Developing my confidence in a supportive environment

MBA student Joel, from Taiwan, talks about how the community at Bath has helped him to understand business from different perspectives and built his confidence.

Applying for a course that suited me

I chose to do an MBA because I know my strengths and weaknesses and I think I’m the kind of person who learns better from practice rather than studying in a classroom. I picked out several different MBA programmes to see which one would be the best fit for me, my requirements and my expectations.

I chose Bath because of the optional modules. I was keen to learn about business from different perspectives. Also, during the application process, Bath was proactive and helped me with any issues I faced around moving overseas. My wife was coming to the UK with me, so the team helped me with information about accommodation for families.

Joining the MBA

On the course, I’ve noticed that everyone is open minded; we share ideas and everyone actively listens. I think that’s created a comfortable and safe place for me to share ideas even when they’re not perfect. It’s helped me to think outside the box, and I’m feeling more and more confident.

Because we all come from different backgrounds, we have lots to talk about. In some ways we’re the same, but in other ways, we’re different. I think the whole MBA journey is not only about dealing with the tasks, assessments and new projects. For me, it’s also about communication in a new country. My coach told me the best way to fit in is to try to be interested, rather than interesting, and I think that’s been key for me.

Life in Bath

My first impression of Bath was that it’s quite a small city, it’s close to Bristol and a train journey from London. There are lots of historical buildings and plenty of green spaces to go to and relax. I came here knowing I’d be taken care of by the University, and so far, that experience has been great.

Looking to the future

The biggest change for me has been my confidence. The MBA environment has pushed me to think about who I am, what makes me special, and how I can use that to contribute to the group.

After the course, I’d like to work in management consulting. I’ve found that many companies have a good vision and passion, but some don’t know how to explore ideas for their business or share their ideas with the public. I’d like use what I’ve learnt from my MBA to help companies to create that strong strategy.

How the Bath MBA transformed my entrepreneurial skills

MBA student Gilan, from Indonesia, talks about why she chose Bath for her MBA, and how she’ll apply what she’s learned to running her own restaurant business.

Deciding to do an MBA

I worked as a tax consultant at a big consultancy firm in Indonesia for almost 11 years and I was also involved in my family business from the age of 15. I helped my mum to develop the business and since then I’ve been passionate about the food and beverage industry.

In 2020, I launched my own restaurant, and I was quite confident that it could become a success. However, I found there were a lot of obstacles and challenges, especially around managing people and matching my expectations to what they knew. It was also difficult to find the right marketing or business strategy, maybe because I hadn’t done market research before. That’s why I thought it was very important for me to do an MBA.

Aside from my business, I also worked as a tax consultant, so I’ll go back there after I finish my studies. The MBA is a good balance for both my entrepreneurial journey and my career as a consultant. Initially, I thought the two roles were very different, but I realised with the MBA, I can apply the knowledge to both.

Developing entrepreneurship skills

The Bath MBA perfectly fits with my ambitions because it doesn’t just focus on one area. For example, we have the Multi Project Suite, which has enabled me to gain experience in different areas like entrepreneurship and consulting.

I also joined the Enterprise Lab and that’s a really good community here. They have a lot of workshops for entrepreneurship, so it’s been really helpful to get additional insight besides what we get from the class.

Feeling a sense of belonging

I still remember the first time I spoke to someone at the Bath School of Management. It was a pre-interview during my application and the interviewer was very kind and informative. I felt like I would belong at Bath when I spoke to her, and I realised I’d be very happy if I was accepted. I was one hundred percent sure Bath was right for me.

For me, I think it’s very important that the MBA is about more than just the course content. It’s about the experience of meeting people from different countries and backgrounds so I can improve my soft skills too. With my classmates, I feel like we have some of the same challenges. Some of us are far away from home and we have the same motivation so we feel close, and we can help each other.

Looking to the future

The programme has really changed my mindset about business. With the knowledge that I have from the MBA, I’m now more confident to go back to Indonesia and run my business. I keep evaluating myself and now know what I should have done differently. I’ve become a fast learner, so I know I can overcome the challenges.

Learning through hands-on experience during my MBA

Samarjeet from Nepal, talks about the practical aspects of the Bath MBA programme and how the experience helped build a global professional network.

Studying on the programme

I wanted to pursue an MBA program with academic rigour and a focus on entrepreneurship and sustainability. The Bath MBA surpassed my expectations. The programme gave me new people management and leadership skills.

