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Do I need a degree to be an entrepreneur?

Education and entrepreneurship: Weigh the options. See how an entrepreneurship degree can set you on the path to realising your business dreams in the UK. Start your business. 

If you've had some experience in business before but are uncertain about your next step, or if you're just dreaming of starting a small business, an entrepreneurship degree in the UK can be a great help. It lets you learn about the business world, build connections and plan for your future business. It's a path to clarity for aspiring entrepreneurs.

However, keep in mind that you don't always require an entrepreneurship degree to succeed in business. Going to a higher education institution and starting a business aren't exclusive. If you're serious about your ambitions, an entrepreneurship degree can give you a strong head start in the competitive world of entrepreneurship and startups.

In short, you don't need formal qualifications to start a business, but if you aim to create the next “Gymshark” or a groundbreaking non-profit like “CoppaFeel!”, you will need to nurture an entrepreneurial mindset and also the skills and qualities of an entrepreneur.

What does an entrepreneur do?

Someone who starts their own business is called an entrepreneur. You think of an idea, get the money you need, hire a team and run the business. Entrepreneurs create businesses in different fields, creating new products or offering services.

When you start your new business, you will have to adopt many different roles. You might hire people, promote and develop your product and organise the finances. This will help you save money because you might not have a big budget at the outset. Entrepreneurs often gain knowledge of many different processes by having to take on a variety of tasks themselves.

‘A recent report in the UK showed that in 2022, about 7 out of 10 (72.1%) businesses had been around for less than 10 years.

Nearly 4 out of 10 (36%) were 1 to 4 years old and 21% were 5 to 9 years old. Less than 6% of companies had been in business for 30 years or more, with only 1.3% lasting over 50 years.’

5 skills and qualities of an entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs are important for any economy. They use their skills to come up with new ideas and meet people's needs. Successful entrepreneurs are rewarded by money, fame and opportunities to grow. If their business is unsuccessful, on the other hand, they will likely lose money and their favourable position in the market.

Becoming your own boss and making a lot of money can be exciting. But starting your own business has risks. If your business loses money, your whole life can be badly affected, not just your business. To reduce risk, it is essential to follow some important principles. Here are the five skills and qualities of an entrepreneur that you need to be successful.

1. Communication

As an entrepreneur, you must be good at talking to people. Whether you're a small business owner or leading a large company, you have to know how to communicate well with everyone involved in your business.

You need to talk to your employees, investors, customers, creditors, colleagues and mentors. If you can't explain why your business is valuable, it probably won't succeed.

You also need to be skilled in all kinds of communication, like:

  • one-to-one
  • in-person conversations
  • group conversation
  • written communication
  • emails or online messages

2. Sales

Being good at sales is closely connected to being a good communicator. As an entrepreneur, you have to be able to sell. You need to sell your business idea to investors, your products or services to customers and even yourself to your employees.

When you can communicate well, you can sell your ideas and things more effectively.

At the start, it's common for entrepreneurs to be the first salespeople in their companies. Having the soft skills of sales is important to show the value of your business to everyone, both inside and outside the company.

3. Focus

Becoming a successful entrepreneur is a journey with many ups and downs. You'll have great moments of success and tough times with setbacks. To succeed, you must stay focused, especially when things get hard.

Think about it like this: even when you face challenges, you need to keep your eyes on the final goal. Successful entrepreneurs always know where they want to go and work hard to get there.

4. Eagerness to learn

This is one of the important skills and qualities of an entrepreneur. Building a business comes with many challenges and to succeed, you must be eager to learn.

In entrepreneurship, you'll face good and bad times. Being a good learner and having the desire to learn are crucial. Even when things don't go well, if you can learn from failure, you have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. Failure can help you understand more about business.

5. Business strategy

While a successful entrepreneur has built a strong business, having a good business strategy is one of the most important skills and qualities of an entrepreneur.

By being good at talking to people, selling things, staying focused and learning, you can figure out a business strategy as you go. However, when you're planning how to organise and grow your business, it's vital to have a smart policy based on solid business skills. To make your business even better, you need a strong strategy.

What is an entrepreneurship degree?

You might think about getting an entrepreneurship degree if you want to be an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship degrees in the UK teach you how to start, grow and expand your business. Renowned institutions in the UK such as Global Banking School (GBS) offer these entrepreneurship degrees and they're a popular choice for people interested in business.

What can you do with an entrepreneurship degree in the UK?

After pursuing entrepreneur courses in the UK, many entrepreneurs simply start their businesses and run them. Sometimes, they do it alone or with a few partners. They might get money from investors or use their savings.

As of 2022, there were about 5.5 million private sector businesses in the UK and over half of them (56%) are sole proprietorships.

There were 4.2 million businesses in the services industry – 76% of the overall business population.

Besides starting your own business, the skills you learn in entrepreneur courses in the UK can help you succeed in other jobs:

  • Business consultant: You can help big companies find and fix problems.
  • Business manager: The business principles you learn in entrepreneur courses in the UK can also be useful in larger companies.
  • Sales representative: Being good at sales often needs negotiation and taking the lead, as entrepreneurs do.
  • Marketing manager: You can use your creativity and leadership for a job in marketing.
  • Intrapreneur: While you are unlikely to find this an official job title, but you can use your entrepreneurial skills to lead new initiatives within an existing firm.

Pursue an entrepreneur course in the UK with Global Banking School (GBS)

GBS is a leading higher education institution in the UK, known for its industry-specific courses in fields such as business, education, finance, accounting and more. The institution has a presence across major cities in the UK. GBS is dedicated to its mission of “transforming lives through education.”

Entrepreneur course in the UK by GBS

BA (Hons) Global Business and Entrepreneurship with Foundation Year

Our BA (Hons) Global Business and Entrepreneurship with Foundation Year is here to help you develop your business ideas. It covers everything from recognising good opportunities to turning your ideas into real businesses. In this entrepreneur course in the UK, you'll learn about how successful organisations create jobs, boost the economy and make positive changes in society.

You'll constantly test your learning and ideas in real situations, which will help you plan and build your own business. This entrepreneur course in the UK also teaches you about entrepreneurship in various settings and how to use strategy, tactics and innovation in different business models.

Our experts from the industry will guide you on starting and growing businesses while avoiding common problems. Plus, you'll get support from your academic, career and welfare team.

Frequently asked questions about entrepreneurship degrees in the UK

An entrepreneurship degree in the UK can be beneficial if you plan to start your own business, but it's not always necessary. Success in entrepreneurship depends on various factors, including skills, experience and the specific business venture. Some entrepreneurs find formal education helpful, while others thrive without it.

Entrepreneurship can be a rewarding career path, but it comes with risks and challenges. Success depends on individual goals, skills and dedication. It can be a good choice for those who are innovative, willing to take risks and have a strong work ethic.

The key skills and qualities of an entrepreneur include communication, sales, focus, eagerness to learn and business strategy.

To become an entrepreneur in the UK, you can start by identifying a business idea, conducting market research, creating a business plan, registering your business and seeking financing or funding if needed. Building a strong network and developing essential entrepreneurial skills will also be beneficial for your journey. To gain a competitive advantage in the field and accrue the skills and qualities of an entrepreneur, you can also pursue entrepreneur courses in the UK from a well-known institution like GBS.

GBS provides an excellent entrepreneur course in the UK to help you become an entrepreneur. The entrepreneur course, BA (Hons) Global Business and Entrepreneurship with a Foundation Year is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to start and succeed in your business ventures. So, what are you waiting for? Contact our student support team to apply now.