4 UK business schools that will help you discover your authentic leadership

25 Nov 2019

Rapid technological advances are fuelling change in the business landscape. Today’s borderless economy means aspiring business professionals will need to be equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and network to succeed in this new age of work where technology is increasingly integrated into the business model, regardless of industry.

Aspiring business professionals who are eager to make their mark in the field will need more than an average business degree to not only thrive in the global marketplace, but also stand out in the increasingly complex job market. Sharpening your business acumen for the global economy entails choosing a business school that not only boasts of stellar academic programmes, but those that also focus on developing well-rounded business graduates through strategic industry partnerships and hands-on learning opportunities to ensure teaching and learning are relevant, and contribute to students’ career-readiness.

Hence, in preparation for the new age of work, it’s essential for prospective business students to choose a university that offers programmes that are at the forefront of shaping this global field. The UK is a booming economic hub that is also home to several business schools that not only broaden one’s knowledge, but also skill set and network, to improve one’s employability.

This makes it an ideal location for international students who are looking for a stepping stone that would help them launch their careers. So, if you’re looking for an institution that’s moulding tomorrow’s business leaders, here are four UK business schools worth considering:

BEDFORDSHIRE BUSINESS SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE

This public university is nestled in Luton, England. Bedfordshire prides itself on developing creative thinkers and intelligent business practitioners. Underpinning their core philosophy is a curriculum which recognises that successful business leaders cannot depend on theoretical academic models alone when confronted with complex and ambiguous business issues; thus, students are equipped with practice intelligence to ensure future success.

To help students solve real-world problems and deliver measurable improvements in organisational performance, Bedfordshire business students enjoy experiential learning opportunities, students use their knowledge and experience taken from practice and from the practice of others to facilitate their educational journey towards becoming tomorrow’s business leaders.

The university works with academic partners – both in the UK and abroad – to deliver a range of courses from foundation degrees to doctorates. The result is a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate business-related programmes that are industry-relevant.

Choosing to pursue your degree at Bedfordshire will prove to be a worthy investment as the university has cemented its status for excellent teaching when it received a Silver Award overall in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), signifying that it significantly and consistently exceeds the quality threshold for UK higher education.

BATH SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, UNIVERSITY OF BATH

Bath’s School of Management has carved itself a strong reputation as a leading UK business school, thanks to its stellar rankings. For instance, the school is ranked first for Marketing and second in Business and Management in The Complete University Guide 2020. It’s also ranked second for Business Studies in The Times and The Sunday Times University Guide 2020.

The institution prides itself for its research that makes an impact and offers a range of business degrees that reflect great teaching and the latest research thinking. Undergraduate courses under the School include BSc Accounting and Finance and BSc Business and Management. BSc degrees include professional placement opportunities, ensuring students are equipped with practical skills training to help them put theory to practice. They also offer the Professional Development Programme to help students prepare for the career they want.

As a result, Bath’s students enjoy bright career prospects; many are in a professional or managerial job within six months of graduating, while graduates have gone on to work at companies including Deloitte, PwC, BMW, Google and GlaxoSmithKline.

The school also offers MSc and MBA programmes for prospective postgraduate students.

BIRMINGHAM BUSINESS SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

This UK business school has cemented its status as an elite institution, thanks to its triple-crown accreditation from the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, AMBA (Association of MBAs) and EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System). Less than five percent of more than 16,000 schools worldwide that grant business degrees have earned AACSB Accreditation, notes the AACSB.

The school prides itself on offering degree programmes that reflect the changing economic, commercial and financial environment, ensuring they are relevant to the needs of industry as well as students. Prospective business students can choose from a wide selection of undergraduate programmes, be it BSc Accounting and Finance; BSc International Business; BSc Money, Banking and Finance; among others.

There are also a selection of postgraduate taught degrees, designed to provide students with both academic excellence and vocational relevance. The school’s MBA is internationally-acclaimed, and is constantly ranked in global ranking tables and accredited by leading bodies AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.

It prides itself on its strong industry links, which means that rigorous undergraduate academic study is combined with a real practical focus, leading to excellent job opportunities for students. To boot, Birmingham is also among the top three in the UK for being most frequently targeted by the country’s top employers.

Students who enrol in Birmingham will also be studying in a diverse student body. The institution has students from over 35 countries in tis undergraduate programmes, and welcome students who want to come to Birmingham on the Erasmus programme, as well as those coming from their US partners.

OXFORD BROOKES BUSINESS SCHOOL, OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY

Fancy being taught by a faculty who have close connections with the business world? The Oxford Brookes Business School offers courses that are designed to ensure students are career-ready, with staff who will support students throughout their student journey.

The school provides an educational experience that’s relevant, challenging, stimulating, internationally-oriented and inclusive, while business students also gain extensive experience working with world renowned companies such as Intel, BMW, Four Seasons and Aldi. Meanwhile, leading researchers work regularly with students to ensure that, in addition to being practice-based, their education and development is research informed.

Academic staff here are active in disseminating their knowledge, and have produced best-selling textbooks in marketing, research methods, business, entrepreneurship, accounting and economics, among others. Their programmes are also accredited through the membership of professional associations worldwide, including the European Foundation for Management Development Programme Accreditation System (EPAS), among others.

Some undergraduate programmes include BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance, BA (Hons) Business and Management and BA (Hons) Business and Marketing Management. The school also offers full-time and part-time postgraduate programmes to cater to working professionals.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International