What jobs can you get with a business management degree?

Businesses in today’s market are ever-evolving, requiring increasingly diverse roles across the organisation.

As a result, business management degrees have become increasingly popular due to their versatility and potential for a range of career paths. 

If you're considering studying a business management degree, you might be wondering what job options are available to you. In this guide, we’ll explore various career paths that you can pursue with this degree and the skills you'll gain along the way.

What is a business management degree?

A business management degree is a university-level programme that focuses on the principles of business and management. It typically provides students with a comprehensive understanding of how businesses operate and equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage and lead teams, make strategic decisions, and navigate the complexities of the business world. 

The curriculum usually covers various disciplines such as finance, marketing, human resources, operations, and entrepreneurship. This makes it a highly versatile course, providing you with knowledge that can be applied to a wide range of industries. 

Job options with a business management degree

As a highly versatile degree, business management offers a wide variety of career options. Having gained many transferable skills, you’ll be well-prepared to pursue a range of professions. Below, we list some of the most common options. 

Business analyst

As a business analyst, you'll be responsible for assessing and identifying areas for improvement across the organisation. This can involve proposing strategies to improve operational efficiencies, company culture, retention incentives, and more. You’ll work closely with key stakeholders to gather an understanding of objectives, conduct data analysis, and provide recommendations for decision-making.

Project manager

Project managers oversee the planning, execution, and completion of projects within a business. This is a great career path for anybody who feels fulfilled by getting their teeth into a project and seeing it flourish from start to finish. As a project manager, you’ll coordinate resources, manage budgets and timelines, and ensure that project objectives are met. With a business management degree, you'll have the skills to lead teams and manage complex projects across various industries.

Marketing manager

If you enjoy the idea of shaping a brand’s identity, then a marketing manager role could be ideal for you. Marketing managers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies to promote the brand, products, or services. This involves conducting market research, managing advertising campaigns, creating marketing materials, and more. A business management degree will provide you with a solid understanding of consumer behaviour and the ability to develop effective marketing strategies.

Human resource manager

Human resource managers are responsible for overseeing an organisation’s workforce. They manage employee recruitment, training and development, as well as handle employee relations. This is a suitable role for anybody who enjoys working with people. Additionally, human resource managers ensure compliance with employment laws and ensure that company policies and procedures comply with these. Your time studying a business management degree will give you lots of experience in working together with people, as well as provide a background in business practices. 

Operations manager

Operations managers typically look after the day-to-day operations of a business. For example, they may oversee inventory management, supervise production processes, manage supply chains, ensure quality control, and manage resource allocation. They are responsible for maintaining smooth operations across the board. With a business management degree, you'll have a strong understanding of how businesses should operate, and how the different areas within the organisation contribute to success. 

Entrepreneur

If you have a passion to start your own business, then a business management degree will provide you with a solid understanding of where to begin. As an entrepreneur, you’ll develop a business idea, create a business plan, and execute it to your best ability. The knowledge gained from your degree will help you navigate the common challenges of entrepreneurship, such as finance, marketing, and strategic planning.

Skills you’ll gain

Earning a business management degree equips you with a wide range of valuable and transferable skills that are highly sought after by employers. These skills include:

• Leadership and management: You'll develop the ability to lead teams, manage projects, and make strategic decisions that drive organisational success.
• Communication: Effective communication is crucial in the business world. A business management degree helps you hone your written and verbal communication skills, allowing you to convey ideas, negotiate, and collaborate effectively.
• Problem-solving and critical thinking: You'll learn to analyse complex business problems, identify alternative solutions, and make informed decisions based on critical thinking and problem-solving techniques.
• Business knowledge: A business management degree provides you with a solid foundation in various business disciplines such as finance, marketing, operations, and strategy, enabling you to understand the intricacies of the corporate world.

By understanding where your skills lie, you’ll be able to gather a strong idea of what kind of career interests you. 

What do business management graduates go on to do?

After graduating from university, most business graduates are in full-time employment. Graduates typically go on to work in business, HR, finance, marketing and sales professions. Below, we explore this in more detail, covering graduate outcomes, the most common types of work, and top professional jobs that business management graduates pursue.

Outcomes 15 months after graduation

Source: What Do Graduates Do? - Prospects (2023)

Types of work

Source: What Do Graduates Do? - Prospects (2023)

Top 10 professional jobs

1. Marketing associate professionals
2. Human resources and industrial relations officers
3. Business sales executives
4. Management consultants and business analysts
5. Chartered and certified accountants
6. Sales accounts and business development managers
7. Finance and investment analysts and advisers
8. Managers and directors in retail and wholesale
9. Business and financial project management professionals
10. Buyers and procurement officers

Source: What Do Graduates Do? - Prospects (2023)

Explore business degrees

At the University of Wolverhampton, we offer a range of business management degrees at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. If pursuing a career in business interests you, then developing your skills with a university degree is a perfect place to start. Explore our business management degrees:

• BA (Hons) Business Management (undergraduate)
• BA (Hons) Business and Tourism Management (undergraduate)
• BA (Hons) Business and Accounting (undergraduate)
• BA (Hons) Economics and Business (undergraduate)
• BA (Hons) Marketing Management (undergraduate)
• MSc International Business Management (postgraduate)