What was your study and/or professional background prior to this programme?
I had quite the diverse experience before joining the programme, I worked as a TV producer and a marketing manager.
Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh Business School?
The reasons behind my choice are many, beginning by the fact that I will be living in Edinburgh, and the social atmosphere of the city, in addition to, the historical beauty of the city. The global ranking of the university, however, was the main reason I chose it, and I was delighted to find the exact programme that I was looking for offered by the university.
About the course
What was it about the degree programme that particularly attracted you?
I contacted few alumni of the same programme and they all had great experiences, in addition to checking out all the courses offered within the programme, it was all that I can ask for.
How many people are on your programme (approx.), and what is the diversity mix like?
38; it is diverse but there are dominant majorities within the class.
What does a typical day look like for you on this programme?
Attending classes, in addition to signing up for student development sessions within the week, preparing for lectures beforehand and going through the reading materials, enjoying the social life of students and Edinburgh within the weekend.
How much time do you spend in lectures and how much time do you spend studying each week (approx.)?
Lectures usually take up around 12-13 hours a week, and on a regular week I’d say that I spend around 3 hours studying.
How feasible do you think it is to work part-time while pursing your Masters?
I find it very easy and doable, all you must do is good time management and not miss out on any deadlines or important due dates.
What course have you enjoyed the most so far and why?
Organisational Behaviour, it was so easy to relate to and fun to study, getting to know more about the psychological side of managing institutions and organisations is very interesting. I also noticed that the lecturers of the course were in fact more energetic and enthusiastic about the materials while teaching the course.
Student experience
Is there a specific experience you’ve had so far on the programme that stands out?
The negotiation workshop was by far the one of the most exciting experiences I got to enjoy in my entire academic journey. It was valuable and unique, and it will be something that I will always remember and use throughout my life not just my career.
Have you joined any clubs or societies? What do you like to do outside of your studies? How do you spend your weekends?
I’m going to be joining the sailing club this semester and cannot wait for the weather to be better so that we can start going out on sailing sessions.
Have you done any travel to other parts of Scotland or the UK since arriving in Edinburgh?
I’ve been going on small trips around Edinburgh, and Dunbar is one of the most underrated places to visit in my opinion. It boasts a great beautiful hiking landscape around its costal area that is definitely worth a visit!
What kind of accommodation are you living in and why did you choose that option?
I’m staying in a university run accommodation. I have an en-suite room which was perfect for my personal preferences. When it came down to choosing my accommodation, I had to create an excel sheet in which I listed all the accommodations I am interested in and rated their proximity to my school, the price, the features and the aesthetics of it. It worked out wonderfully in the end.
How did you go about making friends and building a community in Edinburgh?
I just approached people with a smile and introduced myself, that’s how I ended up with a very close circle of friends. Sometimes we tend to forget that a small genuine gesture of interest in other people can make their day, and that’s what one of my friends actually told me – he was lonely and beginning to face depression before I approached him in our communal kitchen area of the accommodation. Afterwards we instantly became friends and his whole university life shifted to a positive one, this was one of the highlights of my experience here in Edinburgh.
Looking ahead
What are you hoping to do after you graduate from this programme?
I am looking forward to landing a job in HR and eventually starting a personal project that will be aimed towards developing the community.
Do you have any tips for people considering applying to the Business School?
I would recommend them to check out all of the offered benefits of joining the university. For me personally I found that the student development team for the Business School has enhanced and supported my experience in an unbelievable way. For a future student it’s very important to know the importance of being supported and cared for by a university run community and not to just focus on what the programme looks like, and at the University of Edinburgh that sense of support can always be felt.