Top British business programmes for international students

It was the news that got everyone talking, and every international student asking how is this going to affect my education?

Yes, we’re talking about Brexit, because the UK’s decision to leave the European Union (EU) will affect prospective international students planning to study in the UK. And as the atmosphere surrounding this topic remains baffled and uncertain, it’s easy for the student population to get swept up in the hype. With the festive season in now in full-swing, it’s fair to say that we already have a lot on our plates – so allow us to take a giant load off; take a weight off your shoulders and rest assured that UK universities have absolutely no intention of preventing student applicants coming from overseas.

In fact, several well-known institutions have made a point to show that the Brexit results in no way reflect the perspective of UK universities, whose fundamental mission – aside from providing world-class education – is to promote diversity and maintain multiculturalism. According to Top Universities, more than 100 academic institutions and organisations have participated in a #WeAreInternational campaign, seeking to reassure foreign students and academics that they’ll be welcomed with open arms.

“We must redouble our efforts to promote the values of diversity, tolerance and freedom of speech that make British universities the envy of the world,” says Dame Julia Goodfellow, President of Universities UK. She adds, “We are best when we are outward looking, globally networked and welcoming to the world.”

Image courtesy of the University of Bath

Although there are reports of “periods of uncertainty” in UK higher education, Jeremy Cooper, Managing Director of Hobsons says, “International students still represent a significant strategic opportunity for UK universities.”

And with non-EU students contributing £4.2 billion in tuition fees last year, accounting for an eighth of total UK university revenues, these institutions understand the value of the international student market, who help boost business within higher education and contribute significantly to the economy as a whole.

When it comes to the subject of business, UK universities are still one of the most popular choices among international students. Although business and management degrees can be more costly than others, business studies graduates are among those most likely to be employed within three months of graduation, according to figures reported by The Independent.

But it’s also important for any prospective student to search for a university that offers more than just academic excellence. What separates a good business school from a great one is more than just the programmes offered; a good university should also boast professional practice and strong industry links, on top on an inspiring vision and the ability to provide unparalleled internship opportunities.

For example, the Management School at the University of Liverpool seeks to nurture student talent alongside providing a solid education. “We provide an outstanding, inclusive student experience which enhances employability and inspires our students to become socially responsible citizens,” says Professor Julia Balogun, Director of the University of Liverpool Management School (ULMS). “We achieve this by fostering a friendly, supportive culture and a collegiate, socially-responsible community of scholarship which values integrity, diversity and equal opportunity.”

Despite the rise of new subjects in varying fields, a business degree such as a MBA programme is still one of the most popular degrees chosen by students around the world, according to The Economist.

If you’re keen to further your studies at a UK university but aren’t sure who’s providing the best international student opportunities, we’ve listed the specialist UK business schools who are opening doors for students and providing much more than a globally-recognised degree…

MANAGEMENT SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL

Image courtesy of the University of Liverpool

It’s important to join a school that aspires to great things, and with the Management School at the University of Liverpool, you know that you’ll get just this. At Liverpool, which is a member of the prestigious Russell Group, staff strive to ensure all that graduates leave as highly employable, creative and culturally rich individuals.

Liverpool’s Management School is ranked within the top five percent of business schools worldwide, and is also one of the few institutions to be AACSB Accredited, the highest achievement for any business-focused academic institution. Students get to choose from a fantastic range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes covering key subjects, including economics, marketing, finance, operations, e-business and organisational behaviour.

Alongside the academic programme, students will have access to specialist careers support and resources. The Management School’s dedicated careers team offer a flexible and responsive service which includes one to one interviews, an online careers portal and tailored webinars and workshops designed to help you excel in a competitive employment market.

The Management School’s links to industry enables students to enhance their employability through networking events industry visits to leading employers. Some programmes are able to offer work based projects, providing an opportunity to apply theory to practice by collaborating on group consultancy projects in a hand-on working environment.

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, UNIVERSITY OF BATH

Ranked number one and two, respectively, for its marketing, and accounting and finance degrees by the Complete University Guide 2017, Bath School of Management’s academic programmes and research are known to be among the best in the UK. Not only does the school aim to give students a thorough business education, it also produces the best business graduates and inspires the great business leaders of tomorrow.

The School of Management offers a range of business-focused degrees, including undergraduate, postgraduate, post-experience MBA, research degrees and part-time courses.

Students who apply to Bath’s undergraduate programmes get the chance to pursue a valuable work placement in the UK. If you choose to study a BSc (Hons) Business Administration degree, for example, you will partake in two six-month placements in two distinct company environments. To find out more about how you can find a placement to sharpen your skills, click here.

BIRMINGHAM BUSINESS SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

Image courtesy of the University of Birmingham

Choosing the right school in which to further your education is a big step, and one that requires a lot of time and research. But if you happen to hold research efforts in high regard, this could be the ideal school for you. The Birmingham Business School is a research-led, multidisciplinary business school that’s keen to develop a new generation of global entrepreneurs.

As one of the schools that has a triple-crown (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) accreditation, the establishment joins an elite group of global schools that consistently delivers world-class teaching and research. The school currently offers a wealth of high-quality programmes, including undergraduate, postgraduate, The Birmingham MBA, and doctoral research degrees. The school understands the need to be current, hence why their programmes are developed in response to the changing economic, commercial, and complex financial environments.

WESTMINSTER BUSINESS SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER

In the heart of the city lies the Westminster Business School, attracting students and academics from more than 150 countries, which makes it one of the UK’s most diverse education hubs. The school, which is known for producing teaching and research of outstanding quality, specialises in the following areas: accounting, finance and economics, business and management, human resources management – HRM, marketing, and education.

It currently offers a portfolio of Bachelor’s, Master’s and MBA degrees, as well as a number of professional short courses. Students who are keen to undertake internships and placements to strengthen their CV’s will be pleased to know that Westminster has strong industry links. Located opposite Baker Street tube station, the school provides a heap of unrivalled facilities, including 24-hour access to the library, a café, a bookshop and a large suite of IT laboratories. In addition to this, students have access to the Bloomberg Financial Markets Suite, instilling them with real-world, relevant experience long before they graduate.

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

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