Birmingham City University, First Class Honours Graduate (2020)

As a former Interior Designer, making a career switch was not easy, but possible through effort and perseverance. I chose Birmingham City University as it provided a fast yet challenging pace of learning and gave me the flexibility to juggle between work and study, helping me to improve on my organisational skills.

I studied for the Bachelor of Arts in International Marketing, which is a 100% assignment-based programme. It gave me the opportunity to enhance my knowledge of the subject and was a progression after the completion of my Diploma in Digital Marketing at Kaplan (in Singapore).

My Degree gave me a great overview of and insight into how the world of digital marketing works. It involves thinking outside the box, which has enhanced my creativity. The online learning class experience also allowed me to spend more time with my loved ones as I had classes at home, and we were encouraged to ask unlimited questions when in doubt.

My reason for pursuing a postgraduate degree was a bit different. Since I am already at the top of my organisation, pursuing the MBA would not have elevated my position at work. As cliché as it sounds, I wanted to hone the necessary professional skills and foster my personal development.

I believe that postgraduate studies are not just a means to a better job or different career path. For students with a genuine passion for a particular topic or area of research – for me, that would be my wellness business – advanced degrees provide the ideal platform to delve deeper.

In classes, my participation was sincerely welcomed. I learnt that you do not always have to be right. In fact, it is good to be wrong sometimes – you will always be learning more and advancing your ideas. My favourite module was Business, Society and the Environment. I thoroughly enjoyed engaging in discursive debates on climate change, as well as how businesses have impacted the climate. In fact, after graduation, I went straight to developing a project incorporating the goals of sustainability, which hopefully can be shared with the public by the third quarter.

I also discovered that incorporating responsible business practices are no longer just a ‘nice to have’, but an essential part of any business venture. Regardless of the size of a company, we all have a part to play to give back to society. Little drops of water make the mighty ocean, and every effort counts.

Having been trained in the hard sciences as a doctor, I felt that I needed to gain a business perspective of the healthcare industry as I was working as an Assistant Medical Director at the time, and later, as a Senior Manager (Operations).

Thus, I decided to pursue an MBA programme to acquire the theoretical fundamentals on running a business. The decision to pursue the programme at Murdoch University was a fruitful one, as it allowed me to function more efficiently as a healthcare administrator. The technical skills I learned through modules such as Accounting, and Business Finance allowed me to better make sense of balance sheets and profit and loss (P&L) statements, which I encounter in my course of work.

What I like most about the programme is that it gave me the flexibility to complete the modules at my own pace. Additionally, the modules were well-taught by the lecturers, who were both knowledgeable and engaging. My advice to those considering taking up a Postgraduate Degree is, do not hesitate to take up the MBA programme at Murdoch University, as it is a proven programme which will adequately arm you with the knowledge and technical skills on business administration.

Royal Holloway, University of London 1st Class Honours Graduate (2020)

In comparison to other universities, Royal Holloway, University of London is a member of the University of London (UOL) federation and offers the opportunity to achieve a direct Honours Degree with Distinction. The University also offers dual specialisation programmes, allowing me to study for two majors instead of one, giving me a competitive edge over my peers. This was the best of both worlds, so I opted to study a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Management with Marketing (Top-up) Degree programme with RHUL.

I liked how the texts provided in this programme reflect current business and marketing trends, enabling me to comprehend industry-relevant theories, business models and practices. Our group projects were industry-focused instead of academic-focused, honing our creative thinking, and we were taught to consider what potential clients would like instead of what our professors would want to see. In a way, I felt that the classroom simulated an actual working environment and that the various group assignments allowed me to learn to work with people of different backgrounds, who would bring different insights to the team, similar to how we would work with diverse colleagues in the working world.

Another benefit of this programme is that it is based on the UK’s curriculum, meaning that its context is international and not limited to just Singapore. This opens your eyes to the global trends and equips you with insights of the different business landscapes around the world.