A distinctive feature of the programme is the hands-on engagement with actual clients. We had the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges faced by organisations. This practical experience meant we could apply what we knew from our learning in the classroom to real problems.

With the successful completion of each module, I had a sense that I was expanding my knowledge base. I felt that the curriculum was thoughtfully paced, ensuring that concepts were introduced at precisely the right time for students.

The Multi-Project Suite

The Multi Project Suite was my opportunity to apply the methodologies and insights I’d learned from the modules.

The initial consulting project served as a launchpad. It guided me through the process of diagnosing challenges faced by organisations and providing recommendations for our clients.

The second consulting project gave me the skills to translate our recommendations into actionable strategies.

The Entrepreneurship project was my opportunity to conceive and blueprint a novel business plan. I then showcased my concept to a panel to seek potential investments.

This immersive journey provided a well-rounded education with a lot of hands-on involvement.

Building my professional network

The diversity of my classmates created an environment of cross-cultural enrichment. This helped me to develop professional networks beyond the programme.

The programme offered an opportunity to engage with both a coach and a mentor. The coaching component helped me to articulate why I wanted to pursue the Bath MBA and to explain my aspirations for my career.

The mentoring was equally invaluable. I had the privilege of collaborating with a seasoned mentoring professional. Together, we drew valuable connections between my prior experiences and my future ambitions to help me plan for my career goals.

I attended networking events on campus too. Through these, I received mentorship from London-based industry experts. Their insights helped me to identify my transferrable skills and taught me how to present them to potential employers. The dedicated Careers Team of the Bath MBA was an unwavering source of support throughout the year. Their consistent guidance, tools, and advice helped me to present myself effectively and seize opportunities in the job market when I graduated.

Learning to be a leader through the Bath MBA

Canadian MBA student Andrew, explains why he chose to study at Bath and what he's learned about both business and himself during the programme.

Choosing Bath’s MBA programme

I’ve always felt that adding an MBA to my toolbelt would be beneficial, and I’m really glad that I decided to do it at this point in my career. It’s been great to reflect on my previous seven years of work experience and to understand how things can be done differently.

The programme in Bath was incredibly attractive to me. Firstly, because most of the coursework is groupwork. Secondly, because the programme is focused on bringing different nationalities and cultures together. Thirdly, because of the opportunity to work with real-life clients on change management projects.

Being part of a diverse community

Working with people from all over the world, with different professional and personal backgrounds, it’s been great to understand how people look at problems and situations differently. The lecturers have done a good job of facilitating conversation and debate in class. They want to learn just as much as we do.

The programme has really helped me to understand that there is no “one size fits all” approach to doing business, no matter what industry you’re in. The MBA has given me tools to manage teams and personalities, and more importantly, has given me experiences to try some of the concepts that I have been taught. This has given me more confidence in my abilities moving to the next stages of my career.

Receiving support through the programme

The Careers team has been a great resource for us as a group, and for me personally. On the group level, they have brought in various recruiters, CV experts, alumni, and many others to help us understand the job market.

On a personal level, they’ve been very quick to help with CV reviews, coaching for interviews, and connecting me with people within their network that could help my job search. The Careers team also matched each of us up with a Mentor and a Coach. Mentors showed us the path that they’d carved for themselves, and Coaches helped us further develop our leadership and soft skills.

My advice for prospective students

Whether you have a business background or not, I would highly recommend a Bath MBA to anyone that is looking to challenge what they already know about business and how they can make a difference in the future. This programme covers a lot of material in a short amount of time. Putting that material to use helps to solidify your understanding of the concepts and frameworks.

Pursue an MBA if you’re ready to not only learn about business but also about who you are as a leader.  I want to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Whether that’s by starting my own business, or being in a senior leadership position that gives me the opportunity to enrich the lives of those around me, the MBA has helped me to better realise and understand the variety of ways I can achieve this.

Gaining a global perspective through the Bath MBA

MBA student Norma from Zimbabwe, talks about the wide range of skills she's gained during the programme, and the support she received when moving to the UK.

Choosing to pursue an MBA

I started my career back home in Zimbabwe in the Microfinancing Industry, then moved on to work in the mainstream Banking Sector. I later moved to Johannesburg, South Africa at the beginning of 2019 where I pursued a master’s degree in finance, and also joined an investment compliance consultancy. I managed to climb up the ranks but by the end of 2021, I had realised that being a leader wasn’t at all easy. I decided there was no better way to develop myself professionally and personally than to do an MBA.

