Student Profiles - MBA

"When my tenure as a professional rugby player was coming to an end after 10 years, I decided I wanted to get into business. I had done a degree and set up a couple of small businesses but I needed a high level qualification so I could open myself up to as many opportunities as possible," explained Matt.

"The MBA has a broad base and is flexible - you can make it more specific to the areas you are interested in. There was great camaraderie on the programme and we all spurred each other on and learned from each other as we came from very different backgrounds, I think that probably helped me to win this Award. I think most people from the MBA have done well and are working in all corners of the world."

"I recently finished my training for the RBS job and I begin full time work next week. I think securing employment in City is proof that the MBA was the right course for me and I'm happy to say things are going really well in London."

"This is not an environment where people are trying to "catch you out", there is an enthusiasm and a willingness to support your efforts. "Your efforts" are the key. What you put in will be reflected in what you get out of the program. I found the MBA a practical course and should hold no fears for people who have gained experience in the workplace. The academic theories are presented in a "real world" manner and I was able to link them directly to activities in my job."

"I have completed the MBA with a heightened sense of my own abilities, more aware of my weaknesses and how to address them, and friends that I will have for the rest of my life. Oh, and an MBA as well."

"I went into the MBA with a little trepidation as to whether I would be able to cope with the MBA Masters level of work. I found that initially with a lot of hard work, I was better than I thought, and I subsequently learned during the year how to best take advantage of each tutor. The tutors were always available to help, and it seemed in most cases that they particularly enjoyed dealing with the MBA class. I would definitely encourage anyone who wants to follow a business career path to take this course as it will narrow your focus and you will enjoy finding out about yourself and making friends and contacts along the way."

"Coming from the United States, I was not sure what to expect at the University of Ulster. After completing my MBA, I cannot say enough god things about the MBA program and University of Ulster as a whole. The teachers, advisors, and fellow students were talented and helpful throughout the program."

"I met so many diverse people, both in background and line of work. The international expertise that I gained has allowed me to pad my resume in a unique way, and my MBA will be something i rely on as I enter the business world."

"I would recommend the University of Ulster MBA program to anyone who is serious about separating themselves from the rest of the pack in today's competitive job market."

"The question arises – Why did I choose the Ulster MBA over any other? I felt I was well enough informed on the subject as my brother-in-law has an MBA from Wharton and is an incredibly high-flyer on a telephone number salary! However, I was brought up in Northern Ireland along with many other places and I knew very well of the excellence of the education system here compared with most other places in the UK. For me, the Ulster MBA represented the two criteria I valued most, Quality and Value. And I am very pleased to note that I have been entirely vindicated in my assessment."

"A lot of other courses boast about their 'connections' and they seem more like a great networking opportunity rather than actually learning anything useful. At Ulster, first and foremost come the academics of the subject and learning really useful things about business and how to do business. The course is challenging and doesn't shy away from the much tougher elements that constitute a good MBA."

"The lecturers are exceptional, the classmates extremely friendly and diverse – my class had people from the US, Canada, Taiwan, India and other places besides. The atmosphere is very friendly and supportive and we had quite a number of industrial visits as well as team-building weekends and other great opportunities for networking for those that seek it. The careers service at Ulster is second to none and the Business School regularly posts job opportunities for students. What also absolutely needs to be mentioned is that for those with a sporting bent, Ulster offers superlative world-class facilities for most sports and fitness that need to be seen to be believed!"

Another great feature are the opportunities to achieve within the course. For example, my team won the DELNI Small Business Management Award for 2010 – an achievement we are very proud of. My highlight of the course though was in learning about strategy theories such as those of Michael Porter which give you an entirely new take on life and how to do business. You are jolted into blue-sky thinking and that is liberation indeed!"

"We train pretty much every morning and then have school in the afternoon and this is a great opportunity for all the players here to play and study at the same time."

Tommy Walsh, from Massachusetts, graduated from Harvard and then played professional ice hockey with HIFK Helsinki in the Finish Elite League before coming to Ulster.

"The MBA coupled my experience with the academia to provide me with a platform that I did not have before. The climax of my course was my MBA project being nominated in the top 20 of NISP 25K Awards. This has opened a whole world of opportunities for me and my business and was only possible due to the excellent support I got from my lecturers and fellow students from all over the whole.

As a Zimbabwean I am proud to be part of the University of Ulster.

"I can proudly say, choosing Jordanstown was the best decision I ever took. Coming from India, the place can seem to be very quiet, strange and empty but in a few days you find out there is a very important international community and the University does its best to make everybody feel welcome. I had a lot of fun, met a lot of people, learnt a lot about the food, culture and history and was actually surprised to find a few common things that I could relate to. "

"Belfast generally is very warm and friendly and you get to celebrate your festivals with a big bang in the city centre. Academically I felt the teaching much more practical than I am used to in India and the brilliant professors make sure everyone is involved. I have learnt and improved professionally and personally to a great extent. UUJ is a very good school with a lot to offer."

"MBA in University of Ulster was a delightful year with highly educated and experienced professional faculty along with a talent pool of students from different parts of the world."

"MBA course was designed to cultivate business ideas and to deliver best solutions to the core of the business needs. Moreover subjects taught and their assessments were aligned to enhance analytical and critical reasoning capabilities which are indispensable factors for an Executive in any business environment."

"Studying MBA has not only made me capable to handle high level management roles but have also taught me to take a pragmatic view while planning and implementing strategies. I would like to take this opportunity to thank approachable MBA faculty, International Office of University of Ulster and Chaplaincy for providing their hospitality and helping me to quickly adjust to a new place and make a home away from home."

"Undertaking this course was truly a life changing year. I feel confident and knowledgeable in all the latest business methodologies; the personnel development aspect taught me a lot about myself and how to manage and lead others- and I have made many friends for life from all around the globe! I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone who is serious about developing themselves and their career."

"The Ulster MBA has equipped me with invaluable skills that I applied at work from day one. The curriculum covers a wide range of business areas and it rigorously blends theory with practice to give the students all they need to succeed in a global business setting. I have gained broad business knowledge with the ability to think strategically and look at every opportunity holistically drawing on a range of sources for the best possible solution."

"The Ulster MBA has significantly enhanced my career prospects at an international level and I would recommend it to all those who are committed to continuous learning and want
to make a difference in their organisations.”"

"From my engineering background working in a managerial role I saw the MBA as a route to enhance my managerial skills through a formal qualification. The MBA course at Jordanstown has undoubtedly developed my management capabilities. The course is the 'utility wrench' of the management toolkit, it has provided me with a wide variety of skills with which to understand and grasp the issues of today's global business environment."

"The course dynamics ensured participant interaction, which for me produced some of the best rewards, real examples of theory being applied to practical issues, problems and producing solutions. Recognisable and measurable benefits beyond the classroom!"

"The course structure and timetable for me imposed a discipline that allowed for a 'release valve' from work for one afternoon a week whilst providing a panoramic view of management and peer networking. The resulting enhanced management skills, lateral solutions and renewed enthusiasm could be literally applied and evaluated on a weekly basis.The MBA route for me personally was not taken as a career option it was more for self-improvement. However now having graduated and armed with the resultant knowledge, as career opportunities go it would be an ace card!"

Damian Moore
MBA with Distinction

Li Xin

Poonam Kashyap