From industry placements to global trips and flexible modules, studying at Birmingham Business School offers growth far beyond the classroom.
When I chose to study Business Management with Year in Industry at the University of Birmingham, I was massively drawn to both the reputation of Birmingham Business School (BBS) and the variety of opportunities it offers to help students grow academically, professionally and personally.
BBS has recently expanded its undergraduate programmes, introducing new courses in marketing, operations and supply chain management and human resource management. This highlights the popularity of our business school and its forward-thinking approach means you’ll be learning in an environment closely linked to current industry trends.
When I applied, the University of Birmingham was ranked among the top UK universities most targeted by graduate employers, and for the past two years, it has been ranked number one by The Times. That strong reputation helped my decision, as I wanted to feel confident that I would secure a job I’m passionate about afterwards. I still remember attending the offer holder day and hearing from students who had just returned from placements or a year abroad between their second and final years. Their stories were genuinely inspiring, and I realised how transformational these opportunities could be, so I wanted to study somewhere where I could have the same opportunities.
What also stood out to me was the course structure. In the first year, the modules are broad and cover everything from economics and accounting to marketing communications and digital business. This gave me a solid foundation in key business disciplines before specialising. As I’ve progressed to final year, I’ve been able to shape my degree around my interests – this year, I’m focusing on marketing, communications and entrepreneurship modules that align with my career goals.
The facilities at BBS were another big attraction. At University House (the main part of the business school), there’s an old and modern area, surrounded by garden and a café. When I visited it during an open day, it instantly felt like somewhere I could picture myself spending time studying and attending lectures. I always recommend visiting the campus on an open day to get a real sense of the atmosphere and talk directly with current students.
Now that I’m in my final year, I’ve discovered even more reasons to recommend this course. The extra opportunities provided by the BBS Student Experience team are incredible. Regular emails highlight things like funded trips to our learning centre in the Lake District, week-long business challenges in Germany and opportunities to represent the university at conferences in China. These experiences go beyond the classroom and really help you grow personally and professionally.
Finally, the assessment methods are varied, which helps bridge the gap between theory and practice. It’s rare for a module to be assessed by just one piece of coursework or an exam; there’s usually a mix of group presentations, reports, events and exams. This diversity not only develops different skills but also helps balance workloads throughout the year.
Looking back, studying Business Management at UoB has been an incredibly rewarding experience that’s prepared me well for the next step in my career. You can read more about how my course has prepared for the real world.
Hi, I'm Eleanor, a final year BSc International Business student. I love travelling, hiking, reading, culture and langua...
