What our alumni say
Below some of our alumni share their views on life in the School. Our students and alumni are always happy to share their Henley experience. You can also speak to a student via email, Skype or social media now, for a unique insight into their Henley experience...
Nelumka Rajakaruna | Current student
Contact Rajakaruna to find out more
'I have always wanted to study for my Masters at a top university and I couldn't have asked for more than a triple-accredited business school like Henley. While Henley offers a variety of programmes that gives you plenty of options to choose from, I personally selected MSc International Management because I felt that it was perfect for my needs. I wanted to build my confidence in making decisions and managing people in an international setting and this programme prepares you well for that.
I would recommend this programme to anyone who wants to get more insight into managing people and working with an increasingly multinational workforce within any company. The modules cover very important areas that any person should be familiar with when pursuing a managerial role. The modules are designed to challenge students but I've found that it helps you learn so much and value your Masters experience. In addition to all that, the University of Reading is on a beautiful campus that really adds to the learning experience.
The best elements of the programme are a combination of people, modules and the environment. All the core and optional modules are very interesting so it makes it fun to attend lectures. The lecturers are highly qualified and knowledgeable and most have a vast amount of experience. Through our challenging assignments and group work in classes, the students have gotten to know each other well. Therefore we enjoy going to lectures and making the most of it.
Our classes are very diverse and I have met some great people from so many different parts of the world. Venezuela, Iceland, Bulgaria, Germany, Thailand just to name a few. It's been very interesting to get to know them and get an understanding of how they work in a group. Given that I'm pursuing an Masters in international management, it is very helpful to get exposed to this type of environment, almost like in an actual work place.
The support has been wonderful. Both teaching and support staff have been extremely friendly and helpful, no matter what the situation is. Whenever I have any questions or concerns there are plenty of people to get help from.'
Bikram Chaudhury | Graduated 2011
Contact Bikram to find out more
'The proximity to London and the reputation the University of Reading enjoyed were perhaps the main attractions for me at Henley Business School.
My motivation to pursue my postgraduate studies in Marketing and International Management however was not this simplistic, given my previous degree in Law and experience in the booming Indian Legal Services Outsourcing Industry. In the end, it was the conviction that on the completion of my studies I would have familiarised myself with the emerging trends in marketing and gained the business sophistication necessary to succeed in a global organisation.
The diversity in the classroom was evident and each student was encouraged to contribute, challenge and be challenged by the perspectives classmates and faculty. This experience presented me with a unique opportunity to widen my perspective, appreciate different cultures, and strengthen interpersonal skills.
I would recommend the programme for its dynamism, which is evident from the diversity in the classroom, and for the unparalleled support which Henley Business School offers to its students, ensuring that each student is nurtured to achieve his/her full potential. The support offered by teaching and support staff was exemplary.'
Tugba Gunn Sen | Graduated 2011
Contact Tugba to find out more
'The reputation of Henley and the study facilities provided attracted me to the School, as did the truly international environment. This allows students to exchange experience and knowledge that would likely not be gained otherwise.
The teaching is of a high quality and the modules are oriented to business issues in 21st century. I would recommend the School as students benefit from a truly global network as well as links with potential employers.'
Adeyinka Adewale | Graduated 2011
Contact Adeyinka to find out more
'I chose Henley because of its reputation, the fact that it had a wide reach of alumni and because responses to enquiries prior to my arrival were quite impressive and timely.
One of the most outstanding features of my Henley experience was the interaction I had with students from so many countries, from which I learned a lot. The learning atmosphere created is conducive in facilitating both individual and community learning. The tutorials and groups assignments are particularly good for developing relationships among students from diverse backgrounds.
The quality of faculty is also very impressive as each is renowned in their various field and the support has been nothing short of fantastic.
My expectations exceeded and I have acquired a lot of new skills that will hopefully take me very far in my chosen career. Henley is indeed a very special school. I will recommend this programme to others and I have in fact influenced the decisions of a couple of friends who are now Henley bound next year.'
Fiona McClure | Graduated 2011
HR Graduate Trainee, BBC
'Reputation is an important consideration when choosing a business school and the Henley name is both respected and well-known. Coming from an undergraduate humanities background at the University of Manchester, I was attracted to MSc International Management as a good introduction to business and the commercial world. Furthermore, the international element both complimented my linguistic skills, and provided a great insight into global business today.
