Industry exposure gives you the edge in business studies

The programme offers you the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of a range of business topics combined with industry placement, putting into practice what you have learned. Through a combination of academic theory and practical work, you will develop critical thinking skills as you and your peers share views, debate and discuss.

Preparation for Industrial Placement

You will receive dedicated career coaching and advice from University. There will be a compulsory preparatory programme on personal and professional development including one-to-one career coaching conducted by Birmingham career professionals.

By undertaking an industrial placement, you will gain valuable work skills, giving you an advantage in today’s competitive graduate marketplace.

Student learning on the placement will be assessed by the University of Birmingham.

Note: International students will need to complete their placement in their home country or any other countries. 

Reasons to study Birmingham’s Undergraduate Degree at SIM

• Degrees are of the same standings and standards as those awarded in the UK
• Fully taught by Birmingham academics
• Long tradition and established track record of teaching business
• Established international reputation of 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 academics and administrative staff who provide continuous support for your 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. Likely employment sectors include retail management, financial services, accountancy, manufacturing, management consultancy and others. 

Opportunity for Further Study

Graduates may proceed to attain higher qualifications from universities around the world on completion of this programme.

To proceed for a Master’s qualification at University of Birmingham, you will require at least an upper second class award. University of Birmingham currently offers a suite of postgraduate taught programmes in SIM:

Master of Science

• Economics
• International Economics
• Investments
• International Business
• Management
• Management: Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Management: Organisational Leadership and Change
• Management: Strategy

For a list of postgraduate programmes available at the University in the UK, please visit the University’s website at: www.bham.ac.uk 

Teaching Faculty

Birmingham academics

Mode of Delivery

The programme covers two years for advanced standing students.

Each year of study comprises three study blocks, with each study block spanning over a period of four months.

Lessons are conducted between Monday and 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.

Programme Calendar

The third study block of each year will be spent on an industrial placement in Singapore and/or overseas.

A typical schedule for each study block in a year, commencing from July to June:

Year 2 

Study Block 1 (Jul to Oct): Lectures and end-of-study block exams
Study Block 2 (Nov to Feb): Lectures and end-of-study block exams
Study Block 3 (Mar to Jun): Industry Placement A

Year 3 

Study Block 1 (Jul to Oct): Lectures and end-of-study block exams
Study Block 2 (Nov to Feb): Lectures and end-of-study block exams
Study Block 3 (Mar to Jun): Industry Placement B

For industry placement overseas, there will be additional costs over and above the programme fee to cover travel, accommodation and living expenses.

Modules

Year 2

• Business Accounting
• Consumer Behaviour
• Event Management
• Fundamentals of Leadership
• International Entrepreneurship
• International Marketing
• Managerial Finance
• Operations Management
• Organisational Behaviour
• Service and Relationship Marketing
• Intermediate Business Economics and the Macroeconomy
• Industry Placement A

Year 3

• Crisis Management
• Digital Marketing
• Employee Relations
• Entrepreneurial Marketing**
• Research Skills
• Social Marketing and Societal Issues
• Marketing Analytics***
• Advanced Business Economics
• Dissertation
• Strategic Management
• Industry Placement B

**This module will be offered only to the students from 2016 intake.

***This module will be offered to the students from 2017 intake onwards.

The programme in Singapore has no electives.

University of Birmingham reserves the right to vary the programme/module content, as deemed appropriate.

Module Synopses

Candidature Period

The maximum allowed period for a student to complete the 24-month programme is 36 months or three years.

There will not be any refund or recourse should students fail to complete the programme within the candidature period.

Minimum Class Size 

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.

Entry Requirements

• SIM Diplomas; or
• Business related Diplomas from local Polytechnics; or
• Non-Business related Diplomas from local Polytechnics with successful completion of the SIM Preparatory Course in Business.
• All other qualifications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Note: All admissions (direct & non-direct entries) are based on merit and are subject to the final approval of the University.

