Huddersfield Business School

The Huddersfield Business School is a prominent academic institution situated in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England. Established as part of the University of Huddersfield, it comprises five academic departments: Accountancy, Finance and Economics; Management; Logistics, Operations, Hospitality and Marketing; and Law. The School also features a Business Placement Unit and previously housed a Learning Development Unit, recognised in the University's Teaching Excellence Framework submission.

In September 2010, the Business School inaugurated a new £17 million building, offering state-of-the-art facilities including teaching rooms, computer labs, staff offices, a café, and a main reception. The current Dean is Professor Alistair Sambell.

The Business School has garnered several accolades, notably the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade in 2013, acknowledging the growth in international students and the quality of support provided. In December 2023, it was named Business School of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards, commended for its regional engagement and impact.

Accredited by AACSB International, Huddersfield Business School is among the top 6% of global business schools holding this prestigious membership. It has also received a Gold rating in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) in 2023. Additionally, the School was awarded the Small Business Charter in 2022, recognising its support for student entrepreneurship and small businesses.

The Huddersfield Business School is part of the University of Huddersfield, located in West Yorkshire, England. It is one of four schools within the university, alongside the School of Art, Design and Architecture, the School of Education and Professional Development, and the School of Music, Humanities and Media.

The Business School is composed of five academic departments: Accountancy, Finance and Economics; Management; Logistics, Operations, Hospitality and Marketing; and Law, the latter being known as the Law School. Additionally, the School includes a Business Placement Unit and, until recently, operated a Learning Development Unit that was recognised in the University’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) submission.

The current dedicated building for the Business School was officially opened in September 2010, funded by a £17 million investment from the University. This four-floor facility houses teaching rooms, computer laboratories, staff offices for all departments, a café, and reception areas, providing a professional learning environment for students and staff.

Professor Alistair Sambell currently serves as the Dean of Huddersfield Business School. The School has seen significant growth and recognition, notably in 2013 when the University was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade. This award acknowledged the growth in international students within the Business School and the quality of support provided to those students.

In December 2023, Huddersfield Business School was named Business School of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards. This recognition highlighted the School’s work embedding itself in the local region, supporting communities, enhancing organisations, and delivering measurable impact such as job creation and engagement with students, employers, and the economy. The School’s programmes, including consultancy projects involving Master’s students, have directly benefited local organisations and SMEs.

The School holds accreditation from AACSB International, a global business education alliance. Huddersfield Business School achieved AACSB accreditation following a rigorous peer review process, reflecting its commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and the delivery of future-focused business education. The accreditation process was led by former Dean Professor Jill Johnes, who retired in January 2023.

In the Office for Students’ latest Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) awards of 2023, the University of Huddersfield received a Gold rating—the highest possible—in all three assessed categories: teaching quality, student experience, and student outcomes. Among universities in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West regions, Huddersfield was the only institution to secure Gold in all three areas at that time.

In January 2022, the Business School was awarded the Small Business Charter (SBC) award, recognising its dedication to supporting student entrepreneurship, small businesses, and the local economy. The School’s engagement with SMEs has been acknowledged through participation in regional and national initiatives such as the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), Local Growth Fund, Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, and other collaborative projects.

The School’s academic reputation is further supported by subject rankings. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023, it was placed in the Top 150 globally for Communication and Media Studies, a subject area spanning the Business School and the School of Arts and Humanities. It also ranked within the Top 500 for Business and Management Studies. Furthermore, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 placed Huddersfield Business School within the 201-250 band worldwide for Business and Economics, as well as for Law.

Courses offered at the Business School include undergraduate degrees such as the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), postgraduate degrees including Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science (MSc), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes. The MBA, for instance, is designed to develop strategic management perspectives and leadership skills through modules covering finance, economics, leadership, marketing, innovation, and research.

The School maintains strong links with numerous professional, statutory, and regulatory bodies. These include the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Chartered Management Institute (CMI), Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), and the Institute of Data and Marketing (IDM). These connections provide students with exemptions, professional qualifications, access to industry events, and networking opportunities.

Huddersfield Business School also emphasises practical experience, supporting students through placements and consultancy projects with local businesses and organisations. Its Enterprise Team offers assistance for students and graduates interested in entrepreneurship, providing advice, networking, and access to funding.

The Huddersfield Business School offers a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes designed to equip students with practical skills and knowledge relevant to the global business environment. These include Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science (MSc), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, spanning several areas of study such as accounting, finance, economics, human resource management, marketing, and operations management.

The MBA programme aims to develop students’ strategic management abilities and global perspective. It includes modules such as Finance for Managers, which covers the use of financial information and quantitative skills for performance management and decision-making within organisations. Business Economics offers insight into economic principles affecting businesses. Managing People in Organisations addresses workforce management, while Service Operations and Marketing examines customer service and marketing strategies. Contemporary Strategic Thinking fosters strategic analysis and planning. Ethical Leadership explores leadership principles with a focus on responsibility. The programme also covers Innovation, Venture Creation, and the Enterprising Mindset, encouraging entrepreneurial thinking. 

Global Leadership and Change focuses on managing leadership in international contexts. A Business Research Project allows students to apply research methods to real business challenges. The course also includes Professional and Personal Excellence (PROPEL 1), which supports individual development.

Teaching at the Business School involves various methods including lectures, group discussions, workshops, tutorials, and seminars. A significant emphasis is placed on sharing experiences and case study analysis. Assessment methods vary, including individual and group reports, essays, learning logs, timed assessments, and a dissertation. The postgraduate dissertation module runs throughout the programme, guiding students in developing and researching a business-related question.

All permanent teaching staff hold professional recognition as Fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA), which attests to their teaching capabilities. The School maintains links with several professional bodies, including the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). These connections provide students with professional development opportunities such as access to guest lectures, industry networking events, and the potential to achieve professional qualifications alongside their academic studies.

In addition to academic programmes, the Business School supports practical experience through a Business Placement Unit and student consultancy projects. These initiatives allow students to gain real-world exposure and apply theoretical knowledge in professional contexts, enhancing employability and readiness for the workplace.

The Huddersfield Business School has achieved recognition in several national and international rankings, reflecting its position in business education and research.

In the 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject, the Business School was placed in the Top 150 globally for Communication and Media Studies. This ranking encompasses both the Business School and the School of Arts and Humanities. For Business and Management Studies, the School was ranked within the Top 500 worldwide.

The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023 placed the University of Huddersfield in the 201-250 band globally for Business and Economics, as well as for Law.  In 2023, Huddersfield Business School was named Business School of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards. The University of Huddersfield received a Gold rating in all three aspects of the Office for Students’ Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) in 2023.

In January 2022, the Business School was awarded the Small Business Charter (SBC) award.

The Business School actively engages with local businesses and organisations through consultancy projects, work-based learning, and community partnerships. For example, in the academic year 2021-22, 170 Master’s students provided consultancy services to 33 clients, resulting in meaningful outcomes such as job creation and business growth. One notable project involved collaboration with Spectrum People, a charity supporting vulnerable adults and young people in Wakefield. This project engaged 781 people and contributed to the creation of 82 jobs.

Additionally, the School’s involvement in government-backed schemes like the Help to Grow programme supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region, further strengthening links between students, graduates, and employers. More than 60 companies have benefited from this programme in partnership with Huddersfield Business School.

The University’s strong focus on professional development is also reflected in its partnerships with professional bodies such as ACCA, CIMA, CIM, CMI, ICAEW, and IDM.

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