Azma Azis

How did you hear about the Business School and why did you choose to study here? 

After graduating with my bachelor's degree in Political Economy from the University of Birmingham, I always knew I wanted to study a business master's in Management Consulting. Upon my thorough postgraduate search, I came across Leeds University Business School as one of the few business schools in the UK offering consulting courses. 

After attending online open days and networking with previous students from Leeds University, I learned about the strong employability prospects of the Business School and the diverse backgrounds of the lecturers, among other resources. As well as being a vibrant and student-friendly city, Leeds is a multicultural city and close to beautiful English towns and countryside for a quick weekend gateway! 

Tell us about your course - why did you choose it? 

I chose MSc Management Consulting because I believe that educating myself academically before entering the corporate world would benefit my personal development. I have been rewarded with more than just academic knowledge from the course, as I have also expanded my professional network outside of the Business School.  

The other element of the course that really intrigued me is how the course is not narrowed solely to consulting components. For example, during semester one, I decided to take Entrepreneurship and Digitalization modules which I believe would help with founding my competencies in business acumen. 

Specific to the course, I chose MSc Management Consulting at Leeds because it offers a balance between theoretical and practical knowledge of the consulting industry and is dual accredited by a professional body of CMI. Not only would I be awarded the university degree, but also a Level 7 Diploma in Professional Consulting from CMI on completion of the course.

What is the best part of your studies? What are you enjoying the most? 

I’d say that the best part has been the people I've met and the resources I’ve utilised from the Business School: the knowledge shared from my lecturers, the support from my career coach and mentor, the inspiring consultants I have networked with, and of course, my peers – these elements have come together to cultivate a meaningful learning experience for me. 

What are your career aspirations? 

I aspire to be a Strategy Consultant before kickstarting a start-up company myself. The vast experience and skills gained from the MSc course have shaped my perspectives of the consulting industry through learning various insights and have helped me to set myself up for career progression. I developed great interpersonal skills on this course, which is crucial for my professional development. 

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

During my time at the Business School, I represented the University in the McKinsey Solve It UK 2022 Competition, where Leeds came 3rd out of 27 teams from across the UK.  

It was a competitive environment where the team was required to provide recommendations on social media strategy to a social mobility organisation in the UK. As a small, all-female team, we were especially proud to walk out of the McKinsey offices in 3^rd place. This was not achieved simply due to the team dynamic, but also the guidance from my tutor, the professional development support from Careers Network, and the Education Outreach staff at Leeds. We later participated in competitions such as the Global Hackathon organised by Financial Times and Beko, where I learned about modular design architecture and circular economy.  

I am also thankful to experience the PGT Study Tour to Zurich, Switzerland, with my other peers from the Business School, where I got to learn about emerging trends in employment relations. 

If you are not from the UK, how was the transition to a foreign country? Did the University offer support or services that you found helpful? 

After first setting foot in the UK in 2017 for my undergraduate degree, my transition back to the UK for postgraduate study felt more familiar. I made sure to consistently utilise the support and services available at the University. 

I have been proactive in attending Skills@Library workshops, especially on Critical Thinking skills, from the beginning of my course. I also booked career appointments with the Careers Service to ensure my CV was upscaled. Outside of academia, I enjoy participating in activities that Leeds University Union organised, such as yoga and pilates sessions which formed part of the World Mental Health Day offering. 

What is your impression/experience of the facilities, the staff, your peers, the student union, the City of Leeds and the Yorkshire region? 

Overall, my student experience at the University has exceeded my expectations. The facilities are massive, and I am always finding new study spaces if I feel the need to switch up my study environment – I particularly like the spaces in the Edward Boyle Library. My interactions with staff have been fruitful, and my peers have been inspirational. It’s comforting to acknowledge that as students we are all in the same boat – wanting to make the most of our time at university and develop our aspirations.  

Leeds University Union is a relaxing place to meet my friends, and there is always something new to explore in the city and the Yorkshire region, which is full of beautiful scenery and various hiking locations. 

Are there any experiences outside of your studies that you particularly enjoyed?

I worked as a Student Consultant at Leeds Community Consulting, a pro-bono student consulting group. I was responsible for providing strategic recommendations for a retail bank in the UK in diversity and inclusivity initiatives. I enjoyed the experience and applied later to become a project partner that oversaw more than six consulting projects over the course of one academic year. These experiences were useful in understanding the importance of client relationships and to practice my consulting skills.

Aside from consulting, an NGO I co-founded back home has allowed me to take the opportunity to travel to become a panel speaker with start-up founders and a judging panel for evaluating social enterprise ideas. Currently, I am a functional mentor for a youth-led ASEAN programme in project management which allows me to further develop my consulting skills. Altogether, these experiences have complemented my studies well! 

What would you say your defining memory of studying here was?

The University never fails to help me step outside of my comfort zone and the facilities are something I do not take for granted – I know I will truly miss studying in the University libraries! My overall student experience has led to the development of lifelong friendships, and the learning itself has been a defining experience. 

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

I strongly recommend the Business School to prospective students!