Business Management Pathways in the UK

The way a business is run is very important, as it can be make or break. If a business does not have effective management, it cannot perform at its best. Management is required across all departments, including marketing, human resources and accounting. A degree in business management will provide you with the skills to efficiently lead an organisation, no matter the size. You will develop skills in monitoring performance, activities and employees, as well as planning for all aspects of business.

An undergraduate degree will give you a good foundation knowledge of business management. You will cover a wide range of topics, such as finance, economics, accounting, organisational management, human resources and marketing. Key business issues and principles will be established during the course of the programme.

Your business management degree will be taught mainly through lectures and seminars. You may be given opportunities to participate in group projects, allowing you an insight into how business projects can be structured. Some universities may offer an optional module in a placement, but this will depend on your specific course.

Depending on where you choose to study, you may be able to specialise towards the end of your degree. This specialisation has the possibility of helping you choose your future career path. Common specialisations include:

• International Business
• Human Resource Management
• Advertising
• Business Administration
• Project Management
• Entrepreneurship

If your degree requires you to write a dissertation, this will give you an opportunity to further research a chosen area of business management.

The award you gain upon completion of your degree will depend on where you choose to study, as well as your specific course. You can typically expect to gain either a Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of the Arts. Some universities may award specialist degree titles, such as Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or Bachelor of Business (BBus). This is usually influenced by the content of the course, as well as the country in which you study, as different countries have different accreditation systems for their universities.

Some business management degrees may also be accredited by a separate organisation, for example, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) in the UK. This accreditation is not currently a necessity for employment in business management.

An undergraduate degree in business management will typically take three to four years. Foundation degrees, diplomas and certificates can last up to two years when studied full-time.

On successful completion of your undergraduate degree, you can either choose to seek employment in your chosen field, or further your studies. Continuation of your studies could come in the form of a postgraduate degree, such as a masters or PhD, or a graduate diploma or certificate.

Business management graduates will find that they are in high demand across most sectors. All businesses need good management to function properly and perform well, and whilst it is possible to learn the skills through experience, and work experience is important, a degree will give you a head start. It is likely that you will be able to find a management job in a field that you have an interest in, whatever that may be.

The skills you gain throughout your degree will mean that you would be an asset to any sector or field, even if you choose to go into a non-managerial position. Other popular positions include human resources officer, consultant, and analyst, as well as self-employed business owner. You will have skills such as problem solving, oral and written communication, analytical thinking and project planning and management.