-
Global top 40 for statistics and operational research
-
Our Master of Business Administration (MBA) is ranked 13th in the UK
Source: QS Global MBA Rankings 2024
-
Ranked in the top 25% of UK business schools for quality of research
About Southampton Business School
Southampton Business School is transforming business and society for the better. We encourage responsible interdisciplinary research, education and knowledge exchange that make a sustainable impact on business and society.
Our research is carried out across 6 departments and 10 research centres, with strengths in:
- data analytics and artificial intelligence
- entrepreneurship and strategy
- leadership and management
- marketing
- governance and accounting
- digital and financial technology
We have a strong focus on sustainability across all subject disciplines and our reputation is global. We are ranked 39th in the world for statistics and operational research (QS World Rankings by Subject 2023), and 6 of our academics are among the world's top 2% of scientists (Stanford citation list).
We collaborate with many of the world's leading companies for research and knowledge exchange, such as Microsoft, PwC, JP Morgan, Lloyds Banking Group, Deloitte and UBS. We also work with as local small and medium-sized enterprises with a strong commitment to sustainability and social inclusion.
Learn more about our vision and mission
Leaders and Entrepreneurs in Residence
Our Leaders and Entrepreneurs in Residence scheme is a cornerstone of our knowledge exchange activities, helping us connect industry and policy leaders to the academic community.
Among other things, our leaders and entrepreneurs bring a fresh perspective and help us expand our networks and disseminate research findings.
Learn more about our work with partners and collaborators
Inclusive environment
We foster an inclusive work environment. Our academics hold PhDs from prestigious universities in the world and are supported to carry out cutting-edge research to advance scholarship and make our world more sustainable and inclusive for everyone.
Our facilities
SBS students and researchers benefit from a range of modern teaching and learning facilities. These include:
- the Bloomberg Financial Lab
- dedicated business study spaces
- dedicated lecture theatre and seminar rooms
- self-quiet study spaces in the library and buildings
They also have access to sports facilities, students’ union social spaces, and a range of cafes and restaurants across Highfield Campus.
Our team
Learn more about our senior executive team and advisory board.
Education
All of our courses are accredited by the AACSB, proving our commitment to the highest international standards in teaching and learning practice. Many of our master's courses are also accredited by international professional bodies. Our Master of Business Administration (MBA) course holds full 5-year AMBA accreditations.
Through a combination of theory and hands-on learning, we equip our students with the relevant academic and practical knowledge to succeed in business and make a positive change in the world.
Undergraduate and postgraduate students have opportunities for experiential learning, thanks to our extensive international network of alumni, business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Undergraduate students also have options to study abroad or take a 1-year salaried placement year in industry.
Undergraduate and postgraduate options
Explore Southampton Business School courses, including undergraduate, postgraduate taught, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and PhD options.
Executive education courses
We run a range of short courses for organisations, helping them to grow the knowledge, skills and behaviours to attract, develop and retain talented people.
Our short courses also equip organisations with the latest knowledge relevant to their competitive strategies and approaches to innovation.
Our offering includes a sustainability reporting course accredited by GRI.
Business services
We partner with organisations of all types and sizes, at local, national and international levels.
We work on collaborative projects with government agencies, local authorities, research organisations and industry.
We also undertake contract research and offer a range of services to support economic growth. Business can benefit from our expertise through:
- learning partnerships
- student placements and industry-focused projects
- academia-industry networking opportunities
- developmental and capacity-building workshops
- knowledge exchange initiatives
- sustainability reporting
- research collaborations
Our students also benefit from our business links, through:
- placement year options on undergraduate courses
- exposure to real-world examples of business practice
- support for the development of entrepreneurial skills
- talent development programme
Research and impact
Our vision is to enable world-leading research and generate theoretical and practical knowledge that is recognised by academic and business communities globally.
We are determined to achieve our core aim of changing academia and society for the better.
Our traditional research excellence is in quantitative analytics. Increasingly, it also includes areas such as financial technology and econometrics, innovation, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and data-driven marketing.
In line with the University's focus on 'theory fit for practice', we excel in both entrepreneurial theory and its practical applications. In recent years, we've also gained strength in meta-research, particularly in the social and behavioural sciences.
We also carry out impactful interdisciplinary work in the area of sustainability. We work with whole sectors to provide sustainable solutions to their problems, and to support and promote global sustainability reporting.
Areas of recent substantial research growth include the future of work and career management.
Our courses are accredited by the following organisations:
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- Association of International Accountants (AIA)
- Association of MBAs (AMBA)
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
- Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply
- Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)
- Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
- Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accounting (CIPFA)
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
- Institute of Direct and Digital Marketing (IDM)
- Institute of Risk Management (IRM)
Our departments
Get to know our departments, from accounting to strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship. Learn about our people and the courses each department runs, from undergraduate degrees to master's and PhDs. Explore research activities, business services, job opportunities and more.
-
Department of Accounting
We research and teach all aspects of accounting. A key focus of our work explores sustainability reporting and governance. Our research has real-world impact globally.
-
Department of Banking and Finance
We bring together internationally renowned academics who research and teach a wide range of finance-related topics.
-
Department of Decision Analytics and Risk
We have a real-world impact on organisations and society in the areas of operations, risk, analytics, and management science.
-
Department of Digital and Data Driven Marketing
We explore the challenges of the digital economy and society, with a focus on the impact of technologies and innovation.
-
Department of HR Management and Organisational Behaviour
Our teaching and research interests relate to the shifting worlds of work and employment, together with the management and behaviour of people and organisations.
-
Department of Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
We specialise in entrepreneurial studies with a focus on opportunities, business strategy, and innovation, emphasising new technologies and responsible entrepreneurial leadership.
Research and business services
Learn more about our research and enterprise activities, including services we offer to help improve existing businesses.
Our research community
Research groups bring together specialists to share knowledge and solve problems.
-
Advanced Project Management Research Centre
-
Centre for Digital Finance
-
Centre for Empirical Research in Finance and Banking
-
Centre for Healthcare Analytics
-
Centre for Marketing Research
-
Centre for Operational Research, Management Sciences and Information Systems (CORMIS)
-
Centre for Research in Accounting, Accountability and Governance
-
Centre for Research on Work and Organisations
-
Centre for Risk Research
-
Centre for Inclusive and Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Innovation
-
Product Returns Research Group
People
We're a full-service business school offering accredited undergraduate, master’s, MBA, DBA, PhD programmes and executive education courses to students from around the world.
Work with us
-
Jobs at Southampton
Discover the latest career options at Southampton Business School, from teaching students to carrying out world-leading research.
