Business trends in social and digital media are influencing how organisations engage, operate and market themselves. This "revolution" in the way businesses communicate requires a skill set which this programme works to achieve.

This programme is developed from the flagship BSc (Hons) Business Management with Communications programme and the highly successful Year in Industry pathway. It responds to the need for technology driven business relationship management, marketing communications and the high value employers place on both industry experience and professionalism.

Students will build knowledge to understand Business, Marketing and Communications, and be equipped with a portfolio of demonstrable skills through an extended placement of 36 weeks.

The Industry Placement

There will be a compulsory preparatory programme on personal and professional development. You will be coached by Birmingham career professionals on how to source internship placement to give you an edge over your future job search. Students learning on the placement will be assessed by the University.

International students will need to complete the industry placement in their home country or any other countries.

For industry placement overseas, there will be additional costs over and above the programme fee to cover travel, accommodation and living expenses.

Reasons to study Birmingham’s undergraduate degrees at SIM

• Degrees are of the same standings and standards as those awarded in the UK
• Fully taught by Birmingham academics
• Long tradition and established track record of teaching business and management
• Established international reputation of the University and the Business School
• Research led – cutting-edge research feeds directly into teaching
• International syllabus and a balance of assessments between coursework and exams
• Dedicated academics and staff who provide continuous support for your studies  
• Join the alumni community of more than 300,000 graduates. From television and sport to research and government, the University has outstanding alumni across all sectors.

Career Prospects

Birmingham’s business degrees have long been recognised by major employees across all sectors of the economy. The programme is continuously updated to reflect the latest thinking in business education, providing rigorous academic training with practical relevance, and enables you to build a portfolio of demonstrable skills through an extended industry placement.

Graduates are exposed to job opportunities such as in global public relations, marketing, corporate communications, event management, video production, social media and consultancy based companies. 

CMI Professional Accreditation

SIM-Birmingham students upon graduation will receive an additional CMI Level 5 Diploma professional qualification in Management and Leadership. This qualification is a recognition of graduates’ key skills and competencies as future effective managers. With one-year free CMI membership post graduation, graduates will be another step closer towards achieving the Chartered Manager status.

CMI is the only organisation awarding Chartered Manager status, the hallmark of any professional manager, and encompasses a membership community more than 120,000 strong.

Find out more about CMI Level 5 Diploma at: https://www.managers.org.uk/individuals/qualifications/cmi-level-5-management-and-leadership

Opportunity for Postgraduate Study

Graduates may further their studies to attain higher qualifications from universities around the world upon completion of this programme.

To pursue a Master's qualification with University of Birmingham, you will require at least an upper second class award. The University of Birmingham currently offers a suite of postgraduate taught programmes in SIM:

Master of Science

• Economics
• International Business
• Management
• Management: Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Management: Organisational Leadership and Change
• Management: Strategy

For a list of postgraduate programmes available on the home campus, please visit the University’s website at: www.bham.ac.uk

Teaching Faculty

Birmingham academics

Mode of Delivery

The programme follows a structured curriculum, combining lectures with smaller group teaching, experiential workshops and practical assessments where applicable. 
 
Lessons are conducted between Monday and Friday over three time slots: 8:30am/ 12pm/ 3:30pm. Saturday classes may occasionally be scheduled if required. Depending on the module, lessons are conducted typically 3 to 6 hours per day over a two-week period.

All classes are conducted on SIM campus, unless otherwise stated.

Note: Students are expected to have access to a simple video-capable camera for recording material which can then be edited (using their own laptop software).

CMI Membership

Through the University’s partnership with CMI, all final year SIM-Birmingham Business students will be eligible for CMI membership and have access to its resources to assist with their studies. Find out more about CMI at: https://www.managers.org.uk/

Programme Calendar

A typical schedule for each study block in a year.

Year 2 

Study Block 1 (Jul to Oct): Lectures and end-of-study block exams
Study Block 2 (Nov to Feb): Lectures and end-of-study block exams
Study Block 3 (Mar to Jun): Industry Placement A

Note: Students will work in small group workshops to learn how to produce podcasts and video for the Web.

