BA Business and Society
About this course
BA (Hons) Business and Society is a social policy and business management degree examining the relationship between corporate practice and public welfare. Core topics include Research Methods, Policy Analysis, Entrepreneurship, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The curriculum culminates in an independent study module and a dissertation. The first year covers foundational concepts through Economy and Society, Introduction to Business Ethics and Sustainability, Contemporary Issues in Social and Public Policy, and Research and Information Critically. The second year focuses on applied contexts through The Policy Think Tank, Business Planning and Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Capitalism and the Public Good, and Social Inequalities. The final year involves advanced study via Management in the Twenty-First Century alongside optional modules covering topics such as Leadership in Practice, Welfare States in Crisis, Managing Diversity, and Environmental Justice, Harm and Policy.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAB IB: 35 points BTEC: DDD We consider a range of BTEC qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels, or in combination with A Levels or other qualifications. For example: Distinction, Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Diploma plus A at A Level Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate plus AA at A level Distinction, Distinction in 2 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificates plus A at A level
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What students say
Based on about 209 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 81%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 74%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 86%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 355 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 92%
- Left higher education: 6%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 54 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 69%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 3%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 19%
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 7%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 6%
- Sales occupations: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 73%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 79%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 56%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 200 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 8%
- North West: 13%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 24%
- East Midlands: 6%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 24%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 390 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 91%
- Baccalaureate: 1%
- Access course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 3%
- Other qualifications: 4%
- No formal qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Economy and Society
- Introduction to Business Ethics and Sustainability
- Contemporary Issues in Social and Public Policy
- Social Science and the Chocolate City
- History of Management
- Research and Information Critically
- The Policy Think Tank
- Business Planning and Sustainable Entrepreneurship
- Capitalism and the Public Good
- Strategy, Management and Society
- Researching Policy and Society
- Social Inequalities
- Management in the Twenty-First Century
- Independent Study Module
- Dissertation
- The Dark Side of Organisations
- Leadership in Practice
- Globalisation, Politics and Culture
- Industrial and Corporate Change
- International Perspectives on Leaders and Leadership
- Applied HR, Business and Society
- Welfare States in Crisis
- Housing and Homelessness: Overcoming Inequality
- Wellbeing of Children and Young People
- Managing Diversity
- Sustainability and Business
- Management, Technology and Society
- International and Comparative Employment Relations
- Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Strategic Management of Risk
- Managing and Leading Change
- Vulnerability, Deviance and Social Control
- Migration, Immigration and Social Policy
- Environmental Justice, Harm and Policy
- Education Policy: Divisions and Inequalities
- Global Social Problems
- Left Behind Places
- Business Consultancy Project
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Business and Society at University of York earn?
The median salary is £28,500 after 15 months, £30,500 after 3 years, £40,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,500 and £54,500. The £40,000 median after five years is £12,500 more than the UK median for Social policy.
What do graduates of BA Business and Society at University of York do next?
92% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Business and Society at University of York?
81% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Business and Society at University of York?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 35 points in the IB. The average entrant had 129 UCAS points.
Does BA Business and Society at University of York include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Business and Society at University of York?
92% of students continued into their second year, and 6% left higher education.