Our site uses cookies to give you the best experience. or continue shopping if you're happy.
Accept & close
The business guide
Get a head start on your Business, Marketing, or Events Management course.
You’ve earned your spot, now it’s time to get you set up for day one and beyond. From must-have uni essentials to handy extras and insider career tips, our expert guide’s got everything you need to stay ahead.
What to look out for
Essentials
Starting university is exciting, but it helps to be prepared. If you’re itching to get started, these essentials will set you up for success without blowing the budget.
Laptop
The first thing you’ll want to tick off the list is a trusty laptop. You’ll need it for notes, research, and knuckling down wherever suits you.
Not sure where to start? Our top choice has a speedy AMD Ryzen™ 5 processor and 16GB of RAM, making multitasking between spreadsheets and presentations effortless. And if you’re saving tons of backups (good call), the 512GB SSD gives you plenty of space.
Microsoft 365 Home and Student
You’ve got your laptop sorted, now you need all the go-to programs. Microsoft 365 Home and Student gives you Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, all compatible with macOS and Windows 10 onwards, so you’re set for every submission.
Before you buy, check if your uni offers it for free. Why pay if you don’t have to?
Cloud storage & backup
Cloud storage is a no-brainer for busy students. It keeps all your docs handy on any device and automatically backs up your work. It might just save you a big headache one day!
Anti-virus software
Nobody’s got time for pesky viruses — especially when deadlines are looming. Keep your data and coursework safe with a reliable antivirus subscription. We recommend Norton or McAfee for low maintenance, advanced security, so you can focus on your work without an extra worry.
Nice to have
These aren’t must-haves, but if you’ve got a little extra to spend, they can really upgrade your uni experience.
Headphones
Find your focus wherever you are with a good pair of headphones. They’ll help block out distractions and let you tune into online sessions without disturbing anyone else in the library. Keep your eyes peeled for noise-cancelling tech that’ll keep the background bustle at bay.
Wireless mouse and keyboard
Stay comfy and in control through long sessions with a wireless mouse and keyboard. They’ll keep your setup clean and clutter-free — and help you power through work faster.
Content tools
As well as the core Microsoft programs, tools like Canva or Adobe are great for giving your work a creative edge — especially if you’re studying Marketing, Business, or Hospitality.
Smart speaker
Already got too many tabs open? A smart speaker can answer questions and play background music while you work without cluttering your screen. Just say the word.
Productivity tips for business courses
Business-related degrees mix lectures, coursework, presentations, and group projects. It might sound like a lot, but staying on top of it doesn’t have to be a headache. Our practical tips can keep you productive, focused, and ahead of the game.
Use cloud storage for seamless group work.
Sharing files in one place means everyone can read, edit, and stay updated. Plus, it saves you the hassle of figuring out which version’s which.
Keep a digital calendar and set reminders
Make sure nothing slips through the cracks by planning your time in an online calendar and setting reminders for meetings and deadlines.
Record lectures and organise notes digitally
Record your lectures and keep everything organised online, so you don’t miss a thing. It makes revisiting topics and revising much easier.
Always check if recording is allowed before you start.
Follow industry trends
Keep up with business news, brands, and industry trends to help your work stand out. It’s a great way to bring real-world examples into your assignments and discussions.
Set up auto-backups
Automatically backing up your work can save you a headache later. It means you’ll never lose important files — even if your laptop conks out — and it keeps everything accessible across your devices.
Split work into manageable steps
Got a massive task? Break it down into smaller steps, like research, planning, writing, and editing. It makes everything feel less daunting and helps you stay on track without rushing to the end.
Get inspired by real careers
Your next steps after studying Business are full of opportunity. Our expert was once in your shoes, and she’s shared her best advice.
Meet Arafa, brand director for AO
I studied English and Arts Management at De Montfort University in Leicester, starting all the way back in 1999 (yes, a while ago now… let’s not dwell on that too much). The world looked very different then and so did my idea of what I might end up doing.
I’ve always loved reading, so studying English was a no-brainer. But career-wise? I didn’t have a clue. A lot of people on my course went into teaching, but after a stint of work experience in a school, I quickly realised that definitely wasn’t for me.
What really changed things was the Arts Management side of my degree. It was essentially business, but through a creative lens, how to promote and grow creative work without losing what makes it special.
We had to put on a cultural event as part of the course, and I chose to focus on marketing and PR… mostly because it sounded slightly less terrifying than finance or talent management! But that decision completely changed everything. I loved it. It was creative, fast-paced, and actually had measurable impact and I hadn’t even realised it was a career option before then.
From that point on, I shaped everything around marketing, my projects, work experience, even my dissertation.
Now, I still love that same mix of creativity and business. There’s nothing better than taking an idea from a scribble on paper, through shoots and edits, and then seeing it out in the real world and having real impact. It never gets old.
Arafa's industry tips
Don’t wait for someone to give you experience
It’s hard to get experience, everyone knows that. So stop waiting for a perfect ‘Emily in Paris’ opportunity to land. Help someone’s small business, run a social account, create your own opportunities and just get something out there. That’s the stuff you’ll actually talk about in interviews.
Pick something and go deeper on it
Marketing is huge. You don’t need to be good at everything straight away. Find the bit you enjoy, advertising, social, performance and really get into it. You’ll figure the rest out later.
Just talk to people (it’s less awkward than you think)
Drop someone a message, ask for a coffee catch up, it doesn’t have to be formal or polished. Most people are happy to help because they remember what it was like starting out.
Trust that you’ll figure it out
I had no clue what I wanted to do at uni. Most people don’t. You don’t need a perfect plan, you just need to keep moving, trying things, and paying attention to what clicks.