The best aspect of the programme was the wide range of modules available and the emphasis on team work and group assignments meant that there was an opportunity to learn and benefit from the international cohorts' different approaches to academia. I would recommend Henley Business School based on the quality of teaching and the study environment provided. All staff were extremely approachable and readily available to discuss assignments, areas of interest and career opportunities. This was one of the main differences I noticed from my undergraduate study.
I began applying for graduate jobs at the end of the first term of my Masters with the aim of starting employment as soon as I had finished study. By starting this early I was able to submit my project, go travelling for a month and come back to start with the BBC at the end of September.'
Christian Burmeister | Graduated 2011
Senior Business Analyst, A.T. Kearney
Contact Christian to find out more
'Having studied in three European countries now, Henley was definitely the right place to further strengthen my international background and do the MSc. The programme structure was exactly what I was looking for - highly relevant content for a career in an international business environment, interactive teaching methods that enabled me to build up and share my knowledge effectively, and fellow students from a large variety of interesting backgrounds. For a management career in the 21st century, being able to understand, evaluate and discuss complex topics is a critical success factor that I feel well-prepared for.'
Tom Lardner | Graduated 2010
Territory Manager, Johnson & Johnson
'The teaching was clearly a step-up from my undergraduate degree, and the student body also was a step-up in terms of knowledge and work ethic. There was a vast mix of cultures amongst the students, helping me to get a feel for the differing approaches to business internationally. The programme helped me to become 'business-ready', in my approach and character. I would recommend Henley to others due to the content of the programme, the School's location, and the proximity and close ties to big business.'
Laura Philpott | Graduated 2010
International Manager, HSBC
Contact Laura to find out more
'Having graduated from Oxford University with a BA in languages, I found myself wanting to gain specific knowledge and experience in the field of business and management. It was the combination of a world-renowned business school and a top UK university that really sparked my interest in the programme and I certainly made the right decision. Without a doubt, the best element of the programme and indeed the entire School environment was the international focus and that experience will stay with me forever. I really cannot express how grateful I am to Henley Business School and the teaching and support staff. Because of them, I was able to achieve my goal.'
Yannick Brillet | Graduated 2010
Senior Sales Manager, OnLegends GmbH
Contact Yannick to find out more
'Henley Business School is one of the best business schools in the world and where the discipline of international business started. The programme was intellectually stimulating, provided high level academic study and is internationally recognised. Also, lecturers were highly qualified and support staff were always very helpful. I was awarded a Huck Scholarship which allowed me to acquire a deeper understanding on corporate culture through a project.'
Lien Nguyen | Graduated 2010
Marketing and Communications Coordinator, KPMG Vietnam
'The University environment really is fabulous - suitable for studying as well as enjoying time with my classmates - and I was offered a fully-serviced hall of residence, near the campus.
The best element of the programme was the wide range of case studies which can be applied throughout career. The teachers and support staff from Henley Business School are helpful and were always available, whatever we needed.
My MSc programme explored the latest global trends in marketing and management. We were provided with high quality learning materials, alongside textbooks and online resources.
Thanks to studying at Henley Business School I now have friends from the UK, as well as from many other backgrounds and cultures. It makes for a truly global environment which benefitted us much during our studies.'
Graham Jones | Graduated 2010
Online Marketing Executive, Incisive Media
Contact Graham to find out more
'Coming into the School from a non-business background was initially a daunting experience. However, I found the staff and facilities at Henley to be second to none. The use of guest speakers from industry really added another dimension to the programme. I was proud to receive the O2 Scholarship, providing the opportunity to gain work experience with a well respected company, which was greatly beneficial.'
Richard Till | Graduated 2010
Management Trainee, Enterprise-Rent-a-Car
'The best feature of the programme was the mix of international students from diverse backgrounds. As the programme is international it is important that the views of an international set of students are represented in discussions. This eclectic mix of cultures benefited my studies by adding in different opinions and perspectives to classes and seminars. I would recommend the experience due to the reputation of Henley Business School and its lecturers.'
Methanan Sivayathorn | Graduated 2009
Assistant Marketing Manager, Eduprogress
'I found myself in a competitive and dynamic studying environment. The modules offered are grounded in theory but highly applicable in real life situations. Frequent guest lecturers, from various professional backgrounds, provided further interesting and insightful perspectives. I enjoyed the opportunity to meet, befriend and work with fellow students from around the world and I am confident that the knowledge and experience I gained at Henley will equip me to do very well in the business world.'
