Bachelor of Science (Honours) Business Management with Communications (Top-up)
Programme Overview
Academic Level
Bachelor's Degree, Double Major, Top-up
Awarded by
University of Birmingham, UK
Programme type
Full-time, 2 years
Campus location
SIM Campus
Application Dates
Preparatory Course - Now till 31 Jan 2025 (Local & International Applicants). | Direct Entry - Now till 31 Jan 2025 (Local & International Applicants)
Estimated Fees
(incl. GST)*
S$45,649.20 to S$49,802.10
* Exclude application fee, preparatory or bridging course fee, and other fees. Refer to the Fees & Financial Aid section for details.
Bachelor of Science (Honours) Business Management with Communications (Top-up), University of Birmingham
Programme Outline
Awarded and developed by: University of Birmingham, UK
Gaining business and communication skills
The growth of social media and other public relations tools has had a huge impact on how organisations market themselves.
The programme combines a broad-based business education with a strong marketing and communications theme, emphasising the importance of relationships between businesses and the communities they operate in.
It provides a good balance between theoretical underpinning and development of practical communication skills for students who wish to work in any business role where communications is key, including Public Relations, Marketing Communications or in communications related industries.
You will be required to undertake an Advanced Communications Practice (Placement) in Year 3.
- Accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), the chartered professional body in the UK dedicated to promoting the highest standards in management and leadership excellence, with a membership community of over 120,000.
- Through the University’s partnership with CMI, all final year SIM-Birmingham business students will be eligible for CMI membership and have access to its resources to support their studies.
Why a Bachelor’s from University of Birmingham?
- Degrees are of the same standings and standards as those awarded in the UK
- Long tradition and established track record of teaching business and management
- Established international reputation of the University and the Business School
- Research led – cutting-edge research feeds directly into teaching
- International syllabus with a focus on the issues of globalisation
- Dedicated staff who provide continuous support for your studies
- Join the alumni community of more than 300,000 graduates. From television and sport to research and government, the University has outstanding alumni across all sectors.
Prerequisite(s)
- SIM Preparatory Course in Business is available for non-business related diploma holders.
Learning Outcomes
You will:
- Gain insights into business, management practice and marketing communications on a national and global scale
- Develop an appreciation and understanding of current business and marketing communications practices
- Develop valuable work skills and experience through practical training to help you prepare for or develop your career
- Build a breadth of knowledge in a wide range of business topics
- Have the opportunity to combine academic theory and practical skills in a written dissertation
- Develop research skills and critical thinking through debates and discussions
Further Studies & Career Prospects
Birmingham’s business degrees have long been recognised by major employees across all sectors of the economy.
The programme is continuously updated to reflect the latest thinking in business education, providing rigorous academic training with practical relevance. Graduates can find employment across all sectors of the economy.
Graduates are exposed to job opportunities in global PR, Marketing, Corporate Communications, Event Management, Video Production, Social Media and Consultancy based companies.
SIM-Birmingham business students upon graduation will receive an additional Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership. This qualification is a recognition of graduates’ key skills and competencies as future effective managers. With one-year free CMI membership post-graduation, graduates will be another step closer towards achieving the Chartered Manager status.
Graduates may further their studies to attain a postgraduate qualification from universities around the world.
To pursue a Master’s qualification with University of Birmingham, you will require at least an upper second class award. The University of Birmingham currently offers a suite of postgraduate taught programmes in SIM:
Master of Science
- Financial Management
- International Business
- Management
For the full list of postgraduate programmes offered on the University’s UK home campus, please visit their website.
Hear from our students
Prashant Kumar
After witnessing how his parents’ jobs were made redundant multiple times during their corporate career, Prashant Kumar knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur who could take the reins of his own destiny. More importantly, he is passionate about making an impact in his community with job creation. A graduate of the University of Birmingham, Prashant co-founded FREO Labs, a B2B brand, design and digital consultancy and shared his experience on this challenging but rewarding journey.
Read story
Why study at SIM x University of Birmingham
Intake Dates
Jul 2025 intake
PROGRAMME DURATION
21 Apr 2025 – 30 Jun 2025 (Preparatory Course in Business, if required)
14 July 2025 – 30 Jun 2027 (Main Programme)*
APPLICATION PERIOD
Preparatory Course - Now till 31 Jan 2025 (for Local & International Applicants)
Direct Entry - Now till 31 Jan 2025 (for Local & International Applicants)
- If you are currently serving National Service (NS) and you are unable to complete your NS by programme induction and commencement, please contact SIM GE for further advice before application submission.
- * SIM Diploma graduates who receive results in June 2025 are welcome to apply.
- Date & period is subject to change by the University.
View sample academic schedule
Maximum candidature: 4 years
There will not be any refund or recourse should students fail to complete the programme within the candidature period.
