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Course overview
Full or part-time distance learning foundation year course.
Curious about what it takes to thrive in the ever-evolving digital business arena? Our BSc Digital Business with Foundation Year is the gateway to mastering key strategies in the ever-evolving digital marketplace. As digital transformation continues to redefine the landscape of industries worldwide, the demand for professionals equipped with comprehensive digital business skills is growing more than ever.
The Foundation Year will equip you with the fundamental academic skills and core business concepts necessary for your success. It serves as an ideal stepping stone, preparing you for more advanced topics in digital marketing, e-commerce strategy, digital transformation leadership, and business analytics in your full degree studies.
Studying online brings an unmatched level of flexibility and accessibility, making it easier for you to fit learning into your life rather than the other way around. With round-the-clock access to resources and support from our dedicated faculty, study coaches, and an AI-powered study assistant, you’re set to enjoy a learning experience that not only equips you with the knowledge to excel in the digital business realm but also empowers you to shape the future of global business landscapes.
Please note, this course is subject to validation*.
Job outcomes
- Digital marketing strategist
- E-commerce operations manager
- Digital innovation consultant
What you'll learn
This foundation year course is designed to equip you with vital employability skills that will enhance your career prospects in the field of digital business. Graduates of the BSc (Hons) Digital Business with Foundation Year can pursue careers in industries such as technology, marketing, finance, and retail. This course will help you develop the following employability skills:
- Technical proficiency in digital business tools and technologies
- Analytical thinking for data-driven decision-making
- Effective communication with diverse business stakeholders
- Project management skills for overseeing digital initiatives
- Understanding of ethical considerations in digital business practices
These skills will position you for success in various roles where digital business expertise is highly valued.
Study method
- Online
- Blended
- In-class
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Duration study load
- 4 years (full-time)
- 5.5 years (part-time option 1)
- 8 years (part-time option 2)
Entry requirements
- At least 3 GCSEs (minimum grade 4, maths and English) or 45 credits at Level 2 or equivalent.
- No A-Levels required.
- English language: IELTS Level 6 or above with no element below 5.5 (or equivalent).
Course features
- Totally flexible learning: Fit learning around your life but study in a structured way, using a flexible online approach with full support from your lecturers and tutors. Learn part-time or full-time – at your own pace, fully online, anywhere.
- Over 140 years of expertise: Upgrade your expertise with the skills of the future. To help you succeed and progress your career, LIBF is combining their long history of education in finance, business and banking with the up-to-the-minute online learning platform.
- Innovative personalised learning: Learn on your own terms. Gain the skills you need to reach your full potential and achieve your ambitions. You’ll have support, as well as access to advanced digital learning tools and practical real-life expertise.
- Rewarding your ambition: Online learning is an affordable, tailored option that fits your lifestyle. The fees for LIBF‘s online degrees are spread over the length of your chosen programme, making it easier for you to manage your finances.
- Free iPad to support your studies: If you’re based in the UK, we’ll provide you with a complimentary iPad for your studies. It will contain everything you need to get started and you can use it throughout your course. When you graduate, it will be our gift to you. We’re sorry we can’t make this gift available to international students studying online right now.
Testimonials
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Oguz A"Working and studying at the same time is manageable with LIBF's flexible online degrees. I can study at the weekends while maintaining my professional commitments during the week. I'm really enjoying returning to learning and know it is going to help my career. LIBF is providing more than just a degree, it's inspiring a transformation that I truly appreciate and I couldn’t be happier with my online learning experience."
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Alexandru D"In my opinion, LIBF is a great institution for pursuing an undergraduate degree online. Its flexibility fits perfectly with my work schedule, allowing me to fully utilise my off-days for studying. Overall, I am absolutely pleased with my experience."
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Muhammed Saif U"Studying with LIBF has been amazing. The website and course modules are easy to navigate, and I feel fully supported. The flexibility makes it easy for me to combine studies and work."
Subjects
- Foundations of learning Discover the variety of learning styles and effective communication within teams. Master time management and set precise academic and personal goals.
- Academic Integrity and Writing for Business Gain adeptness in academic writing tailored for the business world, learn to use sources ethically, and master the art of crafting impactful, stakeholder-oriented communication.
- Personal career planMap out your future career path with strategic career planning, personal branding, and understanding modern job search strategies to enhance your professional identity.
- Elective: Foundation Year: (see Electives: Foundation Year)
- Applied learning strategies Enhance your self-study techniques, elevate your communication and presentation skills, and tackle learning challenges effectively to thrive academically.
- Developing a business mindset* – business related track Cultivate a business mindset with a focus on self-management, learning from failures, and integrating sustainability in business and societal roles.
- Business ethics – business related track Engage with ethical principles in business practices focusing on social justice, sustainability, and ethical decision-making in a corporate context.
