4 UK management institutions nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurial capability

When more than two-thirds of startups never deliver a positive return to investors, what does it take to succeed? Perhaps it takes another statistic to deliver a solution to this dismal success rate: close to two-thirds (65%) of new ventures fail because of people issues, according to research from the Harvard Business School and McKinsey & Company.

What these data highlight is the enduring importance of management for any business to succeed. However maverick they are, all leaders need advanced knowledge and skills in various aspects of managing organisations and spearheading teams. They must have the know-how to motivate and inspire their teams, communicate effectively, and make strategic decisions that drive organisational success. The best way to master all of this and more? Joining the following business schools.

Every year, the Department of Management at the London School of Economics handpicks outstanding students from a range of international locations to create a truly global cohort. Source: London School of Economics and Political Science

London School of Economics and Political Science

The Department of Management at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is not your traditional business school. LSE is ranked #6 in the world for social sciences and management (QS World University Rankings 2024), the top university (of multiple submissions) in the UK based on the proportion of “world-leading” (four-star) research produced (REF 2021), and achieved a Platinum Award in the annual Green Impact Sustainability Programme in 2023. The Department is based in The Marshall Building, the largest project in the School’s history and located in the best student city in the world. That’s a lot of superlatives related to LSE and the Department — which tells you something about the quality of education you’ll get here.

The Department offers several MSc programmes that can get you thinking, leading, learning and accelerating your career. Want to launch a career in management? Choose the Master’s in Management or Global Master’s in Management. The latter comes with the option to pursue the CEMS double degree with 34 leading partner business schools worldwide, which gives you access to a global network of over 70 corporate partners and 8 social partners (NGOs).  Have a background in economics, marketing, digital innovation, or entrepreneurship? Join the MSc Management and Strategy, MSc Economics and Management, MSc Marketing, MSc Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation, or MSc Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship. All MSc programmes have practical, hands-on projects embedded.

If you have three years or more work experience and want to accelerate your management career, the Executive Global Master’s in Management is for you. Part-time and spanning three locations (London, Bangalore and Cape Town), its seven modules spread over 17 months are easy to fit around your busy work schedule. As you connect with a cohort of working professionals from a range of backgrounds, you’ll develop a deep understanding of management theory alongside how to apply it.

Whichever programme you choose, you’ll emerge with a global network, global understanding, and global skillset. Your lecturers are thought leaders who are at the forefront of their disciplines and your in-house career support team is ready to enhance your career journey and help you create effective job-search strategies. LSE prides itself on the academic rigour of its teaching and providing students with future-proofed careers that transform them into “thinking leaders” who can adapt to any situation.

Cardiff Business School co-creates world-leading research to help solve global challenges in work, innovation, economies and organisations. Source: Cardiff Business School

Cardiff Business School

Cardiff University is a member of the Russell Group, a group of 24 leading UK research-intensive universities. In fact, 90% of its work was rated world-leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. This achievement solidifies the school’s position among the UK’s top 20 for research quality.

Cardiff Business School is just as world-leading as the university it’s part of. At the only AACSB-accredited business school in Wales, students benefit from a research and challenge-led approach, learning directly from leading academics who are shaping their respective fields. Recognising the interconnected nature of modern business issues, Cardiff champions interdisciplinary learning, equipping graduates with the combined expertise needed to tackle multiple complex challenges.

The school has a diverse and international student body, all drawn to its specialised master’s programmes across various business and management disciplines. These programmes, which include MSc Accounting and Finance, MSc International Economics, Banking and Finance, MSc Strategic Marketing, MSc Business Strategy and Entrepreneurship, and Cardiff MBA with Artificial Intelligence, provide a perfect balance of theoretical knowledge and practical application.

The Cardiff MBA with Artificial Intelligence, for instance, stands apart for its fusion of core business and management principles with the cutting-edge study of machine learning and AI tools. Students gain a solid foundation in business, management, and the challenges and opportunities of applying AI within organisations.

Beyond academics, Cardiff offers a thriving lifestyle. The city has a vibrant arts and music scene, a diverse culinary landscape, and convenient access to shops and amenities. Its compact size allows students to live within a 10-minute walk of the city centre, fostering a strong sense of community.

At Edinburgh Business School, be prepared to to embrace an international outlook while gaining knowledge for the real world. Source: Edinburgh Business School

Edinburgh Business School

Steeped in tradition but with a focus on the future, the University of Edinburgh Business School is located in a city that’s been home to some of history’s most influential thinkers and innovators. Edinburgh, consistently ranked within the top 10 UK cities for business growth, provides the perfect backdrop for students to immerse themselves in the world of commerce. The city’s thriving financial sector, employing over 100,000 individuals, offers a wealth of potential connections and career opportunities.

The school pushes just as many boundaries in business as the city it’s based in. It set up a Business Innovation Forum in 2010 to encourage growth and innovation in Scottish companies (now the Economy and Enterprise Committee), has a number of specialist research centres, including the Centre for Business, Climate Change, and Sustainability and the Centre for Strategic Leadership, which are conducting innovative research in their particular fields, and launched the first of its kind the MSc in Carbon Finance (now the MSc in Climate Change Finance and Investment).

Anyone who chooses Edinburgh can expect to be part of a community that’s always looking ahead. The Master in Management ranked joint fifth in the UK in 2023 by the Financial Times and 33rd in the QS Management Master’s Rankings (2024). It is valuable to both those starting out in business, and those looking to progress in their existing careers. Guest lectures and the opportunity to engage with business figures are embedded throughout the programme — giving you a strong connection to industry.

Beyond academics, Edinburgh offers a great quality of life. Consistently recognised as one of the best places to live in the UK, the city boasts stunning Georgian and Victorian architecture alongside breathtaking natural landscapes. A vibrant cultural scene, diverse nightlife, and a year-round calendar of events and festivals provide endless opportunities for exploration and enjoyment.

Queen’s University is ranked in the top 170 universities in the world for graduate job prospects. Source: Queen’s Business School

Queen’s Business School

At the heart of Belfast’s spirited and cobblestoned streets lies Queen’s University Belfast, a member of the reputed Russell Group of universities. International students from all over the world flock to the busy, cosmopolitan city, eager to experience the famed social scene, vivid cultural heritage sites, and rustic charm.

Just as Belfast is varied in its arts, the Queen’s Business School is diverse in its offerings. It is one of the largest schools in the university, offering a wide range of highly-ranked degree programmes, holding EQUIS, AMBA and Small Business Charter accreditations — marks of excellence putting the School within the top 5% of business schools worldwide. Students benefit from innovative teaching practices and learn from research-led lecturers who are experts in their fields. As a result of the school’s postgraduate programmes, they graduate as principled, effective leaders ready to transform their professional careers.

Regardless of choice and background, each programme is centred on enhancing students’ employability skills. The MSc in Management, for example, allows students to manage real-life business challenges and establish professional networks with employers and alumni, all while honing the skills required to become practice-ready for the 21st-century workforce.

For working professionals looking to gain a competitive edge, the Queen’s MBA is a great option. A unique aspect of the programme is the opportunity to work on a real-world consultancy project tailored to one’s interests and goals. However one shapes their MBA, they’ll have dedicated, one-on-one coaching for the best career development pathway.

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