My first five minutes in Manchester did not go to plan. I landed at the airport with heavy bags, a head full of nerves, and absolutely no idea that the luggage trolleys required coins to release. Everyone around me seemed to know exactly what they were doing, grabbing trolleys and heading off, while I stood there trying to figure out what I was missing. I had just flown in from India and did not have a single British coin on me. A kind older person nearby noticed, came over without being asked, and sorted it out for me. We exchanged a few words, they smiled, and off they went. It took less than two minutes. But standing there with my bags finally loaded, feeling the cool Manchester air for the first time, I thought to myself: this is going to be alright.
That small moment turned out to be a good introduction to the city. Manchester has that quality about it. People are straightforward and warm in a way that does not feel performative. I have thought about that stranger at the airport more than once since then.
Choosing where to study took me a long time. I had been working in engineering and project coordination back home in India, and I knew that to move into senior roles internationally, I needed a postgraduate qualification that was both rigorous and genuinely respected. The University of Manchester kept coming up in my research. Its engineering faculty has a long and distinguished history, and the MSc in Engineering Project Management specifically stood out because it bridges technical knowledge and leadership in a way that most programmes do not. It was not just another management degree.
There was also a scholarship opportunity attached to my offer, and that mattered. Studying abroad is a significant financial commitment, and knowing that Manchester had recognised my application with funding support made the decision feel right in more ways than one. It felt like the university was investing in me, and I wanted to invest back.
One of the first things that genuinely surprised me about Manchester was how large and visible the South Asian and Indian community is here. I had prepared myself for homesickness, for missing the food, the familiarity, the small daily things you do not even notice until they are gone. What I found instead was a city where I could walk down certain streets and feel an unexpected sense of recognition. Indian grocery shops, restaurants serving food that actually tasted right, communities with their own events and spaces. It did not make Manchester feel like home in a shallow way, but it did make the transition far gentler than I had anticipated.
I still missed my family and the particular comfort of food cooked by someone who loves you. That kind of homesickness does not really go away, it just settles into something manageable. But knowing I could find a familiar meal or a familiar face nearby made the harder evenings easier.
The MSc in Engineering Project Management has challenged me in all the right ways. We cover risk management, stakeholder engagement, infrastructure planning and construction project delivery, and every module pushes you to apply the theory to real situations. What makes the learning environment genuinely valuable is the diversity of people in the room. My classmates come from across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and when we work through project case studies together, the range of perspectives is remarkable. In India my engineering education was excellent, but this kind of cross-cultural, cross-disciplinary thinking was new to me and has changed how I approach problems.
The teaching style here is also different from what I was used to back home. There is a much stronger emphasis on forming your own arguments, questioning what you read, and thinking independently. At first that felt unfamiliar. Over time it has made me a more confident thinker and a better communicator, and I think that will serve me well professionally long after the course ends.
If someone had asked me before I left India what I expected to gain from this experience, I would have said a qualification and better career prospects. Those things are happening, but what has surprised me most is how much I have grown as a person. Living independently in a new country, navigating everything from university bureaucracy to figuring out which bus to take, building friendships from scratch with people from completely different backgrounds, it all adds up to something I did not have a word for before. Confidence is part of it. Perspective is another part. A quieter kind of resilience is probably the most accurate description.
The friendships have been a big part of that. I expected polite course mate relationships and got something much closer. We have explored the Northern Quarter together, cooked each other food from our home countries, travelled to the Peak District and beyond, and spent long evenings in the library getting through difficult assignments. There is a particular bond that forms when you are all equally far from home at the same time.
Before I arrived I knew Manchester mainly for football and its music history. What I found was a city with genuine texture. The industrial past is visible everywhere, but alongside it is a creative, forward-looking energy that feels alive rather than preserved. Walking through Ancoats or the Northern Quarter, you get the sense of a city comfortable in its own identity. It does not need to be anything other than what it is.
Getting around the rest of the UK from here is also easy and affordable, which I did not fully appreciate before coming. Liverpool, York, Edinburgh and London have all been part of my time here. The variety packed into a relatively small country still catches me off guard. It is probably something people who grow up here take for granted.
Without hesitation. This experience has given me far more than I came here for. If you are a student from India considering a UK master's, my honest advice is to research carefully, choose a programme that genuinely fits where you want to go, and then back yourself. The hard moments are real but they pass quickly. What stays is everything you gain.
