The University of Law Business School offers a wide range of business management degrees, some of which have a specific focus, such as law or marketing. But what jobs can you do with a business management degree, and what further study options can it lead to?
What is a business management degree?
By Elena Carruthers. Published 4 july 2022. Last updated 22 September 2022.
A business management degree explores all types of business and can help you access a variety of jobs once you graduate. A good business management degree will provide insights into key areas such as accounting, marketing, economics, operations, data and managing people. It can be worth the investment as it offers expanded job opportunities, higher earning potential and career advancement possibilities.
Here at ULaw, we offer a range of undergraduate business management courses:
What to expect from a business management degree?
With a business management degree, you will develop knowledge and skills that will help to prepare you for a career in business that you can be used in any sector or industry. Business management degrees cover the fundamentals of business principles, data analytics, organisational effectiveness, relationship management and more. You will gain an understanding of how everything fits together.
There is a wide variety of business management courses to choose from. With a degree as adaptable as business management, you can keep your options open. Business management courses help to build up a breadth of expertise, and as the course progresses you can focus on your interests. A business management degree is a good option if you want to become an entrepreneur, as you will learn everything you need to start your company and run it successfully.
If you finish your degree and decide that you don’t want to go directly into business management, you will have developed transferable skills that you are able to apply elsewhere; such as communication, teamwork, data analysis, problem-solving, presenting and leadership. This will leave you in a strong position as employers highly value these skills because they prepare you for a real business environment.
What does a business manager do?
Business managers are involved in all aspects of business management. The day might start by having external meetings with suppliers to negotiate contracts. The next meeting could be completely different with internal stakeholders revising financial budgets, future marketing strategies and so on.
Regularly meeting with the heads of other departments and defining successful business strategies for the company, business management is a very exciting job. While it does come with a certain level of pressure, it offers lots of satisfaction and it can often lead to a very rewarding salary.
There is demand for business managers in many areas as companies need professionals who understand how business works as well as the technical principles behind it. Business managers can use their specialised knowledge to help companies make informed decisions and increase profits.
Job options with a business management degree
There are an abundance of job options with a business management degree. During your business management degree, you will develop skill sets that are needed in small start-ups and large corporations, in both public and private sectors. Many employers often ask for business management degree graduates when hiring recruits due to the essential skills and knowledge they know these candidates will have developed during this degree.
We’ve picked out some of the most common areas business graduates go into after their studies.
Finance
Most business degrees will explore aspects of finance and accounting. Jobs in accounting usually involve reviewing the company’s current and past financial situation, advising on tax, costs, record management and transactions. You’ll also take a role in mergers and acquisitions, whether it’s active or purely advisory, and have responsibilities regarding the prevention of fraud and negligence.
If you want to specialise in finance you’ll need to gain further qualifications after your business degree. Fret not, though; most large accountancy firms offer on-the-job training programmes with their graduate roles.
Finance Analyst
A finance analyst guides businesses and individuals through investment opportunities. By using knowledge of the industry, market trends and financial data, an analyst finds the best strategies for continuing growth. The job also involves analysing economic trends, business news and financial information.
Business Analyst
A business analyst evaluates past and current business data to improve decision making processes within organisations. They work closely with stakeholders to identify goals, best practices, and active methods for gathering and analysing data.
Chartered Management Accountant
A chartered management accountant prepares, develops and analyses financial information to make well-informed decisions to help secure future growth, stability and profit. The accountant also analyses the performance of the business and advises on how to prevent problems.
Retail and sales
Spanning from the management of a single store, to regional and even global management, there’s a whole range of opportunities in the field of retail sales that goes beyond shelf-stacking and cold-calling. Big companies often have fast-track programmes for graduates looking to move into management positions which will further develop your skills in business management whilst providing plenty of on-the-job experience.
Similarly, sales doesn’t have to mean scanning items through a till. It can mean anything from automotive, technology or medical supplies to homes, businesses and intellectual property. No matter what the product, a good understanding of business is going to be a huge advantage to getting those agreements signed.
Marketing Manager
A marketing manager organises and manages marketing campaigns to increase awareness and generate demand for products and services.