- Project: innovation and investigationSynthesise all previous learnings in a practical project, applying theories and strategies explored in earlier modules to a real-world context.
*Please note, this elective will be available to study from April 2025.
- Business 101 Learn the basics of general business administration, including corporate goals, strategic marketing, organisational structures, decision-making, and accounting principles.
- Introduction to computer science Understand foundational topics in computer science, including algorithms, data structures, computer hardware, networks, and software systems, alongside professional ethics.
- Managerial economics Explore economic principles related to different markets, consumer behaviour, and corporate decision-making influenced by supply, demand, and market balance.
- Digital future commerce Examine the latest trends in digitisation, the role of big data in e-commerce, and the implications of digital value networks on logistics and business processes.
- Introduction to data science Develop a thorough understanding of data science, including data origins, challenges, statistics, and machine learning, and how these methods integrate into business settings.
- International marketing Acquire skills in strategic marketing with a focus on international contexts, understand cultural differences, and gain experience in international market research and brand management.
- Collaborative work Learn methods for professional networking, collaborative learning, and working, and develop competencies in communication, conflict resolution, and using both analogue and digital tools.
- Introduction to artificial intelligence Gain insights into the historical and current developments in AI, explore reinforcement learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.
- Introduction to academic work for business and social sciences Understand the basics of academic work, learn to cite sources correctly, and apply different types of research methods within business and social sciences.
- Statistics Learn to evaluate quantitative real-world conditions, apply probability distributions, perform statistical tests, and critically appraise statistical analyses.
- Digital business models Explore the definition, historical development, and evaluation of digital business models, and learn their significance in creating a business plan.
- Intercultural and ethical decision-making Understand interculturality, diversity, and ethics, plan intercultural learning processes, and apply this knowledge through practical case studies.
- Augmented, mixed and virtual reality Explore AR, MR, and VR technologies, understand human perception in digital environments, and learn development processes for these applications.
- Corporate finance and investment Gain foundational knowledge in corporate finance, learn to value financial assets, analyse investment decisions, and understand risk management principles.
- Elective A (see electives A section below)
- Elective A (see electives A section below)
- Leadership 4.0 Understand the evolving nature of leadership in the digital age, analyse different leadership styles, and develop strategies for managing change and innovation.
- Seminar in current topics in digitalisation Critically evaluate trends in digitalisation, analyse their implications on business models and strategies, and develop strategic recommendations using practical case studies.
- Elective B (see Electives B section below)
- Elective B (see Electives B section below)
- Elective C (see Electives C section below)
- Elective C (see Electives C section below)
- Bachelor thesis Conduct independent research, apply appropriate methodologies, analyse data, synthesise findings, and present professionally structured research outcomes on a digital business topic.
- Foundations of Academic English Refine your academic English with extensive training in grammar, sentence structure, and academic integrity, essential for your academic success.
- Skills for Business Acquire vital business communication skills, including email writing, proposal drafting, and delivering compelling presentations within a business context.
- Maths foundations Reinforce essential mathematical concepts, learn academic mathematical language, and independently engage in effective study and tutorials.
- Digital skills Explore the impact of digital transformation across professional fields, learning about digital economies, design thinking, and emerging technologies.
- SustainabilityLearn about the importance of sustainability in business, develop strategies for sustainable practices, and understand the role of corporate social responsibility.
- Agile project managementExplore principles of Agile methodologies, apply Agile practices in projects, and develop plans for implementing Agile within organisations.
- Project: digital entrepreneurship Identify opportunities for digital entrepreneurship, develop business ideas, create and evaluate business plans, and implement strategies for digital startups.
- Fundamentals of product management Understand the role of product management, develop product strategies, conduct market research, and manage the product lifecycle from conception to launch.
- Internet of things Explore IoT concepts and applications, develop IoT solutions for business challenges, and understand security and privacy implications of IoT.
- Algorithms, data structures, and programming languages Learn fundamental algorithms and data structures, implement them in programming languages, and develop programs to solve computational problems.
- Project: AI excellence with creative prompting techniques Develop creative AI solutions, implement AI algorithms, evaluate AI model performance, and integrate AI technologies into business processes.
- Introduction to programming with PythonWrite basic Python programs, understand programming concepts, develop algorithms, use Python libraries, and debug Python programs effectively.
- Self-arranged internship I (*)Develop your practical and analytical skills by doing an internship and improving your employability. In several preparation tutorials, you’ll consider the working environment and the overall goal of your placement.
- Self-arranged internship II (*)As with the first internship, this is an opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge in a business environment. Develop your communication style, problem solving ability and time management.
*You’ll be responsible for arranging a suitable internship for your field of study. Once arranged, please complete an application to the internship module via myCampus, to make sure your internship can be recognised and credited towards your course requirements.
Online and social media marketing
- Online marketingLearn key concepts of online marketing, develop strategies for campaigns, utilise online marketing tools, and measure campaign effectiveness.
