Bayes Business School

Bayes Business School, part of City, University of London, was established in 1966 as the City University Business School. It initially offered an MSc in Administrative Sciences from 1967, which later became an MBA programme in 1979. The school originally operated across several sites in the Barbican area of London before relocating in 2002 to new premises in Islington, funded partly by a donation from the Sir John Cass Foundation. At that time, it was renamed Cass Business School as part of a strategy to compete internationally, particularly against US business schools.

The school is organised into three faculties: actuarial science and insurance, finance, and management. It provides a broad range of degree programmes including undergraduate BSc, MSc, MBA, and PhD courses. Its offerings cover diverse areas such as insurance and risk management, investment management, corporate finance, banking, marketing, supply chain, real estate, and business analytics. The MBA is available in full-time, part-time Executive, and modular Executive formats, including a collaboration with the Dubai International Financial Centre launched in 2007.

In 2021, the school was renamed Bayes Business School following a review of Sir John Cass’s historical links to the slave trade. The new name honours Thomas Bayes, an 18th-century mathematician known for Bayes’ theorem, which reflects the school’s commitment to continuously updating knowledge based on evidence. This change was part of the school’s wider commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Since then, Bayes has introduced scholarships for underrepresented students and established leadership roles to promote racial equity.

Bayes Business School holds triple accreditation from AMBA, EQUIS, and AACSB, placing it among a select group of globally recognised business schools. It consistently ranks among the top UK institutions for business and finance education and continues to evolve its programmes to meet the needs of students and the wider business community.

Bayes Business School, originally established as the City University Business School in 1966, is part of City, University of London. It began its journey with the launch of the MSc in Administrative Sciences in 1967, which later evolved into the MBA programme by 1979. Initially, the school’s facilities were dispersed across the Barbican Centre area in the City of London, primarily a residential district.

In 2002, following a significant donation from the Sir John Cass Foundation, the school relocated to new premises in the London Borough of Islington. This move was accompanied by a renaming of the institution to Cass Business School, marking a key stage in its development and positioning. The renaming was part of a broader strategy led by David Currie, Baron Currie of Marylebone, the Dean at the time, to establish the school as a competitive international business education provider, particularly in a market dominated by American universities. The new building project, costing £40 million, was partly funded by City University reserves, representing a major investment in the school’s infrastructure.

The school expanded its academic portfolio to include three faculties: actuarial science and insurance, finance, and management. It offered a variety of degrees such as BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, and PhD, covering diverse fields including insurance and risk management, corporate finance, investment management, banking, marketing, supply chain, and business analytics, among others. The MBA programme was available in full-time, part-time Executive, and modular Executive formats, including an international collaboration that began in 2007 with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

In 2021, the school underwent a further significant change when it was renamed Bayes Business School. This decision was made due to concerns over the legacy of Sir John Cass, who was linked to the Atlantic slave trade through his involvement with The Royal African Company. The name change was the result of a broad consultation process involving the City community, which generated over 500 name suggestions and input from more than 8,000 staff, students, and alumni. The name Bayes was chosen in honour of Thomas Bayes, an 18th-century theologian and mathematician known for his work on conditional probability. Bayes’ theorem, which emphasises the updating of beliefs based on new evidence, was seen as aligning with the school’s principles of openness to new information and responsible action.

Since the name change, Bayes Business School has increased its focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. In January 2022, Professor Lilian M de Menezes was appointed as the first Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, with a mandate to embed these values within the school and its wider community relationships. Initiatives include scholarships targeted at underrepresented groups, such as the introduction of undergraduate scholarships for Black British students starting in Autumn 2023. The school also organises outreach visits for children from low-income households with limited higher education experience, aiming to encourage greater participation in university education.

Additionally, the school appointed Malla Pratt as Director for Race Equity and Inclusion, supported by the Racial Equity and Inclusion Network and advisory working groups. This team leads projects designed to improve race equity within the school.

Throughout its history, Bayes Business School has maintained a position of academic strength, achieving triple accreditation from AMBA, EQUIS, and AACSB, and securing top rankings in UK and global university league tables.

Bayes Business School offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes across its three faculties: actuarial science and insurance, finance, and management. The school’s courses cover many specialisations, designed to provide theoretical knowledge alongside practical skills relevant to today’s business environment.

At the undergraduate level, the school provides Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees in areas such as finance, insurance and risk management, real estate, and business analytics. These programmes include a blend of core business subjects and specialised modules to prepare students for professional careers.

For postgraduate students, Bayes offers numerous Master of Science (MSc) programmes. These include courses in insurance and risk management, investment management, corporate finance, banking and international finance, quantitative finance, shipping, marketing, supply chain management, energy, trade and finance, property valuation, mathematical trading, real estate, construction management, international accounting and finance, finance and investment, real estate investment, charity management, and business analytics. The breadth of these courses reflects the school’s commitment to covering key sectors of the global economy and financial markets.

The MBA programme is available in three formats: a full-time one-year course, a two-year part-time Executive MBA, and a two-year modular Executive MBA. This flexibility allows professionals to choose a study mode that fits their career and personal commitments. Since 2007, Bayes has also offered an Executive MBA in collaboration with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), supporting students based in the Middle East.

Doctoral research degrees (PhD) are offered across the faculties, enabling students to undertake advanced study and original research in their chosen field.

Bayes Business School has consistently achieved strong rankings in both national and international league tables. In the 2017 QS World University Rankings by subject, the school was placed within the top 10 in the UK for both Accounting and Finance and Business and Management categories. 

In the 2017 Eduniversal BestMaster rankings, several of Bayes’ master’s programmes received notable recognition. The MSc International Accounting and Finance ranked fifth in the UK under the Accounting and Audit category. The MSc Insurance and Risk Management programme was ranked first in the UK and twelfth worldwide in its category.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2017 listed Bayes Business School eighth in the UK under Business and Economics, placing it among the leading institutions in this subject area nationally. In addition to these rankings, Bayes holds triple accreditation from AMBA (Association of MBAs), EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System), and AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). 

Bayes Business School provides comprehensive career support to its graduates, facilitating strong employment outcomes across its programmes.

The Full-Time MBA Class of 2023 achieved a 92% employment rate within three months of graduation. Graduates secured positions in various industries, including consulting, finance, technology, and consumer goods. The average salary five years post-graduation for MBA alumni is £52,167.

The MSc Class of 2022 reported that 90% of graduates secured employment within three months of completing their studies. The average starting salary for these graduates is approximately £34,000 per year, with earnings increasing significantly as they gain experience. Alumni earn an average of £52,167 five years after graduation.

The MiM programme also demonstrates strong employment outcomes, with 90% of graduates securing jobs within three months of completing the programme. The average starting salary is around £50,000 per year, with earnings increasing as graduates gain experience.

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