- Course: MSc International Marketing Management
- Year of graduation: 2015
- Nationality: German
How did you hear about Leeds University Business School and why did you choose to study here?
As I have completed an exchange year in Harrogate during my A-levels, Leeds has been familiar to me for a long time as a great city for students, entertainment and education. I have always wanted to come back to the Yorkshire region and when I had a look at different universities in the UK that offer a postgraduate course for marketing, I was very pleased to see that Leeds University Business School was one of them. Having studied in a private university in Germany before, I wanted to do my postgraduate studies in a much bigger university well-known for its excellence and history of education. In the end I chose Leeds University Business School for its location, its outstanding Masters programme and also its reputation as being part of the Russell Group.
Tell us about your course – why did you choose it?
Firstly, the MSc degree was, and still is, very important to me as it shows the high scientific and academic value of the course. Secondly, all the different modules appealed to me as they seemed broad enough to gain a holistic understanding of international marketing, and specific enough to find my own niche to pursue a career in.
What was the best part of your studies – what did you enjoy the most?
There are two aspects of my postgraduate studies that I enjoyed the most, to which I will always look back with a smile. The first one was to meet people with diverse cultural backgrounds, who I initially got to know through coursework but then became my friends. The second aspect is the enthusiastic and engaging lectures we have received from such a motivated and knowledgeable team of staff. The lecturers were not only professional and inspiring; they also always seemed to care about their students.
What were your career aspirations? Do you think the experience and skills you’ve gained here have helped you in your career plans? In what way?
Coming from the hospitality industry, I wanted to gain more insights into marketing theories and concepts to anticipate and satisfy customer wants and needs. Marketing has always been a particular field of my interest and with this Masters degree I wanted to lay the foundations of a successful career in marketing. The lectures and seminars have made me think beyond just general concepts and theories and I learned much more than I anticipated. I’m hoping to turn all this knowledge into measurable success in my future career.
Do you have any noteworthy achievements from your study at the Business School that you can tell us about? e.g. prizes, highest scores etc.
I achieved the highest score for our Marketing Communications module. This is an achievement I am particularly proud of because it really has been my favourite module that reflects my interests and passion the most. Before having my first set of exams in a UK university, I was worried about my previous study approach and whether or not it would get me good marks. But with all of the advice and support from our lecturers, studying together with my fellow course mates and integrating my own creative ideas into the exam answers, I achieved the highest mark.
I am also very proud of achieving the highest mark for the Video CV we had to produce for our module Professional Skills & Employability, as I haven’t produced anything similar before. Due to this project I have developed new skills of creating a professional and appealing video I can actually use for my job search.
If you are not from the UK, how was the transition to a foreign country? Did the University offer support or services that you found helpful? Can you offer any advice?
As I moved to the UK together with two friends of mine who are also doing a Masters course at the Business School, we found our way around University very quickly. It was very hard to find the right accommodation when contacting renting agencies from Germany, but eventually we found a house that suited us well. The University offered an introduction week as well as running the Global Café each week to help students from outside of the UK to exchange experiences and make new friends, which I found very helpful.
My advice for students who are not from the UK is to look for accommodation very early, and to arrive at least a week before the course commences to discover Leeds and the campus.
What was your experience of the facilities, the staff, your peers, the city of Leeds and the Yorkshire region?
The University of Leeds offers a huge variety of facilities in addition to lots of different and interesting subjects. Along with its outstanding Students’ Union, offering every society and event you could think of, the University caters for students’ needs to its best abilities. I personally find the whole work environment, lectures and course modules very inspiring - it’s a great place to study. The business and management modules at the Business School attract a high number of international students and are therefore perfect for studying international causes and management styles, exploring different cultures and practically learning about the cultural effects on consumer behaviour. The staff are enthusiastic, knowledgeable, motivated, and deliver lectures and seminars to a very high standard to engage students in learning and thinking more critically.
The city of Leeds is great for students as it is a big city, but not as big as Manchester or London, that offers a variety of entertainment activities with its wide variety of cinemas, nightclubs, restaurants, museums, shops and much more. It’s located within the beautiful Yorkshire region where there are so many heritage sites to explore and lots of abbeys and castles to see. In short, there is always something new to see and exciting to do.
Are there any experiences outside of your studies that you have particularly enjoyed? e.g. participation in extra-curricular activities or groups, nightlife, the region’s historic places of interest.
When I first arrived at the University of Leeds I was very pleased to see what a huge Students’ Union it has, which seems to truly care about its students with such a high variety of events and activities. I regularly enjoyed going to The Terrace in the Union during my breaks between lectures and going to their Friday night event called Fruity with friends.
Would you recommend the Business School to others who are considering studying here?
I would recommend the Business School to everyone who has a passion for management and business related topics, is aiming for a career in a fast-paced environment, and is seeking motivating and enthusiastic lectures.