How UK business schools produce adaptable leaders for the digital economy

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15 Sep 2020

How UK business schools produce adaptable leaders for the digital economy — Source: Shutterstock

When billionaire investor George Soros said, “Markets are constantly in a state of uncertainty and flux, and money is made by discounting the obvious and betting on the unexpected,” he had no way to know the global state in 2020. Yet, these words ring as true as ever today; risk-taking is not just admirable but required to be a successful business leader in this digital economy. Spurred by this knowledge, UK business schools are evolving fast to equip postgraduate students for volatile markets.

Building on the success of this generation’s tech success stories, future business leaders are striving to develop a digital-savviness that empowers them to weather through any climate. Business schools can bridge the gap between this aspiration and reality with focused programmes for every type of learner and entrepreneur.

Though he built his wealth in the US, Soros himself is the product of a historic UK university. Every year, aspiring C-suite executives come from all over the world to benefit from the vast resources and rich networks in place here. If this sounds like a future you’d like to pursue, take your pick from these four UK business schools leading the way with relevant postgraduate programmes for the digital age.

LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE

It is the department that ranks second in the world for social sciences and management (QS World University Rankings 2020) and first in the UK for research in business and management studies (REF 2014). What does the LSE Department of Management offer that other business schools don’t? What makes it a world-leading centre for research and education in this field?

Source: LSE, Department of Management

The “LSE advantage” lies in the combination of its trademark social science tradition of academic rigour with practical exposure and valuable networking opportunities. Armed with this, and one of its reputed postgraduate degrees, LSE students typically launch successful careers in this industry and beyond.

This includes the Master’s in Management, an intensive one-year programme designed to shape any ambitious leader into an insightful, analytical and strategic manager. Besides that, you can consider specialised expertise courses like the MSc Management & Strategy. This course helps students develop analytical and critical skills by diving deep into managerial economics theory and techniques.

There’s also the Executive Global Master’s in Management, a cutting-edge programme that takes a fresh approach to the traditional MBA curriculum. Students explore the socio-economic and geo-political forces impacting business, sharpening their intellectual tools to secure a career upgrade.

No matter what they pursue, every business student benefits from the school’s location in the heart of London. They become a part of the rich academic and business communities, where they cross paths with people and organisations that become key players on their personal entrepreneurial journey. Find out more here.

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

At the University of Edinburgh Business School, each of the 14 master’s programmes aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills in demand not just today, but in the future. Whether it’s business analytics or international human resource management, you will be able to hone in on your expertise while soaking up the B-school experience of a lifetime.

It helps that the school is a melting pot of 83 nationalities of various cultures. This brings a global experience right to the UK, which prepares graduates for a career anywhere in the world.

Source: University of Edinburgh Business School

You are encouraged to participate in discipline-based research not only as an academic pursuit, but to engage your peers, corporations, and community. Combined with the rigours of classes and projects, this helps students form important insights and perspectives into the world of business. If you need career guidance, the Business School’s Student Development Team will work with the university’s award-winning careers service team to lend informed opinions.

As far as industry experience goes, students will have the opportunity to establish valuable connections with companies from a myriad sectors through research projects. Interactions such as these help students form meaningful connections here in Scotland’s historic capital city.

UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL

The University of Bristol School of Management promises a mix of high-quality teaching and an international environment consisting of entrepreneurial minds from 120 countries.

In the words of Professor of Marketing in the Department of Management Agnes Nairn, “There’s a real community of academics who are serious about research that makes a difference at our School – delivering first-class education to students and working collaboratively towards answers to some of today’s big questions.” Research interests include gender equality, sustainability, and international business management.

Choose from one of the taught master’s programmes, which includes MSc Management with a focus on entrepreneurship, international business, marketing, or operations and project management. You can even choose to do the MSc Strategy, Change and Leadership part-time.

Since the university is one of the top UK business schools targeted by leading UK graduate employers, you will have options in charting your path to a fulfilling career. As for its digital edge? The University of Bristol is fast growing into a digital innovation hub at Temple Quarter, which brings about greater opportunities for learning, collaboration, and exploration.

Source: University of Bristol, School of Management

UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK

It’s no secret that Warwick Business School graduates go on to seize their own success. Sophie Thompson founded a virtual reality business, 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.

Here is a business 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.

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