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You’re ambitious, career-focused and you’re not afraid to work hard to get what you want. A business degree can help push you in the right direction. Whether you want to be your own boss or an integral part of a winning team, studying business at university gives you the tools to apply successful business know-how to almost any sector.

 

What are Business Studies and Business Management?

Business studies, business management and other associated programmes all refer to the organising, planning, and analysing of business activities. Most of these programmes aim to explore how to manage and run a business efficiently.

Most sectors, industries and organisations are related to business in some way so it’s no surprise that there’s lots of variety when it comes to business related to degrees.

Studying business generally through degrees like Business and Management and Global Business Management can give you a great foundation for your future, offering a broad discovery of all things relevant to the industry. Whereas, choosing to study a specialist business programme like Finance and Investment Management, Economics or Entrepreneurship allows you to become an expert in more niche aspects of a business.

 

What are the benefits of studying Business?

Relevant, practical skills from leadership to data analysis, accounting and finance to marketing.

Studying business courses could give you a good foundation in topics like marketing, finance, data and reporting, and management. Theory can only get you so far, which is why business at Northumbria University champions practical and transformative skills alongside business fundamentals.

  • Learn how to become a problem solver; solution-oriented, logical and analytical.
  • Become a great communicator; adaptable, authentic and engaging.
  • Grow to be a leader; motivate others, be entrepreneurial, and confident.
  • Whether you pursue a future in business or not these skills stay relevant and empowering.

Real-world application to prepare for work in business settings

Access to relevant, varied, and cutting-edge case studies will deepen your understanding of business theory and you’ll get to know the ins and outs of multinational corporations, regional/local SMEs, as well as public and not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises.

When you study business at university you’ll learn about developments in global business as they’re happening. So, your degree will stay fresh ensuring you graduate at the forefront of progress.

Level up your experience even more by accessing industry placements and study abroad opportunities, showcasing you and your skills in front of people who matter to you.

With a business landscape that’s ever-evolving, access to this type of practical learning means that when it comes to your career, you’ll be ready for anything.

Versatility in business disciplines 

There aren’t many degrees that will give you the tools to excel in almost any area. With a business degree, you’ll develop a versatile knowledge of a number of disciplines. When thinking about your future this gives you a variety of options.

A degree in business could touch upon elements of management, accounting and finance, marketing, sociology, economics, law, international relations, computing, politics and more. An understanding across the board gives you the chance to explore what you enjoy as you learn how these disciplines work together.

Earning potential with a business degree (i.e., management, accounting, marketing)

As the economy and business landscape continue to grow and diversify globally there continues to be a strong need for business professionals.

Popular destination sectors for business graduates include marketing, consultancy, banking, accounting and insurance- all of which continue to show a higher than average* graduate salary (*August 2022 via graduate-jobs.com).

A business degree won’t guarantee you a high-paying job, but it will certainly give you the skills and experience to find opportunities you might not have found before.

In the United Kingdom, the average salary for a business manager is £38,622 (August 2022 via Indeed).

 

 

What course options are there to study Business? 

 

When looking into studying business or management studies you'll fine a variety of programme lengths, course types, qualifications and locations - there’s bound to be something to pique your interest.

 

 

At Northumbria you’ll find a wide range of business related degrees across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. As well as traditional business management, accounting and finance or marketing degrees Northumbria also offers hybrid courses which combine these elements.

 

Ready to learn more? Explore our Undergraduate Business Courses and Postgraduate Business Courses

 

 


What career prospects does Business offer?

Completing a business degree with good grades can make you employable, that’s no secret. You might be wondering ‘What can I do with a business degree?’. We want to support you to land your dream career, whatever that looks like for you.

The job prospects after a business degree are diverse, your dream career might look something like…

  • Data Scientist
  • Sustainability Business Manager
  • Stockbroker
  • Investment Banker
  • Forensic Accountant
  • Risk Manager
  • Entrepreneur
  • Accounting and Finance
  • Retail Manager
  • HR Manager
  • Management Consultant

A business degree gives you a great knowledge base if you want your career path to be a bit more unique, too. Entrepreneurship is a popular option for specialised study within a business degree if you want to grow your side hustle into a successful and gratifying career.

