Meet our students
Our students come from all over the world and often end up working across the world too. Coming from a huge variety of backgrounds, our students graduate with an international outlook and connections with students from a global background.
With this international experience, students frequently find jobs at globally recognised companies such as; Ted Baker, Mr Porter, Burberry, Margaret Howell, All Saints, Arcadia, Michael Kors, and Harrods to name just a few.
Here are just some of the stories from our previous graduates and our current students.
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Amy Zheng
MSc Int Management and Business Development
Amy studied the MSc International Management and Business Development course at GCU London. She tells us about her experience below:
“Before joining GCU London I did my Bachelor degree in China and was studying the Pre-Master’s course at INTO GCU in Glasgow last year. I heard about GCU London through my tutors and friends when I was studying at INTO GCU.
After my Pre-Master’s course at INTO GCU at Glasgow last year, I was pretty much convinced that GCU is the university where I want to complete my Masters course. GCU London campus is located in the centre of the city with advanced facilities, qualified faculty members, nice course structure, a good on-campus atmosphere, extra-curricular activities and the tuition fees are affordable. All these attracted me to apply to study at GCU London.
I chose my course because I am interested in business and when I graduate I would have the option of entering a wide variety of functions, which I feel is a huge advantage.
I really like the structure of the programme at GCU London and the course is very broad and therefore allows me to develop the knowledge and understanding of different aspects of management and business, from strategies and finance to leadership and managing change.
For me, the highlight of my course was definitely the opportunity to gain work experience in an internship in London through the External Engagement activities as part of programme coursework. Interning for a company also helped me to learn how my classroom knowledge applies to real situations and strengthen my resume. It also gives me a valuable insight into my future career.
I was attracted to GCU London by its reputation and research excellence. I found that the well-experienced professors guide and encourage students to think independently and critically. I believe this is the most important thing I have learnt during my time at GCU London.
I think London is the top choice for international students looking to study abroad. London is a global financial centre, full of learning resources and endless opportunities. Wherever you walk, you will always discover something new.
London also is a great place for students to have fun. There are more than a hundred cinemas, parks and music venues and more than thousands of restaurants to enjoy food from around the world, as well as many bars and pubs to enjoy with your friends.
Being a student here is really fun. Everyone is very co-operative and friendly. Students at GCU London have the opportunity to meet a variety of people from over the world, and to exchange cultures and knowledge.”
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Amy Zheng
MSc International Management and Business Development
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Pietro Poletti
MSc Risk Management
Pietro Poletti graduated from GCU London in 2016 after completing the MSc Risk Management programme. Pietro, originally from Italy, now works in London as an Assistant Underwriter for Lloyd’s Insurance Syndicate.
“My experience in GCU was really very nice experience. Because of my professors, people I have met, the course both in the campus and outside campus hours were something remaining in my memory of my experience here. I met a group of really interesting people from around the world. Coming from an Italian university, here I met a multi-cultural environment with friends I am still contact with. The professors were really prepared. And they came from different environment which mean they brought us different views on what risk management is and carry different opportunities around the concept of risk management. The classes gave me both theoretical and practical examples of what I would face in my working career. I think, all of these concepts gave me experience from a 360 degree perspective which really helped me finding a job and enjoying what I do.
“Currently, I work as an Assistant underwriter in Lloyd’s Insurance Syndicate. which means I assist the senior underwriter in quoting and offering insurance coverage to multinational cooperation’s and smaller enterprises. I think they must have given me something that a lot of people in current work environment do not have which is technical skills. I felt when I was doing my first interviews that I was a step ahead of other people because of the knowledge I learnt from my Masters.
“Aside from this, opportunities at GCU including getting work experience as an intern, really helped me in being a step ahead of other people getting this job.
“I enjoyed a lot the dual aspect of the course focusing on both insurance and finance which gave me a broader view of what risk management is. So it’s not focusing on just one aspect like the other course I found before, which I think was really helpful for my career which gave me broader perspective. Then after the course I decided to focus on one of the selected aspects more, indeed I now work in insurance but it was really helpful to focus on finance part as well.
“The Best part of studying in London is London itself is a majestic city. It’s full of different people from around the world. So the experience is something incredible which you won’t be able to find somewhere else in the world. People from all different continents, bringing ideas, bringing traditions and I found a really open environment here where you are free, you can discuss arguments with friends from around the world. It was big part of my experience here. Maybe if I didn’t come to London I wouldn’t have this experience my master as I did here.
“Life in GCU London, despite being a smaller campus, the environment here for master students from fashion to finance to risk management is really something spectacular. Because you have the opportunity to face yourself with people studying different courses and being in the middle of the city, you are still part of bigger family all working in the same area. It gave me two perspectives, the people you meet in a small campus you feel like a family and second was to be really in touch, connected with job opportunities afterwards. So I was really close to city and be connected to what I really wanted to do after afterwards. “
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Pietro Poletti
MSc Risk Management
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Silvia Giribona
MSc Global Marketing
Silvia Giribona graduated from GCU London with an MSc in Global Marketing. Below she talks about her overall experience at the University.
” My favourite module was ‘Product and Service Innovation and Global Logistics’ in the MSc Global Marketing programme because it required me to develop an innovative product from scratch. It was a unique experience as I realised that everyone can be creative and utilise their imagination to invent a new product. In addition, this project allowed me to develop team working skills where I learned to work with others who had different ideas, and together we organised the workload from the beginning to the end.
London is a multicultural capital city, and one of the most important benefits to me was that I could find the right job and cultivate my passion for marketing. Being a student in London meant I could participate in various enjoyable activities. It also allowed me to spend time with people who have different cultural backgrounds; opening up my horizons and sharing my life with people from all over the world.
