Business degrees are one of the most popular options for undergraduate students in the UK and the number of people choosing to study this subject continues to grow. By providing students with employability skills and the essential knowledge necessary to succeed in the professional world, business degrees are viewed as a prudent study option for securing future employment. Read on to find out more about studying business, and if this path is right for you.
By Grant Longstaff. Published 2 May 2023.
What is a business degree?
A business degree will develop a range of fundamental skills necessary for many working environments. A good business degree will cover many essential topics, from accounting and administration to HR, management, and marketing, and leave you with a great foundation on which to build your career, regardless of the sector in which you hope to work.
Choosing a business degree
There are many different business degrees, so it can help to explore exactly what a course is offering before you make your final decision. If you’re unsure about your future goals, then consider the BSc Business Management, a versatile degree which will cover everything you need to succeed in the world of work.
That said, if there’s a particular area of business you would like to move into, you’ll likely find a business degree specialising in such an area with modules tailored to your goals. For instance, if promotion and campaign management are more your thing, then you could consider the BSc Business Management with Marketing.
When it comes to choosing a course, you should also consider the other benefits offered by the university or course provider. For example, business students at the University of Law will have the choice to complete an optional placement year, and the opportunity to gain an additional Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
Career options with a business degree
One of the most appealing aspects of a business degree for students is the wide-ranging career options available to graduates. Whether you want to work in a global corporation, a local authority, a charity, or a new tech start up, the hard skills you’ll gain during your studies will be desirable to many employers across many fields. You’ll gain knowledge of organisational structure and operation, administration and leadership know-how, financing and economic methods, and data analysis. For a selection of ideas on where a business degree could lead, take a look at our Career Finder pages.
It’s also worth considering the soft skills you’ll develop – which can be useful in any workplace, not just a business environment – such as your written and verbal communication, presentation skills, time and project management strategies, problem solving and decision making.
It is however worth noting a business degree may not be essential for many roles. That said, graduate labour market statistics provided by the UK Government suggest “graduates and postgraduates continue to have higher employment rates than non-graduates” and appear to earn significantly more than non-graduates. So, whilst a degree isn’t a guarantee of employment or a higher salary, it certainly can have a positive impact on your prospects.
In conclusion, think about your long term goals and what you want to achieve, take time to research courses and find the one which best suits you and your needs, and examine how what you’ll learn will help you develop and grow. Remember, there is ultimately only one person who can decide if a business degree is worth it, and that’s you.
Explore our range of undergraduate business degrees and take your first step towards becoming a business professional of tomorrow.
