When I was in high school, I had a hard time deciding what career path to pursue. I was sure I wanted to study business, but I was torn between finance, which seemed to have great job prospects, and entrepreneurship, which I was personally more passionate about. It felt like a tough choice, and I was stuck between these two options.

Then, I discovered The University of Manchester’s BSc Management programme, which offered something truly unique, a flexible course structure with various specialisms to choose from. The specialisms include Accounting and Finance, Human Resources, Innovation, Strategy and Entrepreneurship (ISE), International Business Economics, or Marketing. The best part was that the specialism wasn’t selected until the second year. In the first year, everyone takes general modules, which helped me get used to university coursework and
figure out what suited me before committing to a specialism.

By the time I chose my specialism, I realised that I don’t enjoy working with numbers and had only considered accounting and finance because of people’s expectations of me. My interest was always in entrepreneurship. Therefore, I was glad that I picked a flexible programme that let me explore first, helping me make an informed decision. Moreover, if at any point, I wanted to switch to general management or another specialism, the programme allows me to do so in the first term of second year. This adaptability makes the university experience more reassuring, knowing I can pivot based on my evolving interests.

The flexibility to take courses outside my specialism really reinforced my decision to specialise. Since core units only make up 20 out of 60 credits per semester, I had 40 credits to explore different subjects. This balance let me dive deep into my specialism while still having the freedom to learn about other areas that interested me. I used those extra credits to take courses like Business Law, which is compulsory for Accounting and Finance students but an elective for ISE. It was a completely new learning experience that made me see business from a different perspective, it gave me legal insights into business operations. Therefore, it was a bit challenging as the material was similar to what law students’ study, but it was explained in a way that made it accessible for students without a legal background.

The real value of a specialism lies in its core units. In my experience, 20-credit courses often involve more self-study and research. For example, in Creativity, Design, and Entrepreneurship, we were asked to develop a viable business model with plenty of independent work, essential for entrepreneurs generating real ideas. While 20 out of 60 credits per semester may seem small, it provides focused expertise without sacrificing flexibility. The remaining credits allowed me to shift my focus to other subjects when I feel stuck in my core modules, giving me a fresh perspective and keeping me engaged. Furthermore, if my interests change, I can still explore other fields while graduating with a specialised knowledge.

What’s also interesting is how much my degree title stands out. Every time I tell people I’m studying “Management specialising in Innovation, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship,” I always get a reaction. People are curious about what the degree involves, and it sparks way more conversation than if I just said I was doing general management. It’s a unique degree that not many universities offer, and honestly, I think anyone looking for a management degree should consider taking a specialism. It not only helps you develop a niche but also makes both you and your degree more memorable.

Written by Cecilia, current BSc Management (Innovation, Management and Entrepreneurship) student in AMBS

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