6 leading business schools with strong industry links

“Business opportunities are like buses: there’s always another one coming.” – Richard Branson

Throughout the history of modern higher education, numerous studies have shown that those who earn a college degree are much more likely to land those higher-paying jobs – so what does this mean for the graduate with a respected qualification and relevant work experience?

First, it’s important to note that getting a degree reveals so much more about a person than just academic ability. “I would like to say that a degree is not just about getting a job/career,” says Andrew Main, an associate professor at a UK university. “The benefits affect all parts of life; intellectual, social, sporting, personal, artistic, ethical, and so much more.”

Main goes onto express that while many academics underestimate the power and importance of gaining work experience, the benefit of developing a higher-level education is that when something does go wrong within a workplace setting, recent graduates are readily equipped with the “theoretical knowledge” and “analytical skill” to work out exactly why it went wrong, eliminating the need for trial and error.

 


Image courtesy of The Lisbon MBA

 

But all things considered, it’s important not to overlook the real-world value of relevant work experience.

“A degree qualification has always been a major deciding factor in who got the job, but I think as more and more people have gained degrees, especially over recent years, employers have become more focused on a balance that includes work experience,” says Matt Hackett, Manager of the Digital & Marketing team at Orchard – a creative recruitment agency based in the UK.

“…Most job specs I receive stating reference to any required education and qualifications are usually mentioned as being ‘ideal’ or ‘beneficial’ rather than essential…The ideal is a good combination of both theoretical knowledge and practical understanding, and I believe this is better.”

With this in mind, in a global business context, students who have received a word-class education from a school with unparalleled industry links are far more likely to land themselves a leading business position soon after graduation…

Why?

Because these are the schools offering highly relevant and invaluable work placements and unprecedented industry insights as part of a comprehensive and world-leading degree programme.

 


Image courtesy of University of Bath

 

“Collaboration between universities and industries is critical for skills development (education and training), the generation, acquisition, and adoption of knowledge (innovation and technology transfer), and the promotion of entrepreneurship (start-ups and spin-offs),” writes the Innovation Policy Platform (IPP).

On top of this, the IPP explains that heightened collaboration between academia and industry is becoming increasingly integral to the development of efficient national innovation systems. When we look at the educational experience in some of the world’s more developed countries, we start to better understand the different types of partnership between global industry and higher education; what motivated these institutions to form such synergic relationships; and also start to examine the role of public policy in forging these relationships.

All this information can be incredibly beneficial to the world’s less-developed nations, who face a number of challenges in forming similar affiliations – including a lack of infrastructure and necessary funding. These are the regions who call for a ‘differentiated approach’ to promoting university-industry co-operation.

Co-operation between higher education and global industry brings benefits that are broad and all-encompassing. These partnerships inspire innovation, creativity and, above all, opportunity. So if you seek a sterling education alongside promising employment prospects, here are 6 leading business schools with strong industry links:

THE LISBON MBA – PORTUGAL
The Lisbon MBA offers a transformative learning experience for students, both professionally and personally. Built in partnership with the two top business schools in Portugal – Católica-Lisbon and Nova SBE – and with the collaboration of the MIT Sloan School of Management, the Lisbon MBA pushes students to the height of professional success. Members of the School’s Advisory Board are directly linked to prominent companies that sponsor the Lisbon MBA, helping design bespoke business programs specifically aligned to industry needs.

All students pursue a relevant work placement during their action learning period via an internship, an international consulting project in collaboration with Fudan University in Shangai, Insper in São Paulo or Egade in Mexico, or an entrepreneurial idea in Startup Lisboa; this is an invaluable experience that is entirely exclusive to the Lisbon MBA. On the integrative course students also get the chance to partake in real-world company consulting project, working alongside qualified members of faculty as a team of business consultants in a three-month practical enterprise. All these factors and more come together to make the Lisbon MBA the 15th best MBA program in Europe.

DUNDEE BUSINESS SCHOOL, ABERTAY UNIVERSITY – UK

 


Image courtesy of Dundee Business School

 

Dundee Business School (DBS) is a high-quality faction of Abertay University, specialising in a world-class and professional business education. As an experienced provider of a wide range of programmes, DBS gives students the skills needed to thrive in the fast-paced world of 21st century business.

DBS’s Division of Business and Management is newly accredited by the CIMA, ACCA, ICAS, CFA and CIPD on top of existing recognitions – a real testament the Division’s cutting-edge innovation. Being ranked joint 1st in Scotland for Course Satisfaction and Graduate Career Prospects, the Division of Business and Management allows students from all walks of life to succeed in a professional business context.

The School’s undergraduate taught courses include the BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance, BA (Hons) Business Management, LLB (Hons) Bachelor of Laws and the BA (Hons) Marketing and Business

The School’s postgraduate taught courses include the MSc/PGDip International Finance and Accounting, MSc/PGDip International Human Resource Management, MSc/PGDip International Management and MSc/PGDip Oil and Gas Accounting and Management

The School boasts well-established links with industry, commerce and finance ranging from young industries like new media, to mature industries like energy and oil. These links play a significant role in ensuring that DBS study is informed by contemporary circumstances and emerging trends.

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, UNIVERSITY OF BATH – UK
The University of Bath hosts one of the UK’s leading business schools, ranked 1st for Marketing, 2nd for Accounting and Finance, and 1st for Business Studies. With more than five decades of experience, Bath’s School of Management has evolved into one of the most established and industry-linked business-based institutions in the country.

The School boasts fruitful relationships with more than 200 organisations in the South West, London, the UK and worldwide.

These bespoke partnerships promote opportunities that are mutually beneficial, allowing companies to get their hands on the School’s top students, and giving students access to exclusive job opportunities.

FOX SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, TEMPLE UNIVERSITY – USA
The Fox School of Business at Temple University provides students the opportunities, experience and services to help attain their career goals. Innovative, entrepreneurial thinking, experiential learning opportunities, influential research by world-class faculty and state-of-the-art facilities are hallmarks of Greater Philadelphia’s largest business school.

The Fox School of Business partners with the business community to train exceptional talent, research practical business solutions, and develop cutting-edge research.

Partnership with the School affords organizations direct access to the largest, most comprehensive business school in the greater Philadelphia region, creating avenues for valuable exchanges of information and knowledge with Fox’s award-winning faculty and students.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS, ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY – USA

 


Image courtesy of Illinois State University

 

The College of Business at Illinois State is highly respected for developing professionals with the personal dedication, ethics, and lifelong learning capabilities needed to succeed professionally and to serve society.

Individualised educational experience is achieved by actively involving students, small class sizes, accessible faculty, and a continuously improving curriculum.

Students at Illinois’ College of Business build personal connections with talented and enthusiastic faculty and staff, as they also take part in meaningful real-world projects and internships.

EXECUTIVE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, TECHNOLOGY AND LAW, ST. GALLEN UNIVERSITY – SWITZERLAND
The Executive School of Management, Technology and Law (ES-HSG) is the University of St.Gallen‘s business school for all post-experience and executive education activities in the fields of management, economics and law.

As Europe’s largest business faculty with an international network of over 100 partner universities and top international ranking positions, the Executive School of Management boasts a distinguished international reputation.

Co-operation with other Business Schools is an important element in the design of the executive education programs. The University is a member of the Community of European Management Schools (CEMS), a network of 29 leading European business schools, 68 multinationals and 4 NGOs.

Feature image courtesy of Dundee Business School

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