Dual Degree Business and Management (Dubai and UK)

Course overview

This prestigious Dual Degree programme allows you to graduate with two degrees - one from Symbiosis International University, Dubai and another from Aston University, UK - enhancing your global credentials and career prospects.

This degree is ideal for those who aspire for an international business career and want to seek global recognition and enhanced job prospects. For learners who want to experience a multicultural academic journey.

The Bachelor of Business Administration (Dual Degree) programme is accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the UAE Ministry of Education. Additionally, the programme is licensed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). CAA accreditation is an important consideration for future job seekers, offering several benefits, such as assurance that the university meets international education standards, validation of the quality of educational programme and universal recognition for credit transfer and further education abroad.

The BSc Business and Management programme (hosted at Aston University) provides accreditation or exemptions from multiple professional bodies, such as Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

You will develop a breadth and depth of business knowledge including the functions of management and science of decision-making and learn from our business experts from Aston Business School which is part of an elite group of global business schools that hold the gold standard of ‘triple-crown’ accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.

Why the BBA Dual Degree programme?

Professionally accredited

The BSc Business and Management programme (hosted at Aston University) leads to accreditation or exemptions from several professional bodies, including CIMA, ACCA and CIM.

Gold standard teaching

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

Earn more

Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £36,100 five years after graduating (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2023)

Top 100 in Europe

We've been ranked 17th in the UK and 97th in Europe (Financial Times European Business Schools ranking 2024)

87th in the world

We’ve been ranked as 87th in the world and 11th in the UK for business and management studies (QS World University Rankings By Subject 2025)

Two degrees

Graduate with two degrees - one from Symbiosis International University, Dubai and another from Aston University, UK

Ali's story

BSc (Hons) Business and Management graduate Ali Reza Panjwani talks about his experience at Aston University and how it propelled him to becoming an Executive Director at J.P. Morgan in New York City.

Careers and Placements

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

Course description

Dual Degree Business and Management (Dubai and UK)

Our Dual Degree Business and Management (Dubai and UK) will equip you with the skills, deep knowledge and practical understanding required by business managers of the 21st century.

What we will provide
First-class teaching delivered by a diverse array of staff who will inspire and excite you. Our inspirational teaching staff have established a reputation for developing innovative teaching methods, pioneering the use of gamification and creating games and simulations to make our students’ learning experience more rewarding.

We are also an Adobe Creative Campus meaning you will have access to top-notch software licenses, including Adobe and Solidworks, commonly used in industry.

What you will provide
It is important you learn how to adapt a growth mindset to your studies – understanding that intelligence and success come from applying yourself, a willingness to learn and an ambition and drive to excel. You must be able to demonstrate critical thinking, have a passion for business and be excited about what contributes to the economy and society.

What skills we teach
You will develop management and leadership skills that are applicable to real life situations. Our graduates are problem solvers who have developed the essential skills needed to keep up to date with the ever-changing world of business.

Career prospects
Graduates of the Dual Degree Business and Management (Dubai and UK) programme can pursue careers in areas such as Business Development, Marketing and Sales, Human Resource Management, Financial Analysis and Entrepreneurship.

How you will learn

Our teaching approach is both modern and innovative. Alongside traditional lectures and training in the latest analytical tools, you'll gain valuable hands-on experience during your placement, enhancing your overall learning. At the beginning of your course, you'll be assigned a personal tutor for individual study guidance. Module tutors are readily available to answer questions, and all lectures are recorded for future reference.

Our emphasis is on practical knowledge application, with guest lectures from prominent business leaders and mentoring programs offering unique insights. Our renowned Visiting Professors, top UK business figures, share their expertise and expectations from students and graduates.

Complementing traditional teaching, our virtual learning environment provides electronic support materials. You'll have access to the University Library's extensive collection of over 25,000 books and electronic journals. University-wide services like the careers service, Jobshop, counselling and advice services, sports facilities, and Chaplaincy enhance your overall university experience and prepare you for your professional career.

Aston University also offers an array of extracurricular activities, including clubs and societies like Aston Bright Futures, which works with leading businesses across various sectors. These activities not only enrich your student experience but also help you explore your specific interests and career pathways.

