Great Degrees for Business Development Managers

A career in business development management is ideal for those who are passionate about helping organisations thrive. It’s a growing job market, offering loads of career opportunities. But you can't become a business development manager overnight. Employers are looking for candidates with technical skills and practical experience.

Obtaining a degree is one way to jump-start your career. It proves your skills and experience and shows potential employers your commitment to excelling in this industry.

At LIS, we help students become business development managers by gaining interdisciplinary skills. Not only will you have the skills required for business development but for many other careers and life situations, too.

This guide explores the many excellent degrees available to help you choose the right one.

Table of Contents

• Do You Need a Degree in Business Management?
• What’s Involved in a Business Development Manager Role?
• Degrees To Prepare You for a Business Development Career
• Can You Gain a Certification in Business Development?
• Planning Your Business Development Career Path
• How to Choose the Right Degree for Business Development?
• Essential Business Development Certifications to Boost Your Career

Do You Need a Degree in Business Development Management?

Some business management positions will require a degree, while others will require experience. However, a degree in business management is ideal for any aspiring business development manager, as it gives you all the practical skills you need for this career. 

Data shows that the majority of business management professionals (65.2%) do have a bachelor's degree, while 14% have an associate degree, and 12% have a master's degree.

A degree can offer students a competitive edge in the job market. It proves to potential employers that you understand how to help their business succeed. Graduates are also more likely to secure higher-level positions with an increased salary potential, be it through grad programmes or internship experience.

What's Involved in a Business Development Manager Role?

A business development manager handles many components of an organisation's growth. These professionals work with sales and marketing teams to develop sales strategies, create and negotiate contract terms and convey growth progress to upper management.

Companies hire business development managers to help them through strategic planning and customer relationship management. Here are a few of the primary duties of a business development manager:

• Establish and maintain customer relationships.
• Develop and improve sales channels and strategies.
• Set goals and design solutions for business growth.
• Train business development teams.
• Create quotes and proposals for clients.
• Collaborate with sales and design teams to ensure goals are met.

Those who aspire to a business development management career will have many day-to-day responsibilities. However, they can learn to manage these through the right degree programme. 

Degrees To Prepare You for a Business Development Career

There are many degree pathways for aspiring business development managers.

We've compiled a list of some of the top programmes to kickstart your career. We've covered the tuition costs, financial support options, and the curriculum of each so you can be confident in your choice.

Arts and Sciences: Interdisciplinary Problems and Methods (BASc) – The London Interdisciplinary School

The London Interdisciplinary School (LIS) provides a three-year degree programme that delivers the core expertise students need for a career in business development. The programme focuses on solving real-world problems through interdisciplinary learning.

The curriculum helps students learn how to work with external organisations, design innovations for customer needs, and communicate effectively. Students will work with real organisations and a diverse group of academics – including artists and journalists, epidemiologists and philosophers – to tackle real-world problems. 

LIS also brokers internships for every eligible student so students can build professional networks, gain experience and get a foothold in the job market. Students can participate in an internship for at least five weeks of every academic year.

Curriculum:

• Stakeholder Mapping
• Design Thinking
• Strategic Thinking
• Visual and Creative Methods
• Business Models
• Media Techniques

Fees:

• £9,000 / a year for home students
• £17,000 / a year for international students

Financial Aid:

• Financial support bursary: Students can apply for between £1,000 and £7,000 annually. To qualify for these bursaries, students must show they lack economic security.
• Hardship grants: LIS helps students on a case-by-case basis who experience sudden financial hardship.
• Income from internships: Students who are in an internship and earn at least the London Living Wage can apply for financial help. 

Key Takeaways:

• Students can access career support and wellbeing programmes to make finding a job much more manageable.
• The Office for Students (the higher education regulator in England) has awarded LIS top marks in every area of academic qualities and standards.
• Unlike traditional degree programmes, which prepare students for one career, LIS provides students with interdisciplinary skills that they can transfer to many careers.
• Summer internships for every eligible student
• Many financial aid options are available, making earning a bachelor's degree accessible. 

BSc Business and Management – Henley Business School

The BSc Business Management degree programme by Henley Business School focuses on specialised skills for aspiring business professionals. Students will learn critical areas of business management over three years (though they can also opt for the four-year programme.) These options include a year of studying abroad or completing a work placement.