Three months on from graduation, I received a job offer as a Marketing and Administrative Assistant in a fertility clinic based in Harley Street, London. Currently I am in charge of managing the social media pages of the clinic. I focus on conducting market research to analyse existing competitors who play a relevant role in the UK fertility market. With the results obtained, I develop new ideas to enhance the clinic’s website, its blog and its social media.
Every day I notice how the MSc in Global Marketing has benefitted me on a professional level. The programme gave me the right tools to create innovative marketing solutions. I have developed knowledge of global branding from the creation of my personal brand, to the development of the right strategy for market launch. I also learnt how to work independently and organise my workload in the best way possible. Finally, the MSc programme taught me how to be proactive and inventive. All these factors have played a pivotal role in helping me to perform my job successfully and to the best of my ability.”
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Silvia Giribona
MSc Global Marketing
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Flemming Hansen
MSc IMBD
Flemming Hansen studied MSc International Management and Business Development course at GCU London.
“I used to study Fashion and Textile Management so when a GCU London staff member presented the campus at my former university I decided to join GCU. I wanted to complete a Master’s degree in an English speaking country. London is a beautiful place to study especially when you are a foreign student.
I have always been interested in globalisation and global businesses. Understanding different business models and methods is a significant factor of success for international operating companies. In order to work for an international company, it is more than just helpful have to a deep understanding in this field to secure a competitor advantage. That’s why GCU London’s course is suitable for my future career plan and a good continuation of my Bachelor degree.
I really realised the cultural differences between each country. The work mentality and the advanced level of educational requirements are very different from what I am used to. In the beginning, it was challenging to understand people’s views and work but it became easier to adapt to after a few weeks.
I have had the opportunity to meet people from many places from around the world and also be a part of one of the most influential cities.
Studying in London has really opened my mind. People from thousands kilometres away from my hometown have become my good friends and I have discovered new countries and mentalities where my own views on work and life are different. All these factors have added to my journey significantly.
My advice to future students would be to find a part time job or a hobby alongside your studies to practise your English. It’s always good to have something to take a break from your studies.”
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Flemming Hansen
MSc International Management and Business Development
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Aureole Liptia
MSc Public Health
Aureole is a qualified Pharmacist and studied the MSc Public Health course at GCU London. Upon graduating in June 2015, she told us about her experience studying here.
“I’m a Pharmacist and a Doctor in Pharmacy so when I came to GCU London I wanted to learn, to have an insight in public health and maybe some social action also. I learnt a lot about epidemiology and community based assessment.
“I actually took a placement with a university in Spain and that was great because it opened all kind of doors for me. It showed me that in Public Health there is actually more than what I originally thought it was. So I’ve learnt a lot.
“After graduation, I went back to Spain to work with the Department of the Health Promotion in Valencia and after that I want to do a PhD.”
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Aureole Liptia
MSc Public Health
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Rizal Al Idrus
MSc Public Health
Rizal studies the MSc Public Health course at GCU London. Here he talks about his course and his experience studying with us.
“At GCU London, I especially like the class. Because it’s a small class. It’s very effective. In my opinion, it’s more effective than having a big class. I enjoy GCU London because the staff are very nice – both the Academic staff and support staff are very nice.
“I enjoy two mainly things in my Masters in Public health. First is my classmates, they always support me, they give me feedback anytime, they share everything not only about my courses but about my daily life, how’s life in London and how to get good points in class. Secondly, I like the lectures. Not only about its timings, but also, the support from library and easy access to materials from GCU.
“About London, I think almost everyone in this world, wants to go to London once. It is a beautiful and multi-cultural city. As a student, I can learn about culture, how to manage time and how people here keep discipline and time management.
“Student life in GCU London is colorful. For me, it’s not just about academics. At GCU London they give you chance to be academic but also to be social. They have a lot of seminars, social gatherings, and a big community to join.”
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Rizal Al Idrus
MSc Public Health
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Faiz Subhani
MSc IBFRM
Faiz Subhani, an MSc International Banking, Finance and Risk Management graduate with GCU London, shares his experiences of studying at GCU London and explains his ambitious plans for the future.
“As I was interested in undertaking research on investment banking for my postgraduate research degree, when I look at the blend of MSc in International Banking, Finance and Risk Management course, it seems to me fit with my future career objectives.”
“Furthermore, MSc in International Banking, Finance and Risk Management focuses on all three areas (bank management, finance and risk management) of modern banking which are key to having a successful career in a well reputed international bank. Therefore, the choice of GCU and the course was very logical to me.”
“The quality of teaching throughout my 1.5 years stay at GCU is commendable. I particularly noticed, all the students managed to develop good rapport with lecturers which has positive impact on the student education and helped them to achieve their educational goals. The course is structured in a way that makes you well equipped to encounter challenges in practical life for those who are particularly interested to pursue their career in financial services. During the course we were encouraged to get access to real financial services data with the help of Thomson Reuters Database and to analyse it with the application of different software like Palisade @risk.”
“I have always been interested in becoming an educationist. Currently I’ve made an application for my PHD to different universities and I’m waiting for the response from them. “
“GCU has made a great contribution to helping me realise my career objectives. They’ve done this by offering me the right blend of course and then teaching me how to collect and analyse the quantitative data.
“MSc at GCU allowed me to undertake various research projects on different areas of study that have enhanced my research and analytical skills. These skills would help me to undertake a large scale research project successfully at PHD level and publish my work for well reputed journals.”
“Don’t be afraid of making mistakes and failing in life but always learn from your mistakes. Life is full of challenges, and we need to learn to deal with those challenges. The best way to overcome challenges is to work hard and focus on your objectives. At times, we all feel very low and have known and unknown fears. During such difficult times, we need to look at the positive things around us and take our drive and energy from them.”
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Faiz Subhani
MSc International Banking Finance and Risk Management