Amidst the current “Golden Era of Entrepreneurship”, a business degree is invaluable for students who want to get ahead of their competition before they embark on their entrepreneurship journey. But business programs aren’t solely for students with startup goals – those who want to pursue a career in the corporate setting can hugely benefit from them as well.
In a rapidly evolving business world, a business degree provides students with the skills, tools and knowledge necessary to succeed in today’s global economy. And this kind of degree is most sought-after in the UK and EU.
A recent survey of 3,000 faculty, professional staff and students revealed that the UK is the preferred business school destination for 40% of respondents. The EU placed third at 26% after the US (35%).
“The UK has always been a popular destination, but recent factors lead to its number one position. The return of the two-year post-study work visa, the UK’s prominent Covid vaccination program, and its strong range of business schools have all contributed to its positive perception globally,” Andrew Crisp, author of the study, said.
The survey also showed students’ preferences when searching for potential business schools. Here are some interesting figures from the study:
- 31% of respondents said they looked for a school that allowed them to accelerate and transform their career prospects.
- 30% look for a school that promotes diverse career development paths.
- Over 25% of the respondents were seeking a business school that challenges world views by “combining innovative and critical thinking”.
- 30% said that the opportunity to study internationally was at the top of their wish list when searching for business schools.
Business schools in Europe are very reputable because they provide students with what they need while also offering an unforgettable and indispensable student experience. Here are some of the top reasons why aspiring business students should take their business degrees in the UK or EU:
1. They provide students with a strong foundation in business theory and practice.
Business degrees in the UK and EU are designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in all aspects of business – including finance, marketing, management and entrepreneurship. This broad scope of education gives students a well-rounded understanding of the business world, preparing them for a wide range of careers. This versatility is why we see business graduates pursuing roles in a myriad of industries from retail and manufacturing to healthcare and technology – practically anything they want.
2. They are known for their high quality and rigorous standards.
Business degrees in the UK and EU are recognised and respected by employers around the world. Business institutions in Europe ensure that students gain the full experience of their highly skilled faculty, cutting-edge research, state-of-the-art facilities and hands-on internships, making their graduates well-sought after by global companies. With a business degree from some of the world’s best universities and schools, students can be confident that they will learn the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their own business or chosen career paths.
3. They provide students with access to a rich and diverse business community.
Studying in Europe allows students to develop an international perspective on business. Apart from business practices, students learn all about the many cultural differences and economic trends from different countries. UK and EU business institutions also provide students with plenty of opportunities to network with professionals from everywhere in the world and gain a unique understanding of the global business landscape. They can meet business leaders, attend business events and conferences, and learn first-hand from the experiences of many successful entrepreneurs.
4. They open a plethora of international career opportunities for their students.
With their highly regarded business reputation and global reach, UK and EU universities are well-positioned to help students build careers in international business, opening up a world of opportunities for those looking to work in different countries and industries. They also offer international students a head start in gaining work experience while studying through part-time jobs (up to 20 hours a week) and summer jobs (full time during vacation periods).
5. The UK and EU are great places to pursue a career in entrepreneurship.
Startups have become all the rage in the business world as of late. In the US alone, the number of applications for starting a business broke records, increasing by 95% from July 2019 to July 2020 In the UK, the number of SMEs has grown by two million, or 59%, from 2000 to 2022. It’s no wonder then, that even Gen-Zers have been keen to join the startup frenzy and chase their entrepreneurship dreams.
According to data from WP Engine and the Center for Generational Kinetics, almost two-thirds (62%) of Gen Z indicated that they have started, or intend to start, their own business. This new generation of entrepreneurs have largely contributed to the “startup boom” happening today. So apart from the quality education that UK and EU institutions provide, studying business in these locations is ideal because of their thriving business and startup communities.
Forbes 30 Under 30 data shows that London is the best city in the world to be a young entrepreneur. Studying in a global startup hub like the UK, which is home to some of the world’s most innovative and dynamic businesses, will allow students to make valuable connections and build their entrepreneurship careers early on. These, along with their exposure to real-world business challenges, will help them stand out in today’s competitive startup market.