And if you land at Manchester Airport and find yourself staring at a coin-operated trolley with empty pockets, do not panic. Someone will help you out. That, more than anything, tells you what kind of city you are arriving in.
- Joel
Living in the UK was an experience that was possible thanks to the University dedicated teams for receiving worldwide students, for example the Leeds University Union. I was embarking on a STEM program that had lots of additional requirements, from getting an ATAS because my knowledge of sciences could require additional validation and also looking for funding that was really competitive with high skilled students, landing with a research group that had a diverse range of interests and projects with different agencies from the European Union.
Thereby, I recommend that you assess if your CV or expertise could really match with a short program or even a Masters, before embarking on a doctoral research that requires full-time commitment, because the UK it is a great place to live, and studying, but choosing a research project that aligns with skills that you need to apply will be the most important challenge that requires not only your engagement but also resources from third parties that put trust on you for the creation of high impact publishable products.
- Marcela Alejandra
After a year of studying in London, I am left with a wealth of experiences and knowledge. In addition to gaining new insights into Psychology, I also developed valuable skills and perspectives outside the university setting.
It is no secret that student life can be financially challenging, making it a great opportunity to gain experience in managing money. While studying in London, I did not have a job and instead relied on a student loan. Since accommodation and tuition were my most important and unavoidable expenses, I created a budget for everything else. I went grocery shopping once a week, which I found to be an effective way to save money and reduce food waste. It helped me avoid daily trips to the supermarket, impulse purchases, and the temptation to eat out frequently. As for activities and entertainment, London offers a wide variety of free attractions and experiences and is also a very walkable city. With only a small amount of research, it is possible to find plenty of things to do without spending much money. In addition, the bus network is extensive, affordable, and reliable.
By being mindful of my spending and planning the activities I genuinely wanted to do, I found that managing my finances was much easier than I initially expected, and I rarely felt stressed about money.
England is only a short flight from home, and I had visited London before, so I did not experience a culture shock. However, living in another country is very different from visiting it as a tourist. Experiencing everyday life in London gave me a unique perspective and proved to be the best way to immerse myself in British culture and understand it firsthand. Because both the city and the university are culturally diverse, I met people from a wide range of backgrounds and was exposed to many different cultures. This broadened my understanding of different lifestyles and viewpoints while giving me a new perspective on the world. It also taught me how to appreciate and learn about the experiences of others without making assumptions or appearing pretentious or distant.
The reason I moved to London was to study and having that goal in mind helped me stay motivated. However, there were times when I felt stressed and overwhelmed, and some days passed with little more than studying and staying in my room. Throughout the year, I developed a schedule and established a routine that allowed me to take my studies seriously, attend classes, submit all my assignments on time, and still have time for fun and exploration. For me, working on assignments on Mondays and Tuesdays from after my morning gym session until around three o’clock in the afternoon worked particularly well. Having a consistent routine made it easier to focus, and once the habit was established, studying became much more natural.
Since my classes were on Thursdays and Fridays, I had Wednesdays, the weekends, and most afternoons free. This gave me the opportunity to review material from the previous week after a short break, helping me avoid feeling overwhelmed while still staying ahead before new content was introduced. It also made it easier to relax during my free time because I knew I had a plan that would ensure my assignments were completed.
At the beginning of the year, everyone was new, and meeting people could feel intimidating. However, when you are constantly interacting with new people, it quickly becomes easier. English is also my second language, and although I already felt comfortable using it, speaking it every day improved both my pronunciation and vocabulary.
Through meeting people from different backgrounds, I learned how to adapt my communication style to different personalities, accents, and ways of speaking. I also became better at interpreting how others communicated. Some people simply have a very direct way of speaking, which does not necessarily mean they are being rude or critical. Others would ask direct questions without much context, which initially caught me off guard, but over time I learned to respond more naturally and confidently. As a result, I became much more comfortable in diverse social settings, whether at university, in shops, on public transport, or elsewhere in the city. I learned the social norms and expectations and gradually felt that I fit in.
Living alone came with many responsibilities, ranging from everyday decisions such as what to eat for dinner to handling paperwork and unexpected challenges. My advice would be not to worry too much during the first few weeks. Instead, focus on identifying which parts of your schedule are occupied by essential commitments and where you have free time. As time passes, you naturally find the most effective way to organize your responsibilities.