Curriculum
Structure
- A structured curriculum delivered over two years through classroom learning. There are three study blocks in a year and each study block spans across four months.
- Fully taught by Birmingham academics from the UK home campus to ensure equivalent academic inputs to the Singapore programme.
- Weekly schedule: Monday to Friday over three time slots: 8:30am/ 12pm/ 3:30pm. Saturday classes may occasionally be scheduled if required.
- Depending on the module, lessons are conducted typically 3 to 6 hours per day over a two-week period.
- A 20-credit module is typically equivalent to 200 hours of study with 60 hours of class contact and 140 hours of self-study. Self-study includes revision, coursework and exam preparation.
- Students are expected to have access to a simple video-capable camera for recording material which can then be edited (using their own laptop software). Students will also work in small group workshops to learn how to produce podcasts and video for the Web.
- Exemptions: Nil
- Average teacher-student ratio – 1:150
- Minimum class size to commence: 30 students
- If the class fails to commence due to low take-up rate, students will be informed within one month before programme commencement with the refund of application fee.
- All classes are conducted on SIM campus, unless otherwise stated.
Lecturers’ Teaching Modules
Assessment & Attendance
- Local and international students: 100% attendance rate
- Year 2 progression to Year 3: Obtain 100 credits from Year 2
- Modes of assessment: Varies module to module which can include written exams, coursework or a combination of both.
- Coursework includes written assignments, in-class tests, presentations, projects, etc. Some coursework may be group-based.
- End-of-study block main exams are normally held in October and February.
- The 20-credit Advanced Communications Practice (Placement) taught component is assignment-based and does not involve an examination.
- Assessment schedule is subject to change by the University.
Requirements to Graduate
- Overall result weightage calculation: 25% (Year 2) + 75% (Year 3)
- To achieve Honours, students must obtain 200 out of 240 credits. 100 of these credits must be from each year of the programme.
- A degree congregation presided by University of Birmingham is annually held in November on SIM campus. Alternatively, graduates may choose to attend the ceremony in July or December in the UK.
- The awarded degree and degree certificate, is the same as that awarded in the UK, i.e., Bachelor of Science (Honours) Business Management with Communications.
Modules
The modules offered are pre-determined by the University.
All modules are 20 credits except for Dissertation, which is 40 credits.
One-third of the programme is devoted to communications modules, whilst two-thirds are general business modules.
Core Modules
- Multi-media campaign Planning and Production
- Organisational Behaviour
- Public Relations and Reputation Management
- Research Methods and Business Analytics
- Responsible Business: Theory and Practice
Electives (select one module)
- Consumer Behaviour
- Event and Festival Management
- International Economics and Financial Decision Making
- Managing Operations and Projects
Core Modules
- Advanced Communications Practice (Placement)
- Dissertation
- Strategic Global Communication
- Strategic Management
- Contemporary Issues in Marketing
- International Human Resource Management
- Managerial Finance
- Fundamentals of Leadership
- Globalisation, Innovation and Competitiveness
Download module details for intakes from 2021:
Note: The modules listed here and on the University’s website may occasionally be subject to change to ensure consistency with the UK programme. In such a scenario, you will be informed of any changes.
Students are required to own a laptop equipped with at least Microsoft Windows 10 or Apple MacOS Catalina (10.15) and 8GB RAM (recommended).
Admission Criteria
Accepted Entry Qualifications
- SIM Diploma in Accounting / Banking and Finance / International Business / Management Studies; or
- Business-related diplomas from local polytechnics; or
- Non-business related diplomas with successful completion of the SIM Preparatory Course in Business.
- All other qualifications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis
Applicants must obtain an average Grade B and may be required for interview before admission.
All admissions (direct & non-direct entries) are based on merit and are subject to the final approval of the University.
English Language Requirements
Students must have an acceptable level of competency in the English Language and at least one of the following or equivalent:- Minimum C6 pass in English as First Language at GCE 'O' Level; or
- IELTS score of 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.5 in Writing and Speaking; and minimum of 6.0 in Listening and Reading (include IELTs Online); or
- TOEFL score of 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Writing and Speaking (include TOEFL Home Edition); or
- Pearson Test of English (Academic): score of 67 overall, with no less than 67 in Writing and Speaking; and no less than 64 in Listening and Reading (include PTE Academic Online); or
- Successful completion of Part 2 of SIM Pre-Sessional English course (PSEC); or
- Successful completion of a recognised approved Diploma, where the language of instruction was English
Preparatory Course in Business (If Required)
Developed and awarded by SIM, Singapore.
2025 Intake (Full-time)
Programme Duration: 21 Apr 2025 – 30 Jun 2025*
Application Period: Now till 31 Jan 2025 (Local & International Applicants)
*Dates are subject to change
Applicants with non-business related diplomas or with suitable qualifications will be required to complete and pass a three-month Preparatory Course in Business for entry into the degree programme.
