Keele Business School

Keele Business School is part of Keele University, established to provide high-quality education in business and management. Over the years, it has expanded its portfolio to include undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional courses in areas such as management, marketing, economics, finance, and human resource management. The school is particularly renowned for its commitment to sustainability, integrating sustainable development across its curriculum, research, and operations.

In 2024, Keele Business School was ranked 32nd globally in the Corporate Knights Better World MBA Ranking, highlighting its focus on preparing graduates to address social and environmental challenges. The school’s dedication to responsible business education is also demonstrated by its involvement with the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) and its selection as a PRME Champion for 2024–2025.

Keele Business School boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including the Smart Innovation Hub, which houses modern teaching spaces and business incubator units. These facilities foster collaboration between students and industry professionals, providing real-world exposure and hands-on experience. The school also offers flexible study options, including 100% online and part-time MBAs, designed to meet the needs of adult learners.

The school’s Foundation Year programme, one of the longest-running in the UK, offers an accessible pathway to higher education for students from diverse backgrounds. Keele Business School’s academic staff are internationally recognised and active in research, contributing to the school’s reputation for academic excellence. The school holds various accreditations, including the AACSB Business Education Alliance Membership and the Athena Swan Bronze Award, reflecting its commitment to inclusivity and equality.

Keele Business School (KBS) is part of Keele University, which was established in 1949 with a focus on interdisciplinary education and research. Originally, Keele University provided a broad range of academic disciplines, but the need for a dedicated business school grew with the increasing demand for professional business education. As part of the university’s expansion of its educational offerings, Keele Business School was officially established to provide a comprehensive and practical business education that aligned with the needs of the business world, government, and third-sector organisations.

In the early 21st century, Keele Business School expanded its offerings to include undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional courses in a variety of disciplines, including management, marketing, economics, finance, accounting, human resource management, and operations. This expansion was a direct response to both regional and global changes in the business landscape, ensuring that KBS remained relevant and up-to-date with current business trends and the needs of the marketplace.

One of the defining features of Keele Business School’s growth was its focus on sustainability. The school incorporated sustainability as a central component of its curriculum, which is evident in its MBA programme. In 2024, Keele Business School was ranked 32nd globally in the Corporate Knights Better World MBA Ranking. This ranking considered how business schools integrate sustainable development into their courses and the impact of their graduates in organisations that address social and environmental issues. The ranking reflected Keele’s ongoing commitment to teaching business students how to create value while also contributing positively to the world.

A key milestone in Keele Business School’s development was the creation of new, state-of-the-art facilities. The Smart Innovation Hub, which houses the business school, is a cutting-edge building offering modern teaching spaces and business incubator units. The incubator space allows students to collaborate with innovative businesses based on campus, providing them with practical experience and exposure to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This integration of industry and academia ensures that Keele Business School students graduate with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, preparing them to excel in the real world.

Keele Business School’s commitment to responsible business education is demonstrated through its membership in several prestigious global networks. It is a signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), which recognises the school’s efforts to integrate sustainability and ethical practices into its educational mission. In 2024, Keele was selected for the PRME Champions Programme, an honour that positions the school among the leaders in global business education focused on social responsibility. In addition, Keele Business School holds a range of accreditations, such as the Small Business Charter (awarded in 2022), which highlights its support for small businesses, and Gold Membership with the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS).

The school also holds an AACSB Business Education Alliance Membership, a significant achievement as it works towards full accreditation with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Keele Business School’s commitment to gender equality and inclusivity is also recognised by the Athena Swan Bronze Award. This prestigious award acknowledges the school’s efforts in promoting equal opportunities for all staff and students. Furthermore, the 3 Leaf Sustainability Benchmark Award underscores Keele’s leadership in integrating sustainability into its operations and educational offerings.

Keele Business School offers various study options, including foundation years, undergraduate degrees, and postgraduate programmes. The Foundation Year is one of the longest-running of its kind in the UK, designed to offer an accessible route to higher education for students from diverse backgrounds. The Foundation Year provides a solid academic and personal development base, with course content tailored to the chosen degree path. Keele also offers online, part-time MBAs, which are specifically developed for adult learners, allowing them to balance their studies with professional commitments.