Year 3 

Study Block 1 (Jul to Oct): Lectures and end-of-study block exams
Study Block 2 (Nov to Feb): Lectures and end-of-study block exams
Study Block 3 (Mar to Oct): Industry Placement B

Modules

Year 2 (180 credits)

• Business Accounting (10 credits)
• Consumer Behaviour (10 credits)
• Event Management (10 credits)
• Fundamentals of Leadership (10 credits)
• International Entrepreneurship (10 credits)
• International Marketing (10 credits)
• Managerial Finance (10 credits)
• Operations Management (10 credits)
• Organisational Behaviour (10 credits)
• Public Relations (10 credits)
• Service and Relationship Marketing (10 credits)
• Intermediate Business Economics and the Macroeconomy (20 credits)
• Internal and External Communications (20 credits)
• Industry Placement A (12 weeks) (60 credits)
     

Year 3 (180 credits)

• Crisis Management (10 credits)
• Digital Marketing (10 credits)
• International Human Resource Management (10 credits)
• Research Skills (10 credits)
• Social Marketing and Societal Issues (10 credits)
• Strategic Stakeholder Communications (10 credits)
• Business Analytics (10 credits)
• Advanced Business Economics (20 credits)
• Dissertation (20 credits)
• Strategic Management (20 credits)
• Industry Placement B (24 weeks) (60 credits)    

Note:

- The modules to be offered would be pre-determined by the University

- Students on this programme will also cover additional Year 1 materials to help support them in their Year 2 studies.

- The modules listed here and on the University's website my occasionally be subject to change. For example, as you will appreciate, key members of staff may leave the University and this might necessitate a review of the modules that are offered. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you make other choices.

Module Synopses

Candidature Period

Preparatory Course in Business

The maximum allowed period for a student to complete the 3-month preparatory course is 3 months.

BSc (Hons) Business Management with Communications and Year in Industry

The maximum allowed period for a student to complete the 28-month programme is 52 months.

There will not be any refund or recourse should students fail to complete the programme within the candidature period.

Minimum Class Size 

Minimum class size to commence: 30 students

If the class fails to commence due to low take-up rate, students will be informed within one month before programme commencement with the refund of application fee.
 
  

 Entry Requirements

• SIM diplomas; or
• Business related diplomas from local polytechnics; or
• Non-business related diplomas from local polytechnics with successful completion of the SIM Preparatory Course in Business.
• All other qualifications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Note: All admissions (direct & non-direct entries) are based on merit and are subject to the final approval of the University.

Business related diplomas that may be eligible for advanced standing to Year 2 of the programme include:

SIM Diploma in

• Accounting
• Banking and Finance
• International Business
• Management Studies

Nanyang Polytechnic

• Diploma in Accountancy and Finance
• Diploma in Banking & Financial Services
• Diploma in Business Informatics
• Diploma in Business Management
• Diploma in Business Management (CRM)
• Diploma in Food and Beverage Business
• Diploma in Fund Management & Administration
• Diploma in Hospitality and Resort Management
• Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Diploma in Marketing
• Diploma in Sports and Wellness Management

Ngee Ann Polytechnic

• Diploma in Arts Business Management
• Diploma in Banking and Financial Services
• Diploma in Business and Social Enterprise
• Diploma in Business Information Technology
• Diploma in Business Studies (All Options)
• Diploma in Electronic and Computer Engineering with Minor in Business Management
• Diploma in Financial Informatics
• Diploma in International Business
• Diploma in International Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Diploma in Logistic Engineering and Management
• Diploma in Logistic Management
• Diploma in Marketing
• Diploma in Real Estate Business
• Diploma in Tourism and Resort Management

Republic Polytechnic

• Diploma in Integrated Events Management
• Diploma in Hotel and Hospitality Management
• Diploma in Wellness Lifestyle and Spa Management

Singapore Polytechnic

• Diploma in Accountancy
• Diploma in Banking and Financial Services (Banking)
• Diploma in Business Administration (All Options)
• Diploma in Business Information Technology (E-Business Management)
• Diploma in Business Information Technology (New Media Marketing)
• Diploma in Business Innovation and Design
• Diploma in Engineering with Business
• Diploma in Financial Informatics (All Options)
• Diploma in Hotel and Leisure Facility Management
• Diploma in Human Resource Management with Psychology
• Diploma in Integrated Events and Project Management
• Diploma in International Business
• Diploma in Tourism and Resort Management

Temasek Polytechnic

• Diploma in Business
• Diploma in Business Information Technology
• Diploma in Culinary and Catering Management
• Diploma in Financial Business Informatics
• Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Business (2-year)
• Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Diploma in Leisure and Resort Management
• Diploma in Logistic and Operations Management
• Diploma in Marketing
• Diploma in Retail Management 

Applicants must obtain an average Grade B and may be required for interview before admission.

