Business Degrees
Thinking of taking a business degree at university? A business degree is one of the most popular degrees in the UK. A great way to equip yourself with a variety of transferable skills, a business degree opens up lots of exciting new career opportunities for you in a world that is increasingly led by organisations on the lookout for bright young things to help deal with a challenging economic climate.
Studying Business
Learning all about a business degree helps you to make the best decision so that you know exactly what you’re getting into. In this article, we’ll take a look at entry requirements, the topics covered in a business degree, the best universities at which to study, as well as your future options once you have completed your studies.
What Is A Business Degree?
Business degree is an umbrella term as there are many different types of business degrees. Think of it like this: Pretty much every single thing you've ever bought or wanted to buy has an entire industry devoted to it. Within each industry are numerous business functions. As a result, there are a wide range of areas to specialise in within business, which means a variety of business degrees open to you.
With so many options available, it's important to research your choice thoroughly before you apply. You need to find a degree that works best for your interests, and you also need to factor in your future career aspirations while making your choice. Below is a list of some of the most popular types of business degrees:
- Accounting
- Advertising
- Business Management
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Healthcare Management
- Marketing
All business degrees typically last for three years, but some last for four.
Topics Covered
The exact topics covered in a business degree will be dependent on the specific degree you’ve chosen. Usually, modules will begin with a focus on central business principles, before narrowing things down so that you can focus on a specialisation.
Business degrees vary in their scope, some cover a broad spectrum of business topics, whilst others focus keenly on a specific topic within business. Topics you should expect your degree to cover include:
- Economics
- Sociology
- Finance
- Accounting
- Politics
- Marketing
- Sales
The reason for the variety of topics covered in a business degree is because business rarely works in isolation. By understanding the factors that influence business decisions - such as economics and marketing strategy - you will gain a better insight into commercial behaviour.
Entry Requirements
You’ll be expected to possess grade B or its equivalent in English and Mathematics, while offers are usually made to students who have AAA/A*AB A-Levels with specified grades.
Career Prospects
After you graduate, you could pursue a one to two-year master's degree in business, or you could dive into the world of work. Business careers are available in nearly every sector you can possibly think of. Businesses worldwide always require strong management, leaders and decision-makers who can help to grow an organisation.
A business degree makes it possible for you to explore a career in the financial sector, the banking sector, marketing, farming & agriculture, media or even the fashion industry..
Aside from corporate roles, you might also want to consider starting your own business, or establish yourself as a business consultant, where you would provide expert advice to businesses in areas of your knowledge. For those who wish to become business leaders, some business graduates go on to study a Masters of Business Administration (MBA), which gives student the skills to go out and lead in their chosen field of business.
It's worth noting that business related degrees were reported to be one of the most employable subject areas in 2016. The destination of leavers from higher education survey reported that 88% of graduates were placed in further education or full time employment within 6 months of completing their degree, with an average salary of £22,500. You can find out more about the most employable degrees with our article: Top 10 Most Employable Degrees