New research from Novuna Business Cash Flow, a UK leader in cash flow finance for SMEs and corporates, has undertaken comprehensive analysis of over 120 UK universities examining the academic paths of more than 10 million alumni profiles on LinkedIn. This nationwide study uncovers the universities and degree subjects most associated with entrepreneurial success and corporate leadership, offering a unique perspective on the educational journeys of the UK’s Founders, CEOs, and Managing Directors.
While top-ranked institutions maintain a strong presence, Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) ranked 18th, with the results revealing unexpected trends – from the rise of creative degrees in entrepreneurship to shifting regional patterns in leadership. These findings provide fresh insight into how different academic paths can shape the future of business in the UK.
The research also analysed the most commonly studied courses by founders across all the UK highlighting business-focused degrees alongside emerging themes like psychology and creative communication as well as creative and non-traditional pathways becoming more prevalent.
The data reveals that creative degrees like Art/Art Studies and Graphic Design play a far greater role in entrepreneurial success at top founder-producing universities than they do across the broader university landscape. In contrast, traditional business subjects like Business/Commerce and Marketing are less dominant among these top institutions.
This contrast highlights a powerful insight: founder success isn't tied to conventional business education. Instead, it often stems from creativity, communication, and alternative academic paths that foster original thinking and innovation.
“As students across the UK focus on their A-levels and look ahead to the next stage of their journey, this research highlights the importance of thinking beyond traditional paths," comments John Atkinson, Head of Commercial and Strategy at Novuna Business Cash Flow. "Whether someone’s future lies in founding a business or leading one, there’s more than one route to success – often shaped by creativity, values, and ambition.”
This data paints a compelling picture: you don’t need to attend one of the UK’s top-ranked universities or study business to lead a business. Whether it's founding a start-up or climbing to the top of a multi-national, creative, psychological, and sustainability-focused routes are becoming just as powerful.