Hira Saeed

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

I decided to study at Leeds University Business School as it has an excellent reputation and I have previously enjoyed studying and working here. I wanted to stay close to home and particularly wanted to study at the Business School as the MSc Strategic Management in the Global Environment included modules that I wanted to study. Professors within the Business School are experienced in their respective fields so you have a chance to learn about their new research areas and also learn from their practical experiences.

Furthermore, there are a lot of extracurricular opportunities within the Business School, which allow you to improve your employability skills and build your CV.

Tell us about your course – why did you choose it? What elements of the course inspired you to study here? 

I wanted to select a specialised MSc course and study modules that have consultancy, strategic, and business-development elements. I am enjoying studying modules such as Leadership, Managing Change, and Strategic Management that allow me to integrate theories with practical issues faced by organisations. This course also gives you the option of an academic dissertation or a consultancy project (working with an organisation on a real issue) which appealed to me.

Did you receive a scholarship to study here? 

I applied for a number of scholarships at Leeds University Business School and was successful for all of them. I accepted one of the scholarships (you can only accept one) that went directly towards my fees. I think I was awarded the scholarship due to my academic background and work experience which fitted well with the course I applied for. I was happy to be awarded a scholarship as it was based on merit. It was really helpful to receive a scholarship as it allowed me to focus on my studies rather than worrying about finances.

What was the best part of your studies– what did you enjoy the most? 

I am currently enjoying working with people from diverse backgrounds. Discussions during lectures and seminars have been interesting and I have had the opportunity to learn something new every day! Also, having guest lecturers in a number of different modules has made the course more practical, where opportunities are given to link theories with challenges that firms face.

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

I was selected to become a Course Representative. I have been able to learn a lot from this role, such as event management, managing change, and building positive relationship with students and staff. I have particularly enjoyed arranging events with other Course Reps and providing feedback to the programme director.

I also participated in the Leaders' Challenge where students worked as consultants and provided solutions to the challenges an organisation was facing. This was a great experience which helped me to link theories/models to a practical challenge in an organisation. Working on a real-life situation was definitely a positive experience and it allowed me to gain an insight into the range of issues an organisation can face.

What was your experience of the facilities, the staff, your peers, the city of Leeds and the Yorkshire region? 

I am having a great time at Leeds University Business School, creating positive relationship with both staff and my peers. The Business School has a great relationship with firms in Leeds, and a fantastic scheme called ‘Leaders in Residence’ [for management students] that has enabled me to interact with current leaders and speak to them about different industries.

I am a local girl but I have enjoyed being able to have an international experience with new friends I have met during this course. It is a great city for all types of people with so many places nearby to visit for people who have never been to the UK before. I have really enjoyed going to new places with my friends and trying food from different countries.

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

I would definitely recommend others to study at Leeds University Business School. There are a number of different opportunities within the Business School ranging from societies, to networking with local firms, to meeting people from diverse backgrounds, which can help you to learn and develop your skills.