Before coming to the UK, I completed my schooling in another part of the world. It was during my high school days that I did not picture myself studying a course like BSc ITMB, nor did I even know such a course existed. My decision to study came relatively late in 2023. At first glance, this course was quite interesting, as it had a small cohort and offered the best of both technical and business majors, which I was clear about.

The flexibility of ITMB gave me the space to figure things out correctly. The combination of technical areas, such as app development, databases, and data analytics, with business-focused modules including marketing, business analysis, economics, and entrepreneurship, gave it the right balance, and I could grow into the course rather than forcing myself into a narrow path.

Manchester was not my first choice, but it has been one of the best decisions I made. I did notice that ITMB at Manchester has been running for much longer than any other similar courses elsewhere. One part of the course that stood out to me early on was the Integrative Team Project. The idea of being placed into a random group and then working on building a viable solution for a real company on real-world challenges felt more useful than traditional coursework. The consultancy-style projects felt very different from standard modules; instead of completing an assignment, we were encouraged to show our creativity and had the opportunity to interact with the professionals from companies such as Lloyds Bank and P&G, who were sponsors for the module. Over time, I developed a strong interest in data analysis, and this is one of the things I like about ITMB it does not force everyone in the same direction. Some students lean more towards technical development, while others, like me, focus more on analysis and business insight. When I worked on data analysis modules, I began to realise that data rarely tells a simple story. Here, I learnt to interpret information from different sources, which was not something I expected to enjoy, but it is now an area I want to keep developing.

Beyond the technical skills I acquired, this course has significantly boosted my confidence. Before ITMB, I struggled with presentations, but the frequent opportunities to present changed that. I can now speak without a script!

Our course director, Ali, played a crucial role in this growth. He consistently encouraged us to prioritize understanding our material over memorisation, which eased my anxiety and deepened my grasp of the content. This shift in mindset has made a real difference in my confidence and communication skills. The ITMB program fosters a strong sense of community. With only 40 students in my cohort, it’s easy to connect with every one of them. The diverse backgrounds create a rich environment, and I’ve always felt at home away from home here.

Looking back now, choosing this course turned out to be much better than expected. I started it with a lot of uncertainty, but it eventually helped me grow as a person overall. This course suits people who are curious, open to learning, and comfortable with uncertainty.

Written by Krishnadeva, a current BSc ITMB student.

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