Transitioning from Undergraduate to Master's

Current MSc Business with Marketing and MSc Business & Finance students, Aislyn Guo and Hemansh Kanwal, talk to us about the differences of Undergraduate and Master’s studies, and how to make the most out of your time learning at Warwick Business School.

What’s the difference between UG and MSc?

Aislyn: Moving from undergraduate to Master’s study is a big change. It requires a new way of thinking; study habits need to change and career goals become clearer.

Hemansh: Coming to WBS as an international student initially felt daunting. A new academic structure, a different grading system, and an intense one-year course meant adapting quickly. This required not just a shift in work ethic but also leveraging available resources effectively.

Aislyn: Master’s study requires more effort across the board. Modules included within my MSc including Strategic Marketing and Strategy Analysis and Practice need a lot of reading and focus. Case studies and data research are extremely important and independent learning is very necessary.

Group projects are of huge importance during your Master’s. Other classmates often come from different countries and cultures. Work habits, communication styles, and cultural views can vary and working within this environment helped me grow and affectively work in a multi-cultural team.

What will I need to succeed at WBS?

Hemansh: Being prepared is a must. Although my Undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Finance provided a solid foundation, returning to academia after a brief work stint meant revisiting core concepts.

The pre-arrival modules were particularly useful in refreshing topics like mathematics and statistics through recorded videos and practice questions, helping me prepare for the quantitative subjects in Term 1.

Aislyn: At WBS, discussions need strong arguments. Professors expect and encourage students to use data and case studies to support their points.

I was able to improve my discussion skills in the WBS Business Negotiation Competition where I learned how to organise my thoughts fast, to express ideas clearly and respond to different opinions. These skills were key in helping me participate more effectively in class.

Hemansh: Lectures and seminars cover extensive material, but self-study is crucial for deep comprehension. Some topics require additional revision; for instance, the Quantitative Techniques module in Term 1 led me to revisit differentiation and integration using external resources.

Allocating dedicated self-study time each week can make a significant difference in mastering the coursework.

How to balance my time at university

Aislyn: Manage your time well. The Master’s schedule is fast. Writing papers takes a lot of time and by utilising tools like Notion or Asana you will able to organise your time better.

Keeping communication with your group on projects is also vital to achieving your goals and completing projects efficiently. Learning how to communicate in cross-cultural teams is extremely important in today’s world and the course encourages you to work on this.

Use WBS resources, CareerPlus and Industry Insights talks can help you learn about your chosen field. Balancing study and social life are very important to. Join clubs, exercise or find hobbies. A healthy balance makes the experience better.

Hemansh: Professors hold weekly office hours for one-on-one discussions. These sessions provide a more personalised learning experience, allowing you to clarify doubts without the pressure of a full classroom setting. Taking advantage of these sessions can significantly enhance your understanding.

Transitioning to a Master’s course can be challenging, but with the right approach and resources, it becomes a highly rewarding journey.