Name: Yan Li
Age: 25
Country of Origin: China
Course: MA Marketing Management
Year graduated: 2007
Career history
Yan Li enrolled at the University of Gloucestershire in September 2002 to study an undergraduate degree in Business Management with International Marketing Management, and passed with a 2.1.
She subsequently studied an MA in Marketing Management and passed with Distinction. She now works as Customer Relations Manager in a wholesale business in Gloucester.
"I enjoyed my undergraduate course at the University of Gloucestershire very much. Although I had offers from other universities, I decided to stay here for my postgraduate studies. I knew that, not only could I achieve what I aimed to achieve academically, I would also have a wonderful time.
"The high point was being able to complete my dissertation on a topic I highly enjoyed, which also helped me hugely in my career.
"Although the lectures were very structured, they were also very relaxed. Because the size of the class was reasonable, we were able to keep in close touch with the tutors and other students. I received plenty of help and support and, more importantly, the tutors were very good at encouraging us to explore our own ways of thinking, rather than teaching us theories and other people’s works.
"The programme was actually quite intensive and involved many modules, covering a huge range of marketing and business related issues. However, the MA Marketing programme wasn’t boring and dull. By using lots of current real life case studies, the tutors were able to make learning more practical and personal. We were asked to choose from many interesting and controversial topics depending on our own personal interests, from finance to politics.
"A mixed range of tuition methods were used, from case studies, lectures and interactive games to group discussion and projects, according to the topic and nature of the learning objectives. For example, for the more practical modules such as market research, we were asked to complete an individual project which demonstrated our objectives. The strategy lecture used a more case study based approach. One of the most effective methods was the group discussion, where we were not only able to express our own ideas but learned from fellow students as well as the tutors.
"The course itself has changed my perspective of what marketing is really about. It goes beyond just sales, advertising and market research. I’ve gained a better understanding of the field, which ensured me my choice of career in the marketing industry.
"The course also provided me with broader knowledge, not just about marketing but also general business skills, which I’ve found highly useful in my current career. The practical skills such as the ability to use SPSS (a predictive analytical software package) are also highly advantageous.
"One of the most fantastic things is that there were many other international students. Coming from so many different countries, we learned from each other academically and also about each other’s cultural background. We have people from America, Uruguay, Poland and China, which is highly valuable and useful for today’s global market. I have made many true friends that will last forever - we still keep in touch on a regular basis, which is great! I miss the social life and the many debates we had during the lectures.
"I am currently working at a wholesale/retail business, first established as a family-run business. My main responsibilities are to establish some real marketing practice in the business, working closely with the management to help it relocate and expand."
Contact
International Centre
University of Gloucestershire
Jones Building
Park Campus
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL50 2RH
England
Tel: +44 (0) 1242 714300
Fax: +44 (0)1242 714200
Email : intoffice@glos.ac.uk