After one year of studying foundational skills in business management, students can continue on a general degree pathway. Alternatively, they can opt for a specialisation. After the second year, they can return to their general programme or continue their specialisation; however, they can't change it. 

Curriculum:

• Accounting
• Management Debates
• Data Analytics
• Marketing
• Business Strategy
• Personal Leadership

Fees:

• £9,250 / a year for home students
• £22,350 / a year for international students

Financial Aid:

• Vice Chancellor Global Scholarships: International undergraduate students can apply for one of 100 scholarships worth £4000 each. 
• Government grants: Students can use many UK government grants to study at Henley Business School. 
• University of Reading Sanctuary Scholarships: Students who face barriers to university can apply for a scholarship through this fund. 
• IFP Ambassador Scholarships: Non-sponsored international students in the  International Foundation Programme (IFP) can apply for financial aid. 

Key Takeaways:

• This university offers a work placement and a year to study abroad.
• Students can choose a specialisation.  

Business Studies, BA Hons – University of Greenwich

The University of Greenwich helps aspiring business development management students through the Business Studies, BA Hons degree. Learners can opt for a three-year, four-year or six-year programme. They will gain skills in core business management functions, with a focus on operations management, finance, marketing and human resources skills.

The University of Greenwich helps students secure career opportunities through job placements. The curriculum also covers practical training, including guest lectures, simulations, and real-world case studies. 

Curriculum:

• Personal and Professional Development 
• Business Planning and Development
• Operations Management
• Managing Strategy
• Creativity and Decision-Making in Business 

Fees:

• £9,250 / a year for home students studying full-time or £2,312 per 30 credits part-time. 
• £17,000 / a year for international students studying full-time or £4,250 per 30 credits part-time. 

Financial Aid:

• Greenwich progression bursary: Local students can fund their studies through a bursary worth £3,000. 
• Commuter bursary: Learners experiencing financial hardship can receive up to 50% toward their commuting costs.

Key Takeaways:

• This university offers a work placement and a year to study abroad.
• Students can choose a specialisation.  

Business Enterprise Development BSc (Hons) – Aston University

Students can complete the Business Enterprise Development BSC (Hons) at Aston University. In this three-year programme, students will learn the skills required to manage and grow large organisations. The first year focuses on helping students develop an entrepreneurial mindset. During the second and third years, the curriculum focuses on leadership, management, and business growth.

Aston University also provides career support and international opportunities. Students can gain real-life experience and access the tools they need to start their businesses. They will also be linked to the global Team Academy hubs, an international network of students and other industry professionals who have completed this module. 

Curriculum:

• Enterprise Creation
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Enterprise Management
• Enterprise Growth
• Applied Research Project

Fees:

• £9,250 / a year for home students  
• £18,250 / a year for international students

Financial Aid:

• Aston Achievement/ the Vice Chancellor's Achievement Scholarship: Students can receive £500 provided they meet the required academic standards. 
• Aston Forward Scholarships: For UK students with a lower household income than £25,000, Aston University offers financial aid totalling £5,000
• Aston Support Scholarships: Eligible students can apply for £1,250 for every year of their degree programme. 

Key Takeaways:

• An ideal degree management for students who want to open their own businesses.
• Career support and professional networks are available. 

Business BSc (Hons) – University of Bath 

The University of Bath offers the Business BSc (Hons) degree programme. This pathway teaches students the fundamentals of business development. Over four years, students will gain critical skills in marketing, accounting, finance, and data analysis. They will also gain an in-depth understanding of becoming an entrepreneur and maintaining client relationships.

Moreover, this degree programme requires students to complete two six-month placements. So, while this pathway requires one extra year of studying compared to most, it provides career development and networking opportunities. 

Curriculum:

• Data Analysis
• Accounting
• Finance
• Marketing
• Social Entrepreneurship

Fees:

• £9,250 / a year for home students  
• £18,250 / a year for international students

Financial Aid:

• The Bath Bursary: This bursary provides financial aid to low-income students less than  £30,000. 
• The Gold Scholarship: Like the bursary above, this one also provides financial support to students with a household income lower than £30,000
• The Accommodation Bursary: Students with a household income below £30,000 can receive £750 toward their first-year accommodation fees. Learners with a household income between £30,001 and £60,000 can get £1000 off their accommodation costs. 

Key Takeaways:

• There are various scholarships and financial aid solutions available.
• Students will gain real-world skills through two six-month placements. 

