Located in the heart of the city, the University of Manchester offers both academic excellence and a highly convenient student lifestyle. With Manchester Airport only around a 20-minute drive away, and easy access to local and Asian supermarkets, daily life here has been smooth and comfortable. These practical advantages allowed me to focus fully on my studies and make the most of my time as a postgraduate student.

From the very beginning, I felt genuinely welcomed by the University. Before the academic year officially started, Welcome Week helped me settle into a new environment, familiarise myself with key resources, and connect with fellow students from around the world. The University also provides free Academic English workshops, while the library regularly organises sessions on academic skills and mental wellbeing. These resources have been invaluable in supporting both my academic progress and overall wellbeing during an intensive master’s programme.

I am currently studying the CIPD-accredited MSc Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations, a one-year programme comprising 180 credits, including taught units and a 60-credit research dissertation. The course explores HR theory and practice from both UK and international perspectives. We examine employment relations across different countries, analyse bargaining and strikes, and explore how HR strategies and roles vary across organisational and national contexts. Through this learning, I have gained a much deeper understanding of labour markets, including the role of trade unions, state intervention, and employment regulation.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the programme has been how it has broadened my global outlook. Studying industrial relations and the impact of globalisation has helped me better understand cultural and institutional differences across countries. For someone aiming to build a career in human resources, this international perspective has been both eye-opening and highly relevant.

The Workplace Research and Analysis Skills course has also played a key role in preparing me for my future career. Through hands-on computer seminars, we learn how to use SPSS for data analysis and can ask lecturers questions in real time. This practical training not only strengthens our analytical skills but also lays a strong foundation for the dissertation in the second semester.

My favourite part of the programme has been the interactive seminars and case studies. By preparing readings in advance and actively participating in discussions, I have been able to analyse real-world HR and industrial relations cases with my peers and lecturers. A particular highlight was the Simulated Collective Bargaining Exercise, jointly delivered by the Industrial Relations and Comparative Industrial Relations courses. In this exercise, we worked in groups to role-play either a UK train drivers’ union or train operators, applying negotiation strategies learned in class to simulate real collective bargaining scenarios. This experience brought theory to life and strengthened my confidence in applying academic knowledge to practical situations.

In terms of career preparation, both the University and Alliance Manchester Business School offer extensive employability support. These include alumni career-sharing sessions, job search platforms, CV workshops, mock interviews, and one-to-one CV consultations. I personally found the CV one-to-one sessions especially helpful, as they provided tailored feedback and helped me identify areas for improvement that I might otherwise have missed.

Looking back, this year has been a period of real growth for me, both academically and personally. The programme has challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, strengthen my skills, and gain greater confidence in my abilities. If you enjoy taking on new challenges and seeing how much you can grow through them, Manchester is a place where you can truly thrive. I hope my experience offers you a helpful glimpse into life here, and I look forward to seeing how you will shape your own journey at Manchester.

Written by Pin Yu Chen, a current MSc Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations student.

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