At a glance, business schools might seem like stationary entities. From a distance, it might seem that these institutions rarely change, let alone grow. Upon closer inspection, however, business schools are, quite frankly, some of the fastest-evolving organisations out there. Business education PR experts Stephanie Mullins and Jonny Stone from specialist communications consultancy BlueSky Education take a closer look how. 

Ever-changing, permanently reassessing capabilities, facilities and educational offering, and always looking to improve, perhaps the only constant in the business school world is change – or is it expansion?

Here are just a few examples of recent expansions in the business education market:

UCL Global Business School for Health 

Where better to start than with a school that is quite literally the product of impressive expansion? Leveraging the long-established reputation as a world leader in higher education, University College London’s Global Business School for Health combines business know-how with world-class healthcare-related expertise to offer its students a premium education.

With an educational offering that includes the school’s coveted UCL MBA Health, as well as specialist Master’s degrees, executive education, and online short courses, the UCL Global Business School for Health is a standout example of expansion within the business and higher education market.

And specifically, with a clear and unwavering focus on the intersection of business and health, the school is able to offer those working in an industry thrown by the COVID-19 pandemic into sharp relief valuable executive programmes, exploring vital subjects such as leading change in healthcare and value-based healthcare.

Nyenrode Business University 

Whether you’re keen to undertake a specialist executive programme or endeavour to study for an invaluable MBA, the cost of study will likely be a factor that impacts your decision.

Aware of this, Nyenrode Business University expanded its loan option for the Full-Time MBA. Collaborating with Prodigy Finance, Nyenrode’s new loan option offers MBA candidates “an attractive interest rate and a 6-month grace period after graduating.”

And, at a time when, for households across much of the globe, the cost of living has risen and continues to climb, lending options like this may just prove pivotal in ensuring that, irrespective of wealth or income, access to business education is available to all.

Imperial College Business School 

The above-mentioned cost of living crisis has, among other things, reminded any that needed it of the importance of preparing future leaders to operate effectively at times when the economic landscape looks, at best, uncertain, and at worst, downright volatile.

This backdrop makes Imperial’s new BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science all the more valuable.

“A first-of-its-kind degree”, Imperial’s new, three-year degree programme offers undergraduates the opportunity to undertake “rigorous study of economics and finance” as well as developing “analytical skills and coding capabilities”.

Leveraging the expertise and input of those operating in industry and public policy, the course offers students expertise across all three disciplines.

“A unique degree for analytical thinkers who aspire for global impact”, Imperial’s BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science, set to launch in October 2023, will be the first of its kind in the U.K. and looks to be yet another excellent addition to the business school’s already-impressive educational offering.

Imperial College launched its first postgraduate management course in 1955, unveiling its first string of executive education programmes in 1964. Nyenrode, meanwhile, celebrates its 75th anniversary this academic year, having first opened its doors in 1946. And, with 67 and 75 years worth of experience, respectively, under their belts, both schools continue to adapt in order to enhance the experiences of their students – and applicants!

King’s Business School 

While not quite as old as, say, Nyenrode, King’s Business School leverages the experience-grounded know-how and hard-won prestige of its parent university, King’s College London, which was founded in 1829.

The study of business at King’s College London dates back to 1989, with the School of Management & Business, as the business school was previously known, achieving departmental status five years later in 1994, and was ‘established’ as the School of Management & Business in 2015. In November 2017, the business school officially became King’s College London’s ninth faculty.

Fast forward to today, however, and King’s Business School is one of the largest providers of undergraduate management teaching in London. And, with over 1,000 students registered for Masters degrees and over 100 academic members of staff, the rapid expansion of King’s typifies a growth mindset.

Advantere School of Management 

Take Advantere School of Management, for another example. Dedicated to revolutionising business education and creating future leaders who can confront the biggest challenges facing industry, society and the planet, Advantere only launched in Madrid in late 2021. And yet, the school, at less than one-year-old, and welcoming its first cohorts, is already planning to expand its educational offering. And, if that’s not all, while students are currently studying in the heart of Madrid’s business sector in the meantime, plans have been confirmed to build a brand new campus building in the Chamartín area. Expected to be completed by 2023, the building project has been funded by a multimillion Euro investment.

NEOMA Business School 

NEOMA Business School, meanwhile, continues to enhance its coveted Master in Management (MiM) programme via a widened international network. Already partnering with a whopping 390 higher education institutions across 58 countries, NEOMA is expanding its global MiM community to incorporate a further 18 universities.

The expansion in network will also afford MiM students the opportunity to undertake six additional ‘double degree’ options. NEOMA MiM participants will have the option to also study at MCI Innsbrück in Austria, the University of Limerick in Ireland, and Elon University in the U.S.

Trinity Business School 

NEOMA isn’t alone in broadening its horizons and opening itself up to an even wider global pool – via its Flexible Executive MBA, Trinity Business School, in Dublin, Ireland, has taken a truly international approach to education.

The Flexible Executive MBA is delivered 80% online and 20% on campus, and is offered on a part-time basis, enabling participants to study when and where they can.

“A truly modern MBA”, the programme is delivered by expert faculty from ‘The Matrix Room’ – Trinity’s new state-of-the-art multimedia hub. Curtesy of the Matrix Room, those studying remotely on the Flexible Executive MBA are still afforded the same quality of education as those within the classroom on the traditional full-time MBA.

Trinity’s Flexible Executive MBA, however, is just one of a wide array of examples of the business school’s efforts to expand and grow.

Vlerick Business School 

Take the case of Vlerick Business School. Much like Trinity, Vlerick has sought to expand its offering within the MBA suite, courtesy of its new European Executive MBA.

And, much like Trinity’s Flexible Executive MBA, Vlerick’s European Executive MBA affords participants a truly international experience. Able to study in six different European locations (including the likes of Brussels, Madrid and Copenhagen), as well as online, students on the European EMBA at the Belgium-based institution will get the opportunity to immerse themselves in a number of Europe’s commercial hubs, many of which sit at the forefront of sustainable business.

Developing ‘a truly European mindset’, participants are also able to expand their network across much of the continent and gain a fresh set of ideas, readying themselves for the challenges of tomorrow.

A ‘catalyst for positive change’, Vlerick continues to adapt its educational offering to reflect the needs of tomorrow’s business leader – demonstrated through its European Executive MBA.

Changing – adapting – improving – it’s what business schools do so well. So, when you next get a chance, take a moment to make a mental note of what the business education market looks like at present. Because, just like that, in the blink of an eye, it’ll have changed once again.

See more articles by Stephanie Mullins.