The best UK and EU institutions to take up a business degree
GSP has partnered with several universities and colleges in Europe that offer top-tier business degrees, fit for any international student wanting to transform their careers in business and in other fields of their choice.
Below is a list of GSP’s cream-of-the-crop partners in the UK and EU. They all have their strengths, so choosing the right institution boils down to the student’s specific needs and preferences.
1. IU International University of Applied Sciences
IU International University is a top-ranked private university in Bad Honnef, Germany. Founded in 1998, IU was the first German university to achieve a five-star QS rating, topping the ranks in program structure, technology, graduate employability and student-faculty engagement. A highly flexible and innovative university, IU also ranked in six out of 25 categories in the recent CHE University Ranking (2020-2022), which is the most category won out of over 300 institutions assessed. Their Business Administration field excelled in the categories of General Study Conditions, Contact with Lecturers, Study Programmes Offered, Examinations, Study Organisation, and Practical Orientation.
IU International University of Applied Sciences offers several business degrees, including bachelor’s degrees in Business & IT, Business Administration and Digital Business, and master’s degrees in Business & IT, Business Administration and Business Intelligence.
2. EU Business School
EU Business School Geneva is a top international business school in Europe. With its Online MBA ranked #1 in CEO Magazine’s Online Global Rankings for eight years (and running), EU Business School delivers outstanding on-campus and online business education taught by high-level academics, consultants, entrepreneurs and business leaders. EU’s innovative business programs are also delivered in English, to cater to its vastly multicultural student body of over a hundred nationalities.
EU Business School offers a wide selection of business programs that immerse its students in real-world business environments through company visits and guest speaker events. These programs include bachelor’s degrees in Business (Hons) in a variety of fields like Law, Cloud Computing, and Project Management; Business Administration; Digital Business, Design & Innovation; Business Finance; and Business Management (Hons) in various fields such as Marketing, Finance, HR Management, Enterprise, etc. They also have master’s degrees in Digital Business, Business Analytics & Data Science, Business Administration (MBA), and MBAs in Digital Business, Entrepreneurship, Design Management, and many more.
3. University of Dundee
Founded in 1881, the University of Dundee is a highly ranked university in Scotland, UK, recognised by the QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the Complete University Guide, Sunday Times University Guide, The Guardian, and many more. Ranked among the top 200 universities in the world for graduate employment rate, the University of Dundee is also given a five star rating by QS, emphasising the quality of the university. A strong advocate of equality, diversity and inclusion, the University of Dundee has also been awarded the Bronze mark of the Race Equality Charter, for a period of five years.
The University of Dundee’s undergraduate business degrees include Business Management BSc (Hons) and Business Management in Practice BSc (Hons). For postgraduate business degrees, they offer Business Research Methods MRes, Management MSc and Business Administration (Professional Doctorate) DBA.
4. FOM University of Applied Sciences
Founded in 1993, FOM University of Applied Sciences is a private university in Essen, Germany, dedicated to offering professionals the chance to gain a state-recognised business degree without the need to give up work or restrict their professional activity. This university is a great place to study for working professionals who wish to balance their work and study life without compromising either one.
FOM University offers many business and management programs such as bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration, Business Informatics, and International Management, as well as master’s degrees in Business Administration and Business Consulting & Digital Management.
5. University of West Scotland
Formerly the University of Paisley, The University of West Scotland (UWS) in the UK was crowned Higher Educational Institution of the Year by the Herald Higher Education Awards in 2022. Recognised by Times Higher Education and Young University Rankings, UWS works with a range of top employers such as Rolls-Royce, IBM, Hilton, Balfour Beatty, BBC and many more. And, in a recent analysis by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, 95.5% of UWS graduates are in work or further study six months after graduating.
