Business courses
Business is the most popular subject among international students for a reason: it opens more doors than any other degree, it is taught everywhere, and it works at every level from a foundation year to an MBA. The hard part is choosing well.
What you study
A business degree teaches how organisations work: strategy, finance, marketing, operations, people and law. Undergraduate programmes cover all of these; master's programmes usually specialise (international business, management, analytics, finance) and the MBA is for people with work experience.
Levels available
Why students choose it
- Recognised by employers in every industry and country
- Wide choice of specialisms at master's level
- Placement years and internships built into many degrees
- Strong scholarship availability because intakes are large
- A natural route into consulting, banking, marketing and start-ups
Entry requirements
Undergraduate,Completed secondary school with strong marks (typically 65 to 80 percent depending on the university), maths at school level, IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.,Postgraduate,A bachelor's degree in any subject at 2:2 or above (55 to 60 percent), IELTS 6.5; some analytics programmes ask for quantitative background.,MBA,A bachelor's degree plus 2 to 5 years of work experience; GMAT optional at most UK schools, required at top US schools.
Where it leads
Management consultant, Business analyst, Marketing manager, Financial analyst, Operations manager, Product manager.
Typical graduate salary: UK graduate starting salaries of roughly £26,000 to £35,000, rising sharply with experience in consulting and finance. Indicative and taken from published national data.
Where to study it
United Kingdom
1-year master's, triple-accredited schools at Aston, Loughborough, Exeter, Glasgow
Read moreIreland
Tech and finance hub, 2-year stay-back after a master's
Read moreCanada
Co-op programmes, PGWP up to 3 years
Read moreUnited States
Largest choice, assistantships in some master's
Read moreAustralia
Strong Group of Eight business schools
Read moreGermany
Public universities with low fees, English-taught master's
Read moreUniversities that teach it
Questions students ask
Do I need work experience for a business master's?
Not for an MSc in management, international business or marketing. Work experience is required for an MBA and helpful for executive programmes.
What is the difference between an MSc Management and an MBA?
An MSc Management is for recent graduates with little or no work experience. An MBA is for professionals with several years' experience and costs more.
Which country is best for business studies?
The UK for speed and recognition, Ireland for tech and finance, Canada for immigration routes, the US for scale. We shortlist based on your budget and goals.
Can I get an education loan for a business degree?
Yes. Business degrees at recognised universities are readily funded by education lenders; our loan partners pre-approve in days.
Is GMAT required?
Rarely for UK master's programmes. Top US and some European MBA programmes still ask for GMAT or GRE.
Ready to start?
Tell us your results and your budget. A counsellor will come back with a shortlist you can get into and afford.