Business,Marketing and Management Studies
What
will I learn?
Degrees in business and management are among the most popular among students. Fortunately, universities have sought to match demand with plenty of courses.
Degrees in business and management are among the most popular among students. Fortunately, universities have sought to match demand with plenty of courses.
These degrees focus on how organizations
operate - what they do, their styles of management and their business
strategies. Marketing degrees look more closely at understanding consumer behavior
– from understanding the psychology of advertising, to developing a grasp of
how the economic climate impacts particular sectors.

Some business courses will have a more defined
vocational element to them, so you'll be working in a team to create a company
and market a product before you've finished looking at your reading list. Other
courses will make work placements a compulsory part of the degree. Most
universities will boast of having good links with business, which means
visiting lecturers and the chance to build contacts.
Big business is no longer just about making
money and ruthless takeovers, however. Companies are trying to improve their
ethical and environmental standing, so expect to see relevant course modules
popping up in the prospectus.
What
skills will I gain?
As well as an understanding of how things work in business and management, by the time you graduate you should be able to demonstrate an understanding of markets, finance, managing people, operations, information systems, policy and strategy.
As well as an understanding of how things work in business and management, by the time you graduate you should be able to demonstrate an understanding of markets, finance, managing people, operations, information systems, policy and strategy.
You probably won't be afraid of standing up in
front of the class to present your ideas or argue your point around the
negotiating table.
With group work a key part of many courses,
you will have built up your teamwork and leadership skills, and be able to
demonstrate your ability to consider all things related to establishing your
own business and marketing a product.
You should also have an understanding of the
ethical implications of business operations. If your work focuses on retail,
you should be able to debate issues surrounding fair trade, for example.
A key part of managing others is the ability
to relate to them and understand their needs, all skills you should be
developing during your degree.
What
job can I get?
A popular subject among students will inevitably mean tougher competition for jobs. And because it's not as specialist a field as architecture or medicine, say, you may find yourself up against graduates with history or economics degrees who decide in their final year that they want a career in business.
A popular subject among students will inevitably mean tougher competition for jobs. And because it's not as specialist a field as architecture or medicine, say, you may find yourself up against graduates with history or economics degrees who decide in their final year that they want a career in business.
That said, the nature of your business courses
and the practical experience that you've gained will mean you are well placed
to get a job in the City or in one of the top companies that recruit graduates
for their annual programmes. These graduate schemes should give you a good
general grounding in business and the chance to focus on a particular area,
such as human resources, or finance or marketing.
What
will look good on the CV?
· Evidence of effective problem-solving and decision-making.
· Self-awareness and sensitivity in relation to business and management issues.
· The ability to address issues at international level.
· Evidence of effective problem-solving and decision-making.
· Self-awareness and sensitivity in relation to business and management issues.
· The ability to address issues at international level.