Foundation Programme: Business and Supply Chain Management

Course overview

In our business and supply chain management foundation programme, you will be equipped with the essential groundwork for your future undergraduate studies, offering a clear path towards BSc Business and Supply Chain Management.

On this programme, you will learn, collaborate, and flourish through a blend of academic modules, specific subject knowledge, and project-based learning with students in other infrastructure areas and foundation students across different frameworks. This approach mimics the real-life working world, where your career will be enriched by working alongside people with different skill sets, viewpoints, and approaches, while also supporting a wider community of learning and building the specific skills for your progression.

“Aston’s teaching is tailored to the needs of industry, which sets you up well for a future career. There is also bountiful support available, so there is always someone on hand to help with any issues that may arise.”

Daniel Walsh

Procurement Graduate, BT

Why Engineering and Physical Sciences Foundation Programme: Business and Supply Chain Management at Aston University?

Gold standard teaching

Aston University was awarded Gold- the highest possible rating for Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

Thriving student life

Aston Students’ Union was rated 8th in the UK in the 2022 What Uni League Table

Hands on collaborative teaching

Our dedicated academics ensure smooth transitions for students from diverse backgrounds

Business and Supply Chain Management at Aston University

Teaching staff from supply chain management talk about the highlights of studying one of our courses.

Careers and Placements

Whatever your Aston University journey, we're here to help. Discover what's possible with Careers and Placements.

ASTON POWER SKILLS

Built into every undergraduate degree

Gain the skills employers look for worldwide.

AI & Digital

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Inclusive Leadership

Environmental Sustainability

Discover Power Skills

Course description

Engineering and Physical Sciences Foundation Programme: Business and Supply Chain Management

You will develop an introductory understanding of supply chain management and support companies to satisfy industry needs and wants. You with learn the essential skills and knowledge to transition onto BSc Supply Chain Management.

What we will provide
First-class teaching in the UK’s second largest city, delivered by experienced and passionate faculty members who are not only experts in their fields but dedicated to helping you succeed. You will make use of state-of-the-art facilities, including modern computer labs.

We are an Adobe Creative Campus meaning you will have access to top-notch software licenses, including Adobe and Solidworks, commonly used in industry. To find out more, visit here.

What you will provide
You will be encouraged to find innovative solutions for optimising supply chain operations in a dynamic industry. Through dedication, continuous learning, and practical experience, you will enhance your ability to analyse data, identify patterns, and make strategic choices.

What skills we teach
You will develop introductory knowledge of the principles of supply chain management and the intricate processes involved in meeting customer demands and preferences effectively. This will enable you to delve deeper into the responsibilities of procurement, manufacturing, and logistics, while also exploring the essential aspects of planning, organization, and resource management required to effectively oversee a global supply chain.

Progression opportunities
On successful completion of our foundation programme, you will then have the opportunity to transition onto our BSc Supply Chain Management degree. Graduates from our BSc Chain Management programme are highly sought-after, and through our NOVUS scheme, after graduation, you could be employed with one of the 27 companies involved which includes Wincanton, Arla, Sainsbury’s, DHL or Kingfisher.

How you will learn

Our teaching methods range from engaging lectures to interactive workshops, allowing you to absorb knowledge through multiple approaches. You will dive into real-world projects that challenge and inspire you through hands-on work, where you will put theory into practice.

Here at Aston University, we are passionate about supporting our students. You will have a personal tutor throughout your studies to provide support and guidance. The Learning Development Centre is there to provide maths support, academic writing development, advice, and strategies for managing your studies. You will also have the opportunity to get involved in PAL sessions, learning from your peers who have been through the course content before you.

What you will learn

Driven by the needs of industry and individuals, our course provides you with a introductory understanding of key business and supply chain management concepts and an ability to critically analyse these, alongside the opportunity to specialise in areas of supply chain management that interest you.

My Journey at GE Aviation Wales

Montserrat takes us on a journey at GE Aviation Wales where she completed her placement year

Find out more

Facilities

Our lecture theatres and seminar rooms are available to provide you with theoretical content, while our computer facilities offer the necessary tools for data analysis, modeling, and software projects. You will have 24/7 access to our library which will be a valuable resource for you, offering a diverse range of digital and print materials such as textbooks, reference materials, academic journals, and online databases to enhance your learning.

Course objectives

Provides you with the necessary fundamental skills and knowledge for progression into Stage 1 of study.
You will develop the transferrable and communication skills required to be successful in further study.
You will develop ethical and inclusive, problem-solvers and critical thinkers.
You will begin to develop the global awareness, sustainability, and inclusive practice required in modern professional practice.

