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University of Surrey International Study Centre

Study business in the UK

What is business?

A degree in business involves the study of commercial activity, economics, management and the principles of business. You will develop a broad understanding of how business organisations are run, and learn about areas such as financial markets, operations, communication, information technology, business policy and strategy.

Some of the fields you will be able to specialise in include:

  • Accounting and Finance – Accounting is the recording and reporting of financial transactions, while finance is the planning and distribution of business assets
  • Business Management – The study of how companies are run, including leadership, monitoring, organisation, planning and strategy
  • Politics and Economics – Examining how business interacts with law, the economy and government
  • Investment Management – Learning how to manage business’ investment portfolios and stock
  • Corporate Finance – The area of finance that deals with sources of funding and the financial structure of corporations
  • Economics and Finance - The study of business and finance topics alongside the core elements of economics

Why study business?

There are many benefits to studying a degree in business:

Choosing to study business means you will get the opportunity to combine your interests. You can typically work in a variety of different roles, such as marketing and public relations, where you could work in an area you are passionate about, such as travel or sports.

You will have the opportunity to develop your own business ideas, as well as succeed in non-entrepreneurial roles. You will be able to think logically and critically about problems, coming up with solutions that bring multiple points of view together.

During your time studying business, you will be given the key academic knowledge you will need to eventually start your own business. You will develop an understanding of project management, finance, accounting and marketing to give you an overall understanding of how businesses operate and become successful.

Why study business at the University of Surrey?

If you choose to study business at the University of Surrey you will be based at Surrey Business School. Renowned for its world-class research and dynamic learning environment, you will be supported to develop your entrepreneurial and critical thinking skills.

Surrey Business School is a member of the Academy of Marketing and is also accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Throughout your studies, you will have plenty of opportunities to engage with real-world business problems. This will give you vital experience to have a successful career in business.

For undergraduate students, you will have the option to take on a Professional Training Year placement that will give you the chance to develop your professional and academic potential. It will equip you with desirable skills and qualities such as adaptability, resilience and confidence. The University is ranked 1st in the UK and 7th in the world for work placements and research partnership by the QS and has over 2,300 placement partners.

Students that choose to study business at Surrey gain the expert knowledge and skills desired by employers. Boasting an excellent record of graduate employment, Surrey Business School graduates have gone into a variety roles such as:

  • Business Unit Controller at Thomson Reuters
  • Management Consultant at PwC
  • Marketing Executive at Microsoft
  • Account Manager at Capgemini

Degree options at the University of Surrey

There are a variety of business degrees you could progress to at Surrey after studying the relevant pathway at the International Study Centre:

  • Business Economics BSc (Hons)
  • Business Management BSc (Hons)
  • Business Management (Entrepreneurship) BSc (Hons)
  • Business Management (Human Resource Management) BSc (Hons)
  • Business Management (Marketing) BSc (Hons)
  • Business Management and French BA (Hons)
  • Business Management and Spanish BA (Hons)
  • International Business Management BSc (Hons)
  • Business and Retail Management BSc (Hons)
  • International Business Management MSc

Business rankings

28th in Business and Management Studies in the Complete University Guide 2019

32nd in the UK for Business, Management and Marketing in the Guardian University League Table 2019

49th in the UK for Business Studies in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019

Surrey student

“I did my placement at BP in London as an economics research assistant. I’m now interested in policy issues in the energy sector, which has led me to take a module in my final year called Energy Economics, looking at issues like how inflation affects the welfare of the economy.”

Catherine from Nigeria
Studied International Foundation Year – Business, Economics, Law and Social Sciences

Degree preparation at the International Study Centre

At the University of Surrey International Study Centre, we offer pathway programmes so you can pursue either an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in business at Surrey. Our programmes will give you the confidence and the English language and academic skills to study at university.

Undergraduate pathway to business

Business students from Surrey University

Our Business, Economics, Law and Social Sciences International Foundation Year is a two-semester programme that will prepare you for a range of business undergraduate degrees at the University of Surrey.

Postgraduate pathway to business

Study the Pre-Masters in Management, Finance and Economics

Our Pre-Masters in Management, Finance and Economics will prepare you for a range of postgraduate business degrees at the University of Surrey across one or two semesters.


What are the business graduate job opportunities?

There are a wide variety of career options available to business graduates. You can stay on and further your academic experience, or enter one of many different careers such as:

  • Business advisor
  • Data analyst
  • Management consultant
  • Risk manager
  • Stockbroker
  • Accountant
  • Business reporter
  • Marketing executive