What is business management?
Business management focuses on the organising, planning and analysing of business activities that are required to efficiently manage and run a business.
You will learn what makes an organisation successful in a saturated global business environment and will gain the knowledge and skills required to work for businesses of all sizes - from multinational companies to start-ups.
Why study business management?
For the aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders, a business management degree is consistently a popular choice. It provides the academic knowledge and skills to pursue global career opportunities and helps you develop a broad understanding of businesses and specific areas such as finance and human resources. But if you’re still not 100% sure if a business management degree is for you, here are five reasons that will convince you.
1. Develop key management skills
One of the biggest highlights of studying a business management degree is the key management skills that will allow you to be a valuable asset to any organisation. You will build a skill set to respond to challenges and current developments in business and society, giving you the ability to make informed managerial decisions that consider ethical, economic and social implications. Some of these essential business management skills include:
- critical and strategic thinking
- communication
- problem-solving
- organisation
- presenting
- reporting
- leadership
- project management.
2. Employability
Students who choose to study business management at university graduate with highly desirable transferable skills and strong business knowledge, two things that are sought after by potential employers. As you progress through your business management degree you will be able to shape the direction of your career, choosing a specialist area of business that interests you such as entrepreneurship or human resource management. Graduates of business management are presented with a variety of job opportunities in:
- management
- consultancy
- marketing and advertising
- human resources
- retail and sales
- finance.
3. An introduction to the business world
A business management degree will help you gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of the core elements of business and management - it’s also a great introduction into the world of business if you have no prior experience. It provides industry insights, such as market trends and industry reports, which can prove to be invaluable and you will be encouraged to apply academic theory to real-life business situations that will help you kickstart your career once you graduate.
4. Be your own boss
Not only will you have fantastic career opportunities after you graduate, but you will also have the core elements to start your own business - all you need is a business idea to get you started. Through developing your entrepreneurial skills and being able to test launch any business ideas you might have, a business management degree puts you on the path to be your own boss - you might even meet your future business partner at university.
Universities such as Kingston, offerspecialist extracurricular activitiesto help keen entrepreneurs who want to start their own business. You can take advantage of inspirational guest speakers who run multi-million pound businesses and even pitch your business ideas to expert judges through the University’s annual Bright Ideas competition - there’s £1,000 to be won.
5. Learn about multiple disciplines
If you’re not 100% certain on what you want your future career to be, or you just want to have a broad knowledge, then a business management degree is an excellent choice. You will learn an overview of the main business functions that contribute to the success of a business and then often be able to specialise in an area of your choice. These typically include:
- human resource management
- entrepreneurship
- finance
- service operations.
Other areas you may study could be consultancy, supply chain management or even global business.
When you graduate with a business management degree, you graduate as a well-rounded student with a diverse knowledge of the business world.
Becoming an entrepreneur
Reasons to study business management in the UK
Once you’ve made the decision to study a business management degree, you will need to decide where. As one of most academically respected destinations in the world, the UK makes a great choice for international students looking to kickstart their business career. There are more than a few benefits to studying business management in the UK but here are some of our top ones:
Globally recognised degrees -Choosing to study a business management degree in the UK means your degree and qualifications are recognised by employers and academics worldwide. You can study at a top 50 university, such asKingston University London(The Guardian University Guide 2020), and receive a high standard of education with innovative teaching techniques and have access to leading technology and state-of-the-art facilities.
Professional experience -Many universities in the UK will ensure you have the right skills and experience to start a successful career. Kingston University London, for example, offerspractical careers supportsuch as interview preparation and advice on starting your own business. There are also many activities at Kingston to encourage young entrepreneurs such as Kingston Entrepreneurs Society and the student programme Enterprise! where you can turn your business dreams into reality.
Build your business network -There’s nowhere better to start building your business network than at university. You will be taught by industry professionals and lecturers who are experts in their fields and make valuable connections during placements and real-life business scenarios. You will also meet students from around the world who will go on to work in a variety of international industries, allowing you to create a worldwide contact base and have the opportunity to attend networking events, exhibitions, conferences and guest lectures. If you decide to study at Kingston University London then you will be based less than 30 minutes away from Central London, giving you the opportunity to be connected with the global business network.
Your pathway to business management
If you want to study business management in the UK, whether it’s undergraduate or postgraduate, Kingston University International Study Centre offers pathway programmes that will help prepare you for your degree. These include academic modules, English language training and study skills so you are ready to join your chosen degree programme on successful completion.
There are three programmes that can prepare you for a business management degree at Kingston University London depending on your academic background:
Undergraduate
TheInternational Foundation Year in Business, Management and Lawwill prepare you for a three-year undergraduate business management degree at Kingston University, ensuring you meet both the academic and English language requirements. You will finish this programme and then start the first year of your undergraduate degree.
TheInternational Year One in Business and Managementis a fast-track programme for undergraduates who meet the business management degree requirements but still need some help adjusting to studying and living in the UK. You will study your first year at the Kingston University International Study Centre (equivalent to the first year of your undergraduate degree) and then will join the second year of your undergraduate degree at the University.
Postgraduate
ThePre-Masters Programme in Business and Managementis for students who want to study a postgraduate degree in business management but do not meet the direct entry requirements or want to improve their English before starting the course. This programme is also for students who want to enhance their understanding of their subject or adapt to their new cultural and academic environment.
Frequently asked questions
Why is business management important?
The core responsibility of a business manager is to ensure that a business remains both operational and profitable, which is what makes business management such an important position.
An organisation cannot function with effective business management. Any organisation, no matter the industry it operates in, needs someone with the knowledge and understanding of key processes to ensure their business can flourish. Profitability and efficiency; you ensure that the heart of companies keeps beating.
What can you do with a business management degree?
You will gain the skills required to have a profound impact on your client's business.
The best thing about having a business management degree is that there is no limit to where you can work. All organisations need a business manager.
Where you work will depend on the location you want to work in, the industries you're personally interested in and the salary you expect. You could work freelance as a consultant, too.
Is studying for a business management degree worth it?
If you enjoy dissecting business practises and ensuring that systems and processes are as efficient as they can be, whilst working with a wide variety of clients across many different fields, then becoming a business manager might be the right career for you.
