In March this year, five Economics and Business Studies students were delighted to take second prize in the prestigious Universities Business Challenge, competing against nearly 40 teams from universities across the country, as far north as St Andrews.
It was a tough slog to reach this position, with the team in question progressing through three rounds of business challenges, intricately designed to test their business strategy, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
Five teams from the University of Bristol entered the first round, and after completing online business simulations, four were invited to the semi-finals in London. This was an achievement in itself – no other university had as many teams represented at this stage.
Once in London, the students were tasked with designing the strategy for a business – a shop – and making key business decisions. They also had to deliver a 60-second marketing pitch. The presentations were fun and engaging, highlighting just how much information can be communicated in one minute!
Two of the four Bristol teams progressed to the finals, held in Southampton, where the competition intensified and the business decisions became more complex and fast-paced. The final round involved the use of business simulation software and required the teams to complete a variety of tasks and decisions under pressure.
“The UBC really sharpened my problem-solving skills and taught me how to communicate clearly and quickly as a team leader.”
Reece Forbes, second year economics student
After a long day, one of our teams, led by second-year Economics student Reece Forbes and comprising Harri Smith, Paola Bermudez, Thomas Liang, and Deevesh Persand, clinched second place. They received a £500 cash prize.
Final-year International Business Management student Paola Bermudez reflected:
“Each simulated trading period required us to make strategic decisions on pricing, production, marketing, and product development, all while navigating changing market conditions. This intense challenge strengthened my ability to adapt, collaborate, and think critically under pressure.”
The University of Bristol is no stranger to the Universities Business Challenge, having taken part many times since its inception in 1998. Our students are among the 46,000 undergraduates who participate each year, developing their employability and enterprise skills in the process.
Amy Lee, Faculty Employability Advisor for Economics, said:
“It was a real pleasure to give our students the opportunity to take part in such a prestigious competition. It’s clear that all the participants gained valuable skills that will help them become more employable and confident in their future careers. They were excellent representatives of the University, and we’re proud of everyone who took part.”
Third-year Economics student Harri Smith, who competed for the second time, was particularly pleased with the outcome. Last year, his team didn’t make it past the semi-finals, so this year’s success felt especially rewarding.
He said:
“The UBC has given me the confidence to talk to strangers and build new connections. It’s helped me sharpen my presentation skills and overall ability to navigate the business world – providing experiences I can reference in interviews and throughout my career. I can’t recommend it enough to students considering next year’s challenge.”
We hope the competition will run again next year – keep an eye out for more information in the autumn term!