Ashley never thought he'd return to formal education, and now he's completed a master's in Financial Management. He shares his experience of the AMBS programme, and how it's transformed his career.
Looking back on my educational journey, I never imagined I'd return to formal education after completing my undergraduate degree 10 years ago. But I took the leap and I have now completed the MSc Financial Management at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS).
It has been a journey that's not only transformed my professional career but also built my confidence in ways I didn't expect.
Why I chose a master's degree
I took a slightly unconventional route to get here. After finishing my undergraduate degree in a different field and working for a few years, I pursued an MBA while balancing a full-time job. It was during that time that I realised I wanted to deepen my knowledge of financial concepts and that's what led me to this programme.
I discovered the MSc Financial Management through an internet search. I had shortlisted other programmes, but what stood out for me was:
- The real-world application of the course content
- The opportunity to meet twice a year for workshops where knowledge could be shared and broadened.
The fact that the programme had a high-level accreditation also made the decision easier. I knew I was signing up for something that would add real value to my career.
The course allowed me to develop my understanding and application of financial aspects and dive deeper into financial elements that I previously only had surface-level knowledge of.
Applying classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios
One of the most rewarding aspects of the programme was the immediate application of what I was learning to my professional life.
Part of my job involves assessing who we lend money to and how much. I've used what I learned in financial statement analysis and risk management to assess companies' creditworthiness and our exposure in much more detail than before.
This practical knowledge didn't just enhance my work, it helped me feel more confident in my decision making and analysis.
Skills that transformed my career
The list of skills I gained through this programme is endless!
Understanding how markets work, global marketplace insights, basic financial literacy, ratios, the IPO process the list goes on.
More importantly, this knowledge has helped me take a step closer to securing a senior role within my company. I went from someone who wasn't a 'numbers person' to someone who can now confidently analyse and interpret financial data.
Memorable experiences
The workshops were always good fun a chance to meet up with other students. That week of contact always helped me deepen my understanding of the topics we covered, and it was inspiring to hear how others were applying the course in their own working environments.
Achieving distinction grades across all my modules, especially in statistics, an area where I didn’t think I would excel, would be a standout moment for me.
At the time of writing, I've just had my provisional grades back for the last semester and have achieved distinction grade in all of them.
Advice for prospective students: Is this programme right for you?
If you're considering the MSc Financial Management programme, I'd say go for it but be prepared to commit.
Even if you aren't pursuing a career in the financial sector, having a solid understanding of financial concepts and how the finance world works will only stand you in good stead in your career - whatever you decide to do. Two years is a short amount of time, so put the work in, and you will get the rewards.
I think this programme is perfect for:
- Students interested in the financial elements of business
- Aspiring professionals aiming to work in global businesses
- Entrepreneurs looking to run their own companies
- Anyone who wants to broaden their understanding of financial concepts.
Balancing life, work, and study
If you're thinking of doing a master's degree while working full-time and managing a busy household, here's my advice:
Have an honest conversation with yourself. Are you going to be able to balance studies with a job and life? Do you have the willpower and commitment to do this? A master's is a step up from an undergraduate programme. If you're not 100% invested, you will be wasting your time and money.
I took a 5-year break before returning to education, as this was what was right for me. It's never too late to go back and learn something new, but you need to be prepared to make sacrifices. Most of my postgraduate work was done remotely through learning management systems and juggling everything required a lot of discipline.
Reflecting on my journey, I would say that the biggest thing I've gained is confidence. Trusting myself that I can do this was the biggest self-discovery piece.
Do you want to build the knowledge you need to confidently solve business challenges in any sector? Learn more about our Financial Management programme
