SBS Blog > Hitting the mark with International management by Sayali Desai

Hitting the mark with International management

By Sayali Desai - Posted on 22 February 2018

MSc in International Management graduate Sayali Desai blogs about how her choice of Strathclyde led her to achieve her goals.

As an international student, choosing a University to pursue my master’s dream was full of confusing choices.

It was a big decision but from the beginning I was sure that Strathclyde University would be the best choice. Its triple accreditation and being among the top ranked schools in the ratings for business schools around the world were just two reasons which helped me choose Strathclyde University. Not to mention that Strathclyde Business School was awarded ‘Business School of the Year’ at the Times Higher Education Awards 2016 in London for its outstanding overall performance and its innovative and entrepreneurial outlook. These prestigious annual awards are viewed as the ‘Oscars’ of the higher education world in the United Kingdom.

My application process was delayed but Strathclyde University was among the few who considered it and actually invited me. This clearly shows their dedication and empathy towards students and their decision-making process.

I am a computer engineering graduate with 5.5 years of experience in project management and was both excited and nervous about taking a break from my fulfilling career. But my very first interaction with Strathclyde University impressed me with the professionalism and accommodating nature of the staff there. I ended up missing the first week of the course due to a delay in the Visa process but staff assured me and helped me get up to speed.

Professors for the elective modules are highly qualified and immensely knowledgeable. I was inspired by each one of them. Their impactful teaching style and ensuing involvement from students boosted the confidence of the students. Their encouragement and support at each step, be it written exams, individual assignments or group assignments was essential for our success. I have always studied in India where more importance is given to theoretical knowledge than practical knowledge but I was surprised with the focus of Strathclyde University on practical knowledge and understanding of each subject.

The course was perfect as it combined studying the basic methodologies and tools with practical learning which included several real-life case studies and assignments/presentations. I was exposed to professional life via presentations and group assignments with a group of internationally diverse people.

As a future student of MSc International Management, you can expect a challenging year learning diverse modules by highly qualified professors which are essential to running a successful business. Different assignments, presentations and exams will test your mettle. This course will teach time management and skills required in a competitive business world and you benefit from exposure to international colleges and staff.

Strathclyde University is the place to be as creative, inquisitive, individual and committed as you like. It’s all about making the most of your time and enjoying it. Campus is loaded with all the facilities you can imagine. Library and study area facilities are a highlight of the overall experience. Multiple career events helped expose me to different companies from across the UK, and I gained the chance to work as an intern with First Data where I worked on process optimisation of merchant acquiring sales team.

All the knowledge and experience I gained from Strathclyde helped me progress at my work and I was offered the position of business analyst in First Data UK following my internship with them and they have sponsored me with a tier 2 Visa for the next five years.

I would highly recommend this university to any international student hoping to pursue study at undergraduate, masters or PhD level. There is wide range available. I had a great experience which definitely changed my life for the better.