Business, UK. 38points, where to apply?

[Haphaz]

I need some help with finding the most prestigious universities that the UK has to offer when it comes to business studies. If you have some opinions or expertise, or perhaps even some experience - I would appreciate your reply

I just graduated from the IB with 38 points but with a 5 in HL business & management - A shame, since that is what I intend to study further, and many universities have HL specific requirements I'm currently considering doing a retake just to fix that chink in my armor... But will that be looked down upon, I mean when they see the retake in my admission papers?

Also, when they state that 38 is the minimum, like for example Warwick does, does that mean that I basically have no chance at all?

How popular are these programmes? I have no idea.

[Bishup]

Business is incredibly popular loads of competition but in terms of the minimum grade, does it state it as a requirement or a minimum grade literally. Because most courses require a certain amount of points and it does not matter how many points you get above it really. In terms of studying Business, LSE and Exeter are very good universities, the latter is way easier to get into though. To be honest I´m not sure whether the fact that you got a 5 in B&M will decrease your chances, because in the UK it is considered a soft subject, ergo not a requirement. I think with your score you can apply straight away. Just make sure your whole shibang (PS, Reference) is good.

[yellowleo]

Well first of all to find the best schools, check the university league tables for Business and Management Studies here: University Guide 2011: Business and Management Studies

That being said, Durham, King's College, Edinburgh and Glasgow are well known universities that offer Business and require less than 38 points, although while they might be the best known, there are not necessarily the best for the subject (as indicated by the league tables) but I would suggest doing some more research

[tdubthebassist]

I am sure that Warwick requires 36 points for Business; 38 with 6 on Maths is for Economics....

[Haphaz]

Business is incredibly popular loads of competition but in terms of the minimum grade, does it state it as a requirement or a minimum grade literally. Because most courses require a certain amount of points and it does not matter how many points you get above it really. In terms of studying Business, LSE and Exeter are very good universities, the latter is way easier to get into though. To be honest I´m not sure whether the fact that you got a 5 in B&M will decrease your chances, because in the UK it is considered a soft subject, ergo not a requirement. I think with your score you can apply straight away. Just make sure your whole shibang (PS, Reference) is good.

It's listed under "Typical offers". Thanks for pointing that out

What is a good reference really? Would the well chosen words of an IB teacher suffice, you think?

Well first of all to find the best schools, check the university league tables for Business and Management Studies here: University Guide 2011: Business and Management Studies

That being said, Durham, King's College, Edinburgh and Glasgow are well known universities that offer Business and require less than 38 points, although while they might be the best known, there are not necessarily the best for the subject (as indicated by the league tables) but I would suggest doing some more research

Thanks for the link!

I am sure that Warwick requires 36 points for Business; 38 with 6 on Maths is for Economics....

This is where I am looking http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/depta2z/wbs/n200/

and it says 38

[avident]

In London, LSE, King's College, and City are the best for business (in that order). You can't apply to LSE however, because you do have that 5 in your HLs. For King's you'll need a 6 in SL Math or a 5 in HL Math in addition to a 6 in English. Do you have that? They only require 665 at HL, so you're good to go otherwise. You also fullfil the entry requirements for City, so that's one option! Other excellent business programmes in London are more specific: UCL offers one mixed with economics that specialises in Eastern Europe, SOAS has one with a concentration on China. Both of them should be within your reach as well. Good luck!

[Haphaz]

In London, LSE, King's College, and City are the best for business (in that order). You can't apply to LSE however, because you do have that 5 in your HLs. For King's you'll need a 6 in SL Math or a 5 in HL Math in addition to a 6 in English. Do you have that? They only require 665 at HL, so you're good to go otherwise. You also fullfil the entry requirements for City, so that's one option! Other excellent business programmes in London are more specific: UCL offers one mixed with economics that specialises in Eastern Europe, SOAS has one with a concentration on China. Both of them should be within your reach as well. Good luck!

And that's exactly why I am considering a retake - to make it into a 6 or 7. For maths I did Studies, so no luck there. Although I did score a seven in the course. 6 in HL english. I'm not so sure I want to study in London, because everyone says it is very expensive - is that true?

[Sandwich]

And that's exactly why I am considering a retake - to make it into a 6 or 7. For maths I did Studies, so no luck there. Although I did score a seven in the course. 6 in HL english. I'm not so sure I want to study in London, because everyone says it is very expensive - is that true?

