Opinion Learning & Teaching

Reassessing the essay: Relevance, realism, and resilience in the age of AI

Given how much HE is changing with more focus on vocational relevance, widening participation, and technological disruption, is the traditional essay still pulling its weight?

30th October 2025

Alliance Manchester Business School

At Alliance Manchester Business School, 'Original Thinking Applied' sits at the heart of everything we do. With triple accreditation from AACSB International, AMBA and EQUIS, we provide world-class, industry-focused eduxation to undergraduates, postgraduates and executives across the globe. Our centres in Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore open up a world of opportunities for our students, researchers and clients. All over the world, we engage with businesses of all sizes to share expertise and form rewarding partnerships. Ranked 3rd in the UK for research power, our influential research impacts all areas of business and management - from accounting and health management to big data and human rights.

Established in 1965 as one of the UK's first two business schools, we are proud to be part of the prestigious University of Manchester and the UK's largest campus-based business and management school. As a full-service business school, we offer undergraduate, Master's, MBA and Executive Education programmes. We also offer a highly-respected PhD programme. A key moment in our history, in 2015 we were renamed Alliance Manchester Business School in recognition of Lord Alliance's generous £15 million donation and his long-standing relationship with the University and the business school.