- Digital methods in market research Apply digital research methods, analyse and interpret digital market research data, and develop digital research projects.
Business administration and management
- Project: prototyping and validation of a business idea Develop prototypes, validate ideas, conduct user testing, and iterate based on feedback to ensure market potential and feasibility.
- Project: design thinking Apply design thinking to solve complex problems, develop innovative solutions, facilitate workshops, and evaluate the effectiveness of design thinking approaches.
Data science and artificial intelligence
- Statistical computingUtilise statistical software for analysis, interpret results, communicate findings, and apply statistical methods to real-world data.
- Data analytics and big data Understand key concepts of data analytics and big data, use visualisation tools, apply techniques to large data sets, and develop big data solutions.
Engineering
- Supply chain management I Learn key components of supply chain management, analyse processes, develop strategies, and understand the impact on business operations.
- Supply chain management II Implement advanced supply chain concepts, develop integrated strategies, understand the role of technology, and analyse global trends.
Computer science and software development
- Techniques and methods for agile software development Explore principles of agile software development, apply agile techniques in projects, and evaluate their effectiveness.
- Project: agile software engineering Develop software using agile practices, collaborate in development teams, implement continuous integration, and deliver software products.
IT management
- IT service management Apply IT service management principles, develop strategies, and implement frameworks in real-world scenarios.
- Project: IT service management Work on projects to apply IT service management theory, develop solutions for company-specific situations, and evaluate outcomes.
Human resources
- Introduction to new work Understand new work principles, analyse their impact on organisational culture, develop and implement new work strategies, and evaluate their effectiveness.
- Organisational behaviour Learn key concepts of organisational behaviour, develop strategies for improvement, understand leadership roles, and apply principles to enhance workplace effectiveness.
Online and social media marketing
- Social media marketing Integrate social media into marketing strategies, develop strategies, implement tactics, understand legal aspects, and stay updated on trends.
- Project: digital methods in market research Develop and implement digital market research projects, apply various methods, analyse data, and present findings.
Business administration and management
- UX prototyping Understand UX design principles, develop prototypes, conduct usability testing, refine designs, and implement UX principles.
- Project: minimum viable product Apply lean startup principles, develop MVPs, conduct market validation, iterate based on feedback, and implement strategies for MVP launch.
Data science and artificial intelligence
- Project: data analysis Apply data analysis techniques using software, interpret and present results, evaluate methods, and develop data-driven business solutions.
- Project: artificial intelligence Develop AI solutions, implement machine learning algorithms, evaluate performance, integrate AI into business, and address ethical considerations.
Engineering
- Product development in Industry 4.0 Learn Industry 4.0 concepts, develop products using these technologies, evaluate their impact, and implement successful strategies.
- Project: smart product solutions Develop smart products using IoT, integrate them into systems, evaluate performance, address security concerns, and implement in various industries.
Computer science and software development
- Seminar: software engineering Explore advanced software engineering concepts, develop solutions, analyse methodologies, and present research findings.
- Project: software development Use agile methodologies for software development, implement best practices, test and debug applications, and deliver complete software products.
IT management
- IT project management Apply project management principles to IT projects, develop plans, manage resources and budgets, evaluate risks, and implement tools.
- IT architecture management Understand IT architecture principles, develop strategies, evaluate business impact, implement frameworks, and analyse case studies.
Human resources
- Digital HR Develop and implement digital HR strategies, evaluate the impact on engagement and performance, and analyse trends in digital HR.
- International HR management Understand the principles of international HR, develop global strategies, evaluate cultural impacts, implement policies, and analyse successful cases.
About LIBF
We are LIBF – a professional body that has been providing industry-leading education for more than 140 years.
Throughout our history, we’ve been helping people build successful careers in business, finance and technology – working to make the industry accessible to all.
Our focus is on life-long learning. We equip our students with real-world skills and globally recognised qualifications that allow them to achieve their career ambitions. This emphasis on practical skills means our students can quickly apply the knowledge gained in our courses in their working lives.
Our engaging webinars offer a unique opportunity to delve into the distinct benefits of online learning with us, crafted to ignite your ambitions.
Why join a webinar?
- Obtain a thorough understanding of our online learning methodology directly from our Study Advisors.
- Receive a step-by-step guide on the application process, funding options, entry requirements, and more.
- Get instant answers and personalized advice from our Study Advisors to navigate your online learning pathway.
Register for a webinar that fits your schedule. Let’s begin this educational journey together, unlocking your potential and beyond. All webinars are conducted on Zoom and commence at 6.00 pm UK time.
The LIBF faculty itself is comprised of business, banking, finance and technology experts with extensive experience in the industry. We embrace innovation in education and our courses are flexible and delivered through a variety of media, to provide a rich learning experience.