Ask the expert: What you should look for when choosing a university to study Business?

Choosing where to study Business is a big decision, and with so many universities in the UK, it can be hard to know what really matters. We spoke to the Head of Staffordshire Business School, Carol Southall, to explore the key things students should look for, from teaching quality and employability to global expertise and real-world experience. 

What should students look for when choosing where to study Business?

Students should look beyond glossy brochures and understand how a university will help them grow. Employability post-graduation is so important. Ask about real outcomes: where do graduates go? What opportunities exist for placements or live projects? Speak to current students about how supported they feel. Business today is about adaptability, resilience, innovation, and global thinking. So, look for a course that gives you real-world experience, connections with industry, and lecturers who bring current, relevant expertise into the classroom. At University of Staffordshire, for example, our strong links with local and national businesses, through our academic and alumni networks, mean students can apply their learning in real settings and graduate with experience that employers value.

How useful are rankings when choosing a university?

League tables can be useful, but they don’t capture the full student experience. Things like live projects, alumni and business networks, careers support, placement and international fieldtrip opportunities, as well as a more personalised teaching experience, often have a much bigger impact on a student’s success. Many people underestimate how many universities there are in the UK. There are 166 core UK universities, and 296 higher education institutions. So, when looking at statistics, bear this in mind. Often, high entry requirements are a big factor in overall scores, so look closer at the metrics that really matter to you, areas like student satisfaction or teaching quality.

How does our teaching approach prepare students for real-world challenges?

Our teaching combines theory with practice. Every module is designed to connect classroom learning to business challenges - from entrepreneurship to sustainability. Students work on live projects with real businesses, developing critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills that employers want. Students have great opportunities to work on placements in real businesses, as well as get involved in our AI and Marketing Hub.

What makes our student support stand out?

Being a relatively small department compared to some larger universities, we pride ourselves on knowing our students as individuals. From academic mentors to careers advisors, we make sure every student has someone to turn to. Our class sizes are small enough for meaningful interaction, and we support flexible learning for those balancing study with work or family life.

How do we use student feedback to shape the experience?

We have regular student-staff forums where students’ voices directly influence how we teach. For instance, after student feedback, we added more digital marketing content and employability-focused sessions. That responsiveness is part of why our students consistently rate us highly for teaching quality and feedback.

How does studying with expert academics and active researchers benefit students?

Studying with globally experienced academics and active researchers gives students access to cutting-edge knowledge and real-world insights. Our staff bring international perspectives and hands-on experience from projects with businesses and organisations around the world, so students learn not just theory, but how it’s applied in practice. This approach helps students develop the skills, confidence, and networks they need to succeed in their careers.

A snapshot of our research excellence

Our team includes experts working on:

• Digital marketing & social media performance - Dr Joe Hazzam’s research directly informs how SMEs adopt and embed digital tools.
• Local governance & sustainability - Professor Steve Griggs is involved in projects on local economic growth and sustainable futures.
• Big data, finance & digital intelligence - Dr Dilrukshi Dimungu-Hewage examines how data and technology support sustainable financial decision-making.
• Corporate governance & fintech innovation - Dr Syed Zaidi explores emerging financial technologies and ethical finance.
• Tourism, community and cultural regeneration - Head of Staffordshire Business School Carol Southall and Course Director Amanda Payne research tourism’s role in social change and cultural development.
• Entrepreneurship in emerging markets - Dr Susan Sisay and Dr Itoro Ekpo study entrepreneurial ecosystems and the role of technology, including AI, in African contexts.
• Strategic management in emerging global enterprises - Dr Bharati Singh focuses on how multinational enterprises grow and compete.
• Sustainability, leadership & workplace equality - Dr Khaoula Omhand examines how organisational structures shape fairness at work.
• Degree apprenticeships and employer engagement - Kieron Chadwick researches practical barriers and solutions for higher-level apprenticeships.

This depth and breadth of expertise means students are learning from people who aren’t just teaching business. They are actively influencing how business is done.

How do our accolades reflect everyday student life?

Our recent recognition for teaching excellence and student experience reflects what our students already experience: excellent teaching, strong outcomes, and genuine support. They’re an external validation of what our staff and students achieve together every day.

Some of our recent accolades include: 

• No.1 in the UK for Teaching Quality for Business, Management and Marketing - The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
• 7th for Student Experience in Business, Management and Marketing – The Times University Guide 2026
• 7th in the UK for Business and Management​ - National Student Survey 2025​
• 3rd for Learning Opportunities for Business and Management​ - National Student Survey 2025​
• Top 10 for Teaching, Academic Support, Student Voice and Assessment and Feedback - National Student Survey 2025​

What do our awards mean for you?

It means you’re choosing a place that’s proven to deliver quality and results. But beyond that, it’s about being part of a university that continually strives to do better to innovate, to listen, and to help every student succeed.

What skills and qualities will Business graduates need in the next decade?

Graduates will need adaptability, digital literacy, teamwork, emotional intelligence, and an understanding of how to lead responsibly. Employers want people who can think critically, communicate effectively, and bring diverse perspectives to the table.

We build these skills into everything we do, from collaborative projects with businesses to leadership workshops and networking events. Not only do we build them in, but we build ON them, to scaffold for success. From our first-year undergraduate support to final-year postgraduate, our focus is not just on academic knowledge, but on preparing students to thrive in a fast-changing, interconnected, intercultural world.