Business and Society BA
AAB at A level; graduates earn a median £24,000 three years on.
Typical A level offer
AAB
100% of entrants came with A levels · 92% stay on after year 1 · York course page, Discover Uni
Year 13 · applying
What do you need to get in?
AABtypical A level offer
Typical offer — the grades most applicants are asked for. Contextual offer: BBB, for applicants from under-represented backgrounds.
York course page, read 19 September 2026 · Discover Uni entry profile
Who actually got in: 100% with A levels. 1% arrived with 208 or more UCAS tariff points — roughly A*A*A or better. Based on 90 entrants.
UCAS tariff points — a points scale for grades: A* = 56, A = 48, so A*A*A = 160. Entrants’ totals include extra subjects.
Other qualifications5
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Access | 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher | — |
| BTEC | DDDDDD 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 | — |
| IB | 35 points | — |
| T Level | Distinction overall including grade A in the Core T Level subjects in AccountingDistinction overall including grade A in the Core T Level subjects in Accounting; Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction; Digital Bus | A in the Core T Level subjects in Accounting |
| Scottish Highers | AABBB | — |
Years 1–3
What do you study?
6compulsory modules in year 1
Compulsory modules this year: social & cultural skills 30% · business & administration 30% · transversal skills 26% · green & sustainability 4%.
Module — one course unit, usually a term or a year long; “core” means everyone takes it. One UK credit is about ten hours of study; a full year is 120 credits.
York course page · optional modules vary by year
Year 1 · 6 core · 120 credits ≈ 1,200 hours
- Research in the Age of Disinformation
What you learn (11)
- collect and collate relevant business data from suitable sources
- evaluate the quality and relevance of gathered business data
- explain the nature of empirical problems in business research
- analyse real-world business scenarios using appropriate methods
- identify gaps and weaknesses in evidence to clarify ambiguity
- describe how qualitative and quantitative data are applied in research
- explain how combining qualitative and quantitative data improves understanding
- search for additional data sources on a given topic
- integrate multiple data sources to form a rounded interpretation
- explain the ethical issues involved in handling research data
- apply ethical principles when conducting and reporting research
- Introduction to Business Ethics and Sustainability
What you learn (11)
- identify key claims in current business ethics debates
- describe arguments and counterarguments found in ethical business discussions
- identify problems and proposed solutions in contemporary business ethics issues
- identify one's own personal ethical values
- reflect on how personal ethics influence future professional conduct
- interpret ethical positions presented in academic literature
- synthesise multiple ethical perspectives from scholarly sources
- critique ethical arguments drawn from academic debates
- present a clear and logically structured ethical argument
- evaluate the strength and rigour of an ethical argument
- select and reference appropriate academic sources correctly
- History of Management
What you learn (9)
- identify key events shaping the history of management thought
- describe major theories in the development of management
- explain management history as a distinct field of academic study
- apply classical management concepts to modern organisational contexts
- explain how historical and political context shapes management practice
- evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different organisational perspectives
- critique academic texts to identify underlying arguments
- construct persuasive written arguments supported by evidence
- compose reflective writing on personal learning
- Economy and Society
What you learn (9)
- explain core economic concepts relevant to public policy
- relate economic concepts to social policy issues
- apply political economy perspectives to analyse social issues
- apply political economy perspectives to evaluate policy decisions
- describe how economic processes influence inequality
- explain the effects of economic policies on social justice
- explain the effects of economic policies on wellbeing
- discuss debates linking social and public policy to economic issues
- contribute original arguments to policy debates
- Social Science and the Chocolate City
What you learn (3)
- present data and evidence relating to a social issue
- evaluate differing perspectives on defining and solving social problems
- locate and use appropriate academic sources
- Contemporary Issues in Social and Public Policy
What you learn (7)
- identify key dimensions of current social and public policy debates
- describe how key policy actors operate within policy processes
- explain how ideas and interests influence social and public policy issues
- critique social and public policy issues using interdisciplinary perspectives
- select relevant evidence sources to support policy analysis
- apply social science theory to address real-world policy challenges
- apply analytical thinking to critically evaluate contemporary policy issues
Year 2 · 6 core · 120 credits ≈ 1,200 hours
- Business Planning and Sustainable Entrepreneurship
What you learn (10)
- select a viable idea for a sustainable new venture
- develop a customer value proposition for a new venture
- propose a business model for delivering a product or service
- explain how different management functions interact within an organisation
- gather relevant data from diverse sources
- organise collected data into a coherent structure
- analyse complex business problems
- design sustainable solutions to business challenges
- apply teamwork skills within a group setting
