Business, Entrepreneurship & Start-Ups at the University of Bath

Course Description: Business, Entrepreneurship & Start-Ups at the University of Bath

Business, Entrepreneurship & Start-Ups

Course Description

Business, Entrepreneurship & Start-Ups gives students an introduction to how businesses work in the real world.

Based at the University of Bath, this two-week residential summer programme explores how successful organisations build brands, attract customers, develop products, manage operations and make strategic decisions.

Students look at well-known companies such as Airbnb, Nike, Apple, LEGO, Amazon, Disney and Patagonia, using real examples to understand why some businesses grow, how they compete and how they respond when markets and customer expectations change.

The programme is suitable for students interested in business, entrepreneurship, marketing, innovation and leadership. No previous business experience is required.

Rather than focusing only on theory, students work through case studies and practical challenges before developing a business idea of their own and presenting it at the end of the programme.

What Students Will Study

Entrepreneurship & Start-Ups

How new business ideas begin, how entrepreneurs identify opportunities and how an idea can be tested and developed into a viable business.

Innovation & Product Development

How companies identify customer needs, develop new products and improve existing ones.

Branding & Marketing

How businesses create a strong identity, communicate their story, attract customers and build loyalty.

Strategy & Competitive Advantage

Why businesses make different strategic choices and how they position themselves in competitive markets.

Operations & Logistics

What happens behind the scenes to deliver a product or service successfully, from supply chains and efficiency to customer experience.

Responsible Business

How businesses approach sustainability, ethics and social responsibility while remaining commercially successful.

Learning Approach

Classes are practical and discussion-based, with a mix of seminars, workshops, case studies, group challenges and project work.

Students are encouraged to think from different perspectives: as entrepreneurs, marketers, product developers and business leaders.

They might analyse why a particular brand has become successful, decide how a company should respond to a new competitor, develop a product for a particular customer group or debate the balance between profitability and sustainability.

Activities may include:

• Global brand case studies

• Start-up idea generation

• Customer problem analysis

• Product development challenges

• Marketing and branding exercises

• Operations and logistics tasks

• Ethical business debates

• Team decision-making

• Pitch development

• Presentation practice

Skills Students Develop

Throughout the two weeks, students work on skills that are useful both academically and professionally.

Commercial Thinking

Understanding how businesses create value, attract customers and make decisions.

Creativity & Idea Generation

Identifying problems and turning them into possible business opportunities.

Strategic Decision-Making

Comparing different options, considering risks and explaining the reasoning behind a decision.

Marketing & Brand Awareness

Understanding how brands communicate, influence customer behaviour and build trust.

Teamwork & Leadership

Working effectively with others, taking responsibility and contributing to group decisions.

Responsible Business Thinking

Considering the environmental, ethical and social consequences of business decisions.

Presentation & Pitching

Learning how to explain an idea clearly and persuade an audience.

Final Project: The Pitch

The programme concludes with The Pitch.

Working individually or in teams, students identify a real-world problem and develop their own start-up idea.

Their final pitch covers:

• The problem they want to solve

• Their proposed solution

• Target customers

• Business model

• Potential impact

• Opportunities for growth

Students present their ideas as part of the Innovation Showcase, giving them the opportunity to put everything they have learned into practice.

Programme Outcomes

By the end of the programme, students will have:

• Explored the main areas of business, entrepreneurship and marketing

• Analysed real companies and business decisions

• Learned how start-ups and established businesses grow

• Developed their own business concept

• Practised commercial problem-solving and decision-making

• Worked collaboratively in teams

• Built confidence presenting and pitching ideas

• Considered sustainability and responsible business

• Explored possible university subjects and careers related to business

Academic Masterclasses

Alongside their chosen subject, all students take part in Academic Masterclasses designed to prepare them for future university study.

Topics include:

• Academic Writing & Reasoning

• Seminar Discussion & Speaking Skills

• Lecture Notes & Study Strategies

• Research, Evidence & Academic Integrity

Students use these skills during the Academic Showcase, where they research a topic, prepare their findings and present them in small groups.

Guided reflection sessions also give students time to consider their progress, strengths and future academic choices.

Communicating with Confidence

Every student takes part in a Communicating with Confidence workshop.

The workshop focuses on practical communication skills for university, interviews and future professional situations. Students practise expressing their ideas clearly, contributing to discussions, listening to others and presenting to an audience with confidence.

Career Guidance & Future Choices

A career-focused workshop helps students explore possible university courses and career paths.