A degree in business provides a solid foundation for professional development whether you want to be your own boss or excel within a team.

 

What qualifications do you need to study Business?

Undergraduate Requirements

Everything below is true of most undergraduate business programmes at Northumbria, be sure to check the course page for your specific degree to check for additional requirements.

120 UCAS Tariff points from a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate. Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator.

Subject Requirements

There are no specific subject requirements for this course.

GCSE Requirements

Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or equivalents.

UG International Qualifications:

If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need from our country pages.

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section.

Postgraduate Requirements

Postgraduate applicants should normally have a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree or equivalent, or substantial experience of working in a business organisation.

Be sure to check your specific course of interest for any additional requirements.

PG International qualifications

If you have studied a non-UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages.

 

English Language requirements

 

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

 

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section.

 

 

Why choose Northumbria University for Business, Marketing or Accounting and Finance?

 

All business degrees at Northumbria University are delivered by the Newcastle Business school which boasts a global reputation for delivering some of the best business management education in the UK. But what does that mean for you?

 

We’re proud that all our programmes are research-informed, and prouder still that our research is categorised as powerful and impactful.

 

 

 

Facilities

 

Newcastle Business School has everything you’d expect from a globally-recognised business school.

 

Our purpose designed academic space contains exceptional classrooms, lecture theatres, IT labs, postgraduate suite, social spaces, exhibition spaces and more.

 

The corporate hub is a great space where we work with businesses and partners.

 

 

Northumbria lecture theatre with text "Your learning spaces, virtual tour"

A Global Community

Over 40 international exchange partnerships and vast international business networks

A diverse and supportive attitude to studying, teaching and research

Programmes are developed and delivered by internationally significant, research-engaged academics and highly experienced business practitioners

High Rankings

9th in the UK for research power in Business and Management (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

We’re proud that all our programmes are research-informed, and prouder still that our research is categorised as powerful and impactful. 

 

Ready to find out more? Explore business courses at Northumbria

 

FAQs

Are business degrees worth it?

Like with most degrees, whether your chosen degree is worth it really depends on your aspirations and expectations. If you’re looking to start a career in business, become your own boss or improve your business foundations then a business degree could absolutely be worth it. A good result in a business degree, with relevant experience and practical applications, could increase your job prospects, and earning potential, and be a huge investment in your career and future.

What jobs can you get with a business degree?

Common job areas for people graduating with an Undergraduate degree or Masters in business include:

Business Development Manager

Accounting and Finance

Stockbroker

Investment Banker

Insurance Broker

Risk Manager

Project Manager

Entrepreneur

Marketing

Executive

Retail Manager

HR Manager

Management Consultant

Does a business, accounting and finance or marketing degree guarantee a high wage?

A good result in your business degree along with relevant theoretical and practical experience can certainly make you an attractive candidate in a competitive business landscape. The average starting salary for business graduates is £26,000 (September 2022 via Talent.com), and the experience and knowledge you’ll gain with a business degree can help elevate your graduate and lifetime earning potential.

How will I be assessed?

Depending on which degree you choose your assessment may differ slightly. You should take a look at your specific programme of interest for more details.

In general, there’s a range of assessment types including traditional lectures and seminars, webinars, problem-based workshops, case discussions, practical activities, group work and tutorials. To help you develop your independent learning skills, you’ll also complete directed tasks – assignments you undertake in your own time.

What sort of things do you cover in Business degrees?

Business degrees tend to cross a broad spectrum of degree subjects, from accounting, marketing, human resources, and economics right through to sustainable business practices, fashion-related business organisation and mass communications.

Within your chosen degree there’s variety too, with most degrees offering a range of core subjects to give you a good overall knowledge of business fundamentals. You’ll also complete a mix of modules on topics like accounting, management, finance, marketing, sociology, economics, law, international relations, computing, politics and more depending on your chosen degree. An understanding across the board gives you the chance to explore as you learn how these disciplines work together. Be sure to take a look at the module overview section of the degree you’re interested in.

 

Please Note

 

All content is accurate as of the time of writing, the information in this guide is subject to change and will be updated as required to reflect this.

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