University of Sussex Business School

The University of Sussex Business School is part of the University of Sussex, based in Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom. It was established in 2009 and brings together the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), the Department of Economics, and departments of business, management, and finance. It is located in the Jubilee Building on the main Sussex campus.
 

The School is known for research and teaching in areas such as business, management, economics, accounting and finance, marketing, sustainability, international trade, digital futures, innovation, science and technology policy, and energy policy. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA, and PhD programmes. The Sussex MBA is AMBA accredited. Courses are aligned with the Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 

The School is accredited by EQUIS and AMBA, and it is a Bloomberg Experiential Learning Partner. It has affiliations with professional bodies such as CMI, CIM, CIMA, ACCA, ICAEW, CFA Institute, CIPFA, CISI, GARP, and CIPD.
 

It is ranked 1st in the UK for Development Studies (QS 2025), 1st for research income in the UK (Chartered Association of Business Schools 2025), and among the top 20 in the UK for Business and Economics (THE 2025). It ranks in the top 200 globally for its Master's programmes in Finance, Marketing, Management, and Supply Chain Management (QS 2025). Its research in Economics and Econometrics and Business and Management has been rated as internationally excellent (REF 2021).
 

The School hosts several research centres, including the UK Trade Policy Observatory, Centre for Inclusive Trade Policy, Digital Futures at Work Centre, Sussex Energy Group, and Bennett Institute for Innovation and Policy Acceleration. It also runs the Nemea Fund, a student-led investment fund.
 

Professor Ingrid Woolard is the Executive Dean. The School works closely with businesses through advisory boards, mentorship schemes, and placement programmes, aiming to prepare students for leadership roles in different sectors.

The University of Sussex Business School was formally established in 2009 as part of the University of Sussex in Brighton, East Sussex. Its formation brought together several existing academic departments and centres with a long history at the university. Two of the most significant units forming the foundation of the Business School were the Department of Economics and the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU). SPRU was created in 1966 and became one of the world’s first interdisciplinary research centres focusing on science, technology, and innovation policy.
 

In 1984, the university began offering its first management minor degree, marking the initial steps towards business-focused education. Over the years, further expansion of academic provision in business, management, and finance led to the official launch of the Business School in 2009. By 2011, the School introduced its MBA programme, further diversifying its postgraduate offering. The School moved into the Jubilee Building in 2012, a dedicated facility that enabled consolidation and future growth.
 

In 2016, the UK Trade Policy Observatory (UKTPO) was launched in partnership with Chatham House to offer independent research on UK trade in the context of Brexit. SPRU celebrated its 50th anniversary the same year. In 2018, the School opened the Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab and adopted its current name and structure, including five departments: Accounting and Finance, Economics, Management, Strategy and Marketing, and SPRU. The first online Master’s programme was also launched that year.
 

In 2019, the School gained EQUIS and AMBA accreditations. In 2020, the Digital Futures at Work Research Centre was established in collaboration with the University of Leeds and other UK and Australian universities. The Centre for Inclusive Trade Policy was launched in 2022, focusing on research into inclusive and evidence-based trade policy. That same year, the School renewed its EQUIS and AMBA accreditations.
 

In 2023, the School partnered with the Peter Bennett Foundation to create the Bennett Institute for Innovation and Policy Acceleration. It also launched TASK (The Assessment of Sustainability Knowledge) to promote sustainability literacy. In 2024, the School transitioned into one of four faculties at the University of Sussex and received the Athena Swan Bronze Award.
 

Today, the University of Sussex Business School remains focused on research, education, and policy engagement across areas such as sustainability, digital transformation, economics, and international trade. It continues to host active research centres and maintains a strong presence in global university rankings. The School is led by Executive Dean Professor Ingrid Woolard.

The University of Sussex Business School offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA, and PhD courses designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed in today’s business environment. These courses focus on areas such as business, management, economics, marketing, finance, international trade, sustainability, digital futures, entrepreneurship, and science and technology policy.
 

At the undergraduate level, the Business School offers BSc courses in subjects including Accounting and Finance, Business and Management Studies, Business and Marketing, Economics, Economics and Finance, Economics and Management Studies, International Business, and International Development. There are also joint honours options which allow students to combine subjects, such as Economics and Politics, or Business and Law.
 

Students also benefit from placement years and study abroad options as part of many undergraduate degrees. These placements help them gain practical work experience and improve employability.

At the postgraduate taught level, the School offers a wide selection of MSc degrees. These include MSc in Management, International Business, Marketing, Finance and Investment, Corporate and Financial Risk Management, Accounting and Finance, International Accounting and Corporate Governance, Human Resource Management, Supply Chain Management and Logistics, and International Marketing. The MSc in Development Economics and MSc in Energy Policy offer specialised training in economic development and global energy systems. MSc courses in Project Management, Digital Marketing, and Science and Technology Policy are also available.
 

For students interested in research, the School offers PhD programmes in Economics, Management, Finance, and Innovation Studies. The SPRU centre leads PhDs in science and technology policy, innovation, energy policy, and sustainability transitions.
 

The Sussex MBA is a flexible and practical programme designed for professionals. It is AMBA accredited and can be studied full-time or part-time. It focuses on leadership, innovation, and responsible management.

All courses are linked to the School’s key research areas and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The curriculum includes real-world projects, guest lectures from industry experts, and access to Bloomberg Terminals in the Financial Markets Lab.

Students benefit from career services, mentoring, and placement support throughout their studies. Many courses also hold accreditations from professional bodies including the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), among others.

• 1st in the World for Development Studies – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Top 20 in the UK for Business and Economics – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
• Top 151-200 globally for Full-time MBA – QS Global MBA Rankings 2025
• 10th in the UK and World Top 50 – Supply Chain Management Masters (QS 2025)
• 23rd in the UK and World Top 91-100 – Masters in Marketing (QS 2025)
• 28th in the UK and World Top 141-150 – Masters in Finance (QS 2025)
• 1st in the UK for annual research income – Chartered Association of Business Schools 2025
• Top 30 in the world for UN SDG Climate Action – THE Impact Rankings 2024
• Top 125 globally for Business and Economics – THE World Rankings 2025
• Top 25 in the UK and 80th in the world for Economics and Business – US News 2024-25
• 15th in the world for Business Administration – Shanghai Global Ranking 2024

Around 92% of undergraduate students and 94% of postgraduate students were in employment or further study within 15 months of graduation, according to the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey. Many students take part in work placements, consultancy projects, and internships during their studies. The School works closely with employers through its mentor scheme, career workshops, and networking events. Companies involved include PwC, Deloitte, HSBC, Unilever, and the Civil Service. Students also benefit from the Bloomberg Lab and entrepreneurship support through the Nemea Fund and innovation programmes.

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