Business studies : Career areas

In 2010, over 64% of business studies graduates were in paid employment, suggesting this broad course of study is vocationally relevant.

Business studies graduates are found in almost every employment sector but around 20% typically enter employment in commercial, industrial and public sector management. Commercial roles exist in all types of industry, including:

• retail;
• distribution;
• hospitality and leisure;
• financial institutions;
• sales;
• marketing;
• production management.

Around 17% of business studies graduates enter employment in business and finance professional roles. Relevant opportunities include those in:

• professional services (chartered accountancy, business consultancy, law and tax);
• finance (banking, city markets, insurance);
• major industrial and manufacturing organisations.

Significant numbers of business graduates also head for the media sector and take up administrative positions.

Where are the jobs?

Industries as diverse as chemicals, utilities, fashion, health, grocery and construction all require functional managers with a clear understanding of systems, efficiency and operational issues. Apart from the private sector, suitable opportunities also exist in the public and voluntary sectors.

Graduate training schemes offered by large employers frequently focus on ‘commercial’ roles and may be of interest to business studies graduates. Many give experience in several departments but others encourage specialisation from the outset. These recruitment schemes are advertised in directories available free from your careers service as well as online.

For more detailed information about the range of options, check out the following employment areas:

• Accountancy and business services - covers areas such as audit, tax, insurance, actuarial and accounting.
• Banking, investment and insurance - includes employers such as investment and commercial banks, building societies, independent financial advisers, broking firms, insurance and reinsurance companies.
• Human resources and recruitment - roles may be based either in-house or in a consultancy position.

See industry insights for further information on possibilities in other employment areas.

Statistics are collected every year by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, with the data being collected within just six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out What Do Graduates Do?  and your degree...what next?