English Language Proficiency

• Minimum C6 pass in English as First Language at GCE 'O' Level; or
• IELTS 6.5 overall (at least 6.0 in each band); or
• Pearson Test of English (Academic): 59 in all four skills; or
• Successful completion of a recognised approved diploma, where the language of instruction was English

Note: All admissions (direct & non-direct entries) are based on merit and are subject to the final approval of the University.

Preparatory Course in Business (if applicable)

Developed and awarded by SIM, Singapore.

Applicants with a non-business related diploma from local polytechnics will be required to complete and pass a three-month SIM Preparatory Course in Business, for entry into the programme.

The preparatory course, comprising three modules, will cover foundational concepts to prepare students for undergraduate study with University of Birmingham.

• Accounting and Finance
• Economics
• Marketing

University of Birmingham may require students to complete a minimum of one and up to a maximum of three modules, per intake.

Preparatory Course Synopses 

The course, conducted annually, between April and June, is delivered through blended learning, a combination of face-to-face lessons and e-learning components. Face-to-face lectures are typically 3 hours on weekdays. Some lessons may take place on weekday evenings and Saturdays if required.

The modules are assessed either by written examinations, coursework^ or a combination of both. Written exams will be held at the end of the preparatory course in May/June. There are no re-sits.
^Coursework include in-course tests, assignments etc.

Minimum class size is 25 students. If the class fails to commence due to low take-up rate, students will be informed within one month before programme commencement with the refund of application fee. 

Certification

A certificate of completion will be awarded upon successfully passing the Preparatory Course in Business. There will not be any refund and recourse should students fail to complete the course within the course duration. 

Course Fee

Preparatory Course in Business (if applicable): S$642.00 per module

Programme fee: S$41,730.00, payable in 7 payments

Estimated fees per payment

Payment 1 (Year 2 Study Block 1): S$10,111.50

Payment 2 (Year 2 Study Block 2): S$9,255.50

Payment 3 (Year 2 Study Block 3): S$4,280.00

Payment 4 (Year 3 Study Block 1): S$8,506.50

Payment 5 (Year 3 Study Block 2): S$8,506.50

Payment 6 (Year 3 Study Block 3 – Part A): S$535.00

Payment 7 (Year 3 Study Block 3 – Part B): S$535.00

Per 10 credits module fee: S$1,417.75

Below modules will be charged as follow:

Internal and External Communications – S$4,440.50

Public Relations – S$2,166.75

Industry Placement A – S$4,280.00

Industry Placement B – S$1,070.00

The actual fees payable for each payment depends on the modules taken in the study block. All fees inclusive of prevailing GST and are typically payable before study block commencement (exclude textbooks). Valid for 2019 intake.

Application Fee applies

All fees inclusive of prevailing GST and payable before course/semester commencement (exclude textbooks).

Note: The programme fee covers additional workshop costs and production support for webcast production.

Scholarships & Awards

SIM GE Scholarships available

Exemption Eligibility

Nil

Profiles

Lecturers & Teaching Modules

Average Teacher-student Ratio

Preparatory Course in Business - 1:40

BSc (Hons) Business Management with Communications and Year in Industry - 1:150

Progression

To obtain 100 credits from Year 2 to progress to Year 3. 
 

Assessment & Exams 

Assessment and/or exams vary from module to module.

End-of-study block main exams are normally held in October and February and they will be set by the University of Birmingham. 

The assessment dates are subject to change by the University.

Attendance Requirement

Preparatory Course in Business

Full-time local students are required to attain 75% attendance.

Full-time international students are required to attain 90% attendance.

BSc (Hons) Business Management with Communications and Year in Industry

All full-time local and international students are required to attain 100% attendance.

Award & Graduation

Year 2 – 12.5%
Year 3 – 75%
Industry Placement A & B – 12.5%

To achieve Honours, students must obtain 320 out of 360 credits.

A degree congregation ceremony presided by the University of Birmingham is normally held each year in November at SIM HQ. Alternatively, graduates may choose to attend the degree congregation in July or December in the UK.

The degree awarded and the degree certificate will be the same as that awarded in the UK.