--- title: "Foundation Degree Business and Innovation (FdA)" description: "Foundation Degree Business and Innovation (FdA) | Arden Uni" canonical: "https://ads.pr1.ops.ads.arden-prod01.arden.ac.uk/our-courses/undergraduate/business-degree/fda-business-innovation" published: 2025-05-08 updated: 2026-09-07 author: "Arden University" --- # Foundation Degree Business and Innovation (FdA) ## Course details and modules **Build your business skills with a 2-year foundation degree** This FdA course gives you a solid grounding in business fundamentals while exploring how today’s organisations operate. You’ll develop practical management and leadership skills, and gain a well-rounded understanding of the core areas that drive business success. **Flexible study with support** Delivered full-time through blended learning, this course has been carefully structured to help you balance your studies with your other responsibilities. You’ll attend all in-person classes on just one day per week, giving you the flexibility to continue working or managing other priorities alongside your education. **Pathway to a full degree** After completing your FdA, you will be eligible to study the final year (Level 6) of a related undergraduate degree—many of which are accredited by professional bodies such as CMI and ILM—giving you a full BA qualification and boosting your career potential. ![Martin Scahill](https://cdn.arden.ac.uk/s3fs-public/styles/quote_m/public/2018-11/martin.jpg) The course gave me the confidence and skills to go for senior jobs that I wouldn’t have previously. I have been promoted several times since. Martin Scahill BSc (Hons) Business & Computing (Top-Up) ### What you’ll learn You’ll study one core module per study block. Alongside this, you’ll also work on Learning for Life: Skills for Study and Work (Business) in your first year and the Workplace Impact Project - Applied Work-Based Learning for Innovation and Impact in your second year—both of which run across three blocks to support deeper learning and real-world application. ### Modules Level 4 course modules - Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (30 credits) - Learning for Life: Skills for Study and Work (Business) (30 credits) - Principles of Business (30 credits) - Sustainable Business Practice (30 credits) Level 5 course modules - Digital Marketing (30 credits) - Managing People and Organisations (30 credits) - Project and Supply Chain Management (30 credits) - Workplace Impact Project - Applied Work-Based Learning for Innovation and Impact (30 credits) ## Study options This course is available to study through Arden’s blended learning study mode. **Daytime classes** are available in London Ealing, London Stratford, London Holborn, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds **Evening classes** are available in London Stratford,, London Holborn, Manchester, and Birmingham **Friday Evening and Saturdays** are another option. You’ll have one class on a Friday evening and one class on Saturday each week. These are available in London Stratford. #### How does it work? Our blended learning model combines the structure of in-person teaching with the flexibility of online learning. If you're studying in the daytime, you’ll attend eight hours of timetabled classes in person one day per week at your chosen Arden campus—designed to free up the rest of your week for work or other responsibilities. Alternatively, if you opt for evening or weekend study modes, you'll attend four hours of in-person classes twice a week, giving you greater flexibility to fit learning around a busy schedule. You’ll also engage in around 25 hours of independent study each week via iLearn, our virtual learning environment. iLearn gives you access to all the resources you need, including recorded lectures, learning materials, and our Library Portal—an extensive digital library with thousands of journals, eBooks, and academic databases. Blended learning is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face to face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who live within commuting or driving distance of one of our UK campuses. If you're a student from England who is enrolling on a blended learning course with Arden (based in one of our UK campuses) then you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan to help pay for your living expenses. You can find more information on our [fees and funding](https://arden.ac.uk/studying-with-us/fees-and-funding) page. If you're a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information about obtaining a student loan to cover your costs from your student finance body. This course is also available to study full-time at our campus in Berlin, Germany, where you’ll have the opportunity to experience life as an international student in the heart of one of Europe’s most dynamic and historic cities. [Learn more about blended learning](https://arden.ac.uk/studying-with-us/blended-learning) ## Entry requirements At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application. ### Entry Requirements We welcome motivated learners from all backgrounds. Whether you're returning to education or just starting out, we’ll support you every step of the way. #### Standard entry: - Minimum 60 credits from Level 2/3 qualification (e.g., GCSE, A-Levels, BTECs, Access to HE, or equivalent) with a minimum of 15 credits at level 3) - Current professional C.V. #### Non-standard entry: - 2 years’ work experience in a relevant role (industry specific work experience or professional certificates) of which some must have been completed in the last 12 months. - English proficiency - IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent) ### English language proficiency: - IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any component) or equivalent - Previous study in English may also be accepted ## Meet the faculty ![Dr. Lucy Atkinson, PhD, MA, BSc, FHEA, AFBALEAP](https://cdn.arden.ac.uk/s3fs-public/styles/quote_m/public/2023-08/LA.jpg) Lucy is the Director of the Centre of Academic Persistence at Arden University. Qualified with Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Philosophy, Lucy is also an avid conference presenter, guest speaker and sharer of practice in the HE community. Lucy is an experienced senior leader of foundation year provision in a HE context working with different sizes of provision and subject-areas and previous award-winning ‘Lecturer of the Year’ at the University of Northampton in 2019. Lucy’s understanding of the diverse student needs allows her to implement relevant interventions when needed as well as offering suitable pastoral support. Dr. Lucy Atkinson, PhD, MA, BSc, FHEA, AFBALEAP Director of the Centre of Academic Persistence ## Career prospects related articles - [ Business and Management Articles ](https://arden.ac.uk/knowledge-base/subject-areas/business-and-management) - [ Career Advice ](https://arden.ac.uk/knowledge-base/career-advice) ### Prepare to lead, grow, and innovate The FdA Business and Innovation is more than just a stepping stone—it’s a launchpad for a wide range of business and management careers. This qualification covers essential business functions and gives you the confidence and practical skills to take on early management roles or specialist positions. Whether you want to: - Move into a leadership position - Start your own venture - Progress in your current role - Or top-up to a full BA degree You’ll be in a strong position to succeed. By combining academic learning with real-world business applications, this course gives you the competitive edge needed to thrive in today’s evolving job market. ### Go beyond your degree with professional skills training You’ll have access to optional non-credit bearing micro-credentials designed to boost both your academic performance and career readiness. **Unlock Your Potential Career** This career-focused non-credit bearing micro-credentials will help you develop key professional skills, including digital literacy, communication, and career management - giving you the tools to build a confident and sustainable career path. ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Foundation Degree Business and Innovation (FdA)", "description": "Foundation Degree Business and Innovation (FdA) | Arden Uni", "datePublished": "2025-05-08T12:17:04+01:00", "dateModified": "2026-09-07T15:05:31+01:00", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Arden University" }, "mainEntityOfPage": "https://ads.pr1.ops.ads.arden-prod01.arden.ac.uk/our-courses/undergraduate/business-degree/fda-business-innovation" } ```