- reflect on personal contribution to group performance
- Strategy, Management and Society
What you learn (8)
- identify competing theories and frameworks in strategic management
- interpret strategic management texts within their historical and disciplinary context
- apply strategic management concepts to real-world organisational challenges
- evaluate the societal effects of applying strategic management theory
- formulate strategic solutions to organisational and social problems
- compare and critique theoretical perspectives in strategic management
- construct scholarly arguments supported by synthesised evidence
- analyse complex management problems from multiple viewpoints
- Researching Policy and Society
What you learn (6)
- explain how social research informs public policy decisions
- evaluate the quality and validity of published research studies
- identify ethical issues arising in social research practice
- describe political influences affecting the conduct of social research
- apply quantitative methods to analyse social data
- apply qualitative methods to collect and interpret social data
- Social Inequalities
What you learn (10)
- apply key concepts and theories to analyse social inequalities
- evaluate social inequalities and their policy implications
- identify different theoretical approaches to social inequalities
- critically assess how theoretical approaches shape policy development
- investigate inequalities across different policy areas
- assess empirical evidence relating to social inequalities
- evaluate different conceptualisations and measures of inequality
- apply measures of inequality in UK and comparative contexts
- communicate ideas clearly through written reports
- present data effectively to convey findings
- The Policy Think Tank
What you learn (8)
- describe a structured framework for analysing public policy options
- evaluate alternative policy responses to a given problem using scientific evidence
- analyse a specific policy problem in depth
- appraise the evidence base relevant to a chosen policy problem
- explain the importance of evidence-based approaches in policy making
- describe different ways evidence can inform policy decisions
- explain the benefits of diverse teamwork for tackling complex policy challenges
- identify practical and ethical challenges in communicating policy recommendations clearly
- Capitalism and the Public Good
What you learn (4)
- apply relevant theories to analyse the role of public goods in capitalist systems
- examine the effects of markets and corporate conduct on workers and consumers
- assess the impact of corporate activity on communities and public institutions
- evaluate how public and social policies mitigate or exacerbate corporate harm
Year 3 · 2 core, 23 optional · 50 credits ≈ 500 hours
- Management in the Twenty-First Century
What you learn (6)
- describe challenges faced by workers, managers and organisations today
- explain how the modern business environment differs from the past
- evaluate managerial strategies used to address organisational challenges
- compare present-day business issues with historical business issues
- assess the effects of changes in working practices on organisations
- reflect on personal work experience to identify future career challenges
- Independent Study Module or Dissertation
What you learn (7)
- undertake an individual research project
- apply research philosophy and methods to a chosen topic
- undertake empirical research collecting primary data
- undertake secondary analysis of existing data
- analyse significant bodies of literature on a chosen topic
- produce a substantial piece of academic research writing
- engage with ethical issues arising in independent research
23 optional modules
- Managing Diversity
What you learn (9)
- explain different theoretical perspectives on diversity in organisations
- identify structural barriers to equality in society and organisations
- describe alternatives to dominant structural norms that produce inequality
- analyse media representations of gender, race, disability and age
- examine how such representations become embedded as organisational assumptions
- assess the effects of these embedded assumptions on organisational practice
- identify institutional and individual initiatives to manage diversity
- critique the effectiveness of diversity management initiatives
- reflect critically on personal implications for future managerial practice
- Management, Technology and Society
What you learn (9)
- explain the significance of technology within management and organisational contexts
- discuss the influence of technology on wider society
- evaluate the design features of a technology
- assess the intended and unintended outcomes of technology use in practice
- construct a theoretical perspective on the social and political dimensions of technology
- investigate real-world technology-related problems through empirical research
- connect theoretical frameworks with research methods and practical application
- reflect on personal and organisational decisions regarding technology adoption
- evaluate the broader consequences of technological choices for society
- Strategic Management of Risk
What you learn (9)
- explain how risk is defined and perceived across varied organisational settings
- describe strategic approaches organisations adopt to manage risk
- explain how culture and organisational structure influence risk management
- compare risk management approaches across different industries and sectors
- describe how organisations respond to emerging environmental and societal risks
- evaluate and compare risk management practices between different organisations
- apply risk management theories to real-world cases across sectors
- conduct primary research to gather reliable data on organisational risk management
- participate in reasoned debate on the role of risk management in society
