Business schools contributing to the next generation of management leaders

There are many ways to become an influential person in the world of business. If you have a solution to a problem and you have the vision to start or add value to a company, you can make an impact. You can go at it alone, but successful folks would tell you there’s no better place to realise your aspirations than to get an advanced business degree.

And that’s because they’re more valuable today than ever. Business schools are interacting more with stakeholders, including regulators. This gives you the inside scoop to deal with ethical, legal and headline issues, from data privacy concerns to how to be eco-friendly as a company. There’s a greater emphasis on technology and sustainability too, which prepares you well to join the majority of companies globally which have digital and AI transformation and sustainability strategies underway, respectively.

Having specialised knowledge, skills and experience in these areas will set you apart from your peers, giving you an edge to lead teams in your current company, or to start your own venture. Below are four universities with master’s programmes that can turn you into an effective and efficient leader in a fast-shifting corporate landscape:

University of Derby

Can a business school be welcoming, supportive, and inclusive? Ask students of Derby Business School at the University of Derby and they would answer yes. There’s inspirational teaching and “very helpful and supportive” academics. At this university, awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework 2023, ranked Top 20 for teaching quality and Top 5 for course quality, students speak of “one big family feel.”

You need a community when you’re striving to realise big goals. At Derby, you’ll have that as you seize opportunities to turn theory into practice, supported by the University’s strong links with industry, including the Bank of England, Rolls-Royce, Lloyds, PwC, JCB, DHL and many legal companies. The city itself is filled with employers across the spectrum, from charities to councils, SMEs to major multinational firms and students benefit from studying within this thriving commercial environment – as many as 143 students have started a business or registered as a sole trader and 622 businesses were supported to employ an intern or a graduate.

Innovation and applied research are at the heart of the University of Derby and Derby Business School has researchers that are in the World-Ranking Top 2% Scientists list, created annually by Stanford University. They are applying their valuable research to build a stronger, safer and more sustainable future for everyone by focusing on the issues that matter today, such as low-carbon alternatives, data security, lean and green logistics and cultural equality, Students at Derby Business School have the opportunity to be part of that journey – helping to make a better world and a better future.

The campus will help you get the most from your studies. There are industry-standard classroom facilities to ensure you’re learning the latest techniques and skills aligned to industry needs now and in the future, and social, sports and study areas that provide everything you’ll need for your daily student life. It gets better for new students. Set to fully open in September 2025, the new net zero-carbon Derby Business School, equipped with superb state-of-the-art teaching facilities, is the first net zero business school outside of London. It will provide an outstanding learning environment where academics and students can come together and address environmental, social and governance issues, and benefit society at a global level.

When you’re not making the most of your time at this prime city centre location, you could hike, bike, or just simply gaze upon the natural beauty of Derby’s wide open spaces and Peak District. Over at Chatsworth House, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and filming location for Pride and Prejudice, you can marvel at its stunning gardens, extensive collections of paintings, furniture, Old Master drawings, neoclassical sculptures, and books.

Apply to Derby Business School today and start your journey to becoming a global game-changer.

Postgraduate programmes offered here include the Doctorate in Business Administration, MSc International Business and Finance, MSc International Business and Human Resource Management, MSc Human Resource Management,  MSc International Business and Marketing, MSc International Business, MRes Leadership and Management, MSc Management, Master of Business Administration (MBA), MSc Marketing Management, MSc Global Operations and Supply Chain Management, MSc Digital Marketing and MSc Sustainable and Ethical Business Management.

95% of Edinburgh Napier University Business School graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduation. Source: Edinburgh Napier University/Facebook

Edinburgh Napier University

Ranked by THE World University Rankings 2023 as the most modern university in Scotland, Edinburgh Napier University operates from a modern multi-campus equipped with purpose-built facilities and the latest technologies. Here, students are continuously challenged to think creatively and effectively solve problems, ensuring they excel in any business environment they choose to operate in. On-campus programmes are flexible, allowing them to focus on specialised areas and explore possibilities for a joint degree.

These programmes — that offer the latest business knowledge and theory with practical, real-world applications — are just what executives need to navigate tomorrow’s industries. For example, the Full-Time, Part-Time and online programmes are renowned for empowering students to think boldly and make an impact.

To aid students in learning, the university offers a dedicated careers team and a business start-up incubator to help students to achieve their professional goals. Known as the Bright Red Triangle, this incubator is perfect for innovative students who seek guidance to seize opportunities, refine their concepts, and kickstart their entrepreneurial ventures.

Accounting, Finance, Human Resource Management, Management, Management Information Systems, and Marketing are all the business-related fields that are available at the UCD Smurfit School. Source: University College Dublin

University College Dublin

The University College Dublin Smurfit School is Ireland’s leading business school offering postgraduate programmes that are experiential, transformational, and internationally recognised. The programmes are taught by academics from across the world. Ranked among the top 25 leading European Business Schools  according to the Financial Times, the school offers both master’s and doctoral degrees for students to further their careers in Accounting, Finance, Human Resource Management, Management, Management Information Systems, and Marketing.

The Smurfit MBA can be taken as a Full-Time (12 months) or Executive (24 months) programme, both of which explore opportunities to unlock and develop your leadership skills, accelerate your career, and build a global network.

Located in Blackrock, Dublin, students here can enjoy the unique benefits of Ireland’s largest university yet the intimacy of a dedicated campus. The school is just a short distance away from various attractions for students to explore. From the many castles and cathedrals to its nightlife, as well as culinary hotspots and beautiful parks, students will definitely find something to do in one of the most energised capital cities in all of Europe.

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