What was your study and/or professional background prior to this programme?
My undergraduate degree was in Economics, Mathematics and Statistics, and I then worked at Goldman Sachs for two and a half years. That gave me a solid grounding in data and numbers, but I wanted to move into a space where I could turn that data into real, actionable business decisions rather than just analysis for its own sake. That's what led me to Business Analytics.
About the programme
What was it about the degree programme that particularly attracted you?
What attracted me most was the balance between theory and practice. Every course doesn't just teach you the theory - it shows you how to apply it to real-world problems. The programme really bridges the gap between data and insights. There's a quote I love: many companies like to say they're data driven, but only a few are truly data informed. That distinction is exactly what this programme has taught me to build towards.
What course(s) have you enjoyed the most so far and why?
Predictive Analytics and Prescriptive Analytics have been my favourites. Predictive Analytics introduced me to predictive modelling in a really hands-on way, and Prescriptive Analytics opened my eyes to optimisation problems. What I loved about Prescriptive Analytics in particular was that every class tackled a new real-life problem - you weren't just learning a technique in isolation, you were applying it straight away.
Student experience
Have you been involved with any industry engagement activities so far?
There have been plenty of opportunities. For instance, we visited the Amazon office in Edinburgh, which was organised specifically for our programme, and we saw their day-to-day operations up close.
I also took part in a Hackathon run by NatWest Group and Google Cloud - the teams were cross-programme and randomised on the day, and my team ended up winning! As a reward, we were invited to NatWest's Gogarburn campus to pitch our ideas directly to the team working on embedding AI into their business.
Is there a specific experience you’ve had so far on the programme that stands out?
The London Trek is the one that sticks with me most. Securing a spot was a competitive process, so getting to visit Janus Henderson Investors, Modulr and Bank of America with a small group of fellow students felt like a real privilege.
At Janus Henderson, we dug into the analytical tools they use day to day; and at Modulr, we took part in a ‘Win Our Business’ pitch challenge that taught me how much you can learn just by observing the basics of a business. At Bank of America, we pitched under-the-radar applications of AI and got direct feedback from industry professionals.
The highlight, though, was the alumni panel and networking event at Scotland House, London - hours of honest, practical advice from graduates now working across so many different sectors. It's the trip that best bridged everything we learn in the classroom with how it actually plays out in industry.
What do you like to do outside of your studies?
I'm part of the Cricket Club, and it's honestly been one of the best parts of being here. I've represented the university team, trained twice a week, and travelled all over Scotland for matches. We even went to Sri Lanka as a team and played local sides out there.
Being part of the club has been the highlight of my time outside of studies, and it's given me a great group of friends alongside everything I've gained academically.
Have you travelled to other parts of Scotland or the UK?
Plenty. I did a road trip to the Highlands in November, which was incredible, and I have taken day trips to Stirling, North Berwick, Glasgow, Newcastle and Durham. Cricket has also taken me to Aberdeen and St Andrews, and I've been down to London three or four times too. Edinburgh is a brilliant base - it's so easy to get out and explore.
Looking ahead
What are you hoping to do after you graduate from this programme?
I'm hoping to build a career in the UK, ideally in finance or consulting, in a role like business or data analyst, or anything in operations where the focus is on turning data into actionable insights. It feels like a natural next step from both my background at Goldman Sachs and everything I've learned on this programme.
Do you have any tips for people considering applying to the Business School?
Apart from the academic side, the Business School and the Student Development Team organise a huge number of events and activities. These will definitely be one of the best parts of your university journey.
You get to network with people from all sorts of programmes and backgrounds, and some of the opportunities that come up are genuinely unexpected. For instance, I got to meet Susie Wolff, Managing Director of the F1 Academy, when she visited for a book signing event - that's the kind of moment you don't plan for, but it's what makes the experience here so special.