By the time I completed my bachelor’s and graduated from SIES College of Commerce and Economics Mumbai, I had developed a keen interest in world economics and the mechanics behind finance, branding, product, and consumer behaviour. This led me to think hard about programmes and universities that would give me the right exposure to become a strong marketer.

After some reading and research, I found that the UK offered great business studies programmes and I decided to pursue an MS in marketing, a one-year programme, from the University of Manchester in 2009. The tuition fees were £14,500 and the living expenses amounted upto £7,000.

The UK is renowned for its academic excellence, world-class facilities, infrastructure, great faculty, and pedagogy. In addition to all this, my programme focussed on the technical aspects of marketing, which was really important to me.

Prior to arriving in the UK, try to attend student webinars to meet representatives of different universities and other students on the same path. This can really help you be at ease when you set foot in the UK, knowing that you have at least some people you recognise.

Opportunity costs

Such programmes aid professional development right from the beginning and offer great value in terms of opportunity cost by allowing graduates to join the workforce in just 12 months as opposed to the PG programmes in countries such as India and the US, which take twice the time to complete. The curriculum was well laid-down and the course was intense and fast-paced, but never overwhelming.  

The programmes are designed to feature quite a few individual and group projects, seminars, and lectures. The group projects really open up your perspective, as you partner with people from different countries and learn new things.  

With a truly global classroom comprising international students representing a unique set of ideologies, cultures, challenges and capabilities, it is interesting to observe how different students interpret the same task differently.

The UK has a welcoming and diverse multi-cultural atmosphere, where students from every background can quickly feel at home, with established international communities from all over the world further enriching the UK’s distinctive and friendly social make-up.  

UK universities extend a lot of support to students through events and student councils within the institutes for international students. Right at the start, students go through long orientation programmes and fresher’s week that takes the edge off for those who feel homesick. The fresher’s week allows students to mix in with their peers, many probably going through the same set of emotions.  

The universities also provide health care support especially in terms of mental health with several institutes making use of technology like chat bots and 24/7 call lines to ensure student wellbeing.   

Job opportunities

To provide students with the resources to find relevant jobs, universities in the UK create job centers. Students looking to take up part-time jobs, can simply approach the center and search for a role that interests them. The job centers can suggest a lot of student-related jobs, like working at football stadiums, hotels, restaurant bars, and many more and the students can simply apply there itself. 

The university is one part of the experience but it is just as important to invest time in extra-curricular activities, travel, and learn from your surroundings so you can absorb the wealth of knowledge that can shape you as an individual.

It was my exposure to world music in the UK that led me to take up the handpan. Today, not only do I have the professional skills that help me in my career but also a creative understanding that allows me to be an independent artist-musician. 

Students need to learn how to manage their time better to gain more experience. As a student, I hustled my way into gaining valuable life skills. An easy way for students to do this is to take up various kinds of jobs while studying, as often as they can, especially during holidays like Easter break and more.  

From selling SIM cards to working the till at sports stadiums, exposure to different tasks and people gave me an innate sense of how different things operate. After your graduation, apply for a post-study work visa and stay in the UK for a few years to reap the benefits of your education.

Post-graduation, I joined Magna Publication, headquartered in London, for close to two years. I recovered the initial investment I had made for my master’s at my job and all the part-time jobs I had done before. It was an unforgettable experience overall.

(The writer is co-founder, SS Moto Corp, a firm thatspecialises in motorcycle parts and accessories.)