Robert Schweizog - MSc Business Economics

After gaining a diploma in European Business from Bochum University of Applied Sciences, Germany, I decided I wanted to study Business Economics.

I liked the idea of bringing economics and business studies together. I think companies should make more use of economic modelling in their daily business routines, and I want to be the person who helps them to do that.

The full-time MSc is completed within a year, so it involves a lot of hard work. Luckily the topics were interesting, which really helped make the time go quickly when studying at the library.

Since graduating I have found a job at a chamber of industry and commerce in Germany, where I consult small and medium sized enterprises on how to attract skilled employees. In the near future, I plan to enrol in an additional part-time PhD programme.

The thing I miss most about my course is how friendly and open the lecturers were,  I felt I could ask any question, however small.

The other great thing about the course was the mixture of people I met. I had the opportunity to study with a great variety of people from all over the world. This made my university experience unexpectedly international and multicultural.

Seeing how people from different cultures approach tasks in different ways has helped me understand that there is always more than one “right” way.

Qiang Zhang - Msc Business Economics

I had previously studied for my BSc in Marketing and found I most enjoyed the subject of economics theory, so I signed up for my Master’s to specialise in this subject.

Economics theory isn’t just interesting, it underpins everything in business. It can be used to analyse almost everything and for businesses to be successful they have to adopt economics analysis.

I have learned lots from this course and I believe what I have learned will make a big contribution to my career. The lecturers were very friendly and professional, too, which helps.

The most difficult part of studying for my Master’s for me was reviewing the economics literature.  I am good at understanding econometric models but not so good at reading English literature, because of the different language and culture. But I managed to overcome this and write my 15,000 word dissertation at the end. I think one of the things that helped my language skills was spending a year living in student accommodation with local students.

I really enjoy research and so am now studying towards my PhD in financial economics, also at Portsmouth Business School, which I hope might also help me find a better job eventually.