- Business Consultancy Project
What you learn (5)
- manage a business investigation from problem definition through to final reporting
- apply a systematic method to explore a business issue and derive recommendations
- reflect on personal growth in knowledge and skills during the project
- evaluate academic literature and research methods relevant to a business topic
- synthesise theoretical and empirical findings into a well-supported argument
- Managing and Leading Change
What you learn (7)
- explain contemporary critical theories of change management
- analyse how change theories affect society, organisations, groups and individuals
- evaluate implications of critical change approaches for management practice
- apply theoretical arguments to analyse real-world organisational change
- reflect on personal experience and research to interpret change processes
- challenge personal assumptions about managing change through reflexive thinking
- situate change management theory within historical and socio-political contexts
- Globalisation, Politics and Culture
What you learn (7)
- critically examine the concept of globalisation
- challenge assumptions underlying definitions of globalisation
- describe the historical development of globalisation since the 1990s
- explain key theoretical approaches to globalisation
- explain the economic dimensions of globalisation
- explain the political dimensions of globalisation
- explain the cultural dimensions of globalisation
- The Dark Side of Organisations
What you learn (6)
- critique research approaches using differing theoretical perspectives
- evaluate innovative research methods applied to management issues
- formulate challenges to prevailing business and management assumptions
- explain difficulties of applying theory to practice in diverse global settings
- evaluate critical management studies research methods
- evaluate critical management studies theoretical frameworks
- International and Comparative Employment Relations
What you learn (12)
- describe the key features of the employment relationship
- explain recent changes in global patterns of work and employment
- compare national employment relations systems by their key actors
- analyse structures and processes of different national employment relations systems
- evaluate outcomes produced by varying national employment relations systems
- evaluate the effectiveness of EU employment relations regulation
- analyse the impact of EU social policy on national employment relations systems
- explain the practical outcomes of selected EU directives on employment
- explain the challenges multinational enterprises pose for labour
- describe the growth of private voluntary regulatory initiatives in employment
- explain the role of the ILO and international labour standards in global governance
- apply employment relations knowledge to management roles in international settings
- Industrial and Corporate Change
What you learn (6)
- evaluate historical and temporal change in business and management contexts
- contrast competing explanations and interpretations of an organisational phenomenon
- assess the relevance and reliability of archival sources
- identify gaps and inadequacies within a set of sources
- reflect critically on how past change shaped governance styles and managerial practice
- apply historical insight to inform reflection on present-day managerial practice
- Sustainability and Business
What you learn (9)
- evaluate historical and contemporary sustainability theories
- describe methods of communicating sustainability performance
- critique corporate sustainability reporting and marketing practices
- analyse the roles of stakeholders in sustainability decision-making
- critique how corporate purpose evolves through stakeholder influence
- explain sustainability practices across different business functions
- critique sustainability approaches used in various industry sectors
- develop sustainability-focused strategies for business scenarios
- present evaluated sustainability strategies to an audience
- Leadership in Practice
What you learn (19)
- critically analyse leadership theories and concepts
- evaluate how leadership theories apply within organisations
- identify capabilities needed by a contemporary leader
- identify administrative skills needed for effective leadership
- identify conceptual skills needed for effective leadership
- identify interpersonal skills needed for effective leadership
- demonstrate how leadership practice affects organisational performance
- explore ethical issues related to leadership
- develop analytical skills for evaluating business situations
- develop evaluative skills for assessing business situations
- conduct independent research through workshop-based tasks
- apply leadership theory to organisational case studies
- research contemporary organisations to inform leadership analysis
- apply strategic thinking to analyse organisational practice
- think critically about contemporary organisational practice
- plan tasks effectively within workshop activities
- communicate ideas effectively during workshop tasks
- solve business scenario problems using workshop analysis
- apply theory independently to resolve a business issue
- Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing
What you learn (7)
- examine political and social drivers of employee wellbeing practice
- evaluate psychosocial factors contributing to mental ill health
- assess how workplace conditions influence mental wellbeing
- describe changes in work patterns and workforce demographics
- explain the impact of workforce change on mental wellbeing
- reflect on tensions managers face handling mental ill-health
- critically evaluate evidence on effective wellbeing interventions
- Applied HR, Business and Society
What you learn (5)
- resolve HR business issues considering their societal impact
- diagnose complex HR business problems using relevant theory
