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Leeds University Business School

Leeds University Business School is a faculty of the University of Leeds offering undergraduate to executive education, with triple accreditation and a global student body.
Leeds University Business School
Dean

Julia Bennell (Dean)

Academic staff
100 - 500
Students
4000
Locations
Leeds, England
Established
1904
Afiliations
University of Leeds
Address
Maurice Keyworth Building, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
Social Media
Summary

Leeds University Business School is a faculty of the University of Leeds, located in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is one of a small number of business schools worldwide to hold triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, recognising its global standards in teaching and research. The School is housed across several buildings on the University’s western campus, including the Maurice Keyworth, Charles Thackrah, Clarendon, Newlyn, and Esther Simpson buildings. It also shares some facilities with the School of Law and hosts the Marks & Spencer company archive.

 

As part of a Russell Group university ranked in the top 100 globally (QS World University Rankings 2025), Leeds University Business School plays a central role in delivering business education and research. It supports over 5,000 students from nearly 100 countries through undergraduate, Masters, MBA, PhD, executive education, and online programmes.

 

In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, the School was ranked 12th in the UK for the quality of its business and management research and 5th for research power. With 145 research-active full-time equivalent staff, it forms one of the largest research communities in the country in its field.

 

The full-time MBA programme, accredited by AMBA, is internationally recognised and ranked 9th in the UK and 26th in Europe by the QS Global MBA Rankings 2025. The School collaborates with over 200 institutions worldwide, promoting academic exchange and joint research.

History

Leeds University Business School is part of the University of Leeds, located in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It operates as a faculty within the University and has developed into one of the UK's recognised centres for business education and research.

 

The Business School occupies several buildings across the University's western campus. One of the primary locations is the Maurice Keyworth Building, a 19th-century structure that formerly housed Leeds Grammar School. Over time, the School has expanded its physical footprint and now also operates from the Charles Thackrah Building, Clarendon Building, Newlyn Building, and the Esther Simpson Building, which opened in March 2022. 

 

The Newlyn Building was opened in October 2019 and is shared with the School of Law. Other facilities such as the Liberty Building and the Western Lecture Theatre contribute to the School’s infrastructure. The campus also includes the Marks & Spencer company archive, which was relocated from London to Leeds in 2009 and holds more than 60,000 artefacts.

 

The Business School has established itself as a research-intensive institution. According to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), Leeds was ranked twelfth in the UK for the quality of its business and management research and fifth for research power. It employed 145 research-active full-time equivalent staff in this area, making it the sixth-largest group nationally.

 

The School has earned a strong reputation in global education. It is a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities and is ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide by the QS World University Rankings 2025. The School holds triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, a status held by only a limited number of business schools globally.

 

Leeds University Business School offers a wide range of academic programmes. These include undergraduate degrees, taught postgraduate programmes, PhDs, an intensive one-year MBA, executive and professional education, and online learning options. The MBA programme is particularly notable, being AMBA accredited and ranked 9th in the UK and 26th in Europe in the QS Global MBA Rankings 2025. The School currently supports a student population of over 5,000 individuals from nearly 100 countries.

 

The School maintains international connections with over 200 partner institutions, facilitating research, teaching, programme development, conferences, and student exchange. It also focuses on sustainability and equality through dedicated initiatives and policies.

Courses

Leeds University Business School offers a wide range of academic programmes, covering undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, executive, and online study options. These courses are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for careers in business, management, economics, accounting, finance, marketing, and international business.

 

At the undergraduate level, the School offers BSc and BA degrees across disciplines such as Accounting and Finance, Banking and Finance, Business Analytics, Business Economics, Business Management, Economics, Human Resource Management, International Business, International Business and Finance, International Business and Marketing, and Management with Marketing. Many of these programmes include the option of a placement year or a year abroad.

 

Postgraduate taught courses include MSc programmes in Accounting and Finance, Actuarial Finance, Banking and International Finance, Business Analytics and Decision Sciences, Consumer Analytics and Marketing Strategy, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, Financial Mathematics, Global Strategy and Innovation Management, Human Resource Management, International Business, International Marketing Management, Management, Management Consulting, Strategic Management in the Global Environment, and Supply Chain Management and Logistics. These programmes are tailored to develop advanced skills and prepare students for specialised roles in global markets.

 

The School also offers a full-time MBA programme that runs for one year. It is AMBA accredited and ranked among the top in the UK and Europe. The MBA covers areas such as leadership, strategy, innovation, and international business, with opportunities for consultancy projects and international experiences.

 

Doctoral programmes include the PhD and the Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (EDBA). The PhD programme is research-intensive and supported by expert supervision across the School’s seven departments.

 

Executive and professional education courses are also available for working professionals and organisations. These include custom programmes, leadership development, and short courses.

 

Online programmes extend access to postgraduate education for global learners through flexible study formats.

Global MBA rankings

Leeds University Business School is part of the University of Leeds, which is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. The School’s full-time MBA programme holds a strong position in the QS Global MBA Rankings 2025, where it is ranked 9th in the United Kingdom and 26th in Europe. 

 

In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), Leeds University Business School was ranked 12th in the UK for the quality of its business and management research. It also achieved 5th place in the UK for research power, based on both the quality and quantity of research produced. The School had 145 research-active full-time equivalent staff, making it one of the largest research communities in its field in the country.

 

Leeds University Business School holds triple accreditation from three leading international bodies: AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS.

Job integration rate

Leeds University Business School reports strong employment outcomes for its graduates. According to the most recent data, 96% of its graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The School provides various career support services, including career guidance, employer events, internships, and networking opportunities.

General information

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Leeds University Business School
Dean

Julia Bennell (Dean)

Academic staff
100 - 500
Students
4000
Locations
Leeds, England
Established
1904
Afiliations
University of Leeds
Address
Maurice Keyworth Building, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
Social Media