MSc's useful learning leads to graduate role

Niamh Brown is a student on the MSc Business Analysis and Consulting programme. Here, she highlights how the industry-focused elements of the course and the skills she’s learned have led to a graduate role with Capgemini.

I was drawn to the MSc Business Analysis and Consulting (BAC) programme specifically for the consultancy aspect, as I wanted to develop my data analysis skills and the programme offered the perfect balance as consultancy relies heavily on working with people, which complemented my background well – my undergraduate degree was in Psychology. I chose Strathclyde for its strong business school reputation and the heavy integration of case study work throughout the course.

Overall, I have found the course thoroughly engaging and exciting. The balance of theoretical learning and real-life client case study work has given me the kind of practical experience that has helped me grow into a strong consultant.

The strong emphasis on group work and presentations has also developed me into a confident communicator. The academic support strengthened my understanding too, leaving me feeling far more prepared for exams I had initially been apprehensive about.

Industry events led to graduate role

The highlights of this course have been the industry and networking events hosted by the lecturers, which brought in alumni, consultants, and business analysts from different sectors. These gave me valuable real-world context and networking opportunities; in fact, they helped me secure a graduate role at Capgemini for after I finish the course. Being able to contribute to meaningful client work has also been genuinely rewarding.

The most useful learning has come from working directly with clients across all different sectors, such as energy, healthcare, and manufacturing and hearing first-hand about the work they do and then collaborating with them on live projects to solve real business problems. This gave me genuine, hands-on experience of the consultancy process from start to finish.

Guest lectures from major organisations such as Bank of America have also been hugely valuable, offering insight into how analysis and consultancy work in practice across very different industries.

Fantastic learning support

The support on the MSc Business Analysis and Consultancy programme has been fantastic. From extra sessions on quantitative business methods and dissertation writing, through to lecturers’ office hours where you can ask questions about lectures or tutorials, the support has consistently enabled my learning and development.

Technical and interpersonal skillset

The skills I have acquired on the BAC course span both taught technical skills and the interpersonal skills that come from real collaboration. On the technical side, I’ve developed the ability to understand and break down complex business problems through process mapping, forecast planning and modelling, and business solutioning.

Just as importantly, working closely with peers and clients has strengthened my communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, all of which have been invaluable.

I would strongly recommend this course to anyone who wants to grow into a confident business analyst and consultant, learning from key industry professionals in an environment where your work has a genuine, real-world context.

The opportunity to grow academically and professionally here have been hugely rewarding for both my personal and professional development.

My advice to future BAC students would be to fully involve yourself in everything Strathclyde offers; the industry and guest speaker events, and the societies that create great opportunities to network with both fellow students and industry experts.

About Niamh Brown

Niamh Brown is a student on the MSc Business Analysis and consulting Programme at Strathclyde Business School. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and has secured a role at Capgemini following graduation.