Apart from getting the right tools needed to be an exceptional leader, I wanted to challenge myself to do something that seemed impossible based on where I was and where I come from. I am a firm believer that people only experience growth when they challenge themselves and step outside their comfort zones.

My learning experience

The Bath MBA has been a very eye-opening experience. The content has been delivered in a way that is thought-provoking and relevant in today’s business world. The modules are designed to extend your knowledge beyond your expectations, allowing you to consider the wider psychological, environmental, social or economic impacts of a decision.

The Multi-Project Suite has enabled me to think critically and strategically. I am now able to solve problems in a more organised manner, by breaking down the problem statement into objectives that can be achieved.

Being supported at Bath

One experience that really stands out to me as an MBA student, are the sessions with my Student Experience Officer. I’ve really appreciated the support, not only academically but beyond that too. Any time you feel like you need to talk to the Student Experience Officer, you can book a session and discuss anything.

 Having their support has made me feel more secure, particularly because I’ve left my entire family at home and moved to a different country with a different culture. It’s given me that security and safety net to know that there is someone to support me.

Developing personally and professionally

An MBA requires a growth mindset. You need to be open to the fact that you’re not always going to know everything. Just take every challenge, obstacle and assignment as an opportunity for you to learn, improve and grow.

Looking back, I realise how much I have grown from the person I was before coming on to the MBA programme. I have learnt a lot about business, but also about myself and what I want to achieve. I am excited about stepping back into industry, applying and imparting all the knowledge and skills that I have gained from the programme. More importantly, I am excited about continuing to learn from others in my daily endeavours.

My advice for prospective students

If you’re thinking of doing an MBA, I’d say go for it. I have interacted with people from different countries and cultures and professional backgrounds that I probably wouldn’t have interacted with had I not been on the MBA. Everyone has a unique perspective based on where they are from and how they think or how they learn. It has opened my mind to many possibilities.

Undertaking an MBA is a stretching and somewhat hectic experience, but it is also extremely rewarding and brings so much growth. It is exciting and thought-provoking, and an exceptional way to make friends in high places from all across the globe!

Improving my leadership skills by sharing my personal passion at Bath

From India, to Dubai, to an MBA in Bath; student Rahul shares what he has learnt from the programme.

My background in India and Dubai

Before my MBA, I worked for four and a half years as an engineer for General Motors in Bangalore, India. I then moved back with my family to Dubai, where I transitioned from an engineering project manager to a full-time project and product manager.

Dubai is a wonderful place; it’s vibrant and very tech-orientated. You get to meet people from a lot of backgrounds and I had many international clients. I really enjoyed working with them and consulting for them was a great experience.

It was at this point that I felt the need to expand my knowledge. I wanted to better understand the key business concepts and how different functions in an organisation work. I also feel as a future leader, you cannot have just one domain experience, you have to understand how your actions affect the different areas of a business. So that’s when I decided that an MBA would be a good option for me to accelerate my understanding in that field.

Studying at Bath

Bath has a good reputation for academic excellence and their commitment to innovation in business. I’m a very practical-oriented person. I like to learn through projects, so the Multi-Project Suite really appealed to me in that way.

I came back to being a student after nine years, so I was very excited to just be in a classroom setting all over again. Each of the professors on the MBA course is very accomplished. They bring a lot of knowledge and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every one of the courses so far. Every professor is able to really connect with the students and they’re always willing to have a conversation to expand our understanding.

Bringing my interests to the student community

The Rubik’s Cube has been a passion of mine for a while. Ever since I discovered it, I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of spending a lot of time solving it again and again and expanding it into different kinds of cubes, not just the three-by-three.

When I worked at General Motors, I organised a workshop where I trained a few people to be Rubik’s Cube trainers. It was a huge talking point within my organisation and it was such a big hit that they wanted me to do it again for people who couldn’t attend. It’s something I want to bring to the University of Bath as well. I suggested it through the Student Change Project Programme and I’m really looking forward to running it and training new people.

