Theodoros Stamoulis MSc

The course

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

I chose to study at UEBS because it’s among the most prestigious and accredited institutions in both the UK and in the world and I felt it would secure a good job for me in the financial sector.

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

I was drawn to the MSc in Banking and Risk (now Banking Innovation and Risk Analytics) because of the courses offered, as I felt they would have an immediate application in the banking field and would lay the foundations for a successful career.

Your career

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

I was working in the private banking sector of Deutsche Bank in Munich and decided that when my contract came to end, I wanted to pursue an MSc degree at the University of Edinburgh Business School to enhance my knowledge in finance, accounting and economics.

Before even finalising my dissertation and graduating with my MSc, I was hired by JP Morgan Private Bank in Edinburgh as a Credit Risk Analyst.

I’m enjoying advancing my career in an international banking environment.

How did your degree prepare you for your career?

As mentioned above, the variety of courses offered specialising in different types of risk have laid the groundwork for a successful career in credit risk at JP Morgan.

Not only that, but the programme also included excursions and visits to financial institutions, prestigious guests from the financial world and a lot of useful interaction with international students and alumni who all shared their insights, enabling me to choose the right option that was best for me.

Masters of Change

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

My degree has led to a better salary in the field I’m currently working in and a secure job with career advancement opportunities. In my personal life, it has broadened my horizons to continuously strive to enhance my knowledge and never stay idle.

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

Based on what I learnt in the credit risk courses, I have been able to enhance various systems and procedures in my job with regards to automating various manual processes and saving lots of hours spent on tedious and strenuous projects as a direct result.

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

Econometrics, accounting, Basel Accords and risk management are among the key things that I still use in my current role.

Course highlights and advice

What are your best memories on the programme?

My best memory is the three-day visit to London where we visited the Bank of England, S&P and Santander’s asset management department where we interacted with accredited professionals. We also attended and were involved in conferences where we invited professionals from Google, Moody’s and other companies and had the chance to discuss with people from inside how their careers progressed and how we, the students, could follow similar paths.

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

Enjoy the programme and its courses but also find time to enjoy the extracurricular activities that the programme offers, meet new people, discover new places and trust the process. If you are committed, everything pays off in the end.