Once tasks become routine, they require less effort and can be completed more efficiently. Navigating a large city and adapting to an unfamiliar environment not only improved my sense of direction but also increased my confidence in new situations. As I became more independent, my confidence and self-reliance grew significantly. When new challenges arise, I now feel equipped to deal with them effectively. Because everything was unfamiliar at first, I developed a strong ability to adapt. Today, I adjust easily to new situations, and unexpected challenges rarely cause me stress.
Overall, I finished the year with a strong sense of confidence and accomplishment. Living in another country taught me independence, adaptability, and resilience while providing experiences and skills that will benefit me throughout my life. The year showed me that I can handle challenges, adjusting to new situations, and achieving the goals I set for myself.
- Maren Felicity
I study “Business Management with Entrepreneurship” at Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland, and I have had a very positive experience so far. What I like most is how included and welcome you feel as a student. The modules are well structured and easy to understand, and the lecturers are very helpful and genuinely want students to succeed. At the same time, I have a flexible schedule, which allows me to work at my own pace while also making time for things I enjoy outside of university.
The assignments vary between individual work and group projects, and the expectations are always clear. If you need help, it is easy to ask, and you receive great support from both lecturers and fellow students. I also found it relatively easy to secure student accommodation, which made the transition to studying abroad much easier.
It is also very nice to live in Edinburgh. The city has a lot to offer, with a great social environment, good nightlife, and friendly people. I work alongside my studies, but I still feel that I have a good balance between university, work, and social life. There are also many great travel opportunities to other Scottish cities and towns at affordable prices. Overall, I would recommend both the university and the city to students who are looking for a supportive study environment and an exciting student life.
The application process through Across the Pond has also been a big part of giving me the opportunity to achieve all of this, and I am very grateful for it. I received great help and support throughout the entire process, which made moving to a new country to study feel much safer and easier.
- Nola
Choosing to pursue a Master's degree abroad was not a decision I took lightly, but it has turned out to be one of the best choices I have made. As someone who completed my undergraduate studies in Norway, I was looking for a programme that would challenge me in new ways and give me an international perspective on my field. Edinburgh Napier University's Business Analytics programme ticked all the boxes, combining strong academic foundations with a practical, hands-on approach that felt like a real step forward from what I was used to back home.
Studying Business Analytics at Edinburgh Napier has been both demanding and incredibly rewarding. What stands out most is how applied the learning is, rather than just absorbing theory, you are constantly working with real data, real problems and real-world scenarios. This was quite different from my experience studying in Norway, where the approach tended to be more traditional and lecture-based. Here, you are expected to get stuck in from day one, which I genuinely enjoy.
The class itself has an interesting dynamic, there are significantly more male than female students, which reflects broader trends in the analytics field. That said, the international mix more than makes up for it. My classmates come from all corners of the world, and the different perspectives people bring to discussions and group work have genuinely enriched my understanding of the subject. If you are someone who thrives in a diverse, globally-minded environment you will feel right at home here.
Honestly, Edinburgh might be the most beautiful city I have ever lived in. Whether you are into history, culture, food or outdoor adventure, this city delivers. I love exploring the different neighbourhoods and trying out the many restaurants and cafés the city has to offer. Edinburgh has a fantastic food scene, with options to suit every taste and budget.
Compared to Norway, the climate in Edinburgh is notably milder in winter, no harsh frosts or heavy snowfall, which makes getting around on foot or by bike much more manageable year-round. Summers are pleasant and the long evenings make it easy to make the most of everything the city offers.
One of the things I was most curious about before moving was what my social life would look like. I can say with confidence that it has exceeded my expectations. I live with two Italian girls, and we have become really close friends, it is one of those situations where you genuinely look forward to coming home.
Beyond my flat, I have built a great social circle through university and through simply being open to meeting people. When I am not studying, you will usually find me at the gym, out hiking, or exploring a new part of the city with friends. Edinburgh has a lively social scene, and there is always something going on.
Without hesitation, yes. If you are considering studying Business Analytics in the UK, Edinburgh Napier offers a genuinely high-quality programme in one of Europe's most exciting cities. The combination of hands-on academic experience, an incredibly international environment and a city that is endlessly explorable makes this a fantastic place to spend your postgraduate years. Come with an open mind, and Edinburgh will do the rest.
- Anne
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As someone who is passionate about sustainability, my career goal is to build a path in the renewable energy sector. My aspirations comes from the benefits of developing sustainable energy sources and ensuring energy security worldwide.
I come from Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. I am currently studying MSc in Renewable Energy at Cranfield University.
