Business-related courses top the list of the UK’s most popular degrees. Offered at over 300 UK HE providers it can be studied in nearly 6,000 permutations!
In 2015 alone, there were just under 300,000 applications to study Business related degrees. As of 2016/17, it was reported that over 120,000 international students were studying on a Business & Administrative course, which makes this way by far and away the most popular course for foreign students in UK.
So why is this subject so popular? A business degree is broad-based and flexible; it can be combined with a number of other disciplines, such as Law, Accountancy, Marketing, a language or IT to equip graduates with a transferable skill set that enables them to work in a wide range of organisations and in many different specialties.
Course Content
Although these degrees come under a number of headings, Business Studies, Business Management, Management Science etc, all business related degrees explore the core areas required to run a business. Most degrees will include elements of accounting and financial analysis, units on organisational behaviour and ethics and an introduction to marketing and business law.
There will be opportunities to develop specialities within the degree such as project management, consumer behaviour, human resources and event management. Some courses will take a more theoretical approach covering economics, politics and sociology whilst others will be more applied, looking at specific business functions such as finance, logistics and marketing using real life case studies.
Most universities offer the option of a one year industry placement, which can be an invaluable way of putting the theory into practice and making useful connections for the future.
Fees & Entry Requirements
Home status fees £9,000
International fees £14,000 – £17,000
The entry requirements for business studies at university level vary from 200 to 500 UCAS points. More than half the institutions in the top 100 providers are modern universities and many of the courses include a year in industry. It is essential to have Maths and English GCSE’s but there are no specific subject combinations required for A-Level or IB, although it can be helpful to have Maths, Economics or Business studies.
Career Prospects
Many courses also develop soft skills such as leadership, communication, presentation skills and team work. This helps Business graduates become “work-ready”, putting them in a strong position for potential employment. Many graduates proceed into HR, Marketing, Management Consultancy, Finance and Banking.
Top 5 UK Universities
Top reasons to study business:
- Access to a practical degree where you can gain transferable skills across a range of business disciplines.
- Some degrees focus on entrepreneurship and innovation teaching you how to set up your own business.
- The degree offers a varied programme and course content, with opportunities to ‘curate’ your own degree.
- Opportunity to spend a year in industry, putting into practice the theory you have learnt and enhance employability prospects.
- Some courses have part of a professional qualification embedded in the course such as CIMA or CFA.
In conclusion, studying business and management at university is a great a way to develop not only an understanding of the business environment but also the soft skills that are in high demand with employers. Plus, the degree is offered at a wide range of universities and some of the best programmes are at universities with lower entry requirements, recognising that business needs more than academics it also needs practical understanding and soft skills. If you are considering studying business and management and want further advice, get in touch with one of our higher education consultants today.