Sales Manager
A sales manager leads and supervises sales executives and runs the day-to-day sales operations of a business. Overseeing the sales strategy, setting sales goals and tracking sales performance are the main responsibilities.
Account Manager
An account manager makes sure that each department meets the needs of their clients and customers. The manager also handles customer complaints, finds solutions to their concerns and maintains a positive rapport between both parties for future projects.
Data Analyst
A data analyst can interpret data and use it to make strategic and well-informed decisions. It’s a technical role that requires an undergraduate or master’s degree in analytics, computer science or maths.
Retail Manager
A retail manager is responsible for a variety of tasks, such as managing overall store operations, recruiting and scheduling employees, training and supporting employees and much more.
Human Resources
A big part of any business management skill set is people management, and nothing says people management more than human resources. If you’re interested in recruitment and training, and managing budgets and payroll, then HR might be the right route for you. HR managers and directors often have open-door policies, needing excellent communication and interpersonal skills. It’s a very diplomatic area of any business, needing a gentle approach that helps employees and the business alike.
HR Manager
An HR manager leads and directs the Human Resources (HR) department, hires and interviews staff, deals with salaries, pay rises, annual leave and enforces company policies and practices.
Management
You’ll find managerial roles in any company, and within any field, so once you’ve developed a strong track record in this area it can be easy to shift between industries. The main responsibility of a manager is to provide structural and strategic guidance to a company or team. If your goal is to reach a managerial position it’s going to take work, and you’ll need to develop skills in people management and strategy through mid-level roles.
Management Consultant
A management consultant helps organisations resolve any issues, create values, maximise profits and improve business performance. The consultant uses their expertise to give well-informed advice in order to help a business develop the specialist skill set it may be lacking.
Project Manager
A project manager is responsible for planning, organising and directing the completion of specific projects for a business, while ensuring these projects are on time and within the scope of the budget.
Business Adviser
A business adviser is responsible for planning and executing business strategies to improve efficiency in the operational and financial management of businesses. The advisor prepares a budget, advises on projects and marketing, and performs risk analysis.
Law
It’s going to take some extra training, but the transition from business to law can make a lot of sense if you’re interested in corporate law. Your business degree will give you a good footing for understanding the workings and priorities of a corporation. Bringing that viewpoint with you to a law conversion course can be beneficial, as firms are becoming more open to those who can offer a non-law perspective. Check out ULaw’s PGDL conversion course for more information on how you can make the shift into a legal career.
Corporate Lawyer
A corporate lawyer in the UK advises clients of their rights, responsibilities and duties under the law. The lawyer helps their clients create the framework of how the company is directed and controlled to avoid litigation.
Entrepreneurship
If you’ve got a burgeoning idea for your own business, your newly acquired skills will see you through the set-up and management of a small business. You might need to work for a company whilst you prepare, but with enough perseverance you could end up being your own boss. If you want to get some experience of starting a small business, look for graduate jobs at start-ups so you can see what it’s like to build a business from the ground up.
Director of Operations
A director of operations evaluates how an organisation operates. The director manages the implementation of business guidelines and strategies, working with other department heads to ensure everything runs smoothly and according to guidelines.
Further study options
You could continue further studies in marketing, computing, finance, human resources, international business management or law. Many postgraduate business courses are accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), so you will achieve an extra qualification to your degree.
In the year following the completion of your studies, Master’s business courses offer the option to take a placement year. Taking a placement year is a great opportunity to build your commercial awareness, experience and to understand what employers are looking for.
Work experience
There are many other options for gaining some experience during and after your studies, including summer internships and part-time roles. You can gain experience at university by taking roles in societies and a club membership to develop your team building, business and financial skills. Many universities offer career services and help their students to find work experience via various events, networking programs and group workshops.
Most universities have partnerships with companies, from local small businesses to multinational large corporations. They organise conferences, career fairs, virtual events and guest lecturers.
The University of Law offers business employability services to develop your business career by supporting you throughout your working life.
Business management courses with us
Our business management degrees are CMI accredited and designed with employability in mind. Our experienced and accredited professors and tutors use modern teaching techniques and tools to develop all the skills you need to start a successful business career.
Discover more about The University of Law Business School.