Just knowing how to solve a Rubik’s Cube might not be a useful skill by itself, but the very act of solving it has a lot of benefits. Before I go into a team meeting or a brainstorming session, I spend five minutes with my Cube. It really warms up my brain and increases short and long-term memory. From my experience, when people get into it, they see a positive difference when it comes to their general problem-solving or memory skills.

My future goals

After the MBA, I’d like to work in operations or consultancy. I’d like to be in a leadership role, where I’m able to really influence people, influence the business and bring my ideas and learnings from the MBA and put them into use.

The University of Bath’s reputation and strong career support will help me to really make my job applications stand out. I have the confidence that I’ll be able to do it.

Discovering my strengths on the Bath MBA programme

Thai student, Joy, talks about how she knew the Bath MBA was the right programme for her, and how she's built on her strengths during her time here.

Choosing Bath for my MBA

My decision to apply for an MBA programme was motivated by several factors, but primarily, my desire for personal and professional growth. In my previous role as an electrical engineer, I encountered challenges due to a lack of management skills. While I excelled in the technical aspects of my job, I realised that to advance in my career, I needed a comprehensive understanding of business strategies and leadership.

When considering the MBA programme at Bath, several things stood out and aligned with my aspirations. The diverse modules offered by the Bath MBA immediately caught my attention. Given my uncertainty about which specific business area to pursue, the Bath MBA has allowed me to explore various areas of business and management.

An enriching community

The diverse backgrounds of my colleagues have enriched my learning journey. This collaborative environment has allowed me to learn from others. We share insights and experiences that I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise.

The programme’s blend of in-class and out-of-class activities has been exceptionally beneficial. I’ve had sessions on crafting effective CVs and job-hunting strategies. I’ve also received lifestyle support through networking events and practical sessions.

Already, the MBA has begun shaping my career trajectory. Through assignments, I’ve learned about my strengths and weaknesses, which has improved my confidence. I am now considering job roles that I might have hesitated to apply to before. The MBA has given me the courage to pursue opportunities that match my evolving aspirations.

My advice for prospective students

My advice to anyone considering an MBA is simple: go for it! The experience is incredibly valuable and worth every effort you put into it. While it may be a challenging journey, the knowledge and growth you’ll gain from it is unparalleled.

Don’t let a different background deter you. The faculty, your colleagues, and everyone involved are there to support and assist you. The collaborative and helpful atmosphere is a hallmark of the Bath MBA experience.

I understand the apprehension that can come with stepping into a new environment. I used to feel the same way. But looking back, I’m thankful for taking that leap of faith and breaking through my comfort zone. It’s an opportunity that can shape your future in profound ways and help you discover strengths you never knew you had.

An MBA with impact

Business programmes once taught the importance of maximising profit at all costs but leading MBA programmes are teaching of the power - and profit - that can be achieved through a very different approach.

Corporate responsibility and sustainability have become key factors in today’s global business world. Sustainable business practices have become increasingly important considerations for companies seeking to maintain a competitive edge. As a result, more and more organisations are embracing ESG (environmental, social, and governance) principles to guide their decision-making.

Professor Andrew Crane is the Director of the Centre for Business, Organisations, and Society at the University of Bath School of Management. He also leads the delivery of Responsible Business on the Bath Executive MBA programme, helping professionals to develop the skills and knowledge needed to navigate sustainability challenges.

“There are so many challenges facing the world with everything from climate change and inequality to biodiversity. Business has a role in contributing to those problems, but also for solving them,” he explains.

“Contradiction in organisational priorities can be difficult for business leaders. The MBA programme can be a powerful tool to empower and liberate them to do something positive and be the changemakers in their organisations,” he adds.

The Bath MBA programmes are designed to provide students not only with an awareness of ESG issues within business, but also to equip them with the practical skills needed to tackle them. Teaching is underpinned by a deep focus on embedding sustainability and responsibility throughout both teaching and research.

“Students leave Bath, not only with a passion to enact change, but with the tools needed to effectively execute positive change throughout the duration of their management careers,” he continues.

“We try to instil the conversation of social responsibility and concern for social impact across the breadth of business, from finance and marketing to operations and HR practices. We tackle the challenges in these areas and then empower students to bring this conversation into their organisations and to have the right literacy to do so. They have the language but now they also the skills and knowledge to become as close as possible to an expert.”

Professor Crane adds: “We want our graduates to be leading employers who know how to achieve impact in their communities.”

