Business University Foundation

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Sharpen your approach to business and open doors

Chances are, you are a highly-active, ambitious individual that sees opportunities everywhere.

Our Business University Foundation programme combines specialist language learning and academic skills development around key disciplines in business, finance, marketing and economics, with impartial university advice and guidance from our experienced academic team.

It will give you the tools you need to not only get into university, but to achieve great success in your degree once you get there.

Minimum age
16
Minimum language level
Intermediate B1
Entry requirements
IELTS 4.5 in all four areas of exam
Maximum class size
12
Weekly hours
21 hours
Course start date
22 September 2025
Course length
3 terms (36 weeks)
Locations
Bell Cambridge
Fees
£19,250

Course overview

On this course, you will:

  • Improve your knowledge and understanding of business to NQF Level 3 (UK National Qualifications Framework)
  • Become a confident English language communicator (to at least B2 or IELTS 5.5)
  • Learn critical academic language and study skills and assessment techniques
  • Gain experience using a range of learning technologies
  • Receive personalised, impartial guidance and support on your choice of course and university
  • Strengthen your skills as an independent learner with experience of various assessment methods

Download University Foundation course guide

Course components

Weekly hours

9 hours

Subject modules
Specialise your subject knowledge in business and understand key concepts and theories

6 hours

Academic skills
Develop advanced-level study skills and IELTS exam technique

6 hours

Learning support programme
Supported self-study, our visitor speaker programme, tutorials, and university counselling

SUBJECT MODULES

Strengthen your business knowledge

Your modules will develop a solid foundation of understanding and knowledge of the business discipline in three core subjects:

  • Business studies
  • Economics
  • Mathematics

You will also have the opportunity to gain valuable insights into business with our behind-the-scene tours of leading businesses in the UK.

ACADEMIC SKILLS MODULE

Develop your skills toolkit

Study skills
You will develop advanced study skills to help you perform your best when asked to complete tasks, assignments and exams at university. These may also be different to skills you have learned in your own country, so we will support you to learn, practise and master how to gain high marks at university-level.

Preparing for IELTS
Our teachers have extensive experience with IELTS exams. You will get intensive preparation for your IELTS so you can successfully achieve your desired score (at least 5.5) and get entry to your degree programme at university.

LEARNING SUPPORT PROGRAMME

Prepare to succeed

Visitor speaker programme
Experience university-style lectures and workshops in business, delivered by experts in their field.

University advice and support
Receive individual support and advice throughout your university application process, from our dedicated and experienced counselling service.

Supported self-study
You will have supported self-study sessions each week with tutors available to work with you on any aspects of the course that you find challenging.

Tutorials
You will have a 1-to-1 tutorial each week with your academic skills tutor to discuss your progress, receive guidance and ask any questions you may have.

Subject Modules

You will develop a solid foundation of business understanding and knowledge through your subject modules.

You will be able to: understand key concepts and theories, expand on your business-related vocabulary, and improve your abilities to analyse and interpret information and communicate ideas effectively.

Download Subject Modules Factsheet

Download

SUBJECT MODULE 1

Business Studies

Develop a comprehensive overview of the main business functions and decision making in realistic business contexts. You will study how businesses are organised, how they set and meet objectives and how change, growth and personnel can be managed.

SUBJECT MODULE 2

Economics

Build a strong foundation of skills and knowledge for the study of economics at a higher level. You will learn about the core elements of micro and macro economics and learn concepts and terminology that are central to the study of this subject.

SUBJECT MODULE 3

Mathematics

Build a strong understanding of the language and concepts used in mathematics. Learn to analyse and interpret data to tackle complex mathematical problems and learn to gather information from a variety of sources to support research, analysis and evaluation.

Sample timetable

Download

STUDENT PROGRESSION

Track record of success

We are proud of our excellent track record with Bell students progressing to top universities for their subject area, such as the University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester, and Loughborough University in the UK, and international institutions like the DElft University of Technology in Belgium, and Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland.

Our students have also gone on to study a wide range of courses, including classic subjects such as Chemistry, History and Law, as well as more specialist degrees like English and European Law, Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence, and Ecology, Conservation and Environment.

We can also guarantee, on successful completion of the Bell University Foundation programme, that you will be offered a place on an undergraduate degree course at a university in the UK.

Where have our students progressed to?

Students have received offers or progressed to leading universities in the UK.

Dates & locations

Bell Cambridge

22 September - 3 July 2026

Contact us

Our course includes

Tuition and course materials
Wide range of study resources
Regular 1-to-1 tutorials
Regular 1-to-1 advice from our Higher Education Advisory service
A full-day trip every two weeks and weekly half-day excursion
City orientation tour
Free WiFi, scanning, printing and photocopying
Comprehensive insurance
IELTS examination fees
Tuition and course materials
Wide range of study resources
Regular 1-to-1 tutorials
Regular 1-to-1 advice from our Higher Education Advisory service
A full-day trip every two weeks and weekly half-day excursion
City orientation tour
Free WiFi, scanning, printing and photocopying
Comprehensive insurance
IELTS examination fees

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