Name: Pupae Khemachit

City and country of origin: Thailand

Degree: Master of Business Administration (MBA)

College: Graduate College

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Choosing and preparing for Lancaster

I previously studied IT (Information Technology) and worked in management before coming to Lancaster. Given my years of work experience, both the team at Hands On and the university suggested that the MBA was the best fit for me; it focuses on leadership and aligns with the career path that I want to pursue in the future.

To be honest, the preparation didn't take long at all because I was quite busy with work and had very little free time. I only had time to take the IELTS exam (studying for it entirely on my own) just a month before coming to Lancaster, meaning I didn't attend any prep classes or tutoring sessions.

Actually, I had originally intended to apply for the Information Systems and Digital Business Innovation course at Lancaster University. However, based on my work experience, the university suggested that the MBA programme would be more suitable. At the time, Lancaster University was my top choice as the staff were great, and the Hands On team highlighted its excellent rankings and availability of scholarships. It was the university that best met all my needs, so I decided to enrol there.

Using the agency Hands On helped with my master’s application. All my friends who had studied abroad previously used Hands On, so I reached out to them for advice on pursuing a master's degree in the UK. They provided all the information, and I just had to do a little bit of research to see which courses might suit me. However, the Hands On team primarily recommended the best options for me. They guided me through every step - what to do, how to prepare, and the UK visa application process, and they also kept track of all the necessary documents throughout the journey.

I attended almost every event organized by Hands On in Thailand. There was a Study Fair where I got to speak with representatives from various universities, which was a great opportunity to see if there were other schools that might be a better fit. However, after speaking with the Lancaster University representative, I liked the university even more. Personally, I really liked the pre-departure event because it covered how to prepare and the steps involved in coming to the UK. Since moving here requires much more preparation than just a vacation, I found that it was a very informative event and I also got to meet other students

Studying the MBA programme at Lancaster

The programme focuses entirely on leadership, covering the core skills and capabilities, as well as subjects like strategy, marketing, and finance. These were areas I had never touched on in my regular career. I worked in IT, and even though I was in a management role, finance and strategy were usually handled by others. Because the goal is to become a leader, we need to have a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals across all areas so that when we step into a leadership role, we can fully grasp how everything works.

The classes rely heavily on case studies and group work. The programme emphasizes leadership and collaboration, so we work closely with classmates from diverse professional backgrounds and cultures. It’s like working in an international environment because you get to see different working styles and perspectives, which is a really valuable experience.

Since the MBA programme requires at least three years of work experience, everyone arrives with a solid professional background, though from various fields, for example architecture, IT, finance, or HR. You gain fresh insights from classmates in other disciplines. During group projects, we exchange ideas from these different viewpoints. Even when our perspectives differ, we’re able to discuss them and work together effectively.

Everyone tries to work together. Whenever there’s a group project, the professor rotates and randomly assigning the groups, meaning we end up working with different people every time, moving through the whole class. This lets us see how everyone works, as even if we share the same nationality, working styles can vary greatly. It forces us to adapt to different types of people and teaches us how to handle certain personalities.

If someone is difficult, I have to observe their working style and figure out the best way to approach them. If they come across very aggressively, I have to tone it down; if I match their aggression with my own, we’ll just clash and won't be able to get any work done. If someone isn't very enthusiastic, I have to tell them to step it up a bit, because everyone needs to complete their own part. We have to set clear deadlines. Some courses also include peer assessment, which discourages slacking, so if someone doesn't do the work, we can give them a low score.

Through the MBA programme we mostly work through essays rather than exams - it’s challenging work! Every time we write one, it’s usually an individual assignment where I have to rely on myself, though there are group essays too. The programme also emphasises presentations because they want us to practice public speaking. I think that’s really beneficial as I used to be terrified of speaking in front of people. When I first started the MBA, I was scared of presentations and would get really nervous standing in front of the class. But later on, I started to get the hang of it. It really helps develop soft skills.

Through my studies, there’s the aspect of working with international classmates, although, to be honest, that’s something I had experience with before. Working on this project felt more like collaborating with actual colleagues. It made me realize that others might think differently than I do, and I need to respect their perspectives. It was a great way to practice soft skills and active listening. They might view things from a completely different angle, but finding common ground is essential for working together effectively.

