GBS

Name

GBS

Legal name

Global Banking School

Website

https://globalbanking.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Technology & Computer Science Universities (EDAHALAH)

Keywords

• Higher education courses
• Vocational training programs
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Postgraduate education
• Professional qualifications

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: GBS generates revenue primarily through tuition fees charged to students for higher education courses including HNDs, undergraduate degrees, and postgraduate programs. Courses are delivered in partnership with UK universities including Bath Spa University, Oxford Brookes University, Canterbury Christ Church University, and University of Suffolk.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

GBS (Global Banking School) is a private higher education provider delivering vocational, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses across six academic disciplines: Business & Finance, Construction Management, Digital Technologies & Computing, Health & Social Care, Project Management, and Psychology. Courses are delivered across ten UK campuses in London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds, plus international campuses in Dubai and Malta, in partnership with UK universities including Bath Spa University, Oxford Brookes University, Canterbury Christ Church University, and University of Suffolk, with Pearson as the awarding body for HND/HNC programmes.

Product overview

GBS (Global Banking School) is an award-winning higher education provider offering a portfolio of vocational, foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate courses across six academic disciplines: Business & Finance, Construction Management, Digital Technologies & Computing, Health & Social Care, Project Management, and Psychology. The offering is structured as a platform of related course families — each discipline area contains multiple programmes at different levels (HND, BSc, BA, MSc) with foundation year options — supported by a suite of student services including the MyGBS App (mobile learning), GBS Library (digital resources), Enterprise Hub (entrepreneurship support), Employability Award (career development), and professional qualification pathways through ACCA, CIMA and IFA partnerships. All programmes are delivered across ten UK campuses in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, in partnership with UK universities including Bath Spa University, Oxford Brookes University, Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Suffolk, with Pearson as the awarding body for vocational qualifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business & Finance Courses A suite of globally-recognised undergraduate and postgraduate courses in business and finance, including BA (Hons) Global Business, BSc (Hons) Accounting & Financial Management, MSc Global Business, and HND in Business, designed to open career opportunities in banking, finance, accounting and management.
• Construction Management Courses A suite of construction management courses including BSc (Hons) Construction Management with Foundation Year and HND in Construction Management for England, designed to develop skills in planning, coordinating and overseeing construction projects.
• Digital Technologies & Computing Courses Computing and digital technology courses including BSc (Hons) Computing with Foundation Year and HND in Digital Technologies for England (Cyber Security), focused on developing communication, teamwork, research and analysis skills for careers in digital technology.
• Health & Social Care Courses Healthcare courses including BSc (Hons) Health, Wellbeing and Social Care with Foundation Year, HND in Health and Social Care Practice, and BSc (Hons) Health, Wellbeing and Social Care Level 6 Direct Entry, combining specialist healthcare knowledge with management expertise.
• Project Management Courses Project management courses including BSc (Hons) Project Management with Foundation Year and MSc Project Management, designed to equip students with skills to lead and manage projects across industries from startups to global infrastructure.
• Psychology Courses Psychology courses including BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling with Foundation Year, exploring how the human mind works and preparing students for careers in psychological sciences and counselling.
• MyGBS App A proprietary mobile application launched by GBS to support students with a more connected learning experience, accessible via the student portal and designed to enhance the digital student journey.
• GBS Library A digital library service providing 24/7 access to digital books and resources, collaborative study spaces, technology access, and research help, extending learning beyond traditional campus walls.
• Enterprise Hub A dedicated entrepreneurship workspace and support programme where student entrepreneurs can explore their ventures, access one-to-one mentoring, on-campus showcase events, and financial support, with the first hub launched at Norfolk House Birmingham.
• Employability Award A structured award programme designed to enhance student employability, providing career guidance, placement support, volunteering opportunities, and direct engagement with employers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% student satisfaction in 2022 National Student Survey
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Bath Spa UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary university partner for validated degree programmes including BA (Hons) Business and Management Progression Route. GBS supercharges course offerings in partnership with Bath Spa University for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
• Oxford Brookes UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner for validated degree programmes, offering progression routes for HND students to complete bachelor's degrees.
• Canterbury Christ Church UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner providing validated degree programmes across various disciplines.
