4 UK business schools unlocking opportunities to change the world

A business degree used to provide us with the knowledge and skills to help companies profit. That’s still the case — with core modules still training students in the soft skills and acumen to join the industry. Whether it’s to start a company, create an app, manage products, or even open a restaurant, the best business degrees continue to help many students realise these ambitions.

Increasingly, these goals are tackling more environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. And business schools are responding — with courses on valuing securities and negotiating mergers quickly replaced with those on impact investing, social entrepreneurship and climate finance. 

With high interest among students, landing ESG roles isn’t easy and anyone with plans to do so should brace themselves to compete with many others. A reputable business degree, however, can help you stand out — especially if it’s from any of these UK business schools with track records of unlocking opportunities to change the world:

Lancaster University Management School ranks among the top 10 best business schools in the world. Source: Lancaster University Management School

Lancaster University Management School

At Lancaster University Management School (LUMS), students evolve into responsible future leaders. They are competent and confident in driving change in the environmental, economic, social sustainability and inclusivity spheres.

Behind this prowess are their career-focused degree programmes. Each is flexible, allowing students to shape their curriculum around areas best suited to their skills and professional goals. A dedicated careers team complements the programmes — offering a range of innovative services, such as bringing leading global employers to campus to interact with and recruit LUMS students.

LUMS offers programmes across various fields, such as Accounting and Finance, Business Analytics, Economics, Human Resources, Management, and Marketing. The BSc in Business Management explores areas like finance, analytics and entrepreneurship through an ethical lens, placing activities firmly in the context of society. Graduates often progress to become trainee managers, project managers, brand managers, and hotel and property managers at established corporations, from the likes of BP, IBM, and Johnson & Johnson to modern brands like Innocent Drinks.

Those looking to secure roles in the Big Four accounting firms, investment banks and beyond can opt for the BSc in Accounting and Finance. It’s taught by leading academic researchers and expert practitioners, and accredited by ACCA, ICAEW, ICAS and CIMA, allowing students to gain exemption from many core professional examinations. Both programmes include opportunities for year-long industry placement or a year studying abroad.

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Students at Birmingham Business School benefit from world-class research and teaching as they earn their degrees. Source: Birmingham Business School

Birmingham Business School

At Birmingham Business School, each programme is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills in demand, not just today but in the future. The school is part of the University of Birmingham, a world top 100 higher learning institution belonging to the Russell Group.

Universities in this category are renowned for their research and academic excellence, and Birmingham Business School is no exception. What truly makes this school stand out is its triple crown accreditation by the AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS. Birmingham is among a handful of elite institutions in the world to hold this triple-crown rating. This global school puts research in high regard and aims to develop a generation of global entrepreneurs ready to contribute to society.

Students can benefit from the high-quality programmes offered from the undergraduate level to the postgraduate level. Programmes cover a range of fields, including Accounting and Finance, Economics, Business Management and many more. 

Though the oldest business school in the country, the school ensures that all its programmes align with the ever-changing industry as it is focused on developing the next generation of forward-thinking leaders. This school emphasises flexibility and staying current, which can be seen with its offering of transnational educational opportunities and online programmes such as the Online MBA and Online MSc International Management.

“One of the most important things I learned from my time at the University of Birmingham is how to manage people in a team. Having different people around the world in one team allowed me to work with others with different operating methods or values,” says MSc alumni Mosaddeque Shahrier.

Recognising the challenges that students face when completing higher education and securing a job, the school aims to support each student with its Careers in Business. This specialist careers service is dedicated to supporting postgraduates at Birmingham Business School, and this help extends even after graduation. Here, the team of qualified career consultants are trained to review CVs, cover letters, job applications, establish career goals with students and guide them as they search for employment.

Source: Warwick Business School Facebook

Warwick Business School

It’s no secret that Warwick Business School graduates go on to seize their own success. Sophie Thompson founded a virtual reality startup, while Alex Austin chose to put his financial savvy to use in the corporate world. No matter what you choose, a Warwick postgraduate education ensures you are prepared for every aspect of it.

What can Warwick business, finance, and management students expect? For one, you will get involved in MSc and MBA group and individual projects. On top of that, you will also have the opportunity to participate in one of the LeadershipPlus Projects with an external corporate, SME, or NGO partner.

Every graduate student draws from a wealth of human capital resources, from administrative staff and faculty members to peers and industry partners. You stand to learn from established leaders in the Change Maker Speaker Series, which has hosted the likes of Barclays International CEO Kevin Wall and NASA Chief Technologist Dr. Douglas Terrier.

Nottingham University Business School combines teaching, research and practice to prepare you for a successful career. Source: Nottingham University Business School

Here is a school that takes pride in producing change-makers through personal transformation and thought leadership in an inspirational and diverse applied learning environment. This spirit extends to its virtual offerings; the Warwick Business School’s MBA is ranked the top distance learning MBA in the Financial Times Online MBA Ranking 2020. Follow Warwick Business School on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Nottingham University Business School

Nottingham University Business School (NUBS) offers degrees that are at the forefront of business education and research. Its strengths lie in entrepreneurship, innovation and business sustainability. 

The school aims to shape the future of responsible leaders and management in an increasingly interconnected world. Opportunities to study abroad, collaboration with global firms, professional development support, events with top corporate leaders, tailored career support, and diverse campus — all of these contribute towards guiding NUBS students to realise their potential contribution to business, economy and society.

“Furthering my studies in the UK has been a great experience and joining Enactus — a not-for-profit, student-led organisation that exists within the university — has only enhanced my time here. Not only did it show me the social and environmental sides to business, I experienced the power of using entrepreneurial action to sustainably transform lives,” graduate Jacob Choy said.

NUBS holds a range of acclaim, recognition and features in national and international rankings. Among these are: Chartered Banker Institute Centre of Excellence accreditation (the gold standard for all banking professionals) for the MSc Banking and Finance; dual-award status from the Chartered Institute of Marketing for the MSc Marketing; NHS Leadership Academy endorsement for the Executive MBA Healthcare; and full accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development for the MSc Human Resource Management and Organisation.

It is ranked 11th globally and fourth in the UK for sustainability education in the Better World MBA 2019 rankings; top 150 globally in the QS World University Ranking by Subject 2020 (Business and Management, and Accounting and Finance); and consistently ranks among the UK’s top business schools in The Guardian University Guide 2019. Follow Nottingham University Business School on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

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