What you will learn

First year

Studying at Symbiosis International University, Dubai, you will explore various management subjects for a solid foundation. Topics include business accounting, UAE: history and culture, Islamic studies, business functions, design thinking and macro economics amongst others.

Second year

At Symbiosis International University, Dubai, you will continue your learning with topics including business mathematics, corporate accounting, cross cultural management, business laws, data visualisation and digital marketing, amongst others.

Third year

For your third year you will study at Aston University, Birmingham, UK. Covering topics such as financial management, technological entrepreneurship, virtual business manager and fundamentals of strategy amongst others, you will apply critical thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurship skills to design sustainable solutions for contemporary challenges.

Final year

Your final year will continue at Aston University, where you will study topics such as strategic HRM, global working, business ethics and workforce planning amongst others.

Course objectives

Provides you with a comprehensive understanding of concepts and theories relating to accounting, finance, management, and associated disciplines.
Encourages you to apply critical thinking, analytical abilities, and domain knowledge to analyse and solve problems in the global business context.
Develops the intercultural awareness needed to work and communicate effectively in an international business context.
Enables you to design innovative and sustainable business solutions using substantive knowledge and appropriate research methods.
Provides you with the skills to function effectively as a member or leader of a team in managing cross-functional and multicultural teams.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Years 1 and 2 of the programme will be studied in Dubai. Years 3 and 4 will be studied at Aston University, Birmingham.

Year 1 modules - Dubai

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

Module Title	Credits (Dubai)
Business Accounting	3
Principles and Practices of Management	3
Academic English	3
ArabicI*	3
UAE: History and Culture	2
Islamic Studies	2
Business Functions – A	3
Business Functions – B	3
Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Sustainability	3
Basic Psychology	3
Design Thinking	3
Macro Economics	3
Total	34

Year 2 modules - Dubai

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

Module Title	Credits (Dubai)
Principles of Microeconomics	3
Business Mathematics	3
Organisational Behaviour	3
Corporate Accounting	3
Operations Research	3
Cross Cultural Management	3
Business Laws	3
Business Statistics	3
Introduction to Digital Marketing	3
Data Visualisation	3
Corporate Internship	4
Total	34

Year 3 modules - Aston University

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

Module Title	Credits (UK)
Virtual Business Manager	15
Business, Government and Society	15
Fundamentals of Strategy	15
Corporate Financial Management	30
Business Analytics in Practice	15
Managing Service Operations	15
Market Research	15
Total	120

Final year modules - Aston University

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

Module Title	Credits (UK)
Implementing Business Decisions	15
Strategic HRM	15
Theories and Practice of Leadership	15
Sustainable Operations Management	15
Global working	15
Business Ethics	15
Consumer Research and the Customer Experience	15
Employee Relations	15
Total	120

Programme outcomes

The programme provides a general business and management degree which will enable you to obtain a working understanding of the different functional areas of a business and management practices, and also develop and evidence skills and competencies in your chosen areas.

The programme aims to provide a learning experience that develops your ability to:

Use the necessary theoretical underpinning and techniques to bring about sound analysis, design and delivery of management solutions including clear and original thinking in problem solving.
Apply skills in critical analysis and evaluation towards their own work and that of others, and towards their own personal development.
Develop the intercultural awareness needed to work and communicate effectively in an international business context.
Work effectively as independent self-managed / self-regulated learners and as part of teams; Demonstrating graduate-level transferable skills and learning approaches needed for continuing professional development of themselves and others.
Gain a wide perspective on business and management including social responsibility and ethical practice in professional contexts.

We regularly review our modules to provide the best possible teaching and learning experience, incorporating academic developments, student feedback and employer feedback.

There may be some change to some of the modules on this course for 2025/26 entry.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any changes to modules at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints may mean it isn’t possible to take some module combinations. The structure of some courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Entry requirements

This programme has bespoke entry requirements, please see details below. Entry requirements for each individual student will be stated in their offer letter. Students who have accrued credit at other academic institutions that Aston University has formal agreements, partnerships or collaborations with can enrol onto the programme with advanced standing as per the articulation agreement.

Progression to Aston University at Stage 2 will require students to score a minimum average of 60% on their first two years at SIU Dubai.

