Oxford Brookes Business School

Oxford Brookes Business School is one of the leading faculties within Oxford Brookes University, located in Oxford, England. The school offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes in business, management, economics, marketing, accounting, and entrepreneurship. It forms part of the Faculty of Business and Law and plays a key role in the university’s teaching, research, and external engagement activities.

The roots of the Business School trace back to Oxford Polytechnic, which became Oxford Brookes University in 1992. Business education was part of the institution’s offering during the polytechnic era and was formally consolidated into a distinct business school following university status. Over the years, it has expanded its academic portfolio and enhanced its reputation through professional accreditations and industry links.

Oxford Brookes Business School focuses on combining academic theory with practical application. It collaborates with professional bodies such as ACCA, CMI, and CIM, enabling students to gain additional professional qualifications alongside their degrees. The school also offers a Global MBA programme, known for its flexible delivery and international focus.

The school has modern facilities at the Headington Campus, with well-equipped lecture theatres, seminar rooms, and digital learning environments. It places strong emphasis on employability, innovation, and sustainable business practices. Research is an important component, with academic staff contributing to topics such as responsible management, business ethics, and regional economic development.

Oxford Brookes Business School attracts students from the UK and overseas and maintains academic partnerships across Europe, Asia, and North America. Its mission is to develop graduates who are capable, ethical, and globally aware, prepared to meet the evolving demands of the business world.

Oxford Brookes Business School is part of Oxford Brookes University, a modern public university located in Oxford, England. The school has developed significantly over the decades, evolving from a technical college into a recognised institution for business education and research.

The origins of Oxford Brookes University date back to 1865, when it was founded as the Oxford School of Art. Over time, it expanded to include technical and vocational education, reflecting the industrial needs of the 19th and 20th centuries. The institution later became known as Oxford Polytechnic in 1970, consolidating various educational units under one administrative structure.

Business education at Oxford began taking shape during the polytechnic era. In the late 20th century, as the UK placed greater emphasis on practical and professional higher education, Oxford Polytechnic began offering business-related courses. These were aimed at preparing students for roles in management, marketing, finance, and the wider commercial sector.

In 1992, Oxford Polytechnic gained university status under the Further and Higher Education Act and became Oxford Brookes University, named in honour of its founding principal, John Henry Brookes. This transition marked a key milestone in the formalisation and expansion of its academic faculties.

The Business School was officially formed as a separate academic entity within Oxford Brookes University. It combined existing programmes in management, accounting, economics, and marketing into one coherent faculty. Over the years, the Business School expanded its academic offerings to include undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Oxford Brookes Business School established itself as a provider of both academically rigorous and professionally relevant education. It developed links with professional bodies such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), allowing students to gain professional accreditation alongside their degrees.

The school began attracting international students and developed overseas collaborations, especially through its MBA and postgraduate programmes. It also enhanced its research capacity in areas including business ethics, sustainable development, and organisational behaviour.

Oxford Brookes Business School is located at the university’s Headington Campus. In recent years, it has benefited from investments in teaching and learning facilities, including new lecture theatres, seminar rooms, and dedicated spaces for group work and research. The school integrates digital technology and virtual learning environments into its teaching approach.

In the 2010s, Oxford Brookes Business School launched a restructured suite of undergraduate and postgraduate courses to align with industry needs and global business trends. It also increased its focus on employability, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

The school developed research centres and clusters to support academic research and engagement with external partners. These include initiatives in innovation and enterprise, responsible management, and regional economic development. Its faculty actively contributes to peer-reviewed journals and collaborates with businesses, non-profits, and government agencies.

The Oxford Brookes Global MBA programme gained recognition for its flexibility and international perspective, being delivered both online and face-to-face.

Oxford Brookes Business School operates under the Faculty of Business and Law. It continues to serve both domestic and international students, with an emphasis on preparing graduates for dynamic careers in business, government, and non-governmental organisations. The school maintains partnerships with universities and institutions across Europe, Asia, and North America.

