The Faculty of Business and Law is entering teams for the third year running into the IBM Universities Business Challenge, a competition which is open to Undergraduate students from higher education institutions across the UK.

The competition gives our students the chance to improve their knowledge of the business world and put theory into practice by developing their teamwork and leadership skills. Each team will work as management consultants in a series of realistic, simulated companies, making all the critical business decisions that affect the company's performance.

There are three rounds to the competition - Round One sees students adding decisions regarding their company online, Round Two is the live semi-finals and Round Three is the Grand Final. 

This year Leeds Met is entering a record six teams, having previously only entered two in 2007/08 and three in 2008/09. The University made it through to the semi-finals at last year's national competition, which attracted 1250 students from 73 different higher education institutions, and got through to the final in 2007/08. The faculty is hoping to do even better with more teams this year.

Nicola Horner from the Faculty of Business & Law said, "We have received an overwhelming amount of interest from students wishing to take part in the competition this year and the teams have been co-ordinated by last year's participants David Green, Hiba Khurshid, Jaspreet Lamba and Sotiris Tzintanos, along with the support of University Teacher Fellow, Val Finnigan."

Val comments, "I am delighted that we now have in place the six teams who will represent Leeds Met. The competition is a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage at a national level in a prestigious competition with students from universities across the UK. Students from the Faculty of Business & Law have certainly made their mark in the last two years of competition. This year will be no different. My hunt is on for other great opportunities like this for our students."

Former semi-finalist David adds, "This year we have had record interest and we whittled the interest down to just 40 at interview. We have selected a very strong six teams which we believe will do very well and hopefully bring home the victory for Leeds Met."

The first trading period begins today with the final trading period and conclusion of Round One finishing on 1 December.