Key information
Our fully online BSc Business Management equips ambitious individuals with the foundational knowledge and practical skills to advance, change direction, or start something new. Study flexibly at your own pace, apply what you learn immediately, and equip yourself with practical skills that will meaningfully enhance your impact and future career.
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Self-paced
- Degree qualification
- BSc
- Location
- Online
- Duration
- Flexible
- Start date
- Open enrolment
Programme overview
1st
Top university in Scotland for producing CEOs (Novuna Business Cash Flow, 2025).
Top skills
Courses aligned with top five skills in the WEF Future of Jobs report, 2025.
200+ years
Founded in 1821, we are a leading UK university with 200+ years of in academic excellence in business and industry.
Develop your business and management expertise through a balanced, applied learning journey. Across three stages, you’ll gain the analytical, digital, and leadership skills employers demand - through real-world case studies, business simulations, and practical assessments.
Throughout the BSc Business Management, you will:
- Build a deep understanding of core business functions and management practice
- Analyse and solve complex business challenges using data, technology, and project management skills
- Develop leadership capability to make responsible, informed decisions in diverse, global businesses
Start with just one course
We’ve made it simpler than ever for you to start your BSc. With performance-based admission, you only need to pay for and then pass your first course in stage 1 – either Business and the Global Environment or Skills for Business - to join the programme. No barriers. Get started today.
Enrol nowStudent experience
Edinburgh Business School is a mission-led, global hub of business knowledge and research.
With a long-tradition of offering inclusive, experiential learning for the ambitious leaders of tomorrow, we leverage our campuses Online, and in Edinburgh, Dubai, and Malaysia to create maximum worldwide impact.
Course content
Begin the programme with one of our two foundational courses, Business and the Global Environment and Skills for Business.
These will be the two courses available to study when learning starts in May 2026. The courses for each of the three stages of your programme will be made available to study in a phased basis as you progress.
Stage 1: Build your foundation
Business and the Global Environment
Explore how businesses operate within dynamic global contexts. Examine internal and external factors shaping organisational success and apply management theories to real-world scenarios.
Skills for Business
Develop essential academic, analytical and communication skills for business study. Learn how to find, assess and use evidence to inform decisions and reflect on your professional development.
Business Technology
Develop essential academic, analytical and communication skills for business study. Learn how to find, assess and use evidence to inform decisions and reflect on your professional development.
People Management
Develop essential academic, analytical and communication skills for business study. Learn how to find, assess and use evidence to inform decisions and reflect on your professional development.
Stage 2: Deepen your knowledge
Operations and Project Management
Learn key principles and techniques for managing operations and projects effectively. Understand how globalisation and technology shape operational systems, risk and delivery.
Fundamentals of Marketing
Explore core marketing concepts, strategies and tools. Apply market research to real business scenarios and consider the role of marketing in driving sustainable value creation.
Introductory Business Economics
Build a solid grounding in micro and macroeconomic principles. Analyse how economic trends affect business operations and apply economic thinking to managerial decisions.
Business Accounting and Finance
Understand the fundamentals of accounting and finance in business. Develop practical skills in interpreting financial information, using digital tools, and applying ethical and sustainable financial practices.
Stage 3: Strengthen your leadership
Leadership and Strategy
Explore how businesses operate within dynamic global contexts. Examine internal and external factors shaping organisational success and apply management theories to real-world scenarios.
Business Analytics
Explore how businesses operate within dynamic global contexts. Examine internal and external factors shaping organisational success and apply management theories to real-world scenarios.
Innovation and Enterprise
Explore how businesses operate within dynamic global contexts. Examine internal and external factors shaping organisational success and apply management theories to real-world scenarios.
Industry Specialisation Certificate with Coursera
As part of Stage Three, you’ll complete the Industry Specialisation Certificate through Coursera, gaining job-ready skills and a professional certificate from a leading industry partner while tailoring your degree to your career goals.
Expand your learning with Coursera Career Academy
As a Heriot-Watt Online student, you get unlimited access to Coursera Career Academy’s library of certificates from global leaders like Google, IBM, and Meta. Learn the digital, leadership, and technical skills you need, exactly when you need them, to complement your degree and stay ahead in a rapidly changing world.