Can You Gain a Certification in Business Development?

Yes, you can gain certification for a career as a business development manager. While certification can help students secure a business development manager role, a degree is the best way to stand out from other applicants. Students can achieve a bachelor's degree and a certification to remain competitive in the job market.

At LIS, we offer three short courses to help aspiring professionals and career changers gain the necessary skills. 

Here is what one of our students has to say about her experience with LIS:

"My time at LIS has been nothing short of transformative! The degree has shaped the way I approach complex problems. I've grown to appreciate and understand the multiplicity and complexity of real-world issues and have had a chance to work on meaningful projects with some of the smartest people I know."

If you’re working towards a business development manager position, you could complete our BASc degree and any or all of these courses:

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Learn how interdisciplinary solutions can overcome complex problems and manage departments with various focuses. 
• Risk and Reputation: Understand leadership through interdisciplinary methods and how online communities impact today's media world.  
• Systems Thinking for Sustainability: Find out how systems thinking transforms sustainability and gain tools and insights to solve ecological challenges. 

Planning Your Business Development Career Path

A successful business development career requires planning and an awareness of what you need, what’s available, and what options work best for you. 

Here are the top skills employers look for, the salary range for professionals, and the job growth rate.

Business Development Manager Skills - What Do Employers Look For?

Successful business development managers must have experience and the technical skills employers require. Here are some of the essential business development manager skills every student must have:

• Relationship Building: Every aspiring business development manager must know how to establish and build positive client relationships. 
• Project Management: Development managers are responsible for many different strategies and must know how to plan and manage them. 
• Organisational Skills: Professionals must maintain organisation and align teams with many tasks. 
• Communication Skills: From communicating with sales and marketing teams to clients and key decision-makers, managers must know how to convey information. 
• Negotiation Skills: Professionals often must negotiate the best terms for their organisation when creating and presenting proposals. 

What Can You Earn as a Business Development Manager?

The average business development manager salary in the UK is £40,623 annually. Nottingham, London and Birmingham are the cities where students can most likely find the highest-paying jobs. They could also look for high-paying jobs in Manchester, Bristol, Leeds, Northampton, Glasgow and Liverpool. 

The more qualifications and experience a professional has, the better your chance of securing a job with high earning potential. For instance, having a degree and a clear demonstration of practical, problem-solving skills will make your application look more attractive. 

Will the Job Market for Business Development Managers Grow?

Business development managers have had promising growth over the following years.

Related jobs in this field will grow 6% faster than the average occupation. In other words, if you want to become a business development manager, there are many career opportunities.

How to Choose the Right Degree for Business Development?

There are many factors to consider before selecting the best business development degree.

Evaluate Your Budget

Aspiring business development managers must consider how much they can afford to spend on a degree programme. It's vital to consider whether you can pay for your studies for the entire duration, whether three, four or six years. If not, you can look for degree programmes that offer many financial aid solutions.

Prioritise Your Interests

Becoming a business development manager takes time and focus. It's critical to opt for a degree programme that aligns with your interests so that you’re engaged throughout your studies and make the experience more enjoyable. 

Map Your Career

Before starting a degree programme, map your career path. Think about your goals and how you plan to achieve them. For example, LIS is ideal if you want an interdisciplinary degree that gives you the flexibility to change careers in the future. 

Schedule Sufficient Time

Choose a degree programme that is realistic for your schedule. These pathways often have classes at specific times on particular days. Find out what your class schedule looks like, and then make a decision. Some programmes also offer part-time study, which may suit students who work or have other obligations. 

Focus on Real-World Skills 

It's best to select a degree programme that offers real-world experience. For example, LIS provides internships for eligible students to gain technical skills. This opportunity also exposes them to professional networks, so students will find it easier to secure positions. They will also develop an understanding of what to expect when becoming a business development manager.

Join a Degree Programme and Become a Business Development Manager 

Aspiring professionals and career changers can pursue a degree pathway to become successful business development managers. 

These programmes equip learners with the practical skills and experience they need to get started in this industry. Students can complete short courses and certifications, making their applications even more attractive to employers. 

At LIS, we equip aspiring business development managers with interdisciplinary skills they can transfer to any career field. Our students learn core fundamentals and participate in internships for career and networking opportunities.

Ready to jumpstart your career as a business development manager? Contact us today.