Universities Business Challenge
Develop your business acumen. Boost your employability.
The Universities Business Challenge (UBC) is an exciting and exclusive opportunity for Business School students to participate in the UK’s leading simulation-based business competition for undergraduate students.
Delivered in partnership with Learning Dynamics Ltd, this national challenge gives you the opportunity to act as board directors of a simulated company, making strategic decisions in a dynamic, competitive environment.
Universities Business Challenge Logo
What's involved - At a glance
- Developed and run by Learning Dynamics Limited The Universities Business Challenge (UBC) is a virtual business management simulation that is designed to bring real world business challenges to life.
- Students will be placed in to teams of 5, including 1 Team Leader, and will compete against the other teams across the country in a live virtual marketplace.
- The competition consists of three rounds.
- Round 1: Online simulation over six weeks, starting with an optional Trial Trading Period.
- Round 2 Semi-Finals: An in-person event for top-performing teams.
- Round 3 Grand Final: A rich immersive experience with simulations, presentations, and guest speakers.
- Round 1 consists of 5 weekly trading periods teams. Each week, teams will be presented with company and market information that they will need to assess in order to make a series of decisions about their business. These decisions may include pricing, supply chains or entering new markets.
- At the end of each weekly trading period the decisions are fed in to the model to determine the impact of the company and it's financial performance, with results published before the next trading period opens.
- Winners will be determined by whoever has achieved the greatest improvement in financial performance.
- Teams will have access to a helpdesk which is operated by our partners and the simulation owner, Learning Dynamics Ltd.
- Entrance in the competition is limited.
How do I apply?
Entries for 2025-26 open in induction week and close 9am Friday 10th October 2025
Spaces are limited.
Entries will be a based on a written application form. You will be asked a series of short questions about your pervious experience and what you hope to gain from the competition.
If you would like to be considered for a Team Leader position you will also be asked to give a statement on why, and what you would bring to the role.
All successful applicants will be invited to attend an in person launch event on the afternoon of Wednesday 22nd October to discuss the competition outline in more detail. Exact time and location TBC.
Want to know more?
Click on each of the headings below to find out detailed information about the competition, its requirements and timeline. If you have any further questions please email LUBSOpportunity@leeds.ac.uk
Who is eligible to participate?
All LUBS parented undergraduate degree students are eligible to take part in the competition.
Postgraduate students should apply for the Global Masters Challenge.
Why should you take part?
The UBC offers undergraduates the opportunity to improve their knowledge of the business world, develop their employability skills, meet potential employers, and enhance their CV.
You will develop a deeper understanding of key business concepts through direct hands-on experience. The simulation provides an immersive experience that gives you the opportunity put theory into practice.
The key skills and competencies you will be able to develop are:
Analytical skills: Information analysis, recognition of key information and use of information to influence decision-making in team situations.
Commercial Awareness: Understanding the complexity of business. Evaluating key measures of business performance and how they impact on decision making. Identifying stakeholders and their ability to impact on business decisions and performance.
Influencing Skills: Developing the ability to influence one or more members of a team. Knowing how to influence opinions and decision-making against strong opposition. Influencing others to remain motivated when faced with adversity or failure.
Understanding Leadership: Understanding leadership style in order to gain commitment from others working as a team.
Planning and Organising: Dealing with time pressures in order to meet deadlines. Workload delegation and setting priorities.
Team working: Learning to reach a workable compromise amongst a peer group and sharing responsibility for team-based decisions. Respecting team roles and individual contributions/styles.
A results-driven approach: Understanding strategies for achieving specific business goals and performance indicators.
Financial awareness: Managing and measuring the financial performance of a business. Understanding financial statements in order to make business decisions that drive profitability.
Innovation in problem-solving: Using innovative and creative skills in solving problems relating to the business itself or the way the team works together.
Managing the customer relationship: Understanding the importance of managing customers and how poor customer service impacts on business results and competitive position.
What does the Team Leader do?
The Team Leader is responsible for uploading decisions to the online portal throughout each trading period. They will also act as the facilitator of the group, helping to guide their decisions and support team dynamics. Team Leaders also act as the contact point with the UBC Helpdesk.
When does the competition take place?
The key dates for the UG competition are:
Entries Close - 9am Friday 10th October 2025
Successful applicants will be invited to attend an information and team meet-and-greet event on the afternoon of the Wednesday 22nd October, where you will find out more details and be able to meet your team.
Round one
- Trial Trading Period (TTP) - Wednesday 22 October - Tuesday 4 November
- Trading Period One (TP1) - Wednesday 5 November - Tuesday 11 November
- Trading Period Two (TP2) - Wednesday 12 November - Tuesday 18 November
- Trading Period Three (TP3) - Wednesday 19 November - Tuesday 25 November
- Trading Period Four (TP4) - Wednesday 26 November - Tuesday 2 December
- Trading Period Five (TP5) - Wednesday 3 December - Tuesday 9 December
Semi finalists announced Thursday 11 December
Round two - Semi final
- Mid-February 2026
Round three
- Round 3 Grand Final - Mid March 2026
What is expected of you?
The Universities Business Challenge is intended to be a fun and interactive way of developing your skills and employability. You will be working as part of a team and your contribution will have a direct impact on your other team members. As such it is vital that you are fully committed to taking part throughout the whole process.
All participants are must commit to the following:
- They can attend the participant briefing.
- They are available to contribute throughout the whole competition as set out in the timeline.
- They are prepared to meet with their team mates to work together during the trading periods.
- They will interact with their mentor as appropriate.
It is anticipated that participants will need to commit two hours per week for the first two trading rounds, and one hour per week thereafter.
What support is available?
Learning Dynamics have a live helpdesk that will be available to answer any questions throughout the trading period.
Teams will also have access to a mentor from the Employability and Opportunity Team that they will be able to discuss the challenge with.
What have previous participants from LUBS said about the competition?
In 2024/25 LUBS entered into both PG and UG competitions with teams making the grand finals in both.
Have a look at this article to see what they thought about the event, and why you should take part in this years opportunity.
Contact us
You can contact the LUBS Opportunity Team by email at LUBSOpportunity@leeds.ac.uk
Our online open hours are Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm (except for bank holidays and closure days).