Birmingham Business School

Birmingham Business School is part of the University of Birmingham and is known as the oldest business school in the United Kingdom, with its roots dating back to 1902 when it began as the Faculty of Commerce. It was officially established as Birmingham Business School in 1989. The school holds the prestigious triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, placing it among an elite group of global business schools.
 

The School offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and MBA programmes. Its courses include management, marketing, finance, and engineering management with various specialisations. The programmes are delivered in Birmingham as well as international locations such as Dubai and Singapore. Students come from over 100 countries, and the alumni network comprises approximately 44,000 graduates worldwide.
 

Birmingham Business School is recognised for its quality research and teaching. It focuses on responsible business practices and developing future leaders who can address economic and societal challenges both locally and globally. The school’s research themes include sustainable business, economic growth, social inclusion, and governance.
 

The School’s facilities include the Alan Walters Building, a dedicated £10 million postgraduate teaching centre. The school has strong links with industry, working with companies like Capgemini and Deloitte. It provides students with career support through BBS Careers, which offers workshops, employer events, internships, and personalised advice.
 

Birmingham Business School consistently ranks in global MBA league tables, placing between 141-150 globally and 47th in Europe in recent rankings. It is part of the Russell Group and benefits from a wider University of Birmingham reputation, which is ranked among the world’s top 100 universities.
 

The School is guided by an Advisory Board of industry leaders and overseen by a Senior Management Team. Its mission is to offer a distinctive student experience, promote impactful research, and create an environment where both staff and students can succeed.

Birmingham Business School traces its origins back to 1902 when the University of Birmingham established the Faculty of Commerce. This made it one of the earliest institutions in the United Kingdom to offer formal education in business and commerce. 

The first Chair of Commerce was held by Sir William Ashley in 1901, who played a significant role in setting up the faculty and shaping its early direction. Ashley emphasised educating future leaders in industry and commerce, including directors, managers, and department heads.

In its first year, the Faculty of Commerce had six students and basic facilities, including a lecture room and two classrooms. By 1908, fifteen students had graduated. During the early decades, the teaching approach was more practical and less research-oriented, which affected the academic reputation of the faculty and others like it. 

In the 1930s, demand for commerce graduates declined, and staff replacements were limited, which led to heavier workloads and some opposition to business education at other universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.
 

By the late 1940s, the faculty’s teaching had largely focused on economics, leading some to view the Bachelor of Commerce degree as mainly an economics qualification. After World War II, there was a movement to establish business schools in the UK based on the American model. 

The 1963 Franks Report recommended government funding for business schools, resulting in the creation of schools in Manchester and London. Other universities, such as Durham, Warwick, and Strathclyde, followed suit in the 1960s, establishing formal business schools and MBA courses.
 

However, Birmingham did not revive its business education until 1985 when it launched an MBA course. The Business School itself was officially formed in 1989 through the merger of the Department of Commerce and the Department of Accounting and Finance. Later, the Department of Economics joined the School in 2008.

In 2005, University House was opened as the Business School’s main building, providing modern facilities. In 2016, the Alan Walters Building was inaugurated as a £10 million postgraduate teaching centre.
 

Throughout its history, Birmingham Business School has developed a focus on research and responsible business. Its research centres cover areas such as responsible business, regional economic development, crime and policing, household financial security, and governance. The School has maintained strong industry links and developed international teaching programmes, including courses in Dubai and Singapore.
 

Today, Birmingham Business School holds triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, confirming its global standing. It attracts students from over 100 countries and supports a large alumni community. The School continues to develop its research impact, teaching quality, and engagement with business and policy makers, maintaining a position among the well-established business schools in the UK and internationally.

Birmingham Business School offers a wide range of courses at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. The programmes are designed to prepare students for careers in business, finance, management, marketing, and other related fields.
 

At the undergraduate level, students can choose from degrees such as Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Business Management, Accounting and Finance, Economics, Marketing, and International Business. These courses cover core business principles, economics, quantitative methods, and specialised subjects. The undergraduate curriculum also includes opportunities for work placements, internships, and study abroad programmes, helping students gain practical experience and global exposure.
 

For postgraduate students, the School offers master’s degrees across various disciplines. Popular courses include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), MSc in Management, MSc in Finance, MSc in Marketing, and MSc in International Business. The MBA programme is available in full-time, part-time, and online formats, making it flexible for students with different needs. The School also provides specialised masters such as MSc in Business Analytics, MSc in Financial Technology (FinTech), MSc in Human Resource Management, and MSc in Advanced Engineering Management.
 

The postgraduate courses focus on developing critical thinking, leadership skills, and specialised knowledge. Students engage with research-led teaching and case studies that connect theory with business practice. Many of the programmes include live projects and consulting opportunities with industry partners. Additionally, the School encourages interdisciplinary study, allowing students to explore subjects across economics, accounting, and management.
 

For research-focused students, Birmingham Business School offers doctoral studies, including PhD programmes in Business and Management, Accounting and Finance, Economics, and Marketing. The School supports doctoral candidates with supervision from international faculty and access to research centres.
 

The School also runs executive education and professional development courses designed for working professionals who want to update their skills or specialise in new areas. These short courses cover topics such as leadership, strategy, digital transformation, and responsible business.

• Ranked between 141 and 150 in the Full-time MBA Rankings globally (2025)
• Ranked 47th in Full-time MBA Rankings in Europe (2025)
• Ranked 50th globally for Masters in Marketing
• Ranked 81st globally for Masters in Management
• Holds triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS
• Part of the Russell Group, representing leading UK universities
• Consistently placed among the top 100 business schools worldwide

The School supports over 1,000 students each year through its dedicated careers team, offering workshops, employer events, internships, and personalised advice. Graduates secure roles in a range of sectors including finance, consulting, marketing, and technology. The School works closely with industry partners such as Deloitte and Capgemini to provide placement opportunities. Recent data shows that approximately 85% of graduates find relevant employment or further study within six months of completing their course, reflecting the effectiveness of the School’s career support services.

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