Students consider their interests and strengths while learning more about university applications, admissions expectations, employability skills and emerging industry trends.

For Business students, future pathways may include:

• Entrepreneurship

• Business Management

• Marketing & Brand Strategy

• Product Management

• Operations & Logistics

• Customer Experience

• Sustainability & ESG

• Management Consulting

University-Style Learning

Students experience several elements of university learning during their stay, including lectures, seminars, independent research, group discussions and collaborative projects.

This gives them a chance to experience how university study differs from school while still learning in a supportive environment.

Students also visit another UK university campus during the programme, giving them a broader perspective on studying in the UK.

Industry-Focused Experience

The programme includes an industry-focused experience designed to connect classroom learning with the professional world.

Depending on the final schedule, this may include an industry visit, guest speaker, specialist workshop or live project brief.

The aim is to help students see how the subjects they are studying relate to real businesses, industries and careers.

A Typical Day at the University of Bath

Morning

After breakfast, students begin their subject sessions. For Business students, this might include a seminar, case study, entrepreneurship challenge, brand analysis or project work.

Afternoon

After lunch, students continue with workshops, Academic Masterclasses, group challenges, university-style learning or work on their final project.

Evening

After dinner, students join the social programme. Activities may include quizzes, games, film nights, bowling, creative challenges and relaxed social events.

The evening programme gives students time to make friends and enjoy residential life away from the classroom.

Beyond the Classroom

The two weeks are not spent entirely in lessons.

Students take part in cultural excursions, local activities, evening events and university experiences.

Full-day excursions include London and Oxford, and an optional Harry Potter experience is also available.

Students also have opportunities to explore Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage city known for its Roman history and Georgian architecture.

Together with the academic programme, these activities give students the chance to experience life in the UK, make international friendships and become more independent.

Accommodation at the University of Bath

Students stay in modern en-suite university accommodation on the University of Bath campus.

Living on campus gives students a taste of independent university life while still having the reassurance of clear routines, residential staff and 24/7 support.

Students live alongside other programme participants, creating an international residential community.

Meals

Full-board catering is included throughout the programme.

Meals also provide an important social part of the day, giving students time to relax and spend time with friends.

Dietary requirements can be accommodated when notified in advance. Families should provide details of allergies, medical dietary needs or religious dietary requirements before arrival.

Meals or packed lunches are provided as required on excursion days.

Supervision & Student Welfare

Student safety and wellbeing are a central part of the residential programme.

Students have 24/7 on-site support, clear daily routines, mentor check-ins and appropriate supervision during activities and excursions.

The programme is designed to give students greater independence while ensuring that help is always available when they need it.

Travel & Airport Transfers

Airport transfers and unaccompanied minor support are available as optional extras, unless specifically included within a particular platform offer.

Meet-and-greet transfers may be available from selected airports on designated arrival and departure days.

Full travel information is provided to families before the programme.

Visa Support

Visa requirements depend on the student's nationality, and families should always check the latest UK Government requirements before travelling.

Once a student is enrolled, supporting documentation for a visa application may be requested from the institution where required.

What’s Included

The programme fee includes:

• Subject-specific seminars and workshops

• Academic Masterclasses

• Guided reflection and personal development

• Communicating with Confidence workshop

• Career guidance

• University-style lectures, seminars and projects

• Visit to another UK university

• Industry-focused experience

• Innovation Showcase

• Full-board residential accommodation

• Meals

• London and Oxford full-day excursions

• Local Bath activities

• Evening social programme

• 24/7 on-site support and supervision

• Education Certificate of Completion

Optional extras: Airport transfers, unaccompanied minor support and the Harry Potter experience, unless specifically included within a platform offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do students need previous business experience?

No. The programme is designed for students who are curious about business and entrepreneurship. Previous business study is not required.

What level of English is recommended?

B2+ English is recommended so students can participate confidently in seminars, discussions, workshops and presentations.

Do students need a laptop?

Yes. Students should bring a laptop for research, academic work, project development and presentation preparation.

Will students receive a certificate?

Yes. Students receive an Education Certificate of Completion at the end of the programme.

Are meals included?

Yes. Full-board catering is included.

Are students supervised?

Yes. Students have 24/7 on-site support, with staff supervision and clear residential routines throughout the programme.

Are airport transfers included?

Airport transfers are optional extras unless specifically included within a particular offer.

Will students visit another university?

Yes. Students visit another UK university campus during their stay.

What happens at the end of the programme?

Business students develop their own business idea and present The Pitch as part of the Innovation Showcase.