Part of it depends on whereabouts in London you are (for instance Royal Holloway is actually slightly outside London so doesn't suffer from this), but space is at a premium. Consequently the prices of food and accommodation are both a lot higher than elsewhere in the UK (for instance, it costs my friend in £80 a week to rent a room as opposed to £150!). Somehow it's also inevitable you spend way more on public transport than you would elsewhere. Don't ask me how this works

It's not prohibitively expensive, but it is very costly compared to other locations. You either have to live cheaper or just accept it and budget higher. If you're at all eligible for the British Student Loan system, they do in fact give you more money if your University is listed as being in London -- but whether it's 'enough' more money is debatable!!

[Bishup]

Part of it depends on whereabouts in London you are (for instance Royal Holloway is actually slightly outside London so doesn't suffer from this), but space is at a premium. Consequently the prices of food and accommodation are both a lot higher than elsewhere in the UK (for instance, it costs my friend in £80 a week to rent a room as opposed to £150!). Somehow it's also inevitable you spend way more on public transport than you would elsewhere. Don't ask me how this works

It's not prohibitively expensive, but it is very costly compared to other locations. You either have to live cheaper or just accept it and budget higher. If you're at all eligible for the British Student Loan system, they do in fact give you more money if your University is listed as being in London -- but whether it's 'enough' more money is debatable!!

Food is the same price whether your in London or Yorkshire. Sainsbury`s and tesco are the same price all over as well as most groceries but housing is a major cost.

What is a good reference really? Would the well chosen words of an IB teacher suffice, you think?

Don't worry about your PS, your teachers will orchestrate that. As long as your not a major delinquent you're fine.

Edited July 24, 2010 by Bishup

[Haphaz]

In fact I am elegible for the british loan system, which is great, but I'd rather my costs would not soar overly much... Since one sour day im going to have to repay it all.

Which is why i am currently leaning towards studying in Scotland, since that part of the UK gives EU members free tuition, or so i have read. I suppose the relatively higher living costs apply also to glasgow though. At the same time i feel strangely drawn towards London and the like. Is there a difference between these two parts of the UK that is worth paying for in relation to education? Or is it all in my mind

[Cynthia]

In fact I am elegible for the british loan system, which is great, but I'd rather my costs would not soar overly much... Since one sour day im going to have to repay it all.

Which is why i am currently leaning towards studying in Scotland, since that part of the UK gives EU members free tuition, or so i have read. I suppose the relatively higher living costs apply also to glasgow though. At the same time i feel strangely drawn towards London and the like. Is there a difference between these two parts of the UK that is worth paying for in relation to education? Or is it all in my mind

Not in that sense - there are very good universities in Scotland as well, so there are no practical reasons for why Scotland is free:

"A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "We believe that access to education should be based on the ability to learn, not the ability to pay and have made clear that we are opposed to tuition fees in Scotland.

"The Scottish Government has restored the principal of free education in Scotland, abolishing the graduate endowment fee benefitting up to 50,000 students and graduates." ", from a BBC News article.

London is in its own league for living costs apparently - people going there get a higher loan for living costs from the government, et cetera. This is the reason why I personally am not applying to London although its appeal is definitely there ... You need to decide whether the lifestyle in a very big city is worth more to you then the free tuition fee and lower living costs in Scottish universities. That being said, Glasgow is also a large city (1.1 mil in greater glasgow) so there's plenty to do in there, as an example, as well. In any case the tuition fee loan (of 10k pounds) is not to me a huge deciding factor - if you are employable it won't take too long to pay off.

[avident]

You did Math Studies? That's an ENORMOUS disadvantage, I'm sorry to say. I had problems to get into UK universities even with Math SL... LSE highly prefers HL Math and there are so many applicants nowadays that they can disqualify everyone without it. Also, all the other universities I listed require AT LEAST SL Math. It sucks.

[Sandwich]

Food is the same price whether your in London or Yorkshire. Sainsbury`s and tesco are the same price all over as well as most groceries but housing is a major cost.

They don't have big Tesco/Sainsbury's outside of the suburbs so it's Tesco Extra and Sainsbury's Local. They lack more or less all of the basics ranges and fruit is outrageously more expensive. They also don't have any of the big offers and no cheaper speciality/local food sections. You're also unlikely to live near an Iceland/Poundland/99p shop, which are really good for stocking up on cheap food. Other major sources of student food (Boots Meal Deals!) are also more expensive in than outside London (unless you go to a more deprived area) and even cafes will rip you off. The only sandwich shops tend to be high-end (Pret a Manger, Eat and then a bunch of exceedingly overpriced places selling wraps).

In my experience, it has been much harder to find and live off cheap food in London than it is when you are outside of London

[Haphaz]

You did Math Studies? That's an ENORMOUS disadvantage, I'm sorry to say. I had problems to get into UK universities even with Math SL... LSE highly prefers HL Math and there are so many applicants nowadays that they can disqualify everyone without it. Also, all the other universities I listed require AT LEAST SL Math. It sucks.

