What is the Access programme?
The Access programme provides an entry route to the Royal Holloway-led BSc Business Administration degree. It has been designed specifically for those who wish to undertake one of the BSc Business Administration degree programmes who do not currently meet the entrance requirements for the degree. It has been designed specifically for those who wish to undertake one of the four BSc Business Administration degree pathways who do not currently meet the entrance requirements for the degree.
Programme aims
On successful completion of the programme, you will:
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demonstrate specialist knowledge, understanding and intellectual skills at the level required to undertake undergraduate study in the social sciences
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have mastered the challenges of higher education level academic study by fostering a range of critical thinking, self-management and research skills
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be able to construct evidence-based arguments and present this in a coherent and cohesive manner with due acknowledgement of sources.
What do I have to study?
To complete the Access programme you must pass one full and two half courses from the BSc Business Administration programme. All three courses are compulsory (there is no accreditation of prior learning).
Prestige
Developed by academics within the School of Management at Royal Holloway, University of London. The School was placed 19th (out of 90) in the overall Business and Management rankings in the 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise.
Transfer to the degree programme
On successful completion of all three courses, you can transfer your registration to the BSc Business Administration degree with credit for the courses you have passed. You will then be able to complete the degree within a further three to eight years.
Summary of key dates
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Application deadline
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1 October |
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Registration deadline |
1 November |
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Despatch of study materials |
Shortly after your registration form is received |
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Examinations take place |
May |
Access programme
One full course
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Management and the modern corporation
This course serves as an introduction to Management. In order to gain an appreciation of the subject and its dimensions, students are introduced to a broad range of topics. There are three major objectives: to explore the practice of management in today’s context; to examine the logic and workings of organisations and firms; and, finally, to investigate how firms develop and maintain competitive advantage within a changing business environment influenced by economic, political, social, and cultural factors.
Two half courses
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Business study skills and methods
The course offers a foundation in the study skills required to excel on a university degree course. It explains the aspects of on-line tutorials, note taking and essay writing you will need to master in order to complete the programme. Additionally the course will introduce you to the various research methods used by business academics, guide you in managing your time more effectively and aid you in your revision of topics covered.
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Business analysis and decision making
An understanding of key economic concepts is essential for those who manage business enterprise. This course analyses the real-life problems facing actual businesses, and evaluates the effectiveness and limitations of different management attempts to solve them.
Notes: This page is intended for use by prospective students as a guide. The structure shown above is subject to confirmation in the 2012-2013 Regulations. The Regulations also contain full details on the rules that govern the choice of any course. Students already registered on the programme should consult the current Regulations section of our website.
How you study
Attendance at one of the selected supporting institutions listed below is compulsory for Access programme students.
Time commitment
To complete the Access programme, we estimate that you will need to dedicate 35-40 hours of study per week to allow for time spent at your supporting institution and time for personal study.
How we support you
We provide a range of support, including:
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Paper-based and online materials (including a guidebook and notebook for each subject).
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Study guides including study skills information and activities, plus an Induction and Resource Toolkit.
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An online course, Enhancing your writing skills, with guidance about academic writing, referencing and avoiding plagiarism.
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A diagnostic test at the start of your studies and prior to your examination to determine strengths and weaknesses in terms of your study skills.
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Ongoing online support and moderated online seminars. You will be assigned an online tutor who you will communicate with, and receive feedback from, through the VLE.
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Formative assignments for each unit.
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A personal tutor at your supporting institution.
Fees
| Academic year | 2012-2013 | |
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| Application fee | £ 70 | |
| Registration fee | £ 495 | |
| Continuing registration fee | £ 350 | |
| Access transfer fee | £ 845 | |
| Examination fee per course | £ 200 | |
| Examination fee per half course | £ 100 | |
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The fees shown above for 2012-2013 session and are subject to annual review.The University reserves the right to amend previously announced fees, if necessary.
Other costs
Besides the fees payable to the University, you should also budget for:
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tuition costs if studying at a teaching institution
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local examination centre - if you are taking examinations outside London you will have to pay an additional fee to your local examination centre. This fee will vary.
When do I pay?
You pay:
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your application fee by 1 October
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your registration fee by 30 November if you want to take exams in the following year
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your exam fees by 1 February in the year you wish to sit your exams
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your continuing registration fee in the second and subsequent years of registration.
How do I pay?
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Western Union - Quick Pay.
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Credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Electron, JCB).
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Sterling banker's draft/cheque.
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International money/postal order.
Further details are given in payment methods.
Disclaimer: the currency conversion tool is provided to you for convenience only and does not constitute an endorsement or approval by the University of London; the exchange rates are provided dynamically via a third-party source, consequently, the University of London International Programmes is not responsible for their accuracy.
Assessment
The full course is examined by one three-hour unseen written paper. Each of the half courses is examined by one two-hour unseen written paper. Students take the same paper as student of the BSc Business Administration.
Submission of the formative assignments per course are a prerequisite for exam registration. Supporting institutions will provide a range of formative assessment activities including in-class exercises, peer-assessment and mock exams.
You do not have to come to London to take your examinations. Examinations are held once a year in local overseas centres around the world as well as in London. Examinations overseas are arranged mainly through Ministries of Education or the British Council. You will be charged a fee by your local examination centre (this fee will vary).
Examinations are held once a year, usually in May. For further information please see the Assessments and examinations section of our website.
Academic Requirements
To be eligible for the Access programme, you must:
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normally* be at least 18 years old and have passed:
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a minimum of four separate subjects at GCSE/GCE 'O' level (at not less than grade C), or the equivalent, and
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provide proof of competence in English which is acceptable to us. You may be required to pass, or to have, within the past three years, passed a test of proficiency in English language from an organisation acceptable to the University as outlined in the English Proficiency Schedule that is published by the University. and
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have regular access to a computer with Internet access and
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enrol at one of the selected supporting institutions listed on the Study materials page.
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*Applications will be considered from applicants who do not meet the normal minimum age requirement for admission. Each application will be considered on an individual basis, and the decision taken at the discretion of the University of London. |
Note: There are many other acceptable entrance qualifications (pdf: 6pgs, 91KB), both from the UK and overseas, which the University accepts instead of British 'O' and 'A' levels. Applicants with other qualifications not listed above and/or suitable work experience will be considered by the University on an individual basis.
Computer Requirements
Online access and general computer requirements
As one of our students you need to have regular access to a computer and the internet; this may be for accessing the Student Portal, downloading course materials from the Virtual Learning Environment, and accessing resources from the Online Library. You will also need to have access to appropriate software, for example, a PDF reader and suitable hardware capacity on your computer, e.g. for document storage. Additional requirements include that you have JavaScript and cookies enabled to access particular online systems, for example, the Student Portal.
Supported Browsers include:
Internet Explorer 7+
Firefox 5+
Chrome 13+
Screen resolution (recommended)
1024 x 768 or greater
Certain programmes may have their own specific requirements, please refer to the relevant Regulations.
Academic leaders
Royal Holloway academic leadership
Founded in 1885, Royal Holloway is one of the University of London’s six largest Colleges and is home to more than 6,000 students. It is one of only a few colleges nationally which is allowed to use the ‘Royal’ title.
The BSc in 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 articles is a key part of their professional work.
Central to the School’s educational method is the study of different organisations and practices in different countries and at different periods. This comparative perspective is particularly appropriate to the challenges faced by modern business and management education in a rapidly changing environment.
The School is also host to the Centre for Asia Pacific Business Research, which supervises a number of research and publication projects. The Asia Pacific Business Review, edited within the Centre, represents a major initiative in the field of management studies.