Ready for the Future of Business

The world of business is changing at a rapid pace. Old business models are quickly becoming obsolete in an age that is increasingly digital and technology-enabled. Companies like Grab, Shopee, Netflix and Microsoft have thrived during the global pandemic largely because of their online business models. There is no doubt that technological innovation and the Industrial Revolution 4.0 is key to achieving competitive advantage. Today, companies are in desperate need of entrepreneurial talent that understands the future direction of business and have the required skills to help the organisation transition there.

Henley Business School

Established in 1945, Henley Business School at the University of Reading has a long-established reputation as one of the UK’s premier business schools. Henley is not only ranked in the Top 10 of UK Business Schools (Financial Times European Business School Rankings 2020), but is also amongst the one hundred or so elite business schools in the world with triple-crown accreditation from AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA* in recognition of the quality of its teaching and research (*AACSB – Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, AMBA – Association of MBAs, and EQUIS – European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Quality Improvement System).

Students in Malaysia have the opportunity to study with Henley Business School at the University of Reading’s international branch campus located at Educity, Iskandar Puteri, which has been operating since 2015. Students who study at the branch campus get the best of both worlds – they receive exactly the same prestigious UK degree but pay only 40% of the overall estimated costs versus studying on the Henley UK campus, taking into account university fees and living expenses.

The spacious, state-of-the-art campus in Malaysia provides students with some of the best facilities for learning including IT-enabled classrooms, lecture theatre, learning resource centre, Fast WiFi and student social areas, all conveniently under one roof. Based in EduCity, Asia’s first multi-campus education city, students also enjoy excellent recreational facilities that include an Olympic swimming pool, running track, indoor stadium, fitness centre, music studio and a 24-hour Student Hub.

Nurturing entrepreneurial, future-ready leaders

Henley’s BSc Business and Management degree was designed with the help of experts from the renowned Henley Centre for Entrepreneurship (HCfE) in the UK, recognised by the AACSB accreditation agency in 2017 as among the top 20 centres for entrepreneurship in the world. The programme is one of four programmes offered by Henley Business School in Malaysia, with the other programmes being accounting and finance, finance and business management, and real estate.

Aside from those with entrepreneurial aspirations of starting their own business, the programme is ideal for those exploring careers in marketing, sales, business analysis, advertising, customer service and human resources. The programme was ranked No. 5 in the UK for prospects in ‘Business, Management and Marketing’ (Guardian University Guide 2021), reflecting its strong emphasis on graduate employability.

The BSc Business and Management programme has recently been refreshed to meet the need for entrepreneurial, future-ready business leaders. Some of the core topics that students will study on the course include

Accounting for Managers
Data Analytics
Developing Professional Excellence
Digital Marketing
Economics for Business and Finance
Entrepreneurship
International Business
Marketing and Strategy
People Management and Organisational Behaviour

Henley’s practice-oriented and action-learning approach mean that students will not only be exposed to theory and concepts, but also develop practical skills that can be applied in real-world problem-solving. For example, students will be involved in a range of learning activities such as undertaking their own entrepreneurship projects, creating business models, pitching their ideas, developing podcasts, creating crowd-funding videos and participating in business competitions.

It should be noted that the university’s location in EduCity Iskandar provides many opportunities to engage with start-up ventures which are part of the Iskandar ecosystem. Henley’s strong industry linkages also means there are ample opportunities for networking.

Students benefit significantly from the team of dedicated, experienced and qualified academic staff at the Henley Malaysia campus, 75% of whom have PhDs. Henley is fortunate to have diverse expertise in key areas such as data analytics, marketing, strategy, finance and human resources. The low student-to-staff ratio also allows students to benefit from a more personalised learning experience, and students receive a high level of interaction and mentoring from academic staff. It should also be noted that every student at the University of Reading is assigned an academic tutor that they can turn to for academic guidance and support.

Upon completion of the programme, students are equipped with an entrepreneurial skillset that enables them to be adaptable, creative, analytical and digital-savvy. Graduates are therefore well-prepared to join the 21st century workforce and pursue many different career paths.

Henley UK experience option

Students can take advantage of the flexible options which allows them to spend one or even two years at the Henley UK campus. The option may appeal to parents who wish to send their children for study in the UK but are concerned about travel restrictions and health and safety in the current pandemic situation. Some of the benefits of spending time on the Henley UK campus is the opportunity to embrace a new culture and environment, meet new friends and expand one’s network. Showcasing your experience of living abroad is also excellent for your CV!

The Henley building is situated on the University’s main Whiteknights campus in Reading UK, which is set on 130 hectares of beautiful parkland and has won the Green Flag award ten times in a row, making it one of the UK’s best green spaces. The campus has everything a student could need, including sports facilities, health centre, eateries, a supermarket and on-campus accommodation. Furthermore, Reading town is a mere 25-minute train ride from London, making it ideal for students seeking to make the most from their time in the UK.