Business Diplomas that may be eligible for advanced standing to Year 2 of the programme include:

SIM Diploma in

• Accounting
• Banking and Finance
• International Business
• Management Studies

Nanyang Polytechnic

• Diploma in Accountancy and Finance
• Diploma in Banking & Financial Services
• Diploma in Business Informatics
• Diploma in Business Management
• Diploma in Business Management (CRM)
• Diploma in Food and Beverage Business
• Diploma in Fund Management & Administration
• Diploma in Hospitality and Resort Management
• Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Diploma in Marketing
• Diploma in Sports and Wellness Management

Ngee Ann Polytechnic

• Diploma in Accountancy
• Diploma in Arts Business Management
• Diploma in Banking and Financial Services
• Diploma in Business and Social Enterprise
• Diploma in Business Information Technology
• Diploma in Business Studies (All Options)
• Diploma in Electronic and Computer Engineering with Minor in Business Management
• Diploma in Financial Informatics
• Diploma in International Business
• Diploma in International Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Diploma in Logistic Engineering and Management
• Diploma in Logistic Management
• Diploma in Marketing
• Diploma in Real Estate Business
• Diploma in Tourism and Resort Management

Republic Polytechnic

• Diploma in Integrated Events Management
• Diploma in Hotel and Hospitality Management
• Diploma in Wellness Lifestyle and Spa Management

Singapore Polytechnic

• Diploma in Accountancy
• Diploma in Banking and Financial Services (Banking)
• Diploma in Business Administration (All Options)
• Diploma in Business Information Technology (E-Business Management)
• Diploma in Business Information Technology (New Media Marketing)
• Diploma in Business Innovation and Design
• Diploma in Engineering with Business
• Diploma in Financial Informatics (All Options)
• Diploma in Hotel and Leisure Facility Management
• Diploma in Human Resource Management with Psychology
• Diploma in Integrated Events and Project Management
• Diploma in International Business
• Diploma in Tourism and Resort Management

Temasek Polytechnic

• Diploma in Business
• Diploma in Business Information Technology
• Diploma in Culinary and Catering Management
• Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Business (2-year)
• Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Diploma in Leisure and Resort Management
• Diploma in Logistic and Operations Management
• Diploma in Marketing
• Diploma in Retail Management 

Applicants must obtain an average Grade B and applicants may be required to be interviewed before admission. 

English Proficiency Requirement

• Minimum C6 pass in English as First Language at GCE 'O' Level; or
• IELTS 6.5 overall (at least 6.0 in each band); or
• Pearson Test of English (Academic): 59 in all four skills; or
• Successful completion of a recognised approved Diploma, where the language of instruction was English

Note: All admissions (direct & non-direct entries) are based on merit and are subject to the final approval of the University.

Preparatory Course in Business

Applicants with a non-Business related Diploma from local Polytechnics will be required to complete and pass a three-month SIM Preparatory Course in Business, for entry to this programme.

The preparatory course is developed and awarded by SIM, Singapore.

• Accounting and Finance
• Economics
• Marketing

Lectures are conducted by local lecturers and each class has a duration of three hours.

Students will be assessed at the end of the preparatory course in May/June. The modules are assessed either by written examinations, coursework or a combination of both.

Preparatory Course Synopses

Minimum Class Size: 25 students

If the class fails to commence due to low take-up rate, students will be informed within one month before programme commencement.

Certification

A certificate of completion will be awarded upon successful completion of the Preparatory Course in Business.

Course Fee

Preparatory Course in Business (if applicable): S$1,926.00 (S$642.00 per module)

Programme fee: S$38,520.00, payable in four payments

Per payment payable: S$9,630.00

Application Fee applies

All fees inclusive of prevailing GST and payable before course/semester commencement (exclude textbooks and valid for 9th intake).

Scholarships & Awards

SIM GE Scholarships available

Exemption Eligibility

Nil

Profiles

Lecturers & Teaching Modules

Average teacher-student ratio 1:130

Progression

To obtain 100 credits from Year 2 to progress to Year 3.

Assessments & Exams

Assessment and/or exams vary from module to module. 

10-credit module: Either 100% assignment or 100% exam
20-credit module: Comprises both assignment and exam

End-of-study block main exam is normally held in October and February and will be set by the University of Birmingham.

The assessment dates are subject to change by the University. 

Attendance Requirement

All full-time local and international students are required to attain 100% attendance.

Award & Graduation

Year 2 – 12.5%
Year 3 – 75%
Industry Placement A & B – 12.5%

To achieve Honours, students must obtain 320 out of 360 credits.

A degree congregation ceremony presided by the University of Birmingham is normally held each year in November at SIM HQ. Alternatively, graduates can choose to attend the degree congregation in July or December in the UK.

The degree awarded and degree certificate, will be the same as that awarded in the UK.