BA Hons Business Psychology (Foundation Year)

1 Year On Campus Bachelors Program

Manchester Metropolitan University

Program Overview

This program is for students who want to combine psychology and business — understanding how people behave in organisations, what motivates teams, how leadership works — but may need extra preparation before diving into full honours study. The foundation year helps you build core skills (in study, writing, data, business & psychology basics) so that when you enter the main Business Psychology degree, you’re ready and confident academically.


Curriculum Structure

Foundation Year
In the foundation year, you’ll work on bridging modules to prepare for your degree. You’ll develop academic writing and study skills, critical thinking, and basic quantitative/analytical abilities. You’ll also be introduced to what business is like in both global and national settings, and to some fundamentals of psychology. This helps you settle into university life, understand expectations, and form a strong base.

Degree Years (Years One to Three after Foundation)

  • Once you've completed the foundation, you progress into the core Business Psychology studies. In early years after foundation, you’ll cover modules exploring organisational behaviour, leadership, motivation, research methods in psychology, plus business modules like marketing, management, and strategy.

  • As you go into later years, the program emphasises applying psychology in business contexts: advanced modules dive into things like applied psychological research, decision-making in organisations, team dynamics, and possibly modules that let you work on real case studies or projects.

  • By the final year, you’ll likely undertake a major project or dissertation and study strategic topics, combining business and psychology insights to solve real organisational problems.


Focus Areas

Study & research skills; organisational behaviour; leadership & motivation; business fundamentals; psychological theory applied to business; decision-making; ethics & professional practice.


Learning Outcomes

You’ll graduate able to analyse how psychological principles affect business performance, lead or work in teams effectively, understand human behaviour in organisational settings, conduct psychological research, communicate well, think critically, and apply both business and psychological tools to solve problems.


Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme comes under MMU’s Business School, which holds the triple accreditations of EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA — meaning the business side meets high international standards. It supports employability via professional development schemes and work-related learning, making sure what you learn is what employers look for. (Though not every department is necessarily accredited by psychology-specific bodies at the foundation level.)


Reputation (Employability / Rankings)

  • High student satisfaction: Manchester Met scores well in National Student Survey feedback for many of its business and psychology integrated courses.

  • Strong graduate outcomes: a large majority of Business Psychology graduates go on to work or further study within 15 months of finishing.

  • The combination of psychology and business is increasingly in demand in roles such as organisational development, human resources, training & development, marketing insights, and UX research.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BA (Hons) Business Psychology with Foundation Year at Manchester Metropolitan University is designed to help you understand how people think, feel, and behave in professional environments — and to apply that knowledge in real business situations. The course combines psychology, management, and data-driven learning so that you graduate with both insight and practical skills. The foundation year sets you up for success by strengthening your study skills, confidence, and academic grounding.

Here’s how you’ll gain that hands-on experience:

  • Practical Foundation Year Preparation
    In your foundation year, you’ll develop essential academic and analytical skills, explore the basics of psychology and business, and gain the confidence to progress into degree-level study. You’ll take part in workshops, presentations, and small-group projects designed to build your communication and critical thinking.

  • Applied Business Psychology Modules
    Core modules such as Introduction to Psychology for Business and Work and Organisational Behaviour integrate real-world examples and case studies. You’ll examine how psychological theories influence marketing, leadership, and HR decision-making, often through interactive simulations and group exercises.

  • Assessment Centres and Real-World Simulations
    You’ll experience realistic business challenges through mock assessment centres, group tasks, and role-play activities that mirror professional recruitment and management situations. This gives you confidence when you face real employers after graduation.

  • Live Projects and Research Assignments
    In later years, you’ll work on live or simulated business projects, where you collect and analyse data to solve workplace challenges. You’ll learn to present findings clearly and make evidence-based recommendations — valuable preparation for roles in consulting, HR, or management.

  • Digital and Analytical Tools
    You’ll use digital and analytical platforms such as Microsoft Excel and SPSS to handle psychological and business data. Workshops teach you how to interpret results and communicate insights effectively, helping you blend analytical ability with professional judgement.

  • Coaching and Professional Skills
    The course includes opportunities to develop coaching, mentoring, and leadership psychology skills through applied workshops. These experiences strengthen your interpersonal communication and prepare you for roles that involve managing people and improving performance.

  • Modern Business School Facilities
    Classes are held in the award-winning Business School at Manchester Metropolitan University — a modern space with collaborative learning zones, computer suites, and seminar rooms built for interactive teaching. The building also houses the Student Hub, offering support for academic and personal development.

  • Dedicated Support and Employability Focus
    Throughout your degree, you’ll have access to employability coaches, workshops on interview preparation, and networking opportunities with local businesses. From your first year, employability is embedded into the curriculum so you can build a professional profile and graduate career-ready.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Business Psychology (with Foundation Year) at Manchester Metropolitan University develop a unique blend of business understanding and psychological insight — an in-demand skill set for modern workplaces focused on performance, wellbeing, and organisational culture. The program prepares students to understand behaviour in business settings and apply psychology to improve leadership, teamwork, and decision-making.

Typical career paths include:

  • Business or Management Consultant

  • Human Resources or People Development Specialist

  • Organisational Development Officer

  • Marketing, Consumer Insight, or Behavioural Analyst

At Manchester Metropolitan University, students gain a career advantage through:

  • Outstanding career support from the Careers and Employability Service, offering personal career coaching, internships, and employer networking opportunities.
  • Excellent employability record: Around 93% of Manchester Met graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of completing their degree.
  • Industry connections: Strong partnerships with employers such as KPMG, Siemens, the NHS, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car provide opportunities for placements, live projects, and real-world experience.
  • Professional alignment: The program is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) (when taken as a full honours degree), giving graduates eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership — a key first step toward becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
  • Graduate outcomes: Alumni have gone on to work in HR, consulting, and behavioural research roles, helping organisations enhance productivity, motivation, and workplace wellbeing.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, graduates can continue their studies with a MSc in Occupational or Business Psychology, MSc in Human Resource Management, or MBA. These postgraduate pathways support advancement into specialised consultancy, organisational leadership, or professional psychology careers.

Program Key Stats

£20,000 (Annual cost)
£ 29
Sept Intake : 14th Jan


No
No

Eligibility Criteria

DDD
2.8
24
45

NA
NA
5.5
79
No

Additional Information & Requirements

Career Options

  • HR Assistant
  • HR Coordinator
  • Recruitment Consultant
  • Talent Acquisition Specialist
  • HR Administrator
  • Training and Development Officer
  • Employee Relations Advisor
  • Payroll Assistant
  • HR Data Analyst
  • Compensation and Benefits Analyst
  • HR Compliance Officer
  • Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator
  • Learning and Development Coordinator
  • HR Generalist
  • People Operations Coordinator
  • HR Project Assistant
  • Workforce Planning Analyst
  • Graduate HR Trainee
  • Organizational Development Assistant
  • HR Support Officer

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