Kickstart your career in business with a degree from one of these leading UK universities

A business degree is empowering. By giving us a strong foundation in accounting, marketing, economics and more, it grounds us in the key skills to contribute to the defining issues of our generation. From bringing emissions down and making companies more diverse to spearheading the use of recycled materials and exploring the impact of macroeconomics in developing countries, a business degree arms us with a wide range of knowledge applicable to many industries. 

Along the way, it boosts our critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving and communication know-how. Pair this with enviable networking opportunities, plus a light grasp of second or third languages, and hands-on opportunities, and students can learn just as much outside the classroom as they do inside it. Combined, it’s a package that sets us up not just for our chosen career, but the plural form of it: careers.

Whether it’s to bring your startup to life or join some of the most prestigious organistions in the world, the best business degrees ensure students evolve into employable graduates, equipped to realise their aspirations, whatever that may be. 

Lancaster University Management School is one of an elite group triple accredited schools in the world. Source: Lancaster University Management School

Lancaster University Management School

Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) is a top 10 UK business school, and ranked 54th in Europe. This triple accredited school — one of an elite group of triple crown business schools with accreditation from AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA — is vibrant, with a multicultural community of students from more than 150 countries based on a lush parkland campus in the heart of England.

One of the main reasons students flock to LUMS is their award-winning  Careers service. Twice winner of the Abintegro Employability Index Award, the service offers in-person, telephone and video appointments, CV writing and interview workshops, and events where you can meet employers and learn about their recruitment processes.

Among the many programmes delivered by their world-leading researchers,  highlights include the degrees delivered in Economics and Accounting and Finance, both of which are drivers for future careers.

Many of the school’s degrees offer a placement year in industry, which can be beneficial to enhancing your skillset and boosting your employment chances after graduation. The industry placement for BSc Accounting, for instance, is a 12-month stint in the third year of a four-year degree, with previous students working with a large range of leading local, national and multinational employers, such as KPMG, Deloitte and PwC.

Naturally, competition for these placements is fierce, but students are given assistance throughout all stages of their application. “The university has strong partnerships with many different businesses, and you will have the opportunity to network with the representatives during numerous career fairs,” says Paula, Accounting and Finance BSc graduate. “I was lucky enough to do my placement year at Ernst & Young (EY).”

The value of the placements and the careers service for students can be seen in Lancaster University Management School being ranked 15th in the UK for Graduate Prospects for Economics, according to The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2023).

Cambridge Judge Business School is ranked number one by Times Higher Education in the Business and Management Studies category.  Source: Cambridge Judge Business School

Cambridge Judge Business School

Cambridge Judge Business School’s (CJBS) biggest selling point is that it provides unrivalled opportunities for internal and external networking. As a world-renowned research facility, the school has ties with the local business community. Located in the Cambridge Cluster or Silicon Fen — known as the most successful technology cluster in Europe and the world — the University of Cambridge has developed connections with over 1,600 firms employing more than 30,000 people. 

Not only does this give graduates unfettered access to numerous networking opportunities, students may also access business support like Accelerate Cambridge, which supports the students and faculty in the creation of new ventures, and Cambridge Enterprise, the university’s technology commercialisation company.

These features pair well with its prestigious business degrees. Since its inception in 1990, the school has built a reputation as a centre of rigorous and high-impact thinking and transformative education. CJBS is ranked number one by Times Higher Education in the Business and Management Studies category, and 94% of Cambridge’s overall submissions have been rated as “world leading’ or “internationally excellent” within REF 2021’s Business and Management Studies unit of assessment.

Birmingham Business School is located in the university’s oldest building. 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. The BSc Business Management degree exemplifies this best. 

Ranked 19th in the Complete University Guide (Complete University Guide, 2024), this programme is constantly updated to reflect the changing world of business. “Birmingham Business School has allowed me to both discover and enhance my skills set … This has included communication and interpersonal skills, through the group modules of my degree. Equally important, my written and oral skills have been enhanced, through individual presentations and assignments,” says student Sadia Rahman.

Durham University’s Business boasts a world-class faculty and is supported by international-quality research. School Source: Durham University’s Business School

Durham University’s Business School

Durham University’s Business School (DUBS) — one of the UK’s best institutions — is well-known for its impressive repertoire of academic excellence, outstanding research resources and successful graduates. The international triple accredited business school was founded in 1965, making it the UK’s longest established business schools.

Because of its small city location, students are just a mere walk away from everywhere they need to be. There are many breathtaking ancient buildings around campus worth pausing for, including an 11th-century castle that was once a movie set for the Harry Potter series and is currently being used as student accommodation.

An undergraduate degree here sets you apart. Defined by rigorous curriculum and exceptional teaching, this is where you’ll build world-class foundations for graduate employment or further study. By learning from expert faculty members and guest speakers, as well as through hands-on work placements and international study opportunitie, this is where you’ll get a taste of real business too. Programmes offered include the BA Business and Management, BA Marketing and Management, BSc Accounting and BA Economics — with placement and study abroad options available.

What sets DUBS apart is its partnership status with the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA). As the CFA is the world’s premier association for investment professionals and the accepted benchmark for technical excellence in financial markets, students are highly sought-after by many employers globally. They are guaranteed an education of the highest standards and are able to participate in the CFA Global Investment Research Challenge and CFA employer network events and scholarships.

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