Professionally, I have started my career in oil and gas industry in which I have gained valuable knowledge in natural gas processing plant operations, process safety and hands-on experience in the energy sector. With my industrial experience in high carbon energy sector, I have developed a passion in renewable energy systems, environmental awareness and particularly the transition towards cleaner and green energy to combat the climate change.
During my research of universities to study in the United Kingdom, Cranfield University notably captured my attention due to its specialised focus as a postgraduate-only institution. Cranfield University uniquely combines industry-oriented teaching with world-class research. Its dedicated postgraduate environment aligns closely with industry requirements and fosters strong partnerships with global companies, thereby providing students with valuable opportunities to gain practical, real-world experience.
I found out that there are two routes as engineering and management pathways in the course. The selection enables the students to develop technical skills for renewable energy projects or to focus on the planning, aligning with policy framework and management of renewable energy systems.
I am deeply honoured and grateful to the Green Future Investment Ltd for awarding me the Brian Meredith Net Zero scholarship which motivates me to dedicate my studies in Renewable Energy. This generous support not only reinforces my inspiration in making a positive impact in the field but also fosters a greater step towards a sustainable future.
During my first week at the university, I experienced a warm and supportive environment by staff who were both approachable and helpful. The induction and welcoming programmes provided great opportunity for me to settle into the new campus, establish relationships with a diverse group of international students, and explore the surrounding areas, including Bedford and Milton Keynes, through university arrangements.
I have joined the Green Team which promotes sustainability campaigns on campus. The team supports a variety of initiatives to protect the environment and enhance biodiversity around the university.
I went to London on the coach trip by the Cranfield Students’ Association. It was an incredible experience to explore the city’s landmarks and vibrant atmosphere.
There are small scale energy facilities such as the hyper project for hydrogen production and an on-campus solar farm where we can gain real-world learning opportunities.
Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised by the Careers and Employability Team, which supports students by assisting with CV modelling, facilitating career fairs, and conducting workshops throughout the study period.
During my MSc, I am most looking forward to gaining hands-on experience with Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), as I believe it is a vital method for reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change. I am eager to deepen my understanding of this innovative technology and explore how it can be effectively applied to create a sustainable future.
As someone passionate about sustainability, my career goal is to build a path in renewable energy sector. My aspiration comes from the benefits of developing sustainable energy sources, ensuring energy security worldwide. I aim to contribute to the transition from fossil-fuel base energy to low carbon solutions, supporting to move towards net zero emission goal by 2050.
- Htike
What does it take to turn a lifelong passion for the planet into a fulfilling and impactful career? For Himesha, the answer was the Environmental Management for Business MSc at Cranfield. Himesha took the leap to pursue her dream of contributing to environmental sustainability.
In this inspiring Q&A, she shares her journey, detailing what motivated her, the pivotal role her master’s degree played, and the research she is currently investigating on electronic waste and the circular economy.
I always wanted to be a research academic. However, due to family commitment, I haven’t been able to continue my studies. It has been my lifelong passion to contribute to environmental sustainability, and this master’s degree has opened a gateway for me to pursue that dream.
I am currently working on my dissertation on electronic waste management, a niche area that requires extensive research. As e-waste has become the fastest-growing waste stream, my goal is to continue researching sustainable metal recovery methods from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) to support the development of a more circular economy.
I’m loving every second of being on this vibrant campus. It’s contributing enormously to both my personal and professional growth.
I believe you need the ability to critically evaluate and analyse environmental issues, policies, and gaps, as well as a genuine passion for sustainability. This course will equip you with all the relevant skills.
The Environmental Management for Business MSc course is exceptionally well tailored for environmental sustainability. It covers all the key areas you need to understand, helping you develop strong critical thinking skills and the ability to analyse environmental problems and design effective solutions. It is a highly versatile programme, and the assessments allow you to fully absorb and apply the content from each module.
The group project, individual dissertation, and final research thesis provide valuable exposure to professional academic writing while allowing you to gain a deeper and broader understanding of your chosen subject area. You learn from some of the best experts in the field, who are also among the most humble and approachable people you will meet. I have truly enjoyed this master’s course. As a full-time working single mother completing this degree part-time, I can confidently say: if I can do it, anyone can.
In my opinion, communication is absolutely key. Stay in regular contact with your course director and module leaders. If you face any challenges, let them know early, they will support you to the best of their ability. As a full-time working single mother balancing many responsibilities, I have experienced incredible understanding, encouragement, and flexibility from my course director and all the module leads. Their support made this journey possible. Effective communication truly is essential for your success.
- Himesha
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