Queen's Business School

What happens when you take your MSc International Business studies beyond the classroom and into another country?

For Sadie Towell, it meant four months studying at emlyon business school in Lyon, France, an experience that broadened her academic perspective, built international friendships and gave her the opportunity to experience French business culture first-hand.

“It was a fantastic experience, and I learnt so much, both at the university and in my everyday life. At emlyon, I experienced opportunities to engage with real-world businesses through various modules, including Branding and Retail Management, which introduced me to new perspectives on business, while guest speakers from local companies brought learning to life.”

Beyond her studies, Sadie embraced life in Lyon. She took weekly French lessons, built friendships with students from around the world and even worked part-time in a city centre bar, which helped her settle into a new city, meet people outside university and practise her French.

“It was great to experience learning in a different country. I had a friendship group from all around the world. I had a brilliant time and would recommend this experience to anyone interested in taking part in a study abroad exchange.”

From exploring Lyon’s student-friendly culture to adapting to a new way of learning, Sadie’s semester abroad gave her experiences and skills that extend far beyond her degree.
Discover more about Sadie’s semester abroad at emlyon business school: https://ow.ly/4hZL50ZAN98

For recent BSc Finance graduate Eoghain O'Loughlin, his time at Queen's University provided a strong foundation for his career, combining practical experience during his placement with a range of modules that helped shape his interests and prepare him for life after graduation.

"My placement year with HNH Partners stands out as the highlight of my time at Queen's, giving me a genuine insight into the professional world. I also found the International Finance and Financial Bubbles and Crises modules genuinely interesting, while the Corporate Finance and Equity Research modules will likely prove useful as I move into my new role.

Outside the classroom, I was involved with the Queen's Student Managed Fund and served as Treasurer of the Consulting and Entrepreneurship Society, both of which gave me the chance to build skills, network with industry professionals, and hear directly from their career journeys. Above all though, it was the camaraderie of university life, the shared struggle and shared positivity through deadlines, exams and depressing weather, that I found most valuable."

Following graduation, Eoghain will return to HNH Partners as a Deal Advisory Associate in their Belfast office, building on the experience he gained during his placement year and taking the next step in his career in finance.

Congratulations, Eoghain! We wish you all the best as you take the next step in your career with HNH Partners.

It was a pleasure to welcome prospective students to the recent Queen's University Belfast Postgraduate Summer Fair, where our academic staff and current students were on hand to provide guidance, answer questions, and support attendees as they explored their postgraduate study options.

Choosing to pursue a master's degree is more than gaining another qualification, it's an investment in your future. Postgraduate study can help you pivot your career, develop in-demand skills, deepen your expertise, and specialise in a chosen field, opening doors to new opportunities and accelerating your professional growth.

Whether you're looking to advance in your current industry, change career direction, or, as a recent graduate, build specialist knowledge, our postgraduate programmes are designed to help you achieve your ambitions.

There's still time to apply for our September 2026 postgraduate programmes. If you're ready to take the next step in your academic and professional journey, please view our postgraduate programmes here: https://ow.ly/hXla50ZxoGS

Meet Joanne Cullen, a recent MSc Human Resource Management graduate who returned to higher education after a 20-year break to strengthen her expertise and build a career in people management.

"As a newcomer to the field of Human Resource Management, it was important to me to strengthen my skills and deepen my understanding of the people management function by combining practical experience with academic learning.

I chose Queen's because of its exceptional reputation and faculty, coupled with its extensive resources, which were integral in supporting my return to academic learning."

Throughout the programme, Joanne developed the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to support her long-term career ambitions, while gaining valuable insight into the strategic role of human resource management.

"Among the many highlights of my time at Queen's were building lifelong connections, participating in the mentoring programme, and developing my capabilities through the academic writing series with Dr Abbie Edgar. These experiences, alongside the MSc Human Resource Management programme, have equipped me with valuable knowledge, skills and insights that will continue to shape my future career."

Looking back on her experience, Joanne encourages future students to embrace every opportunity the programme offers.

"Manage your time, enjoy your experience and don't be afraid to ask questions."