Explore coursesStudent testimonials
Nicholas's story
The flexibility was invaluable. I could study anywhere, anytime, and apply what I learned directly to my role - which led to my promotion.See more
Michelle's story
Graduate
The flexibility of the degree really made it possible to have a full-time career while being able to study at the same time.See more
Margaret's story
The degree gave me the tools to make confident financial decisions and build a sustainable business. It’s been life-changing for me and my family.See more
Our teaching faculty
The programme is intended to support the transition from informal work to a professional career, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive as confident business managers and visionary leaders. It prepares graduates to navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing business environment, embedding adaptability, digital literacy and responsible leadership as core strengths. In doing so, the programme not only transforms individual career trajectories but also contributes to shaping the next generation of business leaders who are ready to meet global challenges.
Fees and funding
At Edinburgh Business School you can start with just one course and pay as you learn, or enrol in multiple courses at once.
Online Fees Calculator
Please select the programme you wish to study and your country of residence.
Funding opportunities
Pay Per Course
All our programmes offer the flexibility to pay course-by-course, allowing you to spread the cost of your tuition over the lifetime of your studies.
20% upfront fee reduction
Benefit from a 20% fee reduction when purchasing all courses upfront for this programme. Select all courses when you enrol for this reduction to be automatically applied.
Emerging Economies
Edinburgh Business School offers an Emerging Economies rate to residents of selected countries, which allows eligible students to reduce their programme fees by over £3,000.
Employer Sponsorship
Securing funding from your employer can help with financing your studies. For more information contact b2b@hw.ac.uik
20% Alumni Discount
If you are a Heriot-Watt alumnus, you qualify for 20% off your programme fees. For more information on how to claim your alumni discount contact hwonlineapps@hw.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
At Edinburgh Business School, we believe that ambition and potential should open doors – not traditional qualifications. Our performance-based admission route allows you to start studying without standard entry requirements – no application needed.
You can enrol and prove your capability by passing your first course - Business and the Global Environment or Skills for Business. These will be the two courses available to study when learning starts in May 2026. The courses for each of the three stages of your programme will be made available to study in a phased basis as you successfully pass your courses. This inclusive route recognises your potential, giving you the opportunity to earn a globally respected business qualification on your own terms.
Standard entry requirements
If you have traditional qualifications, you may also be eligible to start through a standard or international entry route.
- Scottish Highers of AABB
- A-Levels of BBC - ABB
- International Baccalaureate 29 points
- BTEC awards of DDM (in relevant subjects; business, accountancy or finance preferred.)
- HNC of B in graded unit (Business preferred)
- HND BB
Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL)
We are committed to providing study opportunities to applicants who have a wide range of prior experiences and recognise that some students entering our online programme will have completed prior academic study in subjects that align closely to this programme. Where this is the case, students may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
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Applying for RPL: We can only consider requests for RPL at the time of application to a course of study.
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Maximum credits: You may be eligible to be granted exemption for a maximum of 20 credits.
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Eligibility: The qualification may be valid for RPL only if gained with the last 5 years. Evidence will need to be provided.
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Cost breakdown: The overall cost of your programme will be determined by whether you are awarded RPL for a 20-credit course, in which case you will not be required to register for that course. Programme fees can be found under the fees and funding section.
For more information contact hwonlineapps@hw.ac.uk.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes and 5th in the UK, which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country. We're also ranked 1st in Scotland for producing CEO and MDs (Novuna Business Cash Flow 2023).
We're Scotland's most international University, with five global campuses and a global community of 60,000 online students and alumni from over 158 countries. Our online programmes are designed and developed by the same faculty who teach on our global campuses - expert academics and leaders in research and innovation who work alongside industry to find solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges.
Together, we shape your future.
30+ years
With 30+ years of online education experience, we're experts in designing our programmes to meet the needs of our diverse, global student community.
500+
From day one, you get access to 500+ industry courses on Coursera Career Academy – courses from global titans Google, IBM and Microsoft.
6000+
Join a global community of 6,000+ online learner professionals – engage in discussion forums, attend live webinars and collaborate across borders.
Employability
With our flexible model you can earn while you learn, build your CV, and apply new skills right away. Get free access to 500+ industry credentials and dedicated Careers Service support.
Our graduates now work at
Hear from our employers
Heriot-Watt graduates are of an incredibly high calibre. They are committed to self-development, display a strong academic ability and a positive attitude. I’ve witnessed them approach our application process with passion and confidence, which has been key to their success.
Your Online experience
Explore Heriot-Watt Online as a student
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