Course content

Throughout the business element of your degree, you will learn the fundamentals of business management and explore concepts and debates around a range of topics, which may include organisational behaviour, accounting and human resource management. While developing effective skills in listening, negotiating and persuasion, you’ll become adept at problem solving and decision making. You will also explore and apply theories about the nature, management and experience of employment in its local and global contex.

Our Data Science graduates are trained from first principles in Computer Science and Mathematics. The two disciplines are blended seamlessly throughout your degree. You will study fundamental mathematical and statistical techniques alongside modern software development methods. You will have the opportunity to apply your learning immediately using authentic datasets in our cutting-edge computing laboratories. You will also undertake significant development projects, including a final year data science dissertation. You'll explore a range of advanced technical topics which may include cloud computing, academic research, industry-focused professional skills and practical problem-solving. 

ENHANCING YOUR EMPLOYABILITY

Work Placement Year

The Work Placement Year is a great opportunity to gain industry standard experience between Year 2 and Year 3, before returning for your final year of study. This mix of theory and practical experience allows an understanding of the workplace in your chosen sector/industry. You will receive support from our Student Placement Officer and Careers and Employability team throughout your placement search which you will be responsible for securing. This year aims to set you apart from the crowd and increase your employment opportunities. Take a look at some of our student experiences and frequently asked questions.

Visa restrictions apply. Students who require a visa to study in the UK may be able to add in a work placement depending upon the programme. The ability to add a work placement is dependent upon the UK Immigration rules at the time of the request. It may be that for some programmes students will not have the option to request a placement period to be added to their programme before they arrive in the UK and would need to apply for a new visa. There is no guarantee that a placement will be provided and that students who have a visa are subject to a number of restrictions on the type of work, including placements they can undertake. For more information about visa's please click here.

Entrepreneurship Year

Eligible for UK students only, this module allows you to showcase your innovative abilities and ideas to develop your business aspirations. Whether you’ve always wanted to create your own start up or are inspired by your studies, this module will allow you to develop your knowledge and skills as well as graduate attributes. The module will take place between Year 2 and Year 3, therefore you will be unable to opt for the Work Placement Year or International Year if you choose this option. You can find more information, here.

International Year

Broaden your horizons at one of our partner universities by studying an International Year between Year 2 and Year 3. You will have the opportunity to spend the two semesters of the international year at one partner university or one semester at one university and the second semester at another. On successful completion of all modules across the year, you will graduate with a degree title ‘with International Year’. You can find more information here.

TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT

Keele Business School offers a range of different teaching styles from seminars, group work and lectures. You will be assessed using traditional methods such as examinations, assignments and essays as well a project work completed on the Work Placement Year, Entrepreneurship Year or International Year.

STAFF

Our staff in Keele Business School are active researchers in core areas such as accounting, finance, economics, marketing and management and their academic work will inform your learning, incorporating recent theories and current themes to open discussion in your subject area. There are also professional support staff on hand to answer any queries you may have during your undergraduate studies at Keele.

RELATED COURSES

Data Science can also be studied in the following combinations:

• Astrophysics and Data Science
• Biology and Data Science
• Data Science and Human Biology
• Data Science and Neuroscience
• Data Science and Physics

Business can also be studied as a Combined Honours degree in the following combinations:

• Business and Geography
• Business and Media
• Business and Music Production
• Business and Psychology

You may also be interested in:

• Data Science
• Data Science with Applied Business Informatics
• Data Science with Applied Business Informatics with Integrated Master's
• Data Science with Integrated Master's
• Accounting and Business Management
• Business and Human Resource Management
• Business Management and Finance
• International Business and Marketing
• International Business Management
• Law with Business
• Marketing and Business Management
• Pharmaceutical Science with Business

Facilities

Keele Business School

Keele Business School is located in a state-of-the-art, multi-million pound facility complete with 220-seat lecture theatre, a ‘think lab’ study space, data laboratory, cafe and business lounge. Home to our accounting, business management, economics, finance, HRM, international business, management and marketing programmes, Keele Business School is the first to be located on a Science Park.

As well as new teaching spaces, our building is unique in that it is also home to the Smart Innovation Hub, a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which includes space and support programmes for innovation-led businesses, providing opportunities for students and staff to work collaboratively with entrepreneurs and business owners, gaining invaluable networks and experience.

Our computer laboratories are equipped with industry-leading software such as Bloomberg, STATA, Thomson Reuters and Sage Accounting Software, providing you with an opportunity to gain valuable practical IT experience. You may also be able to complement this practical experience, by opting for a placement year, an international year or an entrepreneurship year, between your second and third year of study. 