- propose solutions to HR business problems in real time
- demonstrate ethical behaviours in employee-employer conversations
- develop a range of organisational behaviours for an hr career
- International Perspectives on Leaders and Leadership
What you learn (9)
- evaluate leadership concepts within ethical and international settings
- critique political approaches to explaining leadership
- critique sociological approaches to explaining leadership
- critique historical approaches to explaining leadership
- critically evaluate leadership theories
- apply leadership theories to real-world situations
- explain the scope and development of leadership studies
- identify personal leadership preferences
- reflect critically on one's own leadership approach
- Housing and Homelessness: Overcoming Inequality
What you learn (5)
- explain how the UK housing system functions
- analyse the historical foundations of UK housing policy
- evaluate the social and cultural influences shaping UK housing policy
- relate housing policy issues to broader social policy agendas across different markets
- evaluate different sources of evidence used to contest housing policy
- Wellbeing of Children and Young People
What you learn (8)
- explain different approaches to conceptualising wellbeing
- describe methods used to measure wellbeing
- explain why measuring child wellbeing matters for policy
- identify key international data sources on wellbeing
- explain evidence relating to several domains of wellbeing
- present evidence on specific wellbeing domains
- interpret graphs and charts representing data
- apply graphical data to discussions and assessments
- Vulnerability, Deviance and Social Control
What you learn (6)
- explain how behaviourist policy agendas impact vulnerable individuals and groups
- situate contemporary behaviourist trends within their historical development
- analyse theories relating to social control
- analyse policies and practices relating to social control
- identify links between care and control within welfare and disciplinary systems
- critique the blending of care and control in contemporary welfare practice
- Education Policy: Divisions and Inequalities
What you learn (7)
- explain theories linking education, society and social justice
- describe major reforms of UK education since 1944
- apply theoretical frameworks to analyse contemporary education policy development
- explain how historical and cultural factors shape education
- assess the organisation and purposes of education systems
- evaluate current debates in education policy
- assess how gender, class, disability and ethnicity relate to educational inequality
- Migration, Immigration and Social Policy
What you learn (3)
- evaluate how migration and immigration policy responses have evolved historically
- describe current debates and controversies in immigration policy
- apply key concepts from migration and social policy studies to analyse issues
- Environmental Justice, Harm and Policy
What you learn (7)
- explain the causes of environmental harm
- describe the human impacts resulting from environmental harm
- identify unequal distributions of environmental benefits and burdens
- critically investigate the drivers behind environmental inequality
- apply theories of environmental justice to analyse unequal harm distribution
- explain unequal distributions of environmental harm using theoretical frameworks
- evaluate policy responses addressing unequal environmental harm
- Welfare States in Crisis
What you learn (10)
- apply theoretical frameworks to analyse crises affecting welfare states
- evaluate the significance of crises for welfare state development
- summarise major theories explaining economic, political and social crises
- critically evaluate how these crises shape social policy outcomes
- assess the influence of various actors and institutions on crisis emergence
- evaluate how actors and organisations drive welfare state reform
- identify cross-national and global patterns in crisis experiences
- explain divergences in social policy responses to crises across countries
- identify relevant statistical and qualitative evidence on crises
- assess evidence informing policy debates on crisis responses
- Global Social Problems
What you learn (8)
- explain the global dimensions of contemporary social problems
- evaluate the social, political and economic drivers of globalisation of social problems
- analyse policy debates at national, international and global levels on social problems
- describe the historical evolution of policy responses to global social problems
- identify institutions and actors involved in addressing global social problems
- explain relationships between institutions tackling global social problems
- analyse global social problems in relation to geo-political and economic divisions
- apply module concepts to critically assess a global social policy issue
- Left Behind Places
What you learn (9)
- explain factors contributing to the current state of left behind places
- describe social and cultural challenges facing left behind places
- describe economic and political challenges facing left behind places
- compare problems in UK and international left behind places
- identify the geographical spread of left behind localities
- compare similarities and differences among types of left behind places
- describe policies aimed at addressing left behind places
- evaluate limitations of policies targeting left behind places
- apply interdisciplinary social science knowledge to regional policy problems
“What you learn” restates each module’s published learning outcomes in our own words, as short skill statements in the same form as the GCSE and A level curriculum, with the help of an AI model; fields of knowledge follow the twelve fields of the knowledge sphere. The university’s module page, linked from each title, is the authoritative description.
