In this blog, MSc Business Analytics alumnus Ankit Mehani shares his transformative journey from a decade-long career in Southeast Asia to studying at the UCL School of Management in London. He reflects on how the programme’s strategic location in Canary Wharf, hands-on learning structure, and strong academic community helped him broaden his problem-solving skills and expand his career horizons.
Ankit highlights the value of real-world projects, exceptional faculty support, and the vibrant student life that shaped his experience. He also offers practical advice for prospective students on making the most of UCL’s resources, building networks, and preparing for a successful global career in business analytics and beyond.
Interested in developing your business analytics skills? Chat with a current MSc student at the UCL School of Management to learn more about their unique experiences and journey with us.
WHY THE MSC IN BUSINESS ANALYTICS AT THE UCL SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT WAS THE IDEAL CHOICE FOR ME
Before choosing a university, I highly recommend evaluating what each institution offers and how their unique features align with your goals. There were several compelling reasons why I chose the MSc Business Analytics programme at UCL School of Management. Firstly, UCL's global reputation as a top 10 university was a significant factor. Its location in London, particularly in one of the most iconic buildings in Canary Wharf, One Canada Square, provided me with multiple opportunities to connect with leading global companies almost on a daily basis—it truly is an epicentre of business.
With ten years of experience, moving to London was a significant step, leaving a stable job in Singapore and managing a long-distance relationship with my wife. However, UCL provided a welcoming environment. The professors, students, and administration made me feel at home.
My time at the UCL School of Management was unforgettable. I maximised every opportunity, serving as a student representative, becoming a Teaching Assistant after completing my programme, and utilising all available resources. If you have the unique opportunity to study here, I highly recommend you do the same!
Programme structure and my learning highlights
The MSc Business Analytics programme structure also stood out to me in many ways. Term One begins with modules covering the fundamentals of Business Strategy, Programming, Statistics, and Marketing. In Term Two, alongside core subjects like Operations and Predictive Analytics, there is a broad selection of optional modules with which you can tailor your interests. The highlight, however, is Term Three, where you apply what you've learned to a real-world project with a company, offering hands-on experience that is invaluable for career development.
Learn more about the 3 types of dissertation projects you can undertake on the MSc Business Analytics programme.
The programme’s wide coverage of data and analytics not only equips you with essential business skills to thrive in modern companies but also provides a strong foundation to inspire and guide your future career direction. Overall, the combination of the School of Management’s academic excellence, strategic location, and well-rounded programme content made it the ideal choice for my professional aspirations. The diverse and experienced peer group added immense value to the learning experience.
Broadening my problem-solving abilities and providing me with industry exposure
During this programme, my approach to problem-solving became significantly broader and more efficient. With 10 years of experience across Southeast Asia, I already have a deep understanding of how companies operate and the technological challenges they face, particularly regarding data. However, the programme exposed me to diverse approaches across various domains, such as marketing, operations, fintech, and business strategy, allowing me to explore multiple technological solutions for a single problem.
The intensive nature of the projects, often delivered in under a month, accelerated my learning process. Although the learning was primarily conceptual, it expanded my problem-solving abilities in ways I hadn't anticipated. This experience was so transformative that it has inspired me to remain connected to UCL as an alumnus, eager to assist others just as UCL and the School of Management have supported me.
EXCEPTIONAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND CAREER SUPPORT FROM A UNIQUE CAMPUS LOCATION IN LONDON’S CANARY WHARF
My favourite aspect of the programme was the unique location of the UCL School of Management in Canary Wharf. The campus, situated among leading global companies, provides an inspiring environment, especially when attending lectures and seminars on the 50th floor of One Canada Square. The teaching staff are exceptional; their expertise and passion made every lecture engaging and insightful, and I never missed a class.
Building community engagement at the UCL School of Management
There is a large array of extracurricular activities available, with many located on the main campus to encourage you to make the most of both iconic spaces. The School actively introduced initiatives like table tennis and board games to build a vibrant student community on campus. Additionally, the opportunity to connect with students from other courses, such as MSc Finance, Management, and Entrepreneurship, enriches the experience further.
The UCL School of Management Careers Team are always available to assist with resume building, interview preparation, and career guidance, making them an invaluable resource throughout the programme, especially by booking 1:1 sessions with them!
EXPANDING MY CAREER HORIZONS AND OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH REAL-WORLD PROJECTS AND INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS AT UCL
My previous experience, combined with the Business Analytics MSc programme, has significantly broadened my career opportunities, not just within my previous domain but across various industries.
Although I have only just completed my programme, I have already secured three interviews and received two job offers in diverse fields—consulting, data analysis in the automobile industry, and data engineering in a fintech company specialising in ESG. The expertise I gained in business analytics has opened doors across multiple functional areas, as every industry now relies heavily on data.
Recommendations and prospective student advice
I would definitely recommend this programme to both recent graduates and experienced professionals!
The UCL School of Management Careers Team provide support even before you join and for three years after graduation. You will regularly receive emails about internships and graduate roles, both in the UK and globally, throughout the year. In Term Three, the dissertation offers an opportunity to work directly with companies on real-life projects. Students may even get recruited by these companies based on their performance and availability. Even if direct recruitment does not happen, the experience gained from handling requirements to delivering the project is invaluable and transferable across any industry and role. The Careers and Consulting team even assisted me with interview preparation and CV writing for my internships and job applications!
If you're interested in a programme in Business Analytics, I recommend speaking with alumni, not just within Business Analytics, but also in related fields like AI and Management. The world functions holistically, not in isolated areas.
And finally, networking is crucial. Utilise UCL resources, particularly the professors – their experience is invaluable.
Read more student and alumni blogs or check out our alumni activities!
UCL School of Management Student Recruitment: Additional information
Are you interested in one of our programmes? We want to hear from you!
We'd be happy to discuss your fit and aptitude for our range of programmes - including the ways in which the School can help you to develop the skills necessary to fulfil your career potential and set yourself up for a thriving career as a future business leader. Interested in exploring other pieces from Ruoyu? Check out his profile on the UCL School of Management website. Alternatively, read more student and alumni blogs or check out our alumni activities.
This is your exclusive opportunity to outline your education and career aspirations, your background and suitability for your programme of interest, and discuss any questions you may have about UCL, the School of Management, student life in London, our campuses, careers, applications, and more.
Meet the Student Recruitment Marketing Team at an event near you.
Want to experience student life at the School of Management from our campus in the clouds?
Register for an upcoming Campus Tour
The UCL School of Management Industry Advantage
Taking advantage of our global network and strategic campus location in London's financial and business district, the UCL School of Management recently launched three new speaker series.
Our speakers come from a range of industries and backgrounds to showcase their experiences and skills. Explore what you can gain from our Speaker Series below:
Business Leaders Speaker Series