Keele Bloomberg Finance Lab

At Keele Business School we have a dedicated computer laboratory, the Bloomberg Finance Lab, which provides access to the Bloomberg Professional Service, also known as the Terminal. The Bloomberg Professional Service is a widely used platform of economic, financial and business information in the financial industry, government and beyond. KBS students have free access to the Bloomberg Professional Service, which is integrated into the teaching of a number of modules in economics, finance, accounting and business management. Students can also use the terminals in their own time to obtain data and information to use in their essays and projects.

The Bloomberg Terminal provides privileged access to economic, financial and business real-time data, world news, analyses and reports from the world’s biggest financial organisations. It has become a standard tool for traders, market analysts, financial institutions, and researchers. Practical knowledge of how to use the Terminal is a very much sought after skill by employers in the financial industry including retail and investment banking, audit, accountancy, insurance and actuarial science.

In the event of social distancing restrictions, students may have remote access to the Bloomberg Terminal via the internet.

The School of Computing and Mathematics

Currently, there are seven computer laboratories within the School comprising around 200 desktop PCs. Every PC has the current hardware and software needed for all modules on the degree programme and provide both Microsoft Windows and the Linux operating system.
The School has its own Computing Support team who set-up and administer all of the School facilities as well as provide support for research projects and for resolving any IT problems. All of the School’s teaching materials (lecture slides, lab-sheets, tutorial sheets) are published on the university’s Virtual Learning Environment as the course progresses. The school has its own Makerspace with 3D printers, Raspberry PIs, Arduinos and dedicated PCs. We provide various web servers and a cloud computing facility for student use. The school also hosts a CUDA GPU supercomputer Cluster for use across campus. Find out more

Entry requirements

Keele is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. On that basis we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria.

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom and International students.

A Level requirements

• BBC

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year. 

GCSE requirements

• Maths at C (or 4)
• English Language/Literature at C (or 4)

BTEC

• BTEC requirements DMM

International Baccalaureate

• 29 points - Maths or Maths Studies SL @ 4

Access to HE Diploma requirements

• Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 112 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction.

Foundation year

You may choose to study this course via foundation year.

If you’re returning to education following a break, wish to study a new subject or don’t have the grades or sufficient equivalent experience for direct entry to this course, a foundation year may be a good option for you.

Following successful completion (including any additional progression requirements) of the foundation year you can progress on to this course.

The foundation year offers September starts across all subjects, and January starts across all science, humanities, social sciences and business routes.

The January intake excludes the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree with Foundation Year and other health-related foundation Year degree

For more details visit our foundation year webpages.

Foundation year

Fees and funding

Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.

We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.

For more information visit our money, advice and guidance section.

Career prospects

96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (HESA, 2017)

From programming in Python and R, through to large-scale data engineering and working on the latest deep-learning research in applied settings, Keele's programme delivers the necessary skills to choose a pathway through this career.

Graduates can go on to work in diverse industries such as finance, healthcare, transport, business intelligence and e-commerce, as well as further academic study. Additional experience of research and self-directed learning gives our students the broader abilities needed to respond to the latest developments in this fast-changing field in the years ahead.

Our Data Science degree is also great preparation for employment in related fields including consultancy, software development, accountancy, engineering and teaching.

Business Management will prepare you for a wide choice of careers. You might choose to work as a management consultant or follow a career in sales or marketing. You could also use your newly acquired transferable skills to do something different such as working in insurance, IT, journalism, statistics or the Civil Service. Equally you might choose to go on to study for a postgraduate qualification.

Previous employers

• Bet365
• BAE Systems Applied Intelligence
• Bitjam
• Capgemini
• FIDESSA
• Hillside Technology
• Hong Kong Esports
• Mira
• Playtech
• Capita
• Lloyds Bank
• Rolls-Royce
• Tesco
• Vodafone
• Morrisons
• YMCA
• British Airways

Jobs that a graduate of this course could go on to do:

• IT Consultant
• Database Administrator
• Systems Analyst
• Multimedia Programmer
• Games Developer
• IT Technical Support Officer
• Network Engineer
• Information Systems Manager
• Secondary Teacher
• IT Trainer
• Forensic Accountant
• Animator
• Operational Researcher
• Air Traffic Controller

Regardless of which career you pursue after Keele, employers will want evidence of the range of skills and personal qualities you possess and which are required for the job. Your degree is clearly important in this respect but don’t forget the extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility, jobs and voluntary work you may have been engaged in while studying at Keele. These activities allow you to demonstrate the skills and personal qualities required by employers and will be vital in your attempts to secure graduate employment.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.

Athena SWAN

The Athena SWAN Charter is a framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research. Established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) employment, the Charter is now being used across the globe to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

Over the past years, we have developed our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) agenda and this is now embedded throughout all levels and activities. In September 2020, the School of Computing and Mathematics successfully renewed the Athena SWAN Bronze Award for 5 years. The School is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture in which students are able to thrive, regardless of their gender.