Can anyone confirm this? I could read an additional maths course before university i guess... But I'd rather not.

EDIT: GCSE grade A is most frequently occuring requirement, and if I have understood the system correctly, A 7 in Math studies should be sufficient. But it might be true I guess as you say that they disqualify people without HL.. I suppose the rest of my portfolio has to be simply flawless.

Edited July 26, 2010 by Haphaz

[Sandwich]

You did Math Studies? That's an ENORMOUS disadvantage, I'm sorry to say. I had problems to get into UK universities even with Math SL... LSE highly prefers HL Math and there are so many applicants nowadays that they can disqualify everyone without it. Also, all the other universities I listed require AT LEAST SL Math. It sucks.

Can anyone confirm this? I could read an additional maths course before university i guess... But I'd rather not.

EDIT: GCSE grade A is most frequently occuring requirement, and if I have understood the system correctly, A 7 in Math studies should be sufficient. But it might be true I guess as you say that they disqualify people without HL.. I suppose the rest of my portfolio has to be simply flawless.

I think it depends on what course you choose. Nobody who I know who did Maths Studies had any problems getting Uni places, and I even know people who've got onto very competitive science-related courses at good Unis with Studies. I'm not going to say it hasn't hurt them (not knowing some of the basic stuff is very difficult), but they've got in fine.

Unless the course requires Maths very specifically (and they'll state what level they want it at), to my knowledge they don't discriminate against you at all. I've not been every person in every situation to know how true it is, but there's nothing in my own experience or that of people I know which would lead me to that conclusion. You should be fine if you've met their listed requirements. Most of the not getting in is based on a shortage of places, an overwhelming number of applicants and the quality of Personal Statements and GCSE grades. You can be an amazing candidate who's had poor Personal Statement advice and end up being screwed over because there's no leeway in the system, or because you didn't pay enough attention in your GCSE years Sucks. Really, though, once you've met (and preferably exceeded) their requirements, they usually could care less about what subjects you've taken. It's all about your Personal Statement and the extras which go along with it.

[avident]

Well if you read LSE's website they say they ''highly prefer'' HL Math candidates, and City and KCL overtly ask for at least SL Math. It's just that business requires it. But you should search for yourself, there might well be universities in the UK that do not have such requirements.

[Haphaz]

You did Math Studies? That's an ENORMOUS disadvantage, I'm sorry to say. I had problems to get into UK universities even with Math SL... LSE highly prefers HL Math and there are so many applicants nowadays that they can disqualify everyone without it. Also, all the other universities I listed require AT LEAST SL Math. It sucks.

Can anyone confirm this? I could read an additional maths course before university i guess... But I'd rather not.

EDIT: GCSE grade A is most frequently occuring requirement, and if I have understood the system correctly, A 7 in Math studies should be sufficient. But it might be true I guess as you say that they disqualify people without HL.. I suppose the rest of my portfolio has to be simply flawless.

I think it depends on what course you choose. Nobody who I know who did Maths Studies had any problems getting Uni places, and I even know people who've got onto very competitive science-related courses at good Unis with Studies. I'm not going to say it hasn't hurt them (not knowing some of the basic stuff is very difficult), but they've got in fine.

Unless the course requires Maths very specifically (and they'll state what level they want it at), to my knowledge they don't discriminate against you at all. I've not been every person in every situation to know how true it is, but there's nothing in my own experience or that of people I know which would lead me to that conclusion. You should be fine if you've met their listed requirements. Most of the not getting in is based on a shortage of places, an overwhelming number of applicants and the quality of Personal Statements and GCSE grades. You can be an amazing candidate who's had poor Personal Statement advice and end up being screwed over because there's no leeway in the system, or because you didn't pay enough attention in your GCSE years Sucks. Really, though, once you've met (and preferably exceeded) their requirements, they usually could care less about what subjects you've taken. It's all about your Personal Statement and the extras which go along with it.

Thanks for the advice!

Well if you read LSE's website they say they ''highly prefer'' HL Math candidates, and City and KCL overtly ask for at least SL Math. It's just that business requires it. But you should search for yourself, there might well be universities in the UK that do not have such requirements.

That's not true. Last night I sent away a couple of emails since this whole math thing really got on my nerves. City responded saying that Studies math meant no disadvantage in the admission procedure - They just require "a minimum of 5 points". Same thing so far with Strathclyde, Glasgow and Exeter - the only ones to have replied so far. Thanks anyhow, you've partly contributed to motivating me to study more math before uni