Gautam Kapur | Graduated 2009
Knowledge Manager and Technical Support Consultant, Alterian
'The programme was well suited to someone such as myself who had a technical undergraduate degree (as opposed to one in management, or similar). Beyond that, the Henley brand was a major factor, as was the location (Reading being the UK base for Oracle and Microsoft).
Having the opportunity to interact with a range of students was probably the greatest advantage of coming to the Business School. For anyone looking for a career in marketing/ management, the opportunity to interact with such a varied number of nationalities is worth its weight in gold. The support system available at the University was extremely beneficial, especially to international students. Having a personal tutor as well was a great help, in terms of having a sounding board and go-to point when looking for some guidance, career related or otherwise. This degree and my time has changed me as a person, for the better. I would whole heartedly recommend the programme and Henley to any aspiring graduate looking to advance his/ her career.'
Pacharaporn Anilbol | Graduated 2009
Accountant, Krung Thai Bank
'Lecturers and students in the School were very friendly. The subjects studied have proved very useful in my career. I enjoyed many great experiences and will always recommend it.'
Kai Li | Graduated 2009
PhD student, Zhejiang University
'The programme provided the best possible opportunity to learn, to experience and to transform and I am grateful for all the help I received at Henley Business School.'
Selin Aydogan | Graduated 2008
Field Marketing Manager, RightNow Technologies
'The biggest advantage for me was having the chance to meet and work with individuals from all over the world. You also have the opportunity to work with business organisations on your final project or dissertation. I conducted an in-depth study and wrote a business plan for a consulting group, conducting interviews at companies such as GlaxoSmithKline.'
Hakan Kahraman | Graduated 2008
Overseas Purchasing Expert, Tüpraş
'Henley's great study environment, facilities and worldwide reputation highly impressed me and studying at Henley, one of the most reputed UK universities without a doubt, was a dream come true. Support is an indispensible part of the teaching mentality, not only during the programme but also during your career. While studying at Henley I had a chance to do my Contemporary management project at a multinational corporation and right after graduation I had job offers from important companies. The time I spent at Henley put me one step ahead and played a key role in launching and developing such a successful career. It also helped me to develop a giant network of people all over the world.'
Parisa Gilani | Graduated 2007
Market Analyst, TNS Global
'I chose the University because of its excellent reputation and it rates highly in the league tables for business and management. Also, the programme offered a more international focus than my first degree. I would definitely recommend studying at the Business School.'
Raj Chadha | Graduated 2006
Senior Commercial Propositions Manager, BT
'My postgraduate degree helped me to develop a strong understanding of the complexities of business in a multinational context. This gave me the confidence to change the direction of my career and has definitely contributed towards the success and opportunities I've enjoyed in my career so far. The School has an excellent reputation among major UK and multinational employers and I'd recommend the experience and the outcomes to anyone.'
Charlotte Gribben | Graduated 2006
Consultant, Deloitte
'My experience gave me a great qualification which was highly regarded by the companies I was applying to. A number of different job opportunities were offered to me before I chose Deloitte. I feel that one of the main differentiators of the programme was the mix of students from around the world. In my role with Deloitte I find that my masters degree has not only helped my with the business skills but I travel internationally on a regular basis and find that the international aspect has allowed me to understand and appreciate different business cultures and adapt to these.'
Gbolahan Fagbure | Graduated 2006
Senior Consultant, KPMG
'From my first day, I enjoyed the constant support of staff in the Business School as well as other parts of the University. I was fortunate to have a fantastic personal tutor who was extremely supportive of me. The Careers Advisory Service was always on hand to offer useful advice for job applications and interviews.
After graduating I joined Credit Suisse in London before joining Goldman Sachs where I worked for 3 years. In 2010 I joined KPMG Nigeria. My masters degree has proven to be invaluable in my current role, allowing me understand issues and conduct detailed analysis for my clients. The opportunity of engaging with people from different professional backgrounds and cultures equipped me with the aptitude to relate with such diverse people in the jobs I have had since graduating. I would definitely recommend the programme.'
Michael Melanson | Graduated 2006
Business Development Analyst, BP
'My degree provided a stepping stone to an excellent position upon graduation and also allowed me to develop a truly global network of friends. The School is highly recognised among major international employers. I was fortunate to receive multiple job offers, eventually selecting to join BP, the oil and gas giant. For me, the School has proven to be a springboard to a truly international business career. I greatly enjoyed my time and would recommend the Business School to anyone.'
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