To find out more about postgraduate study opportunities at Queen's Business School, visit: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/study/postgraduate-taught/

Stepping outside your comfort zone can open the door to incredible opportunities. For recent BSc Finance graduate Jiahui Yuan, studying at Queen's University was a chance to grow academically, personally and professionally.

Moving to a new country to study helped Jiahui become more independent and adaptable, while the practical nature of the Finance programme developed the analytical skills needed for a career in the financial sector.

"One of the highlights of my time at Queen's University was studying and living in a completely new international environment. Learning and communicating in English every day helped me become more independent and adaptable. I also enjoyed the practical nature of my course, as it provided knowledge and analytical skills that are highly relevant to future careers in finance. Outside academics, I participated in the table tennis and squash clubs and represented the university in table tennis competitions. These experiences contributed significantly to both my personal growth and professional development."

Jiahui will now continue this journey by pursuing a master's degree in finance in Hong Kong, with aspirations to build a career in risk management, investment analysis or financial services within international institutions.

Congratulations, Jiahui! We wish you every success as you begin your postgraduate studies and work towards an exciting future in finance.

Meet Gunjan Datta, a recent MSc Accounting and Finance graduate whose ambition to build a career in finance led him to study at Queen’s, where he developed his technical knowledge and gained valuable experience beyond the classroom.

"Queen’s stood out for its emphasis on applied learning, with modules that directly complemented my professional interests and long-term aspirations. The programme allowed me to strengthen my understanding of areas such as financial management, international financial reporting and business analytics, while developing my analytical and strategic thinking."

A key highlight of Gunjan’s experience was the opportunity to take part in the Student Managed Fund, where he was able to apply his learning in a practical setting and gain valuable insight into investment decision-making.

"Managing a real-money investment portfolio strengthened my understanding of markets, risk management and investment decisions, and confirmed my desire to work in finance roles that combine technical expertise with real-world responsibility."

Reflecting on his time at Queen’s, Gunjan highlights how the MSc Accounting and Finance programme has helped him bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practice, providing the skills and professional confidence needed to pursue his finance career goals in fund accounting and financial reporting.

To find out more about postgraduate degree opportunities, visit: https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/study/postgraduate-taught/

Great opportunities can shape a career, and for recent BSc Business Management with Placement graduate Molly-Anne Priestley, her placement year did exactly that.

Working as a Product Consultant at Kainos gave Molly-Anne the chance to apply the knowledge she gained at Queen's in a real-world setting, while building confidence, expanding her professional network and discovering her strengths.

"My placement year was definitely the highlight of my time at Queen's. Working as a Product Consultant at Kainos was such a valuable experience as it taught me more about my strengths and weaknesses in a work environment, and how I could use the knowledge from my degree and really apply it to make a difference. I had so many networking opportunities and gained lots of new professional connections.

In my final year, I particularly enjoyed Innovation Management with Dr Kevin Mulligan, as it was constantly engaging and I found that I could really express my creativity in the assessments – particularly the podcast!"

After making such a positive impact during her placement, Molly-Anne was offered a graduate role and will be returning to Kainos as an Associate Product Consultant in Belfast.

Congratulations, Molly-Anne! Wishing you every success as you take this exciting next step.

Resilience and determination have shaped the journey of Julia Patterson, a recent BSc International Business with a Language graduate, whose time at Queen's has prepared her for an exciting career in education.

"The last four years have been some of the most challenging of my life. Along the way, I faced several personal setbacks that tested my resilience and determination. There were moments when reaching graduation felt incredibly difficult, but I remained committed to my goal. Graduating from Queen's with First Class Honours is an achievement I'm immensely proud of. Looking back, I can see that endurance, courage and perseverance were the qualities that carried me through. My experience has shown me that growth often comes through overcoming challenges, and I'm excited to take those lessons with me."

Looking ahead, Julia is excited to begin the next chapter of her journey in education.

"After graduation, I secured a place on the PGCE programme at King's College London, where I will be training to become a German and French teacher. I'm looking forward to inspiring the next generation of language learners while continuing to learn and grow myself."

Congratulations, Julia! We're excited to see where your teaching career takes you next.