Fancy a degree in flipping burgers? A doctorate in drinks dispensing? A masters in mayonnaise and melty cheese? Well grab your graduate gowns, because now you can achieve all those higher education goals - McDonald's is officially launching its own degree course in the UK.

He brought turkey meat to the masses and made the Norfolk brogue famous across the land through his iconic 'Bootiful!' TV commercials. But the firm's CEO Noel Bartram has now confirmed that Bernard Matthews, entrepreneur and multimillionaire, passed away yesterday at the age of 80.

I came prepared for last night's Apprentice: a full day of smoothing and soothing my throat with honey and Strepsils in anticipation of a gleeful stress-busting hour of screaming expletives, like the demented banshee of East London, at Stuart Baggs The Brand. Yet, in a double-edged sword of an editorial corner-turn, it was not the boastful big-headed Baggs who had me yelling, but Laura. Laura the Moaner.

Dr Adam Marshall is director of Policy and External Affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce. He is one of a panel of experts speaking at the Natwest/Smarta webinar on the hot topic "The economic outlook: 2011 and beyond"on 8 December at 2:30pm. Here, Marshall outlines his vision for the future of the UK economy and its impact on UK businesses.

The Smarta Way To Do Business is out today! Our first book is jam-packed with hands-on advice from more than 100 of the UK's hottest entrepreneurs, including Smarta investors Theo Paphitis (who also wrote the foreword to the book) and Deborah Meaden, Doug Richard, Lynne Franks, Kanya King, Gordon Mac, Simon Woodroffe, Sarah Beeny and Brad Burton.

Jasmine Birtles founded money-saving tips website MoneyMagpie.com to help consumers and businesses alike make the most of the cash. Here are her top tips for small businesses looking to save a few pennies.

Yesterday was National Freelancers Day, and David Cameron chimed in to thank freelancers across the nation.

"I can't tell you how much admiration I have for people who leave the comfort of a regular wage to strike out on their own. It takes a lot of courage - and without that courage this country would be a much poorer place," the PM wrote in a letter to the Professional Contractors Group (PCG).

Professor Will Zimmerman is a biochemist turned entrepreneur. He has learned the hard way that not all inventions can be turned into hard cash. Here's his story.

The rumour mill has just confirmed that Will and Kate will tie the knot on April 29th in Westminster Abbey. But will the Royal Wedding really boost the UK economy? These business owners share their views.

Carly Ward, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Society (YES), knows all about starting a business on a shoestring. Here are her tips for bootstrapping your business.