Through the Students Speak series at Avanse Financial Services, we intend to capture the interesting academic journey planning of our study abroad students. In this episode, we are in conversation with Aakanksha Garhwal, who is all set to pursue an MSc in Marketing and Brand Management from Oxford Brookes University. So, let’s understand her academic journey so far, university, course, and motivation to study abroad.

Key Highlights:

• Aakanksha’s academic journey so far
• About her university - Oxford Brookes University
• About her course - MSc in Marketing and Brand Management
• Her motivation to study abroad

Aakanksha’s academic journey so far

Aakanksha completed her B.Com in Human Resources Management and Services from a reputed college in 2024. During her B.Com, she was keen on specialising in Marketing due to her strong passion for this domain. However, because of the seat being unavailable, she selected HR. She took this as an opportunity to hone her interpersonal skills, as marketing revolves around connecting with people and understanding them better. Nevertheless, this did not deter her from planning and pursuing higher education in her desired field, which is Marketing.

In order to prepare herself for higher education in Marketing, she pursued a couple of courses in this domain, bagged internship opportunities and volunteered for NGOs, where she worked as a social media marketing intern. She was also associated with a startup in a similar role. This further developed her curiosity to pursue formal studies in this area.

Also Read: Popular colleges in Canada for PG diploma

About her university - Oxford Brookes University

Aakanksha shared that she fell in love with the university when she first read articles about it. Also, what attracted her the most was the university’s focus on employability. In addition to making students career-ready through various study programs, it has tie-ups with several companies to enable a smooth transition from academic to professional life.

It is also popular for its innovative teaching techniques, experienced faculties, and vibrant campus.   The university offers a wide range of subject areas, ranging from Finance to Digital Technologies and from Hospitality to Marketing. Approximately 2,700 students from ~140 countries study at this university.

About her course - MSc in Marketing and Brand Management

Aakanksha’s course duration is 1 year, which commences on September 2024 and will be completed by September 2025. The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing and Institute of Direct & Digital Marketing, which assures quality education. Oxford Brookes Business School, a department of Oxford Brookes University, offers this study program. This course will also include a research project. This will evaluate your research, analytical, critical thinking, presentation and project planning skills. If your program commences in September, then you can grab a work placement opportunity by opting for a 2-year course in sandwich mode, where you can work for one year after completing your studies.

Also Read: Masters in Biotechnology Course overview subjects specialisations popular universities and FAQs

• Some compulsory modules of the study program:
  • Responsible Marketing in a Global World
  • Sustainable Consumer Behaviour
  • Research Methods for Marketers
  • Strategic Brand Management

Her motivation to study abroad

During her last semester, she had planned to opt for an MBA from IIM and, hence, was preparing for the Common Admission Test (CAT) exam. However, she realised that the process is super competitive. Also, she did not want to work for a brief period of time and then continue with her studies as she did not believe in taking a break from her studies. She also realised that studying abroad would enable her to acquire global exposure, which would be helpful in the long run. So, soon after completing her undergraduate course, she wanted to embark on the higher education journey. 

Furthermore, her zeal to come out of her comfort zone and be independent encouraged her to opt for overseas education. She desires to make her parents proud by not depending on them in any way while carving her academic path from this point forward. Although she had grabbed a seat at a prestigious university in her home country, she aspired to take a big leap during her student life by choosing to study overseas. Besides, her parents have been highly supportive of her study abroad dream, which motivated her to fly high. We at Avanse Financial Services are extremely proud that Aakanksha listened to her inner voice and took action in the right direction.

Also Read: Everything about the CV format to study in the United Kingdom

So, this is all about Aakanksha’s academic journey so far, university, course, and her motivation to study abroad. In the next episode of the Students Speak series, we will cover her research mechanism, shortlisted study destinations, ambitions, entrance exam, and when she will apply for her student visa. Meanwhile, if you have any doubts, please remember we are just a call away.