A brief overview of your background before joining the programme

I am an international student like many of you reading this blog. I come from Malaysia, and studying in Manchester has been a dream of mine since my A-levels. I am deeply grateful to have received a scholarship from an organisation, that gave me the opportunity to further my studies at The University of Manchester under Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS). My three years at university have been a truly life changing journey—one that built my character and shaped me into a more determined and resilient person. Words can hardly describe the joy and excitement of studying here, but allow me to share some of the highlights from my journey.

Why you chose BSc Management (Human Resource) at The University of Manchester

I chose to pursue the BSc Management (Human Resource) programme at The University of Manchester because—well, don’t you think the iconic building looks very cool? Jokes aside, I chose this programme because of my strong interest in understanding human interactions in the workplace. I firmly believe that people are the most important asset of any organisation. For companies to be successful and sustainable in the long run, employers must prioritise the growth and development of their people—yet this area is often overlooked in favour of short-term profits. AMBS stood out to me as one of the top business schools in the UK offering a strong combination of management studies and human resources, supported by its excellent reputation, long history, and unique city campus environment.

Memorable experiences or key takeaways from your time here

One of the most memorable aspects of my time at Manchester was the people and friendships I built. The University of Manchester is incredibly diverse and home to students from all over the world. Studying here gave me the opportunity to form lifelong friendships with people from different cultures and backgrounds. The Students’ Union also played an important role in making my university experience even more fulfilling by hosting various events and societies, fostering a strong sense of community— especially for international students. In addition, I really enjoyed the university’s facilities. With plenty of study spaces across campus, many of my fondest memories were made revising with friends at AMBS or the main library. Especially during exam season, the libraries are filled with students, and the atmosphere creates a strong motivation to focus and study. I would say that students at The University of Manchester truly play hard and work even harder. Beyond academics, I was actively involved in university life through Student Ambassador. This experience allowed me to take on a wide range of responsibilities and gain exposure to different roles. I served as a sports ambassador promoting the Sporticipate programme, supported airport pick-ups for new students, reached out to international offer holders through calling campaigns, conducted campus tours during open days, and worked in catered student accommodation. Balancing academics with extracurricular commitments taught me valuable skills such as multitasking, prioritisation, and time management—skills that I continue to apply in my professional life today. If I had to describe my student life in one phrase, it would be busy but satisfying.

Your career development or current role since graduating
After graduating, I joined the largest oil palm company in Malaysia and began my career as a Human Resource Business Partner (HRBP), focusing primarily on recruitment and day-to-day HR operations. One of the most important skills I developed at university was critical thinking. I was able to apply this skill in the workplace by contributing to the streamlining of recruitment reporting processes through the development of a recruitment dashboard for the team. A year later, I transitioned into my current role in Talent Strategy, where I continue to apply the knowledge and skills gained from my degree.

Any advice you’d offer to future applicants

Looking back, my advice to future students is to fully utilise the wide range of resources available at the university. There are many support services provided, but we may not always realise their value until we truly need them. For example, I was not aware of the free English academic writing classes until I struggled with my first essay. Attending these classes significantly improved my writing skills and helped me achieve essay scores of 80 and above. In addition, the Careers Service, such as Career Connect and CV guidance is incredibly helpful in preparing students for interviews. Finally, beyond academics, there are countless societies, activities, and opportunities to explore. My advice is to step out of your comfort zone and truly enjoy the journey. Live your university life to the fullest—you won’t regret it!

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