At the postgraduate level, Keele Business School provides a mature and focused learning environment, particularly for students engaged in postgraduate research. Keele’s Senior Leader Apprenticeship and Senior People Professional Apprenticeship programmes are designed to equip professionals with advanced leadership and HR skills. These apprenticeship programmes offer both theoretical and practical learning, aligned with the needs of modern businesses and leadership roles.

Keele Business School is led by a team of internationally recognised academics and professionals. The school’s leadership includes Dr Scott Bambrick, Director of Keele Business School, and Professor Samir Dani, who serves as the Deputy Director and Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management. Keele Business School’s academics are actively engaged in research, which directly informs their teaching, ensuring that students benefit from the latest business theories and practices. The faculty is also multicultural and multinational, contributing a diverse perspective to the school’s academic environment.

The school’s research activities focus on key business areas such as management, marketing, finance, economics, and human resource management. Keele’s research outputs are regularly presented at national and international conferences and published in leading academic journals. The research conducted at Keele Business School helps shape the curriculum, ensuring that students are introduced to cutting-edge concepts and ideas throughout their studies.

Keele Business School offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional courses designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to excel in various business sectors. The courses cover diverse areas including management, marketing, economics, finance, accounting, human resource management, and operations.

The undergraduate courses at Keele Business School provide students with a solid foundation in business principles, alongside practical experience. Students can pursue a Bachelor’s degree in subjects such as Business Management, Marketing, International Business, Accounting and Finance, and Human Resource Management. These programmes are designed to give students a deep understanding of how businesses operate in a global, competitive environment. Core modules typically include business and management fundamentals, business finance, marketing strategies, economic principles, and the impact of technology on business. Students also explore areas such as sustainability and ethical business practices, which are integrated throughout the curriculum.

The Foundation Year programme is an additional offering that prepares students for undergraduate study. It provides an opportunity for individuals from non-traditional educational backgrounds to gain the necessary skills before progressing onto their chosen degree. The Foundation Year covers core topics such as business management, finance, economics, and the use of digital technology in business decision-making. Upon successful completion, students can progress to a degree programme within Keele Business School.

Keele Business School offers a range of postgraduate courses, including Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master’s degrees in specialised fields such as Human Resource Management, Finance, and Marketing. The MBA programme is available both full-time and part-time, with a focus on sustainable business practices and leadership development. Keele's MBA is ranked highly for its sustainability focus, preparing graduates to tackle social, economic, and environmental challenges in the global business landscape.

For those seeking flexible learning options, Keele Business School also offers 100% online and part-time MBAs, which are designed for working professionals who wish to enhance their business acumen while balancing work commitments. These programmes maintain the same high academic standards as the full-time MBA, allowing students to study at their own pace.

In addition to its academic programmes, Keele Business School offers professional development opportunities through its Senior Leader Apprenticeship and Senior People Professional Apprenticeship programmes. These are designed to provide advanced business and HR skills to professionals in leadership roles. The Senior Leader Apprenticeship, aligned with the MBA programme, equips participants with the necessary tools to lead in a rapidly changing business environment, while the Senior People Professional Apprenticeship focuses on enhancing HR expertise and fostering effective organisational cultures.

In 2024, Keele Business School was ranked 32nd globally in the Corporate Knights Better World MBA Ranking, which evaluates business schools based on how effectively they integrate sustainability into their MBA programmes. 

Keele Business School is also a signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), an international initiative that promotes responsible management education. As a PRME Champion for 2024-2025, Keele continues to demonstrate leadership in integrating sustainability into its curriculum and operations.

Additionally, Keele Business School holds accreditation from several prestigious organisations, including the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which is a hallmark of excellence in business education. The school is actively working towards full AACSB accreditation, which would place it among a select group of global business schools recognised for their quality and impact.

Keele Business School offers a range of programmes designed to enhance students' employability. These include undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional courses, all of which integrate work-based learning, internships, and projects with industry partners. The business school has a robust network of connections with local, national, and international businesses, providing students with opportunities to gain practical experience while studying. The school’s Senior Leader Apprenticeship and Senior People Professional Apprenticeship programmes are examples of initiatives aimed at improving job integration.

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