• University of SuffolkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner for validated degree programmes.
• PearsoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPearson is the awarding body for HND and HNC programmes delivered by GBS, providing BTEC qualifications and academic regulations.
• ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBS graduates eligible for exemptions from ACCA qualification modules upon successful completion of BSc (Hons) Accounting & Financial Management.
• CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBS graduates eligible to enter CIMA at Management Level with 8 exemptions upon completion of BSc (Hons) Accounting & Financial Management.
• IFA (Institute of Financial Accountants)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBS offers route to IFA Associate Member status for graduates of BSc (Hons) Accounting & Financial Management with pathway to Intermediate Financial Accountant and full Associate Financial Accountant membership.
• National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-designer of National HealthTech Series events alongside GBS and DocHQ, bringing together innovators, healthcare professionals, and academics.
• DocHQmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-designer of National HealthTech Series events focused on collaboration and innovation in UK healthcare technology.
• Rosely GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner for National HealthTech Series events.
• Empact VenturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner for National HealthTech Series events.
• Canary Wharf GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost for construction management student visits to One North Quay site and other construction industry learning experiences.
• British AirwaysmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided sustainability-focused work experience insight day for BSc Business & Tourism Management students.
• Canary Wharf ContractorsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHosted student visits with Senior Project and Construction Managers delivering talks at viewing gallery.
• CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional body partner listed on IAB (Industry Advisory Board) page for construction management programmes.
• Lions Club of HestonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership supporting the District 105A Community Urban Farm project, providing volunteers from GBS staff and students.
• NEO Cricket ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership promoting community development in East London.
• Harrow Cricket ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership championing community development.
• Greenford Quays United Cricket ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting community engagement in West London.
• MCR PathwaysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransformational mentoring programme inspiring GBS students.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BPP University: UK-based private university owned by a private equity sponsor, focused on professional qualifications in law, accounting, finance, and healthcare. Directly comparable to GBS in model (campus-based private HE with professional-track degrees) and in scale (tens of thousands of students).
• University of Law: UK private university specialising in law and broader professional programmes (business, criminology, psychology). Highly comparable to GBS as a private, employer-aligned HE provider serving career-focused and underrepresented student segments.
• INTO University Partnerships: Private pathway provider partnering with universities to deliver foundation and international student preparation programmes. Comparable to GBS in operating at the intersection of alternative HE delivery and international student recruitment.
• Arden University: UK-based online/distance learning university offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across business, computing, and health. Comparable to GBS for its career-focused adult learner base and validated-degree model, though with stronger online delivery.
• London School of Business and Finance (LSBF): London-based private HE provider with global campuses offering business, finance, and professional programmes. Directly comparable to GBS in targeting international and career-changer students with UK-validated degrees and professional body affiliations.
• QA Higher Education: UK private HE pathway provider offering foundation, undergraduate, and postgraduate programmes in partnership with UK universities. Directly comparable to GBS in partnership-driven model, international student focus, and multi-campus UK delivery.
• Cambridge Education Group: UK-based pathway provider for international students entering UK universities via foundation and pre-master's programmes. Comparable to GBS in international HE pathway delivery and validated programme partnerships.
• Kaplan UK: Private provider of higher education, professional training, and pathway programmes in the UK. Comparable to GBS in offering university-validated degrees, vocational qualifications, and employer-linked pathways, including accounting and finance.

Broad incumbents

• Pearson: Global awarding body and education services company; serves as GBS's awarding body for HND/HNC qualifications and a major UK HE sector participant. Comparable as an ecosystem participant in the UK vocational and HE credentials market.
• Navitas: Global private education provider operating university pathway programmes and vocational HE across multiple geographies. Comparable to GBS in serving non-traditional and international HE students via partner-validated degrees, though broader and more diversified geographically.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gbsknowledge
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC0A0IqQYkwIPdC7bLlLgSkw
• Facebookfacebook.com/gbsknowledge
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/gbsknowledge
• Instagraminstagram.com/gbsknowledge
• TikToktiktok.com/@gbsknowledge

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GBS