Oxford Brookes Business School offers a diverse range of undergraduate, postgraduate, research, and professional development courses. These programmes are structured to provide students with academic knowledge and practical skills across key business disciplines, supporting careers in a variety of industries and sectors.

At the undergraduate level, the Business School offers several degree programmes covering core areas of business and management. The BA (Hons) Business and Management provides a broad understanding of how businesses operate and includes optional modules in areas such as marketing, human resource management, and international business. The BA (Hons) Business and Marketing Management focuses on the application of marketing principles in a business context, while the BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance covers financial reporting, management accounting, taxation, and financial management. 

The BA (Hons) Business and Enterprise is aimed at students interested in entrepreneurship, offering insights into business start-ups and innovation. The BA (Hons) Economics, Finance and International Business combines economic theory, financial analysis, and international business practices. Other popular undergraduate degrees include the BA (Hons) International Business Management, which prepares students for work in global business environments, and the BA (Hons) Marketing Management, which focuses on marketing strategy, consumer behaviour, and digital marketing.

Many of the undergraduate programmes offer sandwich options, allowing students to undertake a work placement year. Students also have the opportunity to participate in study abroad schemes through international exchange partnerships.

The postgraduate courses at Oxford Brookes Business School are designed for both recent graduates and professionals looking to enhance their skills. The Global MBA is a flexible programme available on a full-time, part-time, or distance learning basis, offering leadership and strategic thinking modules. The MSc International Business Management examines the complexities of managing across borders, while the MSc Business, Management and Corporate Responsibility explores ethical business practices. The MSc Marketing and Brand Management covers areas such as digital marketing, branding, and market research. 

The MSc Human Resource Management, aligned with CIPD standards, includes training in employee relations, learning and development, and organisational behaviour. The MSc Accounting and Finance offers in-depth financial analysis, reporting standards, and risk assessment. The MSc Project Management provides training in planning, managing, and delivering projects within various industries.

Oxford Brookes Business School also offers research degrees, including the PhD in Business and Management and the Doctor of Coaching and Mentoring (DCM). These programmes allow students to engage in advanced study and research in areas such as leadership, sustainability, innovation, and organisational development. Additionally, the school provides executive education and professional short courses for continuing development and business training.

Oxford Brookes Business School has achieved recognition in various national and international rankings for its business and management programmes. In the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject, Oxford Brookes University is ranked in 23 subject areas, with Business & Management Studies and Marketing both placed in the top 100 globally.

The Global MBA programme at Oxford Brookes Business School is ranked within the 111–120 band globally and is tied at 36th in Europe in the QS Global MBA Rankings 2025. According to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2025, Oxford Brookes University is placed in the 301–400 band for Business and Economics. 

In national rankings, Oxford Brookes University is ranked 38th in the Guardian University Guide 2025 and 50th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. Oxford Brookes Business School holds accreditation from the Association of MBAs (AMBA), reflecting its commitment to high standards in postgraduate business education.

Oxford Brookes Business School demonstrates a strong commitment to graduate employability, as reflected in its job integration rates.

According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22, published in June 2024, 87% of full-time undergraduate students at Oxford Brookes University were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation.

Specifically, for Business and Management graduates, data from the Discover Uni platform indicates that 95% were employed or engaged in further study 15 months after completing their course.

• Oxford Brookes Business School | Oxford Brookes University
• BA (Hons) in Business and Management | Oxford Brookes University
• Oxford Brookes Business School | TopMBA
• Oxford Brookes Business School | University Info | Masters Portal 
• Oxford Brookes Business School | MiM Guide 
• Oxford Brookes Business School: Campus, Courses | Collegedunia 
• Oxford Brookes Business School | Top Universities
• Oxford Brookes University Business School | EuroEducation 
• School of Business, Oxford Brookes University | MBA
• Oxford Brookes Business School | QS China 
• Oxford Brookes Business School | Credly 
• Oxford Brookes University | Prospects
• Oxford Brookes University | MBA Studies 
• Oxford Brookes University - Business and Management | UCAS 
• Oxford Brookes University Global MBA | Study Abroad
• Oxford Brookes University: Ranking, Fees, Eligibility | Leverage Edu