From Classroom to Boardroom: the MSc Business Analysis & Consulting Programme

Vaishnavi Sah loved the real world learning she experienced on the MSc in Business Analysis and Consulting - here, she details the projects she got involved in and what they taught her.

The MSc in Business Analysis and Consulting at Strathclyde is not a passive degree. From the very first semester, I found myself in front of real clients, solving real problems and that is what sets this programme apart.

Across the year, I have had the opportunity to work on seven consulting projects with organisations spanning manufacturing, finance, technology, healthcare, and retail. Three projects in particular stand out.

WB Alloys

Working with WB Alloys, a UK-based manufacturing company, I was part of a team tasked with identifying operational inefficiencies and recommending process improvements. This project taught me how to gather and analyse business data, engage with stakeholders across different levels of an organisation, and translate findings into clear, actionable recommendations. It was my first real experience of how consulting adds tangible value to a business and how important it is to truly understand a client's context before proposing solutions.

Deloitte

The Deloitte project raised the bar significantly. Working on a brief set by one of the world's leading professional services firms meant the expectations were high and the standards even higher. I learned how to structure a consulting argument, present with confidence under pressure, and think critically about complex business challenges. More than any other project, this one showed me what professional consulting looks and feels like and gave me the confidence that I could perform at that level.

Storm ID

Storm ID is a digital transformation agency, and this project introduced me to the intersection of technology and business strategy. I developed my ability to communicate across both technical and non-technical audiences, a skill that is increasingly essential in today's consulting landscape. It also deepened my understanding of how digital tools and data-driven thinking can reshape how organisations operate and deliver value.

Beyond the projects

Beyond the projects, the teaching on the programme is genuinely applied. Frameworks around stakeholder management, systems thinking, and process improvement were not taught in isolation, there were tools I used in client work within weeks of learning them. The diversity of the cohort has also been invaluable; working alongside peers from different industries and countries has sharpened how I think and how I collaborate.

To the future

This programme has given me the ability to work with ambiguity, structure problems quickly, and communicate with clarity - skills that are transferable across any consulting or business analyst role. My plan is to build a career in consulting in the UK, and I leave Strathclyde not just with a qualification, but with real project experience, real client exposure, and the confidence to apply both.

If you are considering this programme: say yes to everything, engage fully with the projects, and trust the process. The value compounds.

About Vaishnavi Sah

Vaishnavi Sah is a student on the MSc Business Analysis and Consulting programme at Strathclyde Business School.