Clara Martinez MSc

The course

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh Business School (UEBS)?

Scotland had long intrigued me - the culture, the landscapes, and the kindness of its people. The University of Edinburgh was a clear choice: not only is it one of the UK’s most prestigious institutions, but its MSc in Marketing programme is consistently ranked amongst the best in the world. It gave me the opportunity to deepen my understanding of strategic marketing in a truly inspiring setting.

What was it about the degree programme that particularly attracted you?

The diversity of courses attracted me to the programme. From exploring the principles of marketing management to international marketing strategy, decision analysis, and consumer behaviour, it gave me solid foundations for my professional future. The learning was rigorous but deeply rewarding.

Beyond the academic richness, the programme offered me the chance to collaborate in an international environment, working closely in groups with peers from all over the world. That experience was invaluable - not just for my career, but for understanding different cultural perspectives and how they shape ideas.

Your career

Can you tell us about your career before and after graduating?

After graduating, I joined the graduate programme at Renault Group. Initially, I worked in the sales department near Paris. That role gave me first-hand insight into customer interactions and frontline commercial operations. I then moved into a marketing efficiency role, where I worked alongside the international markets team to help shape competitive commercial offers.

Currently, I’m working as Marketing Contents Project Manager, where I oversee marketing campaigns supporting the launch and lifecycle of vehicles. It’s a role that allows me to combine creativity, strategy, and cross-functional collaboration.

My degree helped me to develop a structured approach and an international perspective to decision-making.

How did your degree prepare you for your career?

My degree at the University of Edinburgh Business School gave me a solid foundation for a career in marketing. The range of courses taught me core principles, but also how to approach complex problems with structured, strategic thinking, which has been essential across my jobs over the past three years.

Delivering presentations throughout my studies significantly enhanced my confidence and public speaking abilities. It helped me develop a clearer communication style, which now plays a key role in how I engage during meetings.

I also took part in the Edinburgh Award, which helped me develop three skills of my choice: critical thinking, interpersonal communication, and assertiveness. The coaching sessions gave me practical tools and self-awareness that I still use on a daily basis.

Masters of Change

What notable changes has your degree enabled you to make in your professional or personal life?

In addition to giving me a good foundation of knowledge which I use every day in my professional life, it helped me to become more confident. Working in multicultural environments during my time at the university helped me strengthen my teamwork skills - especially when collaborating with peers from different cultural backgrounds. These experiences translate directly into my work in international environments where cross-cultural communication is key.

On a more personal level, living in a different country really opened my mind to new ideas and possibilities. It taught me resilience and determination.

Overall, my time at Edinburgh was not just about study - it was about growing as a person, connecting with incredible peers, and finding clarity in my professional path.

What are the changes you have been able to make in your chosen field, of which you are most proud?

The best part of my role is seeing the marketing campaigns we create, bringing a car's story to life. We help shape the way consumers perceive our brand, and this gives me a lot of pride.

How did your studies at the Business School help you to make those changes?

The course provided valuable insights into consumer behaviour and marketing strategy, which helped me develop a more structured approach to decision-making.

What key things that you learnt at the Business School do you still rely on today?

The academic structure at the Business School teaches you to become independent and organised. Your classes are like personal projects; you get a deadline and the resources needed to achieve each assignment; but it is you who decides how to organise your time and how to complete the assignment. This helps me in my job today where I have several projects in my remit, with different targets to achieve.

Course highlights and advice

What one piece of advice would you give to current students?

Be curious and ask questions - the academics and the Student Development Team at the Business School are very open, accessible and helpful, so make the most of it - it is a unique experience to learn new things.

Don't procrastinate. Yes, study, but also explore the city of Edinburgh and Scotland. Time goes by so quickly, so enjoy every minute of your stay in Edinburgh.