Opinion Learning & Teaching

5+1: Five challenges facing business schools and one solution

Reflections on the realities of business education in the digital age, the CMBE and presenting at LTSE 2025.

10th June 2025

Queen's Business School

Queen's Business School at Queen's University Belfast offers world-class undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive education. The school has six core academic departments and one institute: the Departments of Accounting; Economics; Finance; International Business; Entrepreneurship; and Marketing; Information Technology; Analytics, and Operations; Organisation, Work, and Leadership; and the William J Clinton Leadership Institute.

Queen's University Belfast is a member of the Russell Group, and the school is a globally renowned centre for high-impact academic and policy research with close links to industry. 81% of the school's research was deemed to be world-leading or internationally excellent in the UK's 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

The school is accredited by EQUIS, AMBA, Small Business Charter, and has served as a PRME Champion institution since 2020. As a member of the Global Business School Network, the school is connected through strategic partnerships across the world. In 2023, Queen's Business School was ranked 1st in the UK for Graduate Prospects for Accounting and Finance (Times Good University Guide).

The school's mission is to educate and explore for the benefit of business and society.

The school's vision, in alignment with Queen's University Belfast Strategy 2030 is to:

  • Be pivotal in developing principled and effective leaders

  • Expand research-led dialogue and engagement with business, civil society, and government; and

  • To grow international stature and esteem

Queen's University Belfast has five core values, which reflect the University's beliefs and its aspirations for staff conduct. These core values have the acronym ICARE, are Integrity, Connectivity, Ambition, Respect and Excellence.

  • Integrity - leaders who hold themselves and others to account, and are mindful of their ethical, social and environmental responsibilities

  • Connectivity - leaders who play an active role in global society whilst embracing the unique history and culture of the region

  • Ambition - leaders who pursue personal development, embrace challenges and seek opportunities to shape business and society

  • Respect - leaders who act with humility and inspire others to create positive change in society

  • Excellence - leaders who pursue excellence and draw on the region's rich industrial and entrepreneurial heritage to pursue cutting edge solutions to business and societal problems