De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its Business Studies degree.

First launched in 1969 by Leicester Polytechnic and later through the School of Economics and Accounting, within the Faculty of Business, it became an honours degree in 1973, and has produced thousands of graduates now living and working around the world.

Today the Business Studies degree taught at DMU's Leicester Business School attracts students from all over the globe, and was ranked 7th in the country out of 110 institutions for student satisfaction in the latest 2010 Good University Guide published online by the Times newspaper.

The Business Studies course covers subjects such as marketing, human resource management and finance, and combines teaching and research excellence with a strong vocational focus and an optional placement year.

Students can gain invaluable experience of working with major employers such as IBM, Intel, Audi, Volkswagen, HSBC, Marks and Spencer, the National Health Service and Siemens, making them well equipped for a career in business.

David Orton, Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Business Studies at DMU, is a graduate of the course himself.  He said: "As an alumnus of the course, I am excited for its future and how it will rise to the challenge of developing graduates who excel in the business world. It's befitting that we are celebrating 40 years of the course as we prepare to move into the new Business & Law building."

94% of DMU Business and Law graduates are in employment or further study six months after completing their course, with an average salary of £26,318. The 2010 Good University Guide placed Leicester Business School in the top 10 within the UK among over 100 business schools when measuring student satisfaction. An annual survey was completed by over 223,000 students at more than 155 higher education institutions across the country.