Choosing the right business degree

A university lecture

Looking at studying business? Here’s what a strong course should offer you

Business is a popular subject and there are plenty of degree programmes out there to choose from. So how do you know which ones are going to be worth it? 

1. A well-rounded curriculum

'Business' is a pretty vague term, really, and it needs to be: it covers anything from huge pan-global investment banks, to giant retailers, to corporations who own the companies who own the companies who sell us the stuff we like. It also covers setting up an Etsy store and making money from whimsical unicorn rice sculptures.

A good business degree will set you up with the knowledge to help any of those operations (and many more) be successful, touching on marketing, economics, accountancy and more. Maybe not how to actually make the unicorn rice sculptures, though.

2. Knowledge that works outside of the classroom

Theory is all well and good, but businesses operate out in the wild world, so a good degree programme will help you make the connection between the two. 

Sandra Pereira is a lecturer “The link between what we teach and the so-called 'real world' is always on our minds,” she says. A well-rounded business course won't focus solely on theory – it will have you digging into case studies of actual businesses and assignments that involve number-crunching of real datasets. 

As you go deeper into your degree course, you can expect to be exploring the challenges of major businesses such as Facebook, Sports Direct and Ryanair.

3. Imaginative teaching

There’s a lot to learn on any business course - and absorbing that information is a lot easier if you’re being taught in an interesting way. So, when you’re choosing a course, look for innovative teaching and evidence that students are having a good time (this is where open days can be invaluable).

Lectures have their place, of course, but mixing it up with guest speakers who are currently working in the business world can make a course more engaging.

Look also for how any course keeps things fresh with time away from the lecture hall; hands-on activities and peer-to-peer interactions can make a refreshing change from sitting in lectures or attending seminars. Some courses might also offer the chance to shadow real-life managers in their place of work – so you're literally learning on the job.

4. The chance to meet and learn from all kinds of people

You'll often find that your fellow students are some of your best teachers. Uni is a chance to meet people from all over the world, with backgrounds and world views that are very different to your own.

On a business course this can be particularly helpful, because businesses operate very differently around the world – so a diverse student body can give you some invaluable insights. 

5. Contacts with businesses

Industry contacts matter because a good uni will introduce you to people who can help you understand the real challenges their businesses are facing, so that you can start to see where the theory you're learning will come in handy.

You'll also be able to ask questions, sniff out internship opportunities and – just as importantly – get a feeling for the kinds of companies you like, and don't like.

Find out who comes to see students at the courses you're interested in – ideally you want to see big names as well as entrepreneurs from lots of different areas.

6. Credible qualifications

You'll hear a lot of business schools talking about 'accredited qualifications' and 'professional bodies'. A professional body is an organisation attached to a particular profession, like accountancy; or to a business discipline, like management. 

These bodies often help people develop their skills, and offer professional accreditation (or certification) to show that the qualifications they have are at a level the industry recognises.

In other words, a degree that's been accredited by a professional body such as the Chartered Institute for Personnel & Development (CIPD) is one that employers will have confidence in; which means you can, too.

7. Modern classrooms and equipment

If you're going to operate in the 21st century business world you're going to need more resources than dusty textbooks and draughty lecture halls.

An effective business school will incorporate tech into its daily life – look for libraries with all the wifi, e-books and a seamless virtual learning environment. 

Technology is increasingly 'baked in' to university courses – so you're learning in lots of different ways. Online lectures are no longer a necessity in the way they were during the pandemic, but there are still benefits to learning in a virtual world.

When lecture content is delivered online, it can allow more time for face-to-face seminar interaction. You might also find lectures are recorded, so you can watch them back later. That can be handy for understanding trickier concepts and for revising before assignments and exams.

A good school will also treat its students as people, not sardines to shout management theory at. Group workshops and small class sizes will help too, as you'll get more meaningful time with your tutors.

8. An environment that helps you develop

A good business degree will come with a good student experience: clubs, societies, sports facilities and anything else that will help you enjoy life beyond the classroom.

It should also come with a good attitude: one that expects you to think independently, but encourages you to get to know and work with your fellow students.

Skills like teamwork, time management, leadership and communication all come from that kind of environment, and are highly valued by employers.

Our partnership with Lancaster University Management School

Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) is one of the longest-established business schools in the UK and home to a thriving and truly international community. 

We are a triple-accredited research-intensive business school that combines world-class research with excellent teaching and high levels of student satisfaction. We welcome students and staff from more than 180 countries and have a presence in 24 countries, including campuses in China, Germany, Ghana and Malaysia.  

We challenge and support our creative staff, students and partners to realise their ambitions as they experience a transformational journey that leads to real impact on whole industries, societies and economies.  

Lancaster University is among the best in the UK, and has been the top university in the northwest of England for more than a decade.

To find out more, visit the Lancaster University Management School website.

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