Accreditation, awards and impact

Accreditation, awards and impact

We hold a number of globally recognised accreditations, awards and accolades. These are in recognition of the impact that we have on students, businesses, and society, and the transformative change we lead regionally, nationally and globally.

We’re proud of our accreditations which demonstrate external recognition of our commitment to develop responsible managers and leaders focusing on a sustainable future.

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

We’re accredited by AACSB, placing us in the top 6% of business schools worldwide. 

The AACSB accreditation ensures that business schools meet the highest standards of excellence in teaching, research, curriculum, and learner success.

Our AACSB accreditation means that we:

  • uphold and develop the highest quality programmes
  • focus on global prosperity and create impactful leaders
  • provide cutting-edge courses and innovative programs
  • connect with businesses to develop the talent they need now and in the future.

Achieving this accolade supports our ambitions and mission to develop the next generation of leaders, foster engagement, accelerate innovation, and amplify the impact of business education.

Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME)

We're a member of PRME, a United Nations-supported initiative which champions sustainability.

Our membership highlights our commitment to transforming management education and developing the responsible decision-makers of tomorrow.

Small Business Charter - Chartered Association of Business Schools

The Small Business Charter accreditation celebrates our impact and excellence in supporting small businesses, student entrepreneurship, and local and regional economies. 

The Small Business Charter accreditation means we:

  • support the growth of small business 
  • engage with stakeholders in the growth agenda
  • educate students and provide start up support. 

European Foundation for Management Development, Business School Impact System (EFMD BSIS)

We hold the EFMD Business School Impact System (BSIS) label, for our impact on the South Yorkshire Region, making us only one of four Business Schools in the UK to hold the label. To achieve the award, we were assessed based on a framework of 120 indicators covering seven measures of impact. Some of our notable impacts identified by the experts include:

  • Financial – Our impact in the local and regional economy amounts to over £331 million.
  • Education – Our teaching excellence and student support, our commitment to social and economic mobility and our engagement with businesses and professional, statutory and regulatory bodies.
  • Business development – Our commitment to supporting start-ups, working with SMEs, education that connects students to business and guaranteed work experience opportunities.
  • Intellectual – Our research, innovation and knowledge exchange has societal impact, informs and enhances our curriculum, and connects our academics and students to business and society.
  • Impact within a regional ecosystem – Our long-standing collaborative relationships, ongoing support from and for regional stakeholders and our civic agenda which includes staff that engage and volunteer their time to organisations within the region and beyond.
  • Societal impact – Our commitment to sustainable development goals (SDG’s), our curriculum, research, external engagement and our net-zero building being examples of our strong commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR).
  • Image recognition – We are an established and well known international Business School with a strong sense of place and service. The prominence of our new building increases our visibility in the city. It is a symbol of our ambition and role in the region.

Discover how else we are having a positive impact on our region.

Professionally recognised courses 

We prepare students for a fulfilling, sustainable and knowledge-led career in business through high-quality, highly applied courses.

As part of this we work closely with professional bodies to approve our courses, ensuring confidence in our quality teaching.

More information about our professional body accreditations can be found on our course pages.