The MSc in Management at the University of Bath is careful not to overlook the value of practical experience. That's why students on the program can choose to pursue Bath’s Practice Track instead of writing a dissertation.
In previous years, the Practice Track has consisted of four tasks. First, students work on solving an actual management problem at a company. They must conduct research, analyze data, and present a viable recommendation to the organization. After this, students are required to run a project with set deliverables.
Students then write a report on these exercises, and conduct another business analysis report on a subject of their choice. These assignments encourage students to apply the knowledge they've gained to concrete business issues, manage team dynamics, and improve their presentation skills, while giving them exposure to the public and private sectors.
The aim of the Practice Track is to prepare students for the real world of business after graduation. And it’s working—100% of students on Bath’s MSc in Management program were employed within six months of graduation in 2016.*
The Practice Track also offers important experience in working within diverse teams—in a cohort composed of over 200 students, candidates come from a wide range of non-business backgrounds and 24 nationalities are represented.
BusinessBecause caught up with two MSc in Management students from the University of Bath School of Management to find out more.
©bath.ac.uk—Bath MSc students work on team projects for real firms
Thomas Brind
Thomas decided to pursue an MSc in Management after an undergraduate degree in physics. As part of the Practice Track, Thomas worked with Fortune Global 500 firm Unilever, where his team was tasked to provide different strategies for improving employee engagement with sustainability targets at the factory level. He then worked on a fundraising project for a charity supporting registered carers. For his business report, Thomas is writing on nuclear energy decommissioning.
Why did you select the Practice Track?
The Practice Track is the school's flagship initiative. It didn't make sense to pass up the opportunity to take part in this bespoke program and I wanted to do something more interactive than a dissertation. The Practice Track also offers structure; you have to do things in time for certain deadlines, so there's less opportunities to fall behind.
What have you gained?
I've improved my ability to work in a team over the course of the year, and had the opportunity to consolidate this skill while doing the Practice Track. I also had the chance to build upon my presentation and communication skills. The assignments trained me in finding relevant information, and helped me understand how academic literature informs decision making.
What experience stands out?
The visit to the company's central London offices. We had a chance to walk around, look over the city on the rooftop terrace, and see The Shard in the distance. The presentation also went very well. The company's feedback was positive and they said we'd helped them think about concepts they'd thought about differently.
Nikolaos Skaltsis
Trained in computer engineering, Nikolaos had always known he wanted to combine his problem-solving skills with business knowledge to break into the management sector. As part of the MSc in Management Practice Track, Nikolaos had the opportunity to work on a case study for Deloitte. He also organized a fundraising event with his team for Forest of Imagination, a contemporary arts event in Bath.
Why did you select the Practice Track?
I had already written a dissertation for my previous degree, and I wanted to do something different. But, the main reason I chose the Practice Track was because I wanted to gain work experience in the UK, and understand corporate culture in this country.
What have you gained?
I've had the opportunity to improve my communication skills, and learn to work in highly diverse teams. Working with a team builds your time management skills, because you need to work together to organize schedules and deadlines. The Practice Track also offered insight into professional life. Until now, we'd been working on assignments—having to work on a case study for an actual company was good practical experience.
What experience stands out?
Working on the charity event. The project focused on how to introduce knowledge about the environment to children. It was fascinating to discuss ways of protecting the environment with children.
*Employment data based on those who were looking for work and for whom data is held (81% of total cohort). Based on Financial Times ranking methodology.
