Why Study International Business in the UK

The UK has long been on top of the international higher education scene. Home to some of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities, it also -- alongside the US -- dominates in terms of Nobel Prize winners; the likes of Albert Einstein, T.S. Eliot, Aung San Suu Kyi, Kofi Annan, and Desmond Tutu have all studied in the UK. And the UK is still leading the way in terms of international higher education. In fact, it recently claimed a top three spot in Universitas 21’s 2019 ranking of national higher education systems. The takeaway? Given the country’s status as a global education superpower, UK degrees are held in high regard around the world.

Here’s a closer look at a few things that make the UK higher education system so remarkable, along with one innovative program at the University of Birmingham that opens the door to a UK business degree -- no matter where you’re located in the world.

The Success of UK Universities

One pivotal and unique thing the UK has going for it? The esteemed Russell Group. This consortium of 24 preeminent UK universities is committed to setting the global standard for academic achievement across teaching, learning, and research. It also boasts unparalleled connections throughout the public sector and business world.

With more than 23,700 universities in the world, today’s students have an almost overwhelming number of options when it comes to deciding where to study. Membership in the Russell Group signifies implicit quality. Students not only walk away from a Russell Group university with an exceptional education, but also with sterling credentials that will be recognized around the world.

A few more reasons to attend a Russell Group university, according to The Guardian? Russell Group universities lay claim to high student satisfaction rates, low drop-out rates, and plenty of attention from recruiters. Plus, Russell Group grads earn approximately 10 percent higher salaries than their non-Russell Group peers.

Same Quality, Lower Price

With so much attention focused on the high cost of college and rising debt, many students are seeking out alternatives to the sky-high tuitions plaguing the US. While the UK may not be the first country that comes to mind when you think about affordable higher education, the fact is that it’s significantly cheaper than the cost of tuition and fees at most private colleges in the US -- with no sacrifice of quality. For EU nationals, meanwhile, the cost of studying in the UK is even lower.

Speaking of getting what you pay for, the UK remains committed to quality assurance thanks to regular inspections by the government’s Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), which is tasked with ensuring that universities maintain standards.

The UK is a Business Mecca

While every possible field of study is represented in the UK, business studies are a standout due to the country’s premier positioning on the international business stage. Citing its status as a “leading trading power and financial center,” Forbes recently named the UK the world’s Best Country for Business for the second consecutive year.

Worried about the impact of Brexit on UK degrees? Experts insist that the UK’s brand is unsulliable -- so much so, in fact, that it also claimed the top spot on Portland’s The Soft Power 30. “The UK’s objective soft power assets are the foundation of its continued success,” asserts the report. One such asset? It’s higher education sector.

A UK Degree, Your Way

Now what if we told you there was a way you could gain access to everything that a UK business degree has to offer without having to relocate? This is where the University of Birmingham’s Online MSc International Business comes in.

Part of the Russell Group, this world-class university is the third most highly prized by UK employers seeking to employ graduates, according to the High Fliers Graduate Research 2019 report. Its business graduates are particularly sought after, and with good reason: not only is the online MSc the world’s first wholly online masters to be accredited by AMBA, but its business management master’s is ranked 13th among UK universities.

Developed to prepare graduates for today’s competitive business environment, University of Birmingham’s two-and-a-half-year Online MSc International Business offers virtual experiential learning within the immersive context of an international student community. The result? A diverse global perspective, as well as an international network of contacts to call on throughout your career.

For enterprising international business students, the University of Birmingham Online MSc International Business offers a best-of-both-worlds learning experience: the opportunity to earn a prestigious UK business degree with all of the advantages of studying online.