Entry onto the first year of the programme in Dubai will require students to have the below entry requirements where relevant.

UAE Secondary School Certificate Grade 12

Shahadat Al-Thanawiya Al-Amma (UAE Secondary School Certificate Grade 12)

60% at advanced or elite track or 65% at the general track.

For all Arab countries

Al-Thanawiyyah Al-Aama (For all Arab countries)

70% in grade 12

American High School Diploma

Overall average of grade 'C' (2.4-4.0)

CBSE/HSC/ISC

10+2 or equivalent examinations in any stream from a recognised board/university with minimum of 50% marks or equivalent grade in standard XII (10+2) or an equivalent examination from a recognised board.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)

24 points (IB Diploma awarded)

International Baccalaureate Course (Certificate)

A minimum of 24 credits is required, along with successful completion of at least three subjects at higher level (HL) and three at standard level (SL).

GCS/IGCSE/GCSE

Minimum 5 IGCE/GCSE subjects - Grade D including English ORDINARY 'O' Level and 2 subject(s) in advanced subsidiary (AS) or 1 advanced level subject(s) - Grade D.

WAECO/NECO (Africa) Senior School Certificate Examination

Minimum of 7 subjects with no more than 1 'pass'.

Pakistan (Intermediate Certificate or Higher Secondary School Certificate)

55% overall in grade 12.

Nepal (School Leaving Certificate Examination)

2.3 out of 4

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

English language requirements - Dubai

Students who do not fulfil the minimum the minimum high school English language requirements of 80% will have to submit a minimum score of international standardised text that are approved by CAA, IELTS overall score of 5.0 or TOEFL overall score of 500.
English exemptions will be offered to only those students who have undertaken their schooling (K-12) and an undergraduate/bachelor degree in an English-speaking country.

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements - UK

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

International students (SIU Dubai fee)
(2025/26)

Annual tuition fees:

AED 42,000/-

Merit Scholarships available.

One time Dual Degree Registration Fee: AED 25,000/- to be paid before the end of the 1st year at SIU Dubai.

International students (Aston University fee)
(2025/26)

Annual tuition fees:

£21,500

International students (Overseas Undergraduate):

The annual tuition fee for the programme commencing in academic year 2025/26 will be £21,500.

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.

More information on fees

For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy.

For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.

Scholarships

Please contact the Symbiosis team directly for information on scholarships.

Assessment

The programme will be assessed through a combination of written and oral examinations, class tests, individual and group coursework, projects, presentations and practical assessments.

Career prospects

Graduates of the BBA Business Management programme can pursue careers in areas such as:

Business Development
Marketing and Sales
Human Resource Management
Financial Analysis
Entrepreneurship

Aston Business School graduates achieve some amazing things - whether it's setting up their own businesses, landing competitive graduate schemes, or making real differences within their communities.

Hear from our graduates

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

Simba's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I went on The Apprentice

Sunjay's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I worked with Kylie Minogue

Christine's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I founded a global football franchise

Frequently asked questions

Why study Dual Degree Business and Management (Dubai and UK) at Aston University?

Aston University have formed a strategic partnership with Symbiosis International University collaborating on a wide range of projects and activities in India, the UK and Dubai.

Symbiosis International University, Dubai

We offer an innovative Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Dual Degree for students to graduate with two qualifications - one from Symbiosis International University, Dubai and another from Aston University, UK, enhancing student’s global credentials and career prospects.

The BBA Dual Degree is ideal for:

Students who aspire for an international business career.
Those who seek global recognition and enhanced job prospects.
Ambitious learners who want to experience a multicultural academic journey.

Find out more

What kind of jobs does a degree in Dual Degree Business and Management (Dubai and UK) lead to?

You will gain strategic management skills, a broad knowledge of business, and an opportunity to develop a specialism in an area of business that interests you most.

Our graduates are in high demand and go into a wide range of roles in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. This degree can lead to roles in areas such as Business Development, Marketing and Sales, Human Resource Management, Financial Analysis and Entrepreneurship.

Why should international students choose Aston University?

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 different countries chose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham, it’s also a great place to live.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career.

Choosing to start your Aston journey with our foundation programme in business will help you develop specialist knowledge to ensure that you are fully prepared to study your chosen undergraduate course.