Favourite course modules and experiences on the MBA programme

I really liked "Responsible Leadership," which was actually the first course I took. It was taught by the MBA Director, who focused on leadership reflection, exploring how we should conduct ourselves and what makes a good leader. Sometimes, in our professional lives, we might not stop to consider whether our actions are truly effective. This module addressed that, while also providing methods for self-improvement to help us grow as leaders in the future. It was an excellent subject. "Strategic Marketing" was another great module. I had never really engaged with the subject before, I had only ever listened to marketing teams speak without fully grasping their perspective. Actually, studying it gave me a much better understanding of marketing mindsets and strategies, offering a fresh and interesting perspective.

I’d say "Global Economics and Finance Analysis" – the course I’ve just finished – was the most challenging. While I’m okay with math, finance requires a completely different mindset. It involves calculations and factoring in inflation rates, which were concepts I initially struggled to grasp the necessity of. The course teaches you the specific methodologies used in finance and accounting, such as how a company sets its goals for the next five years. Coming from an IT background, I’m used to focusing on immediate tasks, whereas the finance perspective looks much further into the future.

Electives become available after the third term. We chose between completing an internship or a dissertation. For the dissertation, the university connects us with a company facing a specific problem, and we act as consultants to devise a solution. If we choose the internship route, we have to find the placement ourselves. That can be quite difficult because the programme only requires a 12-week internship, whereas many companies look for commitments of three to six months or longer.

MBA activities and field trips

The MBA programme frequently hosts guest speakers. For every module, we have speakers from various companies, for instance, discussing cyber security and how their companies approach it.

We also go on field trips. We spent a week in Manchester earlier this year for the "Operations Management and Digital Innovation" course, where we visited the birthplace of the computer to learn about its origins. Next week, we’re heading to Leeds. The MBA programme organises trips to various cities so we can experience different things – it’s like a field trip. It’s a lot of fun because, after class, we get to hang out and enjoy ourselves with friends. We’re also planning a trip to London in June.

Campus life, hobbies, and societies

Lancaster University is a beautiful campus. On sunny days, the place is full of ducks. The overall atmosphere is lovely. Taking a walk around campus after class is a great way to relax. It’s wonderful.

On the MBA programme we mainly study in the Management School building, and we never have to go to other buildings, which is convenient. It’s fully equipped with facilities, including meeting rooms for group projects. There’s a huge library, though I don’t visit it very often since the Management School building already has everything I need. The Sports Centre is excellent, too; it has both a sauna and a fitness centre. I’ve also played badminton with friends which was a great way to spend that time together.

There’s also a dedicated MBA area known as the "Executive Suite" in the Management School which is a private space accessible only to MBA students. It includes about three small meeting rooms for shared use and even an MBA kitchen.

There is a Thai Society at Lancaster as well. I joined it to connect with other Thai students, and I made a lot of friends through the society. We formed a Thai group and went to parties together. I never felt lonely because I had so many friends.

Lancaster city and beyond

Lancaster is quite quiet and safe. Even if you walk home late (say, at 2 or 3am) it doesn't feel scary; the city feels very safe overall. It has everything you need: Lush, Boots, Primark, Marks & Spencer - all the essentials. It’s a great, well-equipped city.

Since I wanted to focus on my studies, I felt that if the city were too lively or full of distractions, I might have been tempted to go out and have fun instead. That said, you can still travel during the holidays taking a day trip to Manchester or Liverpool is easy.

During breaks, you can go on longer trips; travelling to Europe is convenient and the tickets are cheaper than flying back to Thailand.

Advice for international students

Studying in the UK is really about experiencing a different kind of life - one you’ve never encountered before. You have to live abroad on your own, which builds resilience and teaches you self-reliance and adaptability. I view it not just as an academic pursuit but as a life experience. Beyond earning a degree, you gain invaluable life experience that helps you mature significantly. You improve your language skills, make friends, and earn a degree that is well-recognised in Thailand.

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Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by our bloggers and those providing comments are personal, and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lancaster University. Responsibility for the accuracy of any of the information contained within blog posts belongs to the blogger.