Studying this Degree programme has allowed some of my new clients and business associates/partners to form a better impression of me. For example, when I am consulted on certain matters, the Degree title on my business card gives them the confidence to be more receptive to my business proposals. I have managed to achieve a 20% pay increment from my previous sales position to a new role that I have applied for in the same company.

Birmingham City University is my educational provider of choice as it is recognised as a Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. I strongly believe that, with its renowned branding and dedicated teaching staff, I am able to excel and ignite my creativity in learning. Also, I am deeply passionate about the Major in International Business that is offered by BCU. The programme’s syllabus is comprehensive, and the lecturers are specialised in their area of expertise.

The study schedule at BCU fits my current work and personal lifestyle. The classes are after my office hours on weekdays, and the weekends are free for me to spend time with family while also revising and catching up on my studies. The study schedule of 3 days of continuous study with the following week off fits perfectly and is awesome!

The programme’s lecturers have introduced me to the theoretical side of the modules, as well as to practical approaches for applying these theories into action in the real world. They have also posited that the world is ever-changing and that continuous improvisation is important for success in the future. Globalisation is the key, encompassing Global + Localisation.

I chose to work first and study later. However, I realised that, in my current role and for future promotion opportunities, a paper qualification from a recognised educational provider like BCU is necessary to jumpstart my career again. I believe that it is never too late to do so, and it has been a joyful journey with BCU at Kaplan!

University College Dublin, 1st Class Honours Graduate (2020)

Before I decided to enrol with University College Dublin (UCD), I had done research on several other universities. When I spoke to a UCD consultant, I was quite impressed with the University’s rankings, and I like the fact that some of its lecturers are flown in from the university to teach here.

Throughout the course, we had numerous group assignments and had to work with different people. I feel that this helps to reinforce skills that are relevant to both group and individual work. In a way, it prepares us to work in a team setting that is relevant to the workforce. Studying this programme has helped me qualify for a role I was looking for, despite having to juggle caring for my son, spending time with my family and studying. I appreciate the soft skills learnt through the group assignments.

Overall, I had a great learning experience thanks to my lecturers and peers, and I enjoyed my time at UCD. This course has been the highlight of my experience, and I have made good friends throughout the course. I also appreciate that the campus location is centrally located.

It has been a life goal of mine to achieve a Postgraduate Degree. I believe that this Master of Business Administration Degree I’ve obtained, would help enhance my leadership skills to lead a team.

The knowledge gained from this Degree programme’s modules have taught me what the industry best practices are and how to apply various techniques to my own leadership style. I also appreciate how the programme gave me the opportunity to network with people from various industries and career paths, and I would say that this was the best part of the programme. From a management and leadership perspective, I am now equipped with the knowledge to better practice my leadership qualities in both my career and personal life. In addition to enhancing my knowledge, I have acquired different perspectives on leadership.

Juggling work and study was a challenge. However, I believe that anyone in a management position should take up this Postgraduate Degree programme.

University College Dublin, 2nd Class Honours Graduate (2020)

As a working adult, choosing the right university to enrol with is a massive undertaking as there are many factors to take into consideration. University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland’s largest university, is ranked within the top 1% of higher education institutions globally* and ranked high in the world for Graduate Employability, which meant it undoubtedly topped my list.

What attracted me to choose UCD’s Bachelor of Business Studies (Honours) in Human Resource Management (Top-up) Degree programme was its mode of delivery and assessment methods, as well as the possibility of completion within 18 months, which suited my busy schedule.

This programme has equipped me with the skills to manage stakeholders from different cultures and backgrounds, especially in today’s globalised and diverse workplace. Furthermore, it helped me stay relevant in this challenging business environment.

Upon completing my programme, I managed to progress in my career and land my current role as an Assistant Manager. I would recommend UCD as the quality of the lecturers exceeded my satisfaction and because the classes are conducted in a block manner, make it easier for working students to plan around it.

*Times Higher Education 2020