Testimony to the University’s commitment to ESG is its place in the Top 100 of the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024 demonstrating a commitment to infuse sustainability throughout programme delivery at the University. The University of Bath ranked 92nd out of 1,403 universities, scoring highly in each of the three performance categories of Environmental Impact, Social Impact and Governance.

MBA alumnus Peter Davies on the importance of renewable energy

This article was first published in Bath Life magazine. Reproduced with permission.

In business, sustainability is non-negotiable. How you choose to incorporate it into what you do affects relationships with your employees, your supply chain and your customers. Having clear ethics regarding sustainability is so important for the long term – you’ll suffer if you don’t.

When I finished university in 2022, I took up an internship in corporate strategy with local green energy supplier, Good Energy. This led to a permanent role, focusing on diversifying the energy supply – which is currently more important than ever, due to the current energy crisis affecting the day-to-day lives of millions.

Due to the sharp rise in energy prices and a high number of suppliers going bust, our services are changing to try and reduce the impact this has on our customers.

I’m currently transitioning our supply to sustainable resources, with the aim of reaching net zero emissions. Green energy alternatives can be cheaper than conventional fossil fuels, too. Because of this, solutions such as solar panels and heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular.

If it wasn’t for my time at the University of Bath, I wouldn’t be in my current job role. The School of Management has great links with local businesses, which I made the most of to get my internship.

Throughout my studies, I learned a lot about sustainability management, which I use daily at work. At the School of Management, sustainability was always incorporated into what we did, from lecture content to the campus itself.

I made great friends there, too. I’m still in contact with other MBA alumni, we have a WhatsApp group and try to catch up whenever we can.

The way business works is changing, you need to take sustainability into account no matter your job role or sector. My goal is to eventually run my own business and because of my experience, I have the skill set to do this.

To me, ambition is realising your potential and trying to push to exceed your own expectations. The more effort you put into your studies, the more value you’ll get out of them. Rather than waiting for someone to give you opportunities, go and get them.

Breaking through the ceiling to reach new professional levels

Bath MBA graduate Luiza Correa Brasil shares her experiences of the programme and how she used it as a platform to create new career opportunities.

Why I wanted to do an MBA

My life has always been entwined with my family’s company. I joined the company as an intern and now, after eight years, hold a successful managerial position as the sales and marketing manager. I have always been interested in knowing more about business and am passionate about what I do. I have an entrepreneurial spirit and leadership enchants me: I like to inspire people to act; to understand the value of things that people cannot see; to share and to teach people to make the best decisions.

Working in a family business means that you must prove yourself all of the time. I felt that I had reached a ceiling and needed to find another way to reach new professional levels, build on my knowledge and bring new insights and better direction to the team. My family had always encouraged me to study abroad so this was perfect timing for me.

Why I chose The Bath MBA

Coming from a family business, I was looking for a programme that would enable me to work in other industries, get to know other leaders and prove myself in different ways. The multi-project suite offered experience and engagement with other industries where I had to solve real problems and I needed this to make my view wider. I had only my father’s way of doing business, now I know much more.

Learning beyond the classroom

The Multi-Project Suite was tense and demanding but fulfilling. The project expanded my knowledge into sustainability, explored other ways of doing business and broadened my views on how to be a CEO in future. I was so keen to help with the continuity of the work that I contacted the CEO to ask if I could remain on the project and am now volunteering for the company that I was part of. It’s been an amazing experience and I have learned so much from his knowledge on sustainability.

Discovering new skills

The MBA has already impacted on my career and behaviours. I identified that I love people so much, sharing knowledge and improving efficiencies, so decided to switch from sales and marketing to human resources. Results are led by people all of the time and the failures we have are because of the lack of people management. My father and I have realised how the business needs someone to look after and care about employees. It makes sense for me to take over this area of the business in future and I’m so happy and excited.

Developing as a leader

The course has been a considerable investment for my family, but I am so pleased to have found it. I was looking for a programme that was about strategic decision-making and that was exactly what I received. I loved that I could write about my own company but it also allowed me to think about business from another perspective. I am sure that my intellectual ‘luggage’ is full of knowledge and insights to take back to my organisation – not only hard skills, but a lot of soft skills too. The MBA has shaped me into an even better leader.

Inspiring future leaders

In the future I would like to be the CEO of my own business and the decisions and choices that I have made during the programme have been in that direction. I will be so happy to share my experiences and knowledge with future students of the Bath