This degree has given me clarity, direction and the technical foundation needed to pursue opportunities
After around fifteen years in the working world, I decided to apply to university because I was ready for a career change and increasingly felt that not having a degree was holding me back. I wanted to build a stronger academic foundation and open up new opportunities for the future.
Studying Business Management appealed to me because of its breadth and flexibility. It offers a strong grounding across multiple areas of business, while also allowing students to explore where their strengths and interests lie.
Choosing Sheffield was a natural decision for me. I am from Sheffield and have lived here my whole life, and the University felt like the right place to take this step. Its strong academic reputation, combined with the support offered to mature and returning students, meant I did not consider studying anywhere else. For me, it was Sheffield or not going to university at all.
Skills and experience that are invaluable for the workplace
Having spent many years in the workplace before university, I had already seen many business practices and decision-making processes in action. Studying business theory, strategy and analytical frameworks has allowed me to understand why those practices exist and how they are applied deliberately, rather than informally. Connecting real-world experience with academic theory has been one of the most engaging and valuable aspects of the course.
In particular, I have developed the ability to work with data, interpret financial information, and translate numbers into meaningful insights that support real-world business decisions. This has significantly increased my confidence and helped me make sense of how theory and practice align within organisations.
I have also really enjoyed my accounting and data-driven decision-making modules. These have given me a much clearer understanding of how businesses operate in practice, rather than just in theory, and have helped me develop confidence in analysing information and making informed decisions.
Support during study
The academic and pastoral support at Sheffield has been a highlight of my experience.
The support I received through the Department for Lifelong Learning during my Foundation Year, and now from my academic SUMS tutors in my first year, has been excellent. The Department for Lifelong Learning plays a crucial role in supporting mature and returning students, and the guidance and encouragement I received helped me build the confidence needed to progress successfully into my degree. I would strongly encourage anyone, at any stage of life, to consider taking the leap into higher education, the range of support available makes it genuinely accessible in any situation.
I am actively considering a placement year following my second year of study. The support and resources available through Sheffield University Management School have made the placement process feel accessible and well-structured. Although I am still in my first year and have not yet fully engaged with these resources, knowing that guidance and support are readily available has given me confidence in planning my next steps.
My Sheffield experience
Sheffield is a city with a strong sense of community, there is a reason so many students choose to stay here after graduating! As someone who has lived in Sheffield my whole life, it has been great to experience the city through the lens of university life and see how welcoming and student-friendly it is.
The campus offers excellent facilities, and there are countless opportunities to get involved in activities alongside academic study. Whether through societies, sports, creative workshops or skills-based activities, there is a real emphasis on encouraging students to explore new interests and develop beyond their degree. This combination of strong community, accessible support and wide-ranging opportunities has made my experience at Sheffield genuinely enjoyable.
How I plan to use my degree
When I started my degree, I did not have a clear idea of my long-term career path, only that it would be within business. One of the strengths of the Business Management course is its broad structure, which has allowed me to explore a range of disciplines and identify where I perform best.
As a result of studying modules in accounting and data-driven decision-making, I have developed a strong interest in finance and data analytics, areas I would not have previously considered.
While I am still refining my career goals, this degree has given me clarity, direction and the technical foundation needed to pursue opportunities in these fields.