Business degrees training leaders to meet the complex demands of the 21st century

The traditional image of leadership — a singular, decisive figure at the helm — is being reshaped by the complexities of the 21st century. Globalisation, technological disruption, and a growing emphasis on social responsibility are just a few of the complex demands facing leaders in the 21st century.

According to a 2022 report by the World Economic Forum, 50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025 due to automation and technological advancements. Leaders must be comfortable with new technologies and understand how to leverage them to achieve strategic goals. Business schools are now responding by evolving their business degree programmes to equip graduates not just with specialised knowledge but also with the agility and adaptability to navigate an ever-changing world.

These programmes combine disciplines like data analysis, critical thinking, and communication to cultivate well-rounded leaders. Project-based learning and cross-functional teams simulate real-world challenges, where effective collaboration and synthesising diverse viewpoints are paramount. In fact, a Deloitte report highlights that businesses that promote a collaborative culture see a 21% increase in profitability.

As such, the best business degrees equip graduates with the ability to manage complex projects, effectively communicate ideas, and leverage the strengths of diverse teammates — all essential skills for thriving in today’s workplace. The result? This new type of leader understands the importance of encouraging innovation, building trust, and inspiring action — something these schools are experts in:

Ulster University. Source: Ulster University Business School

Ulster University

Ulster University Business School is ranked in the top 25% of UK business schools, with 100% of its research recognised as having outstanding or very considerable impact (REF, 2021). It has over 120 academic experts, more than 5,000 students, and over 60,000 graduates in 120 countries. It stands as one of the largest providers of university-accredited business and management education in the UK and Ireland, with an affiliation to Harvard Business School.

These are important figures for anyone seeking guidance on how to thrive in an increasingly volatile business sectors. What they show is that UUBS has the people, resources and connections to maximise its strong emphasis on entrepreneurial skills and learning by doing. For example, by joining the BSc (Hons) Global Business with Pathway programme, there are subject pathways in which you can specialise as part of your global business degree including accounting, data analytics, sustainability, marketing, and enterprise. And you’ll get to apply strategic tools, such as design thinking, study abroad, complete a Diploma for Professional Practice, and more.

The one-year MSc International Business coursework takes many forms, including presentations, dissertations, designs, artefacts, portfolios, journals, group work, and more. It offers specialisations in areas like human resources and data analytics. You have the option to pair the MSc with Advanced Practice (including an industrial placement) or with Applied Research (with a research project) over a two-year period. As UUBS is part of the prestigious Babson Collaborative for Entrepreneurship Education, you’ll get to learn from experts who can access, create, and share the most thought-provoking, and forward-looking content related to entrepreneurship education as well. Learn more about Ulster University Business School.

The University of Edinburgh Business School holds triple accreditation from AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA. Source: University of Edinburgh Business School/Facebook

University of Edinburgh

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. Today, Edinburgh is consistently ranked within the top 10 UK cities for business growth, with its financial sector alone employing over 100,000 individuals.

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. Whether their master’s programme is in Accounting and Finance, Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Data and Decision Analytics (Online), they have many opportunities to apply what they learn and get a jumpstart to entering and advancing a fast-moving 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 has Georgian and Victorian architecture alongside natural landscapes. A vibrant cultural scene, notable nightlife, and a year-round calendar of events and festivals provide many opportunities for exploration and enjoyment.

At Nottingham University Business School, the unique tri-campus offering provides students with a transformative global education, shaping aspiring business leaders into future visionaries and change-makers. Source: University of Nottingham/Facebook

University of Nottingham

Nottingham University Business School (NUBS) is a member of the Russell Group and consistently ranked among the top 20 universities in the UK. Its tri-campus structure creates an immersive global learning experience. With campuses in the UK, China, and Malaysia, the school has global reach. This international network provides students, researchers, alumni, and partners with opportunities to learn and collaborate across borders.

Holding the “triple crown” accreditation, a mark of excellence reserved for a select few business schools, NUBS has a curriculum emphasising digital fluency and entrepreneurial development. Students gain practical experience through competitions and programmes partnered with other institutions.

Nottingham offers a diverse range of programmes, including BSc Finance, Accounting and Management, BSc International Management, MSc Financial Technology, MSc Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management, MSc Banking and Finance, and MSc Management. Regardless of your chosen programme, you’ll be taught by experts, exposed to relevant research, and benefit from the involvement of experienced business leaders.

“Following completing my second year, I have been a business associate intern for SAP, as a project manager and data analyst. The challenging transition from university to workplace can be difficult to manage but there are ways in which you can make the process smoother, such as going into this experience with an open mind and a willingness to adapt,” says Matthew Thompson, a BSc Management graduate. 

“By taking advantage of advice offered by the university, as well as from your team and colleagues around you, you can feel better prepared for this change, especially when there are many unknowns.”

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