AACSB accredited
  • WBS remains in an elite group of business schools to hold ‘Triple Crown’ accreditation
  • AACSB panel praised the School’s dedication to the student learning experience
  • Engagement with industry across faculty and students was commended
  • Assessors recognised important Equality, Diversity and Inclusion progress

Warwick Business School has successfully secured the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation for another five years.

The School has held AACSB accreditation since 1999 and was the first institution in the UK to be recognised. Following its first AACSB award, in 2000 WBS became the first UK business school to achieve triple accreditation from the major global assessing bodies, which include the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and EQUIS, which is the quality inspecting body for the European Foundation for Management Development.

The accreditation process involved a rigorous review of the School’s mission, faculty qualifications, curriculum, and ability to provide the highest-quality programmes to students at every level, ranging from our Foundation Year programme, through to our world-leading Distance Learning MBA programme.

In order to secure accreditation, business schools have to demonstrate excellence in every area, and a commitment to strategic management, learner success, thought leadership, and societal impact.

AACSB praised the School’s quality of taught programmes, both in their design and execution, and recognised the culture at WBS which puts the student experience at the very heart of the School’s strategy.

The bespoke online learning platform my.wbs was recognised as pivotal in enabling a highly customised and individualised learner experience. The Teaching and Learning Enhancement team was also commended for its focus on supporting high-quality and creative pedagogical practices, as well as teaching materials.

WBS was also praised for:

  • Its close relationship with practice and industry, enabling students to undertake study trips to employers, engage in individual applied projects submitted by external organisations, and undertake MSc and MBA consultancy projects. Students also participate in challenges and competitions geared at solving global challenges such as climate change
  • Faculty engagement with industry and close working relationships with different professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Personal Development, the Association of Professional Sales, and the Bank of England who are partners on the MSc Global Central Banking and Financial Regulation
  • Significant investment in staff development, across both faculty and professional services staff, including the launch of in-house development and leadership programmes
  • A “strong and effective partnership” between faculty and professional services staff, which drives a sense of community and engagement across the School
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) progress since the last accreditation. This included reference to the formation of staff and student EDI Committees, being awarded an Athena Swan Silver award for progress in relation to gender equality, and the increase in female faculty.

Andy Lockett, Dean and Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, said: “We’re delighted that AACSB has re-accredited WBS, recognising our ongoing commitment to excellence in business education, research, and industry engagement.

"It’s very pleasing to be commended for the quality of our teaching and our focus on the student experience, which is at the heart of everything we do.

The assessing panel also recognised the important EDI progress we have made over the past five years and this will remain a focus of the School going forward.”

Read more about Warwick Business School’s rankings and accreditations here.