Hospitality and Tourism Management & MarketingBryan Gallacher

I chose to study at Strathclyde not only for the Business School’s triple-accreditation but because of the flexibility which the Business course provides from the outset. Unlike other universities I had applied to, it is possible to focus solely on business-related subjects in first year, with the opportunity to do some elective courses from other faculties if desired. This appealed to me as it allowed me to start broad and focus on what I enjoyed most. This flexibility continued throughout my degree pathway, meaning that even in my final year I had a choice of what two of my four classes would be within my principal subjects.

My lecturers throughout the years have been engaging and supportive, many with practical insight from their own experience, which helps put theory into practice. Not only do they offer practical insight, but for coursework the vast majority of assignments have been related to practical elements of business. The group work projects during my course, including through the Business School’s innovative Management Development Programme, have been beneficial in advancing my own team working and interpersonal skills.

I have had many opportunities to put my learning into practice beyond the lecture hall, including delivering presentations to Arnold Clark and The Scottish Event Campus. A further highlight of the opportunities available was my semester abroad to the USA, where I studied in North Carolina. Despite the exchange element not being compulsory for my course, I was able to secure a position on the semester abroad, and it was such a memorable and special experience.

This course has allowed me to accrue great knowledge and practical skills that sets me up for my future career in the world of business. My advice for prospective students would be to immerse themselves in the student experience. I lived at home during my studies and this has not held me back in making great friends and meeting many new people through my course. I would also recommend to fully research and make sure the course is the right fit for you, as the commitment to the degree is dependent on your interest and desire to learn more. Overall, if you are passionate about business, I can truly recommend Strathclyde as the place of useful learning.