Student Profiles - MBA
Dr. Andrew Baxter
Invest NI - Technology Executive
"For me, UU's MBA has proven to be an enjoyable and stimulating learning experience. It has challenged me as an individual, but I would add that I have gained most through the shared learning exercises and interactions with my classmates."
Matt McCullough
Class of 2011

Matt McCullough studied the MBA full-time, graduating in 2011 with a distinction, and winning 3 awards during his time on the course for outstanding work. Since graduating Matt has landed a top job with RBS Markets and International Department in The City, London.
"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."
Tom Houston
Class of 2011
"Having been out of education for over 20 years and without a primary degree, the thought of an MBA was quite daunting. However, the support structures offered by the lecturers and staff are superb.".
"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."
Keith Wilkinson
Class of 2010
"My motivation to take the MBA was to start a new career path, and to use the qualification to help open doors along the way. The variety of the 16 modules was excellent and I particularly enjoyed finding out which business disciplines I had a flair for, and which to possibly steer clear of in the future.".
"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."
Tim Cook
Ex-Belfast Giant Ice Hockey Player, Class of 2010
"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".
"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."
Pritham Madhavan
Class of 2010

"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".
"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!"
Tommy Walsh
Belfast Giants Ice Hockey Player, MBA Class of 2009

""It's not that much different being at the University of Ulster and Harvard – there's a lot of school work to do and you have to get it done."
"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.
Aaron Kanengoni
Class of 2009
"I have lived and worked in Northern Ireland for almost a decade, studying at the Ulster University MBA has been one of the most fruitful parts of my career to date. I am self employed and for me the MBA made a huge to my business outlook."
"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.
Monica Benedict
Class of 2009

"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".
"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.
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"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."
Ameya Sawalker
Class of 2010

"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."
"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."
Rachel Gillogly
Class of 2010
"The Ulster MBA was the best decision of my life. I was amazed at the approachability of the staff, the quality of the teaching and administrative support."
"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."
Maria Sofotasiou
Graduated with Distinction

“In today’s highly competitive and constantly changing global business environment, an MBA degree is essential for all those who aspire to be leading managers."
"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.”"
Dennis J.Licence O.B.E.,
Ex Managing Director, First Trust Bank

"Taking on the commitment and challenge of an MBA is not easy but the rewards gained, not only academically and socially but also in the practical application of the course to the work environment, combine to make it one of the most useful business tools around."
Paul McCormack

"The challenge of an MBA was not easy, trying to juggle family life, work and study but the continually evolving benefits both academically and socially ensured that the effort was more than worthwhile."
"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

"The Ulster experience - facilitated by the creative and thought-provoking lecturing team - forced me to think for myself and gave me the confidence not to settle for second best in terms of my post-graduation career plans."
Damian came to study the Ulster MBA having relocated to Northern Ireland, he had held a number of managerial roles including Managing Director of his own web services company.
"When I joined the University of Ulster's full time MBA programme, I had some pretty misguided notions including that I would be spoon-fed a nicely packaged course that would provide me with a shiny new 'badge' at the end of 12 months. How wrong could I have been!"
"I can honestly say that I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to discover their true professional calling."
Li Xin

"I found my study to be a wonderful experience for an overseas student like me who comes from a different culture background. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and life at UU. I believe what I learned and the experience I had will benefit my future."
Li Xin came to study at the University of Ulster from Liaoning Province, China in 2005-6. During his time on the MBA he acted as student representative for the MBA students. He currently works for the Development and Reform Committee of Liaoning Province and is in charge of infrastructure, such as road and railway.
"In my opinion the Ulster MBA is essential for those who want to be excellent managers, in public sectors or private sectors. I decided to do my MBA abroad and selected the University Of Ulster as it is a well-equipped education facility and the warm-hearted service provided an environment beneficial to my study."
"I found the staff to be experienced and the lecturers impressed me in many ways. Through them I had an opportunity to know of their history, culture, the way of thinking,especially essential business knowledge and skills."
"The dynamic teaching ensured participant interaction and real examples of theory being applied significantly enhanced my study and understanding. The effective management of the course structure and timetable also facilitated students' study.
Poonam Kashyap

Poonam worked in Delhi in the Indian Bibliographies Bev Rev, New Delhi. She, and her family, relocated to Ulster in 2004. Poonam started the Masters in Business Administration course in 2006.
"The Faculty of Business and Management at University of Ulster, as Northern Ireland's Business School, is the leading quality benchmarked centre for business education. "The University welcomes applications from international students with the academic potential to succeed in their chosen programme of study."
"I chose to study at this university because the MBA programme is designed as a flexible modular programme, where students learn the key elements of business and management which are essential to facilitate effective working within a variety of organisational environments."
