A group of the best postgraduate students from Lancaster University Management School will be recognised with special awards at this year’s graduation ceremonies.

Six students from the Department of Accounting and Finance shared eight prizes between them for their efforts and achievements while completing their postgraduate studies.

Awards are given for the best overall grade and the best dissertation grade on Master’s programmes delivered by the department, with Catherine Aquista, Huichao Shi, Xinyu Xu, James Evans, Dheeraj Palepu, and Yi Shi those celebrated this year.

The students will be presented with awards and certificates at the December 2025 graduation ceremonies and receive a cash prize from the Callum McEwan Watt Memorial Fund.

“Our annual postgraduate awards celebrate both academic excellence and the commitment, resilience and diligence of students across the Accounting and Finance department,” said Dr Mohamed Ghaly, programme director of both the MSc Finance and MSc Accounting and Financial Management courses. “They honour those who achieved the highest overall performance and those who delivered outstanding dissertation research.

“The winners’ accomplishments demonstrate not only an ability to thrive in academic settings but also the skills and competencies required to succeed in future careers. We send huge congratulations to all this year’s winners.”

Catherine Aquista, winner of the Best Overall Performance prize for MSc Accounting and Financial Management, thanked her tutors and others who supported her during her time in LUMS, and added: “Studying MSc Accounting and Financial Management at LUMS has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. The programme strengthened my technical understanding and helped me gain confidence in my abilities through the support of dedicated lecturers and collaborative classmates.

“This award is an encouraging milestone as I work toward building a career in accounting and finance, where I hope to apply the skills I have gained to contribute meaningfully, whether in Indonesia, my home country, or as I continue my journey in the UK or elsewhere.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the donors of this prize for their generosity and for making this recognition possible.”

Yi Shi, who won the Best MSc Accounting and Financial Management Dissertation prize, praised the supportive environment she found at Lancaster as an international student. She said: “I deeply valued the insightful guidance I received on my dissertation and academic development. These experiences not only strengthened my skills but also gave me greater confidence to grow and excel in an international setting.

“I have now started my career in the investment field, where I am applying the knowledge, analytical abilities, and critical thinking skills developed during my studies at Lancaster.

“I am sincerely grateful to all my tutors, especially my dissertation supervisor. Their encouragement and support meant a great deal to me, and I am truly honoured to receive this recognition.”

Dheeraj Palepu, who will collect the Best MSc Financial Management Dissertation award, said: “My time at Lancaster University has truly been transformative and kindling. The programme allowed me to deeply explore the areas I’m passionate about, particularly financial modelling, econometrics, and applied research, and the combination of support from academic staff, rigour of the curriculum, and opportunities to engage in meaningful projects helped me grow academically, professionally, and personally.

“Looking ahead, I plan to build my career in finance, particularly in analytical, quantitative roles focused on corporate finance and macroeconomic policies, where I can apply the skills and knowledge I developed during my degree.

“I’m truly grateful to the donors of the Callum McEwan Watt Memorial Fund for this recognition and prize. It is an honour, and I deeply appreciate it.”

James Evans, who won both the Best Overall Performance and Dissertation prizes on the MSc Investment Management and Financial Analysis programme, said: “My time on the programme was hugely rewarding. Within a short space of time, I gained practical, career-ready skills and strong analytical knowledge.

“The opportunity to prepare for Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Levels I and II alongside the programme was invaluable for my personal and professional development. I have now begun my career at PwC in the Banking & Capital Markets Audit team, and I am eager to apply what I have learned in professional practice.

“I want to thank Dr Mohan Subbiah for his support and teaching, my dissertation advisor Dr Olga Kolokolova for her guidance, and my cohort and tutors for their encouragement throughout the year.”