Overview
A business degree is a consistently popular choice for aspiring entrepreneurs and executives as Business and Management study deals with successfully coordinating all business activities and managing an organisation. It usually involves producing materials, money and machinery, including innovation and marketing. In addition, management is responsible for planning, organising, and directing a company's resources to ensure that these resources achieve the policy's objectives. Students who opt for a business and management course are provided with a broad understanding of business organisations and expertise in markets, customers, finance, operations, communications, information technology, and business policies and strategies.
A degree in Business and Management will help students develop a wide range of business skills relevant to their life, study and work. It will help the students apply practical business concepts, tools and terminology while exploring the essential aspects of running a business, from managing money, managing people, managing information and, most importantly, self-management and understanding. In addition, the degree will help students learn how to communicate professionally in day-to-day business situations, reflect on their own management and leadership style, and help address the concepts of success, sustainability and social responsibility.
Graduates can gain the skills they need to impact businesses significantly. The best thing about a business degree is that there are no limits to what one can do, as every organisation needs a business manager. The place of work depends on the desired location, personal interest and salary expectation, and one can always work as a freelance consultant.
Skill sets
The biggest highlight of pursuing a study in Business is the essential management skills that can make it a valuable asset to any organisation. Students can build skills to address challenges in business and society, enabling them to make decisions that are considered ethical and economic. Some of these skills include:
- An understanding of organisational behaviour and structure
- Analytical and critical thinking
- A creative approach to problem-solving
- Decision making
- Persuasive oral and written communication
- Leadership skills
- Self-reliance, initiative and the ability to manage time, projects and resources
- Numeracy and research skills
- Understanding how economic and other external factors can impact and influence businesses
Study levels
Business and Management courses are open to students from all disciplines, including Commerce, Science and Arts and can be completed at the Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral levels. These courses help students build organisation and management skills and can be pursued at the following levels:
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Management Studies
- Bachelor of Hospitality Management
- Bachelor of Hospital Management
- Bachelor in Sports Management
- Bachelor in Business Economics
- Business Administration plus a Diploma in Business Administration ( Specialisation)
- Business Administration plus a Graduate Diploma in Business Management
- Computer-Aided Management
- Bachelor of Commerce (Management)
- Integrated Master of Business Administration at the Undergraduate level
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Hotel Management
- Post Graduate Diploma in Management
- Post Graduate Diploma in Business Analytics
- Post Graduate Programme in Management
- Master of Commerce
- Master in Computer Management
- Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management
- Master of Financial Management
- Master of Philosophy in Management
- Executive Post Graduate Programme
- Master of Management Studies
- Master of Event Management
- Master of Business Studies
Specialisations
There are a varied number of business analytics specialisations available for students of Business Management to help them pursue career opportunities in the business world, and these include:
- Business Administration
- Business Economics
- Marketing and Sales
- Accounting
- Human Resource Management
- Corporate Finance
- Public Finance and Administration
- Investment Analysis
- Information and Technology
- Operations and Logistics
- Supply Chain Management
- International Business
- Hospitality
- Agriculture and Food Business
- Textile Management
- Organisational Management
- Health Care Administration and Management
- Project Management
- Rural Management
- Family Business
- Event Management
- IT and Systems
- Non-Governmental Organisation Management
Employability
A degree in Business and Management prepares students for a career in the business world, applicable across sectors. Various industries such as chemicals, utilities, fashion, healthcare, food and construction require managers with a clear understanding of systems, efficiencies, and operational issues. In addition, the opportunities are endless for employment in the private, public and voluntary sectors.
As the field explores all types of businesses and can lead one to a variety of job opportunities after graduation, a good business degree provides insight into key areas such as accounting, marketing, economics, operations, data and people management. It equips students with the knowledge and skills to prepare for a business career that can be applied to any field, including real estate, finance, marketing, IT, and telecommunications, to name a few.
The following lists of some of the most common areas that business graduates go into after their studies.
- Human Resources – A job in HR would be best for candidates interested in recruitment, training, managing budgets and payroll. This highly diplomatic area requires a gentle approach that helps employees and the business alike.
- HR Manager – An HR Manager leads and directs the Human Resources departments such as enforcing compliant policies and practices.
- Finance – As most business degrees deal with aspects of finance and accounting, accounting jobs typically involve reviewing a company's current and historical financial situation, tax, expenses, document management and advising on transactions.
- Finance Analyst – Financial Analysts guide companies and individuals through investment opportunities. Analysts use industry knowledge, market trends, and financial data to find the best strategies for continued growth.
- Business Analyst – A Business Analyst evaluates current and past business data to improve an organisation's decision-making process.
- Entrepreneurship – Candidates who have an early idea of starting their own business, with enough perseverance, can channel their newly acquired skills by building and running small businesses.
- Director of Operations – A Director of Operations manages and evaluates the implementation of business guidelines and strategies to ensure the smooth running of work.
- Project Manager – A Project Manager is responsible for planning, organising and directing the completion of specific projects for a business.
- Data Analyst – Data analysts interpret and use data for strategic and informed decisions.
- Social Media Manager – This role includes creating social media campaigns, communicating with team members and clients, curating and managing published material and nurturing leads and sales.
- Marketing Manager – The responsibilities of a Marketing Manager are overseeing marketing activities, marketing the marketing department, hiring marketing associates, and assisting with product launches.
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – the roles and obligations of a CEO differ from firm to company and are often determined by the organisation's structure and size. The CEOs implement department-wide policies, distribute department resources, provide feedback to staff and collaborate with other departments.
Other jobs where a degree in Business and Management would be beneficial include
- Stockbroker
- Supply Chain Manager
- Environmental Engineer
- Auditor
- Logistics and Distribution Manager
- Retail Manager
- Sales Executive
- Urban Designer
Fees
Although Business and Management fees differ from institution to institution, the approximate cost for an Undergraduate and Postgraduate course for students wishing to pursue this degree in countries like India, the UK, the USA, Australia, Canada and Ireland are as follows:
- India – An Undergraduate course ranges from about INR 50,000 – 2,00,000 per annum, and a Postgraduate course INR 20,000 to 40,00,000 for the entire course.
- UK – An Undergraduate course is approximately GBP 11,668 per annum, and a Postgraduate course is approximately GBP 41,808 per annum.
- USA – An Undergraduate course is approximately USD 24,463 – USD 41,587 per annum, and a Postgraduate course is approximately USD 23,240 – USD 103,968 per annum.
- Australia – An Undergraduate course is approximately AUD 24,718 – AUD 73,255 per annum, and a postgraduate course is AUD 25,640 – AUD 109,906 per annum.
- Canada – An Undergraduate course is approximately CAD 30,790 – CAD 36,913 per annum, and a Postgraduate course is approximately CAD 18,311 – CAD 98,211 per annum.
- Ireland – An Undergraduate course is approximately EUR 9,608 – EUR 27,059 per annum, and a Postgraduate course is approximately EUR 8,173 – EUR 33,136 for the entire course.