Combining first-class teaching with modern research facilities, UWS offers bachelor’s degrees in Business, Business & Finance, Business & Human Resource Management, Business & Marketing, Business Management (Graduate Apprenticeship), Business Technology and International Business. They also offer a graduate diploma in Business & Management, a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), and an MBA with Banking & Finance.
6. Buckinghamshire New University
Buckinghamshire New University (BNU), located in England, is a public university that gives a strong focus on student experience. BNU was ranked among the Top 5 for Student Satisfaction by NSS in 2022 and among the Top 10 for International Study by the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2022. Offering local business partnerships and big city opportunities, BNU provides “more than a degree”, being the only university in the UK to offer members of their Student Union free access to a diverse range of activities – from sports, gigs, club nights and themed parties to skills-based workshops and volunteer opportunities for the local communities – to enrich BNU students’ experience.
BNU’s business programs include: MBA International Master of Business Administration, MA Music Business, BA Business Economics, BA Music Business, BA Business Management, BSc Business and Psychology, BA Sport Business Management, BSc Business Management and Information Technology, and BSc Intelligence, Security and Resilience.
7. London Metropolitan University
Located in one of the world’s most exciting capital cities, London Met is a top-ranked university committed to helping their students succeed in their careers by integrating work-related learning in their undergraduate programs, such as a placement, client project or on-campus work experience. A young university founded in 2002, London Met is ranked top 9 among UK universities for teaching quality by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.
London Met has a broad list of study options for students looking to take up a business degree. Some of these include: BSc Economics, Finance and International Business; BA Business Management; BSc International Business Management; BA Fashion Marketing and Business Management; BA Business Management and Marketing; BA Music Business; Doctor of Business Administration (DBA); MSc International Business Management; and Master of Business Administration (MBA).
8. BIMM Institute
Built on shared creativity and passion for music and arts, BIMM Institute is the largest music institute with eight colleges based in vibrant musical cities across the UK and Europe: London, Brighton, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Dublin, Berlin and Hamburg. Its strong, inclusive culture is at the core of its education system, enabling students to achieve their artistic and professional potential. Students of BIMM are given access to valuable industry connections and experienced lecturers who are incredibly passionate in their field.
BIMM is well-known for its dedication to providing the highest quality of education across the creative arts. The institute offers BA Music Business and BA Music Business and Event Management programs for business-minded students.
9. Griffith College
One of the longest-established private colleges in Dublin, Griffith College is a world-renowned institute which offers scholarships and internships to international students, as well as many opportunities for graduates to lead successful careers in Ireland. It has over 140 global partnerships for students to connect and network with, and it is home to thousands of students from over 100 nationalities across the globe. Griffith College is ranked 23rd nationally in the Webometrics Rankings of World Universities.
Griffith College offers BA Business degrees with the option to specialise in HRM or Marketing. They also offer a BA in Pharmaceutical Business Operations, a PGCert in Business Administration, an MBA in International Business, an Edinburgh Business School Heriot Watt MBA, MSc and PGCert in International Business and Law, MSc and PGCert in International Business Management, and more.
10. Dorset College Dublin
Founded in 1983, Dorset College Dublin is a culturally diverse, student-centered private college in Ireland which offers a number of specialised courses across its School of Business. Dorset College aims to develop a clear professional pathway tailored to each individual student and has produced graduates who have gone to work in leading companies in Ireland and abroad, such as Accenture, Google, Meta, TikTok, and more. Students of Dorset students are encouraged to grow not just academically, but socially, culturally and professionally through the college’s regular events such as weekend trips across Ireland, museum visits, and social gatherings.
Dorset College Dublin offers its international students Bachelor of Business in International Business and Bachelor of Business degrees.
As seen in our diverse lineup of partners in Europe, universities and colleges in the UK and EU provide the tools that will help their students forge a career path where they can thrive.
Whether they’re looking to launch their own business, work for a multinational corporation, or pursue a career in the public sector, a business degree from a UK or EU university is the perfect foundation for a successful and rewarding career.
To learn more about the business degrees that our partners in Europe offer, have a chat with our experts.
