate performance and strengthen your ability to act on evidence.
Upon successful completion of the FdA Applied Business course, you can choose to progress to a one-year BA (Hons) top-up degree or step directly into the workforce. Career paths include hospitality and events marketing, operations, project management, entrepreneurship, digital transformation and more.
Blended Delivery
A combination of on-campus learning and self-paced online study, designed to fit around your lifestyle.
Face-to-Face Learning (15%)
Attend one full day or two evenings per week.
Take part in lectures, seminars, workshops, and business simulations.
Participate in industry visits and guest lectures.
Access to a range of support services including drop-in consultation sessions, one-to-one mentoring, and Careers & Employability workshops, all designed to enhance your academic success and professional development.
Peer-to-peer learning, drop-in sessions with tutors.
Asynchronous Learning (25%)
Self-paced online activities, E-learning courses, educational videos, interactive discussion forums and quizzes.
Tutor support with regular check-ins.
Independent Learning (60%)
Research, reading, and project work.
| Overall Methods of Assessment | Written Exams: | Practical Exams: | Coursework: |
| Level 4 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
| Level 5 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
Assessment is varied and inclusive, including:
- Portfolios & Reports
- Individual Project output
- Group Enterprise Proposals
- Presentations & Reflective Journals
- Case Study Projects & Pitches
Ongoing formative feedback and clear expectations support your continuous development.
On successful completion of this course, you’ll be prepared for a wide range of career paths in business, management and the creative industries, such as:
Business Analyst
Marketing Assistant
Project Coordinator
Operations Support
Entrepreneur or Small Business Owner
You will also develop the adaptability, communication, and critical thinking skills valued by employers in both commercial and non-profit sectors.
Shape Your Future withLCCA
Career Focus: at LCCA, you’ll find excellent teaching, career-focused learning and a welcoming environment that encourages you to thrive.
Dedicated Facilities: our campuses are equipped with specialist facilities and industry-standard tools, giving you the space and support to push your creativity further.
Industry Insight: our teachers are experts in their fields, enriching your learning experience by giving you access to the latest industry knowledge and networks across their creative specialisms.
Creative Specialist: your LCCA degree is awarded by University for the Creative Arts, the UK’s #2 creative specialist university.
Taught by LCCA’s experienced business faculty, the course features:
Associate lecturers with real-world experience in:
Business management
Events and entertainment
Marketing and entrepreneurship
This mix ensures theory meets practice in every aspect of your learning.
We provide dedicated facilities to help you produce work to an industry-standard level and prepare for a bright future. These resources ensure that, upon graduation, you’ll feel ready to start working from day one.
At LCCA, you’ll have access to a wide range of specialist facilities across the college, including:
WGSN access and digital library resources through UCA – WGSN is a leading trend forecasting platform for fashion and design businesses.
Fashion studios with 24 industrial sewing machines, overlockers and embroidery machines.
Printmaking studio for hands-on experimentation.
Mac studios with 110 Apple iMacs, equipped with software such as GameMaker, Autodesk Maya, Unreal Engine, Cinema 4D and Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
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ENTRY AND ADMISSIONS
Academic Requirements:
Standard Route
48 UCAS points, or
A Levels: DD, or
BTEC Level 3, or
NVQ Level 3, or
Access to HE, or
B2 English level, or
Accepted T Levels: 48 UCAS points
In addition to the above applicants will be required to have three GCSE passes at grade C or above (including Maths and English) or Equivalent qualifications at Level 2 with English and Maths.
Non-Standard Entry
For applicants who do not meet standard academic entry criteria, a flexible entry policy will allow for:
No formal qualifications are required, but applicants must have 2 years of relevant work experience and English proficiency to be able to demonstrate understanding of business analysis, effective time management and working with others.
For any non-standard entry, an interview will be required to assess an applicant’s ability to meet the Level 3 qualification criteria/ benchmark.
Assessment via:
A Personal Statement explaining motivation and experience and an interview to assess readiness for study.
A written task to evaluate academic ability (if necessary).
Other relevant and equivalent level 3 UK and international qualifications are considered on an individual basis, and we encourage students from diverse educational backgrounds apply.
English Language Proficiency
GCSE English at grade C/4 or equivalent · Functional Skills English Level 2. ·
Duolingo English Test (DET) 85 minimum preferably no minimum per component
*To see the accepted QCF qualifications, visit: http://uca.ac.uk/study/accepted-qualifications/
Complete an online application form.
Submit evidence of qualifications and a personal statement.
Attend an interview if required.
Offers are made based on academic background, experience, and commitment to study.
At LCCA, we welcome students who are ready to move on from their current institute and find a new place to study.
All of our UCA-accredited undergraduate degrees offer the option of direct entry into the second year (Level 5) or third year (Level 6), depending on your existing qualifications.
To find out if you’re eligible for direct entry, simply contact us to discuss your admissions options.
Note:
Other relevant and equivalent Level 3 UK and international qualifications are considered on an individual basis, and we encourage students from diverse educational backgrounds to apply.
*We occasionally make offers below the standard entry criteria for students who have faced challenges that affected their performance and who were expected to achieve higher results.