3 business degrees producing dynamic decision-makers  

Gone are the days when businesses were merely seen as engines of profit. Today, to succeed, they must also be agents of change, drivers of innovation and stewards of sustainability. At the helm of these enterprises are individuals armed with the knowledge and skills honed through time spent in business school. 

While the world offers thousands of institutions to choose from, only a few know what it really means to bridge the gap between profit and purpose. With the world facing multifaceted challenges — from climate change to income inequality, they are producing programmes designed to equip aspiring professionals with the interdisciplinary skills needed to navigate complexity and innovate solutions. Whether mastering financial analysis, understanding consumer behaviour, or implementing sustainable practices, their curricula cultivate well-rounded individuals capable of driving positive change.

Plus, the influence of technology cannot be overstated. From artificial intelligence to blockchain, technological advancements are reshaping industries and disrupting traditional business models. Business graduates, with their adaptable skill sets and entrepreneurial mindset, are at the forefront of this digital revolution, working with technology to drive efficiency, innovation, and sustainability.  If that’s what you hope to achieve, choose one of these institutions as your launchpad for success. 

GBSB Global Business School

With students and alumni hailing from over 100 countries, and faculty comprising business luminaries from 37 diverse backgrounds, GBSB Global Business School thrives on inclusivity, empathy and internationalism. Whether studying in Malta, Barcelona, or online, students here are immersed in an environment that nurtures cultural awareness and international collaboration, preparing them to add value in any corner of the world.

However, what truly sets GBSB Global apart is its unwavering commitment to fostering innovation. Through cutting-edge programmes taught entirely in English, like the Master of Science in Management (MIM), students are challenged to think creatively, develop critical leadership skills, and embark on ventures that redefine industries. Of course, they are also welcome to focus on topics that align best with their aspirations. 

The MIM’s curriculum, endorsed by the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority and acclaimed by the QS Rating System, offers rare specialisations, such as in Blockchain Management, FinTech, Digital Business and Innovation, as well as Operations and Supply Chain Management — all of which cater to the demands of tomorrow’s business landscape in their own ways. Regardless of the path they choose, every student engages in small group settings, immersive company visits, and hands-on learning experiences that transcend the classroom. Every step of the way, they are led by faculty members with decades of real-world business experience.

GBSB Global’s diverse locations offer unique advantages for students too. Barcelona and Madrid are dynamic open economies with competitive talent pools, providing students with access to thriving industries and international networks. Meanwhile, Malta’s picturesque landscapes offer a more tranquil setting conducive to focused study and reflection. For those who prefer the flexibility and convenience of online learning, GBSB Global’s virtual campus doesn’t skimp on quality or engagement. Apply to GBSB Global Business School today.

London School of Economics

Ranked first in the UK for research in business and management, the London School of Economics (LSE) Department of Management stands out from the typical business school by combining the historic LSE social science tradition of academic rigour with unique opportunities to network with some of the biggest companies in the world.

The Global Master’s in Management programme, in particular, prepares students for the dynamic world of business through a combination of intellectual rigour and practical experience in business operations. Core courses aside, students here can explore  economics, economic sociology and business psychology too. This unique approach to management follows LSE’s successful tradition of social science academic study, and with postgraduate business degrees rapidly becoming common currency in the job market, the differentiated approach of LSE helps graduates stand out to employers.

The GMiM starts with a first-year spent understanding the real challenges facing managers and organisations operating in a global context. Students can then opt for a summer internship to explore career options, before choosing one out of three second-year pathways to specialise and ground what they have learnt. 

As LSE is the only UK university in the CEMS Alliance, a group of top business schools in 34 countries, you can choose to enrol in the CEMS Master’s in International Management (CEMS MIM) in your second year. During the CEMS year (year two of the LSE GMiM), you can take part in an international exchange term at a leading CEMS school, along with exclusive CEMS core courses in Global Management, skills seminars, block seminars, and an international internship

Alternatively, GMiM students can apply for a term abroad in their second year. There are 10 leading partner business schools in the US and Asia to choose from. During this MBA exchange term, you’ll join an MBA class at your chosen school and take a choice of optional elective courses offered by the school.

UC Berkeley 

The Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley helps students build fluency in business fundamentals. The result? Graduates empowered and confident to step into their future, armed with knowledge and skills to create change. 

The school is host to more than 2,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students who come from all over the world to find success here. Programmes like the Full Time MBA, MBA for Executives, and Evening and Weekend MBA are designed to deep-dive into sectors like communication, innovation, global business and many more. You gain more knowledge as you learn collaboratively with top-notch peers.

“I feel like I have a skillset to go into any industry and approach different problems in a structured way; I’m learning how to look at markets, understand industry trends, and evaluate consumer or competitor behaviour,” says graduate Andy Kang, now a strategic planning manager at Nike. “Haas has given me different frameworks for problem-solving.”

Classes are kept small to foster an intimacy critical to personal development. Students and faculty share a common culture and leadership principle, which means support is always available. If you are a student who enjoys learning as you do, you won’t regret picking this school. It prominently features hands-on experiential learning, while customising your programme in an interdisciplinary environment. Ranked #7 in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2023, Haas is a place to be to put yourself out in the world and shake it up for the better. 

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