Undergraduate students take part in UBC Worldwide

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UBC Worldwide Challenge

12 teams of Management School students recently took part in Universities Business Challenge Worldwide.

The Universities Business Challenge (UBC) Worldwide is the UK’s longest established and most recognised global simulation-based competitive challenge for Undergraduate students. Supported by leading universities and corporate partners, over 30,000 Undergraduate students have benefitted from taking part in the UBC since it was founded in 1998.             

The competition helps students improve their decision-making skills, develop their team-working abilities and increase their knowledge of key business areas such as marketing, finance, production and human resources. It also provides an opportunity for students to develop and enhance their employability and enterprise skills.

Teams are made up of a maximum of five students, with around 200 teams taking part.

The first stage of the competition was an online simulation which required teams to act as a board of directors, over a period of five weeks, for a fictional but realistic company.  Teams were responsible for improving the performance of the company taking into account its responsibilities to various stakeholders.

At the end of the round, teams were ranked in terms of financial and non-financial performance of the company, with the top teams progressing onto the semi-finals.  Seven of the 12 Management School teams have made it to the semi-finals which are set to take place virtually at the end of February. 

Nick Drape, Academic Lead UBC, said “ULMS has a long history with the UBC and it’s fantastic news that seven of our teams have made it through to the semi-finals.  Teams have had to adapt to a new way of working this year but they have done that superbly.

“All 12 teams put a lot of effort into the competition and they should all the proud of their efforts. Many teams said how nice it was to have a chance to meet (virtually) in their groups and the online drop in sessions held were always well attended. The teams channel set up by the Student Experience and Enhancement Team was very active!  

“ULMS was lined up to host a semi-final again for the competition this year however, understandably, both the semi-finals and finals will be online this year in February and March. Fingers crossed for the semi-finals!”

The top ten teams from the semi-finals will be invited to compete in a live Grand Final in March.