Kalyani Mathur

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

There is a wide range of courses offered at the Business School. Many courses also have optional modules which allow you to personalise the course to your preferences. There's a lot of help and support available before finishing your course and the University Careers Service provides robust support to all students.  

Another aspect that gives drew me to Leeds is that the University is ranked in the Top 100 universities globally (QS World University Rankings, 2022). 

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

Starting from history, evolution, and ethics to modern-day consulting and practical application, MSc Management Consulting is a course that explores professional consulting from different angles. A wide range of optional modules help develop additional skills as well. The biggest selling points of the course for me were the opportunities to work on a live consulting project for your dissertation, and achieve the Level 7 CMI Diploma in Professional Consulting. This meant that I would gain work experience and be awarded with an additional qualification upon graduation! 

What is the best part of your studies?

Guidance from the Careers Centre and my Professional Development Tutor has been the best part of my time at the Business School. They encourage open-minded, real conversations about your future and provide practical solutions to employability-related issues, especially for international students. 

What are your career aspirations? Do you think the experience and skills you will gain on your course will help you in your future career plans?

I aspire to work in the consulting sector in the UK after graduation. My understanding of the objectives of a consulting project and the exponential growth of consulting services across the globe has deepened through this course. I have also been able to understand my strengths, as well as the skills which need further development. Lastly, I am confident that the connections I have made with my course mates, alumni, and guest lecturers will help me reach my professional goals. 

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

I organised a ‘Holi Social’, an online event around the festival of ‘Holi’ which is celebrated in my home country, India. The objective was to include everyone in a fun, interactive, and celebratory evening that was encouraged and well received by our audience. Later, the Holi Social Group was nominated for the Leeds Partnership Awards which celebrates the exceptional work of students, postgraduate researchers, and staff at the University of Leeds.  

My team and I won the Global Award in the Leeds University Business School Faculty Partnership Awards 2021, and also received the special commendation for the Global Award category in the Leeds Partnership Awards 2021. 

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?

Coming to the UK to pursue a Masters degree was my first time traveling independently to a new country. Thankfully, with the University's help, the shift was fairly comfortable for me. From the flexibility in registration and accommodation contracts, to interactive activities that helped me meet new people, I received all the support and guidance to settle in Leeds. The only piece of advice I would extend to incoming students is: don't be afraid to network and ask questions - everybody is really helpful and does their best to give you the best experience possible. 

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

I really enjoy living in Leeds. The University is conveniently located just a 10-minute walk away from the city centre. The University's infrastructure is well maintained including all IT clusters, library resources, and Student Union areas. The online library has around 4 million resources available, offering easy access to all academic literature during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Edge fitness centre is a great facility, I highly recommend that you explore it! 

The city is vibrant, has great nightlife, and is very affordable. You have access to a lot of multi-cuisine restaurants, pubs, and clubs as well as many nature trails in and around Leeds. The student ambassadors ensure all incoming students are welcomed and have ample opportunities to get involved, make friends, and enjoy their life at the University of Leeds. These features of the city and helpful University staff made it feel easy for me to settle in a new country. 

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

Leeds has a very wholesome vibe to it. From museums, historic monuments, nature trails to a great nightlife with lots of (very affordable) restaurants, pubs, clubs, and bars, you'll find everything at a walkable distance. I, being a party person, loved exploring the different pubs and clubs around the city centre with my friends. I also went on a few day trips to different cities and towns around Leeds to enjoy the whole Yorkshire county! I found that the summer activities organised by student ambassadors were also a great way to know more about the city and explore new places. 

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

I am working with the Business School as a Postgraduate Student Ambassador. I work on campus tours, meet prospective students and share my experiences. This is a highly interactive role which helped me gain confidence in public speaking, meeting new people, making friends, as well as broadening my cultural understanding of the UK. An important outcome of this was that I realised my passion for sales related roles and how my skills are well suited for that profession. I will always cherish this opportunity and how it has contributed greatly to my personal and professional development. 

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

Absolutely, I will. The Business School has amazing courses with highly diverse cohorts. The academic staff are experienced and each lecturer has a unique teaching style. There are many personal and professional development opportunities. 

It's true that the value of your experience at the Business School and the University of Leeds will only be as good as you are willing to make it, but be rest assured that you will get every possible chance to make memories and widen your horizon if you choose to study here.