Find out more about what choosing to study with a business school accredited by AMBA and AACSB means for you. 

At Hull University Business School, we proudly highlight the fact we hold two globally recognised accreditations – from the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Since the latter is awarded to less than 5% of the world’s 13,000 business programmes, you’ll have already gathered this is something of a big deal. But what does this actually mean for you? 

What is accreditation? 

Put simply, accreditation provides formal, independent verification that a programme or university has met established quality standards. The accreditation is awarded by a professional body or organisation which represents the specialist discipline or relevant industry, in this case, business and business schools.

A university will only be confirmed as officially accredited once it has undergone a rigorous assessment, providing evidence to the effect. This accreditation will also have a time limit – anything from a year to five years – after which the assessment will need to be retaken to ensure the standards have continued to be upheld. 

Hull Business School offers an online course in Digital Transformation and a Global MBA. Speak to our Course Adviser team to find out more: 

Who is AMBA? 

The London-based Association of MBAs (AMBA) celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017 and acts as an impartial authority on postgraduate management education, spearheading excellence and trailblazing innovation. Its accreditation is viewed as the global standard for all MBA, DBA and Master’s degrees, currently accrediting programmes from the top 2% of business schools in more than 75 countries.

AMBA remains the only professional membership association that connects MBA students and graduates, accredited business schools and MBA employers throughout the world. 

Who is AACSB? 

It is over 100 years since the founding in 1916 of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in the US, which established the first formal audit of business schools three years later.

Known worldwide as the longest-standing form of specialised accreditation that an institution and its business programmes can earn, AACSB connects educators, students and business to achieve a common goal: to create the next generation of great leaders.

With offices located in Tampa, Florida, USA; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Singapore, its membership spans over 100 different countries and territories, impacting more than 4 million students. 

What quality standards does AMBA monitor? 

Unlike other business education accreditation bodies, including AACSB, for example, AMBA focuses in detail on individual programmes rather than whole institutions. AMBA’s accreditation philosophy is centred on impact, employability and learning outcomes.

Its assessment criteria ensure that only highest calibre programmes which demonstrate the best standards in teaching, curriculum, and student interaction achieve accreditation. Accredited programmes should reflect changing trends and innovation in the postgraduate education sector. 

What quality standards does AACSB monitor? 

The fundamental purpose of AACSB accreditation is to encourage business schools to hold themselves accountable for improving business practice through a commitment to strategic management, learner success, thought leadership, and societal impact.  

AACSB’s accreditation quality management system is ISO 9001:2015 certified and, to achieve AACSB business accreditation, business schools must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to excellence in teaching, research and curriculum development.  

One of its major goals is to encourage communication and interaction between businesses, students, schools, and faculty to ensure the education remains relevant to the modern world of business, equipping graduates with the skills needed by employers.  

Why is accreditation important to me? 

Both AMBA and AACSB accreditation are seen as a ‘kitemark’ of quality that sets business schools apart. They represent a symbol of excellence, recognised worldwide by employers, which provides an assurance to you that you are being taught the most appropriate material and gaining relevant, updated skills relevant to businesses today.  

The fact that the Hull University Business School has gone through repeated assessments to maintain its accreditation demonstrates our commitment to continually improving the quality of education we offer.

Accredited business schools also have the highest-calibre academics, so you can feel confident that your coursework will be rigorous, dynamic, and relevant, preparing you for the challenging and changing global business environment.  

Interested to discover more? 

The Hull University Business School offers a suite of part-time, online degrees, which give you the flexibility and support needed to learn an array of new skills while honouring your ongoing commitments. 

• Drawing on the latest industry trends and research, our Global MBA provides an in-depth and well-rounded understanding of what it means to succeed in business. 

• Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, our MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management will deepen your knowledge of one of the fastest-growing professions and its role as a source of competitive advantage. 

To find out more, contact our Course Adviser by completing the form below.