Modules

Foundation year modules

In your foundation year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Undergraduate Professional Skills	15
Mathematics 1	15
Introduction to Scientific Principles	15
Industries of the Future	15
Global Engineering Project	15
Fundamentals of Engineering Management	15
Introduction to Supply Chain and Logistics Engineering	15
Developing Client Relationships	15
Total	120

Foundation year outcomes

On successful completion of the first year, you will be able to:

Use mathematical principles to solve well-defined problems.
Solve well-defined problems using technical and scientific concepts relevant to the framework of study.
Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, demonstrating inclusive, effective communication and teamwork skills.
Communicate discipline-relevant technical ideas and solutions effectively, in a variety of ways, to diverse audiences, using appropriate terminology.
Conduct practical activities using appropriate equipment/tools, review data, and draw conclusions to support technical decision-making relevant to the framework of the study.
Discuss ethical and professional responsibilities, including stakeholder involvement, sustainability, safety, technical, EDI, and social factors.
Collect, interpret, and present, data from a variety of sources.
Reflect on their own learning needs and successes.
Demonstrate awareness of project management principles and methods

We may update our courses to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.

ASTON POWER SKILLS

Built into every undergraduate degree

Gain the skills employers look for worldwide.
As an Aston student, you will develop expertise in four key areas:

AI & Digital

Join the rise of the humans. Don't fear AI, master it and use it for good. Develop digital skills for the future, whatever career you want to pursue.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Don't follow the rules, rewrite them. Today’s fast-changing world needs original thinkers. Creators. Innovators. Risk takers. So get ready to think smart and reach the next level.

Inclusive Leadership

Make space for every voice to be heard. Be the one who brings people together with a shared vision. Learn to break down barriers and be the leader the future needs.

Environmental Sustainability

It's not game over for our planet. It's game on. Together we can create a greener tomorrow. The world urgently needs graduates who can shape more sustainable and ethical ways of working. The future depends on it.

Entry requirements

A Levels
Standard offer: CCD
EPQ Offer: CDD and Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) grade B
Core Maths Offer: CDD and Level 3 Core Maths Qualification grade B
Aston ready (Widening participation) offer: DDD
Contextual offers
Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.

Contextual offer criteria

Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma: DDM
Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Distinction
National Diploma and Diploma: DM plus 1 A-level at minimum Grade B
Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade Distinction plus an A-Level in any subject at grade C OR achieve an overall grade Distinction in BTEC Sub Dip/ Extended National Cert grade in any subject at grade Merit
Foundation or 90 credits Diploma: DM plus 2 A-levels at minimum grade B
National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma: M plus 2 A-levels at minimum Grade B
Certificate/ National Certificate Level 3: Not accepted

31 points and above, with 5, 5, 5 in higher level subjects.

Successful completion of the QAA-recognised Access Diploma with 60 credits including 45 credits at Level 3. You must obtain a minimum of 9 Distinctions, 12 Merits and 24 Pass.

All subjects are accepted at T Level: Merit

Additionally to our Level 3 requirement each applicant must meet a GCSE (level 2) requirements:

GCSE English Language or Literature minimum grade C/4
GCSE Mathematics minimum grade C/4

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

This foundation programme is available to UK students only. International students interested in a foundation programme should visit OnCampus Aston.

UK students
(2025/26)

Annual tuition fees:	£9,535*
During placement year:	£1,250

UK students (Home Undergraduate):

The annual tuition fee for the programme commencing in academic year 2025/26 will be £9,535 (subject to the passing of legislation implementing the Government’s policy to increase the maximum tuition fee from £9,250, payable by Home Undergraduate students on full-time courses). The fee for the placement year is £1,250.

All students:

The duration of your programme is set out at the top of this course page and you will be responsible for the payment of an annual tuition fee in each of these years. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually in accordance with its Terms and Conditions and subject at all times to the maximum tuition fee caps set by Government from time to time. This means that your total tuition fee may be higher than stated above, but your total tuition fee will never increase by more than 6% year on year. An increase in fees will allow the University to cover the increased costs of delivering the course and ensure it is able to maintain high standards of education and facilities.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore our scholarships

Assessment

Our teaching and learning approach is diverse, with a strong emphasis on project-based learning. Industry guest lecturers regularly visit to share their real-world expertise and enrich your educational experience. You will be assessed through a variety of methods including coursework, presentations, and exams.

Career prospects

Engineering and physical science skills are used in almost all aspects of our modern lives, meaning that graduates in these areas are in high demand. Students who have completed an Engineering and Physical Science Foundation Programme go on to study for their Bachelor level degree.

Upon completion of your BSc degree, graduates with business and supply chain management knowledge and skills are highly sought after. You will be equipped to pursue careers in supply chain management, purchasing and procurement, logistics analysis, and distribution management. With the opportunity to join the NOVUS scheme, you will benefit from professional mentoring, placements and graduate employment opportunities. Previous graduates have secured positions with companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, L'Oréal, Caterpillar, Unilever, and GSK.

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Why study Engineering and Physical Sciences Foundation Programme: Business and Supply Chain Management at Aston?

Combining input from both Aston Business School and the College of Engineering and Physical Science, you’ll get a rounded learning experience, getting you ready for a career where your skills will be in high demand.

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

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