How to Apply to Business at the University of Southampton: The Three-Year Business Management BSc With an Optional Placement or Study Abroad Year, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Southampton, business is taught by Southampton Business School, and Business Management is based at the Highfield campus. In the UK you apply directly to a course through UCAS; Southampton’s institution code is S27. Using the Business Management BSc as an example, here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Southampton’s official information, for students at high schools in China (Gaokao, A Level and IB), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. The course

• Business Management BSc (UCAS code N202): three years full time. Southampton says the course draws on economics, history and the social sciences:
  • year one covers management ideas, the development of commerce and technology, management and financial accounting, and practical management skills;
  • year two covers management and organisational theory and business research, with options such as entrepreneurial management, digital marketing and audit and taxation principles;
  • year three includes a dissertation on a topic you choose, compulsory strategic and project management, and options such as financial accounting, risk management and corporate responsibility.
  Your A level results determine which core or compulsory modules you take.
• Accreditation: the course page lists CIMA and AACSB.
• Placement and year abroad: you can apply for the version with a paid placement year (UCAS N203, four years) or with a study abroad year at a partner in Europe, North America, Australia or Asia (four years). All Southampton business courses offer a year abroad option.
• Other business courses: related courses include Accounting and Finance (N400), Accounting and Taxation (N410), Business Analytics (N100), Business Entrepreneurship (N102), Business Management and Accounting (N2N4), Business Management and Human Resource Management (N2N6), International Business and Marketing, most with a typical offer of AAB; check each course page.

2. Academic requirements: high schools in China

• A Level: the 2027/28 typical offer is AAB plus at least grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics; General Studies and Critical Thinking are excluded. With an EPQ, the offer can be ABB plus A in the EPQ.
• IB: the course page lists 34 points with 17 at Higher Level.
• Gaokao: Southampton accepts the Gaokao for many degrees, but not for degrees requiring a specific A level subject other than mathematics, any Engineering and Physical Sciences degree, or Medicine. Business Management requires only GCSE Maths, not a specific A level. By Southampton’s table, AAB equals 75% of total Gaokao marks and ABB 70%, calculated against your province’s maximum (for example, 600 out of 750 is 80%).
• Foundation: students not qualifying for direct entry can take an OnCampus undergraduate foundation programme, including a business, economics, finance and management route; you need to have completed senior secondary education and IELTS 4.0 (no element below 4.5) or equivalent, and successful completion secures a place on your degree.

3. Academic requirements: Canadian high schools

• Equivalencies: a provincial diploma typically needs at least 81% across 5 or 6 Grade 12 subjects. By Southampton’s table, AAB equals an 83% average across five academic subjects and ABB 81% (six subjects for the Ontario diploma and New Brunswick). BC students are assessed on five.
• IB: Southampton says Canadian IB students usually need 30 to 36 points; Business Management lists 34.
• GCSE Maths: Southampton does not say how Canadian students meet the GCSE Maths grade 5 requirement; confirm with the university.

4. English requirements

• IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
• If you do not meet it, you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English course before starting.
• Southampton says most courses also require GCSE English and Maths at 4/C or above, or equivalent.

5. UCAS and timeline

• Apply through UCAS with institution code S27 and course code N202 (N203 with placement year). Southampton assesses predicted grades, academic achievements, the personal statement and the academic reference, aiming to process applications within 2 to 6 weeks; applications near the UCAS equal consideration deadline may take substantially longer.
• UCAS equal consideration deadline: the University of Birmingham states 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time for 2027 entry; check UCAS.

6. Transfer students

• The course page does not give second-year entry conditions. If you want to transfer from another university, contact enquiries@southampton.ac.uk.

7. Fees and scholarships

• Fees: the Business Management page lists annual fees of £28,300 for EU and international students and £10,050 for UK students. The page does not state which academic year this applies to, so check the latest figure before applying. Accommodation and living costs are extra.
• 75th Anniversary Undergraduate Excellence Scholarships: for new international students from eligible countries; China is eligible (Canada is not).
  • Value: £3,000 off tuition each year for up to four years, up to £12,000.
  • Award: given automatically with a conditional or unconditional offer for a full-time on-campus undergraduate programme (except Medicine); no separate application.
  • Conditions: you must be self-funded and pay overseas fees; permanent residency means where you lived for three or more years before the course, excluding places lived only to study.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• A Level AAB plus GCSE Maths grade 5, or IB 34 (17 at HL), or 75%+ in the Gaokao
• If your grades fall short, consider the OnCampus business foundation route
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each component)
• The 75th Anniversary Excellence Scholarship (£3,000 a year) comes automatically with an offer

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• 83% average across five academic subjects (for AAB)
• Confirm how to meet the maths requirement; non-native English speakers prepare IELTS 6.5
• Apply through UCAS before the January deadline

Transfer students:

• No published transfer criteria; email the university first

Sources: University of Southampton, Business Management BSc; Business Management with Placement Year; Business Management with Study Abroad Year; Accounting and Finance BSc; Entry equivalencies: China; Entry equivalencies: Canada; 75th Anniversary Undergraduate Excellence Scholarships; UCAS deadline as stated on a University of Birmingham course page. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check Southampton and UCAS for the latest details.