Durham University Business School

Durham University Business School (DUBS) is a public research business school established in 1960 as the Business Research Unit. It began teaching in 1965, making it one of the oldest business schools in the UK. The school holds triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, placing it among the top 1% of business schools worldwide with this recognition. It is part of Durham University, a collegiate public research university located in Durham, England.
 

The school offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA, and doctoral programmes. Its Masters courses cover subjects such as accounting, finance, marketing, economics, business analytics, and management. The MBA is available in full-time, executive (part-time), and online formats. The school also provides a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with partnerships in China and France.
 

DUBS is based on two campuses in Durham city: the Waterside Building houses management and marketing departments, while Mill Hill Lane hosts accounting, economics, and finance. Both sites have modern lecture theatres, study spaces, and library facilities. The Waterside Building is part of the Durham Innovation District, linking the school with local businesses and technology centres.
 

Research is a strong focus, with the school ranked 21st nationally for business and management studies by the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. It contains twelve specialised research centres covering areas such as banking, energy economics, innovation management, leadership, macroeconomic policy, and ethical finance. The school collaborates with government bodies and industry to ensure research has a practical impact.
 

Durham University Business School has a global reputation, ranked 21st worldwide for Masters in Supply Chain Management and holding strong positions in marketing, management, and business analytics. Its MBA ranks within the top 100 globally according to the Financial Times and QS rankings. The school maintains close connections with industry to enhance graduate employability.
 

With over 4,400 students and around 25,000 alumni from 150 countries, DUBS aims to lead business education through research, teaching, and regional and global engagement. It celebrates over 60 years of history and continues to expand its programmes and facilities, focusing on sustainability, digital transformation, and innovation.

Durham University Business School traces its origins back to 1960 when the Business Research Unit (BRU) was established under the Department of Economics at Durham University. This unit was created to carry out research related to business and management, with input from the Department of Psychology. Prior to this, business teaching had existed since 1913 at Armstrong College, part of the Newcastle division of the federal university, but this division became Newcastle University in 1963, leaving Durham without a business school.
 

Following a 1963 report known as the Franks Report, which recommended the creation of major business schools in London and Manchester and smaller schools elsewhere, Durham took steps to establish its own business school. Funding was secured from the Foundation for Management Education to support lectureships within the BRU, enabling the offering of courses to experienced managers. In 1964, the College of the Venerable Bede hosted an Advanced Management Program run in connection with Harvard Business School. The first courses under the name Durham University Business School began in Easter 1965 at Bede College, with the founding staff including Alan Odber, Charles Baker, John Constable, and John Machin.

By December 1966, the BRU was formally renamed the Business School, and in 1967 the school launched its MSc in Management Services, later known as the MBA. In 1968, the business school became a department in its own right, separate from economics, though it continued to participate in undergraduate teaching. The school appointed the UK's first specialised lecturer in small businesses in 1970. Durham was a founding member of the Conference of University Management Schools in 1971.
 

In 1977, the business school moved to a new purpose-built building on Mill Hill Lane, funded partly by industry support. During the 1980s, the MSc programme became the MBA, and a distance-learning MBA was introduced. The school was chosen to deliver government-backed enterprise programmes. In 1994, the MBA received accreditation from the Association of MBAs (AMBA), followed by EQUIS accreditation in 2005 and AACSB accreditation in 2009, achieving triple accreditation status.
 

In 2002, the economics department merged into the business school. The school also launched a part-time Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme, which later expanded internationally with partnerships in China and France. Executive MBA partnerships with German institutions were also established.
 

In 2019, Durham University Business School was elevated to a faculty within the university, providing it with greater resources and status. In 2022, the school acquired the Waterside Building in Durham, which serves as a modern campus for management and marketing departments.
 

Research has remained central, with the school ranking highly in national research assessments and maintaining twelve research centres. It continues to focus on applied research with policy and industry relevance.
 

Today, Durham University Business School has over 4,400 students and a large international alumni network. It remains accredited by AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA, and doctoral programmes, and maintains strong links with business and government. The school continues to grow its teaching, research, and engagement activities while focusing on innovation, sustainability, and global connections.

Durham University Business School offers a wide range of courses at undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA, and doctoral levels. These programmes cover many key areas of business, management, and finance, designed to equip students with practical skills and academic knowledge.

At the undergraduate level, students can choose from degrees in economics, finance, business, marketing, and accounting. These courses provide a strong foundation in business principles and prepare students for a variety of careers. The programmes combine theoretical study with real-world applications, offering opportunities for internships and industry projects.

For postgraduate students, the school offers Masters programmes in areas such as management, marketing, finance, accounting, business analytics, and economics. These Masters courses are mostly full-time and last for one year. They are suitable for students with or without prior experience in the subject area. The courses focus on analytical skills, decision-making, and the latest industry practices. Some popular Masters include MSc Management, MSc Marketing, MSc Finance, MSc Business Analytics, and MSc Supply Chain Management.
 

The MBA programmes are available in full-time, part-time (Executive MBA), and online formats to suit different student needs. The MBA courses are designed to develop leadership, strategic thinking, and global business awareness. They provide practical insights and connect students with international businesses. The Executive MBA includes partnerships with institutions abroad to offer dual qualifications.

Durham also offers doctoral programmes such as the PhD and the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). The DBA is a part-time professional doctorate aimed at experienced managers and business leaders. It includes international delivery in locations like China and France. The doctoral programmes focus on original research that contributes to business knowledge and practice.

Additionally, the school provides executive education and professional development courses. These include short courses, micro-credentials, and degree apprenticeships aimed at regional business needs. The school also makes use of online platforms to improve learning and networking, especially for distance learners.

• Ranked #21 in the World University Rankings for Masters in Supply Chain Management (2025).
• Ranked #35 worldwide for Masters in Marketing.
• Ranked #50 globally for Masters in Management.
• Positioned in the 51-60 range for Masters in Business Analytics worldwide.
• MBA ranked 78th in the world by the Financial Times (2024).
• MBA ranked 27th in Europe by the Financial Times (2024).
• Online MBA ranked 6th globally by the Financial Times.
• MSc in Management placed 95th globally by the Financial Times (2024).
• The Economist ranked Durham’s MBA 37th worldwide and 2nd in the UK (2021).
• The Economist ranked the Masters in Management 27th globally (2017).
• The Financial Times European Business School ranking placed Durham 58th in Europe (2024).

Over 90% of its graduates secure employment or further study within six months of completing their course. The school’s close ties with business and industry help students gain valuable work experience through internships, placements, and live projects. In recent years, more than 1,000 students have taken up internships or placements across sectors such as finance, consulting, marketing, and technology. The school supports students with career services including workshops, networking events, and employer engagement to improve job readiness and opportunities.

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