Fast-Track Your Career by Studying Business in the UK

November 25, 2024

If you dream of starting a company or pursuing a career in business and management, studying business in the United Kingdom is a great place to start.

Many business undergraduates start their own companies after graduating. Starting your own business is a lot like becoming an international student: it requires smarts, bravery, and determination. These are all skills you’ll need when you’re seeking start-up funding or troubleshooting your product prototype.

You don’t have to start your own business to pursue a business career. Rewarding jobs in finance, management, or marketing are also great fits for business grads. Curious? Read on for five ways a business degree from the UK can fast-track your career.

If you’re considering the UK as a study destination, a credibility interview might be part of your application process. Here are some of our top strategies for acing the UK credibility interview.

The UK is a great place to learn more about the business world. It’s an international business hub due to its thriving financial and entrepreneurial sectors. Plus, many of its academic institutions are in or near London, one of the world’s top financial cities! The UK’s physical location and time zone also make it easy to connect with organizations around the world.

Are you interested in attending one of the UK’s prestigious business schools? Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of studying in the UK:

1. High-Quality Education Options

Some of the world’s top-ranked business schools are based out of the UK. In 2024, Times Higher Education (THE) ranked 23 UK universities in the global top 150 for their business and economics courses.

ApplyBoard is proud to partner with several universities which ranked among THE’s top 100 business and economics schools, including:

University of Edinburgh
University of Nottingham
University of Reading
University of Surrey
City, University of London (via Kaplan International College London)

To round out your student experience, these institutions also offer career services, research opportunities, and industry connections through events and placements.

Studying internationally is an investment. Scholarships for international students and student loans can help lighten your load.

2. Internationally Recognized Qualifications

Pursuing higher education at an institution in the UK can boost your career because many of these universities, and the credentials they offer, are respected worldwide. Employers understand the high academic standards of UK-based courses and will value the advanced skillset which business grads bring to their careers. Many UK business grads complete their course with a strong understanding of economics, accounting, and how taxation and regulation work in different markets—helpful skills for future employees!

After graduation, whether you stay in the UK on the Graduate Route, or build your career elsewhere, a business degree from the UK can help you get an edge when job hunting. It lets employers know that you’ve completed an academically strenuous course among driven, international peers.

Thinking about studying in the UK? Read our advice on how to choose where to study and which careers are most in-demand.

3. Global Networking Opportunities

In popular culture, there’s a saying which goes “your network is your net worth.” And it’s true that many businesspeople consider their network key to their success. Strong networks take time to build, so be patient with yourself after moving to the UK. The good news is that as you start your degree, many others will be looking to build connections, too.

To meet new people, social events at your university are a great place to start. For example, your business school may bring in guest speakers and attending may help you meet others who are as passionate about business as you are. You could also connect with your community’s Chamber of Commerce, which often hosts events for local entrepreneurs and business leaders.

If you can’t attend extra events, make a point of connecting with your classmates and instructors. Many business courses also include work placements or internships. By building genuine relationships during your internship, you can potentially leverage it into part-time work during your studies, or a career after graduation.

While being well-networked can boost your career, it can also help you innovate and solve problems more effectively. With a strong network, you can reach out to people from diverse industries if you want to work through an idea, learn more about an aspect of business, or gain an unexpected perspective.

4. Hands-On Learning

Some business courses include experiential learning opportunities where you’ll complete tasks like you might in an office. Hands-on learning can include case studies, group projects, and longer-term work placements through sandwich courses.

Work placements in sandwich courses can last up to a year, either all at once (a “thick” sandwich course) or across multiple years of study for shorter periods (a “thin” course). This hands-on experience lets you see what different UK business cultures and environments are like. You’ll apply what you’ve learned in class to these projects and placements, thus building your practical skillset.

While many students find the work experience worth the extra time, it’s good to know a “thick” sandwich course usually takes four years to complete. (That’s instead of the typical three for a UK undergraduate degree.) Sometimes, industry placements are paid, but sometimes they are not. It’s important to budget for both options when preparing to become an international student!

5. Learn with Advanced Technology

Studying business in the UK is a fantastic way to learn how to use cutting-edge digital tools and platforms. International students will build their proficiency with current software platforms, whether they’re working on assignments for tax, economics, data analytics, or web design classes.

Some business schools also offer access to artificial intelligence-driven software that can help students generate predictive models for future business trends or simulate different business scenarios. The opportunity to work with emerging technologies is especially important for students who are aiming for careers in fields where these tools are heavily used, like advertising, finance, or tech.

Studying business in the United Kingdom can be a transformative experience for international students. By offering top-tier courses which integrate technology, hands-on learning, and powerful networking opportunities, universities in the UK help students build the skills and connections they need to launch a successful career.