The preparatory course, comprising three modules, will cover foundation concepts which prepares students for undergraduate study with University of Birmingham.
- Accounting and Finance
- Economics
- Marketing
View preparatory module synopses (PDF 126 KB)
Structure
- University of Birmingham may require students to complete a minimum of one and up to a maximum of three modules.
- Mode of delivery: Blended learning, a combination of face-to-face lectures and e-learning components
- Assessments: Either by written exams, coursework^ or a combination of both
- Written exams are typically held at the end of the preparatory course in May/June. These exams may take place on weekday mornings and there are no re-sits.
- Class duration: Face-to-face lectures typically 3 to 6 hours a day. Some lessons may also take place on weekday evenings and Saturdays if required.
- Average teacher-student ratio – 1:40
View a list of lecturers’ teaching modules (PDF 71 KB) - Minimum class size to commence – 25
- If the class fails to commence due to low take-up rate, students will be informed within one month before programme commencement with the refund of application fee.
- Maximum candidature: 3 months, there will not be any refund or recourse should students fail to complete the programme within the candidature period
- Attendance requirement:
- Local students – at least 75% rate
- International students – at least 90% rate
Certification
A certificate of completion will be awarded upon successfully passing the Preparatory Course in Business.
^ Coursework may include in-class tests, assignments, online quizzes etc.
Pre-sessional English Course (If Required)
Developed and awarded by SIM, Singapore.
Applicants who have not reached the required IELTS English Language proficiency level or equivalent shall have to complete and pass a Pre-Sessional English Course before progressing to any of the BSc programmes.
This full-time course aims to improve all four Academic English Language skills in Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing to the required proficiency level for entry to the respective BSc programmes.
A certificate of completion will be awarded upon successful passing of Part Two of the Pre-sessional English Course.
There will not be any refund or recourse should students fail to complete the course within the course duration.
* The PSEC is not open for direct application. The selection into the course is based upon recommendations by the Admission Committee (AC) for those who have applied to the respective BSc Programmes.
** Fees are inclusive of 9% GST and are payable in full before each part of course commencement. Fees include online course materials.
Structure
- Mode of delivery: Lessons will be delivered via blended learning with a combination of face-to-face lectures and e-learning components.
- View module synopses
- Class duration: Typically 6 hours on weekdays. Some lessons may also take place on Saturdays if required.
- Assessments: Continuous assessments include in-class tests, individual / group assignments, online quizzes etc. There are no re-assessments.
- Average teacher-student ratio – 1:30
View a list of lecturers’ teaching modules (PDF 66 KB) - Minimum class size to commence – 25
If the class fails to commence due to low take-up rate, students will be informed at least 1 week before programme commencement with the refund of application fee. - Attendance requirement:
- Local students – at least 75% rate
- International students – at least 90% rate
Fees and Financial Aid
All fees are inclusive of prevailing GST and payable before course/term commencement (exclude textbooks). Valid for 2025 intake.
Programme Fees
Preparatory Course in Business* (If Required)
S$708.50 per module
* Fees are inclusive of 9% GST and are payable in full before course commencement. Fees do not include textbook.
Pre-sessional English Course* (If Required)
(Fees are valid for intake in 2025)*
- Part Two: S$2,725.00
*Fees are inclusive of 9% GST and are payable in full before course commencement. Fees do not include textbook.
Bachelor’s Programme*
- Local students – S$45,649.20
- International students – S$49,802.10
* Fees are inclusive of 9% GST and are payable in six instalments based on the number of module credits undertaken in a term. Fees are payable before term commencement and do not include textbooks. Fees inclusive of additional workshop costs and production support for webcast production.
Mandatory Fees
All fees inclusive of prevailing GST.|
Student Development Fee Applicable to all students embarking on a full-time Diploma or Undergraduate programme at SIM. This fee goes towards activities that will help in students’ personal growth and equip them with functional skills that enhance their employability. Payable with the programme fees’ first instalment. |
S$512.30 |
|
International Student Induction Fee A one-time fee payable by new full-time international students. This fee covers pre-arrival and arrival support, including activities to enhance the international student learning experience. As applicable, payable with the programme fees’ first instalment. |
S$436.00 |
|
Application Fee Payable for each application form that is submitted. Fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. The fee will be refunded fully only if the intake does not commence. Unpaid applications will not be processed. |
Local applicants: S$109.00 International applicants: S$545.00* |
Scholarships & Bursaries
SIM GE Bursary
The SIM GE Bursary aims to provide financial assistance to needy students studying at SIM GE. This award is given based on our eligibility criteria, as well as the assessed level of neediness of the applicants.Learn more
SIM GE Bursary
SIM GE Scholarship
The SIM GE Scholarship is given to students with exemplary academic results or achievements in sports and arts. It is applicable to Singapore citizens, permanent residents and international students.Learn more
SIM GE Scholarship