After graduating
Where does it lead?
£24,000median pay three years after graduating
Lower quarter£19k
Median£24k
Upper quarter£29k
Median — the middle earner: half earned more, half less. Pay is for graduates of this subject at this university who finished in 2016-18, not adjusted for inflation; based on 250 graduates.
Discover Uni dataset (HESA and Office for Students, CC BY 4.0, contains HESA data); earnings from the Longitudinal Education Outcomes data (Department for Education) · aggregation level 12, 13, 22
Half of graduates earned between £19,000 and £29,000. Five years on, the median is £29,000. 91% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing; 59% of those in work were in professional or managerial jobs.
All outcome figures7
| Measure | Value | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Continue after year 16% left | 92% | 70 |
| In work or study, 15 months on13% studying | 91% | 105 |
| Professional or managerial job | 59% | 75 |
| Pay 15 months on, median | £26,000 | 45 |
| Pay 3 years on, median | £24,000 | 250 |
| Pay 5 years on, median | £29,000 | 255 |
Money
What does it cost?
£10,050a year for UK students, 2027/28 entry
Tuition fee loan — paid straight to the university; repayments start the April after you leave, at 9% of income above the threshold. UK fees are capped by government and rise with inflation; placement and study-abroad years are usually charged at a lower rate.
York fees page · source
About £30,150 in fees over 3 years, covered by a tuition fee loan you repay only when earning above the threshold. International students: £28,200 a year (2027/28).
National Student Survey 2025-26
What do students say?
91%agreed the course was good overall (question 26)
NSS — a yearly survey of final-year students at every UK university; 74% of this course’s final year answered. Small groups can swing a lot year to year.
National Student Survey, via Discover Uni · 90 students answered
Highest: 94% agreed on question 1; lowest: 57% on question 14.
All questions26
| Question | Agree |
|---|---|
| Question 1 | 94% |
| Question 2 | 86% |
| Question 3 | 84% |
| Question 4 | 77% |
| Question 5 | 81% |
| Question 6 | 82% |
| Question 7 | 86% |
| Question 8 | 72% |
| Question 9 | 75% |
| Question 10 | 69% |
| Question 11 | 77% |
| Question 12 | 68% |
| Question 13 | 81% |
| Question 14 | 57% |
| Question 15 | 88% |
| Question 16 | 86% |
| Question 17 | 76% |
| Question 18 | 79% |
| Question 19 | 74% |
| Question 20 | 94% |
| Question 21 | 89% |
| Question 22 | 85% |
| Question 23 | 83% |
| Question 24 | 59% |
| Question 25 | 70% |
| Question 26 | 91% |
Question texts are published by the Office for Students; the dataset carries only the question numbers.
Modules, entry requirements and fees are facts read from University of York’s course page on 2026-09-19 and may change; the university’s page is authoritative. Descriptions are not reproduced. Outcome figures are from the Discover Uni dataset. University of York is a trade mark of the university; sch.today is independent of it.