James Tucker

Why did you choose Leeds University Business School?

I first heard about the Business School when I was researching courses to study at university. Leeds ranked very highly for business, so I decided to look further into it.

I chose to study at the Business School because of the quality of the teaching and the range of extra-curricular activities available to students. I was very impressed at the open day by the subject talks and felt I would be offered all the support and guidance I needed whilst studying.

What do you enjoy most about your studies?

The best part of my studies is when my course has seminars in a computer cluster. Everybody sits down and works through the seminar material in a relaxed environment. It’s a really good way to help each other out and to bond as a course as we are all trying to improve our skills.

I am also enjoying seeing my skills and knowledge increase. When I started the course in 2018, I had no Excel skills at all. By the end of first year I secured a summer placement as an analyst where I was working with Excel every day and using the skills and techniques I had learnt.

Have you taken up any of the extra opportunities available to you? What was your experience of these?

Through the Business School I have become a student ambassador and an admissions intern. This allows me to further develop some of my key skills as well as representing the Business School at open days or outreach events. I am also a marketing and campus ambassador.

I am a member of four societies, where I am also secretary for the Leeds University Cycling Club and president and coaching scholar for the Leeds University Cross Country Club.

The highlight of my time at Leeds so far is when I ran for the university A team at the BUCS Cross Country Championships during my first year. This was an amazing experience. I would also say that I have met 90% of my friends through societies so they are a really amazing way to meet new people and do things you enjoy or have never had the chance to do!

I also attended the LUBS Society Night of Professional Exchange. This was a great opportunity to network and helped me meet useful contacts in the industries I’m interested in.

Do you have any noteworthy achievements from your study at the Business School that you can tell us about?

My noteworthy achievements from my studies at the Business School include gaining a first in both my first and second years at Leeds. I have also enjoyed what I have achieved as part of university societies, such as representing the county at competitions and being on the executive committee of 2 different societies.

How has your experience been with the facilities, the staff, your peers and the student union?

I have found the facilities and staff at the Business School and the wider university brilliant. We have access to state-of-the-art software, very modern study spaces and brand-new sports facilities. This is made even better by the fact that the university ensure that things such as software and learning materials can be available to you on your own device meaning that you can complete your work at home or improve your understanding without being on campus.

The Student Union is a real focal point of campus. Along with facilitating the clubs and societies, it also has shops, cafes, the refectory and bars which makes it a great place to relax and socialise between lectures or at the end of a long day!

The lecturers really enhance your studies since they have experience or are active in the fields that you study. This gives you a big edge over other universities and means that you get very passionate lecturers delivering a very high quality of teaching.

What do you think of Leeds and the surrounding region? Where is your favourite place to go in the area?

It’s amazing being in Leeds because it is the best of both worlds; there is an exciting city centre with big shops and events but there are also the Yorkshire Dales only 30 minutes away by bus. On weekends I love to cycle out of the city and spend a few hours exploring the beautiful landscape.

My favourite place to go is probably Lower Wharfedale. I love the rolling countryside of Lower Wharfedale and the villages and towns (such as Otley and Ilkley) that are here. There are also great places to walk or watch the sunset such as Otley Chevin, Alsmcliffe Crag or even Appletreewick if you like to swim!

What are your career aspirations? Do you think the experience and skills you will gain from your degree course will help you in your future career plans? In what way?

I would like to have a career in investments or management. I believe that the skills that I am gaining whilst studying at Leeds are going to give me a good chance of achieving any of these careers.

The hard skills that we learn in lectures and seminars on coding and analytics will help me to understand markets or information in any of these roles. The teaching at the Business School also helps you develop soft skills such as communication or critical thinking.

The careers centre is a great help by sending out regular emails outlining opportunities and giving students access to otherwise expensive online resources to improve your skills and practise assessment centres or interviews.

Would you recommend the Business School to others who are considering studying here?

I would definitely recommend the Business School to anyone thinking of studying here. The range of courses and modules available to study are almost endless and mean that whatever your business interests, you will find a module that satisfies them.

The support and extra opportunities that the Business School offer are second-to-none and enhance what will be an already amazing university experience.