Dipu Sebastian (India)
MBA Graduate;
Lecturer – Faculty of Business, QUT
Reasons for choosing QUT
There were many facets to the MBA program that appealed to me. Some of them included the modern approach to the teaching of the program, the subject offerings, the 7-week structure of the units, and, more importantly, the flexibility of the course. I was able to tailor the program to my personal needs by undertaking three specialisations (E-Commerce, Information Technology, and Entrepreneurship). Above all, I completed the course in 10 months!
Studying at QUT/QUT Experience
The teaching style is fantastic. The academic and administration staff in both the Brisbane Graduate School of Business and the in Faculty of Business were helpful. I still keep in contact with the friends I made at QUT.
The MBA units included a lot of real-life examples, and the assignments involved application to real-life scenarios. I found that QUT delivers what it proclaims to be - "a university for the real world".
Discussions in lectures proved to be an invaluable experience for me as I not only learned from the lecturer, but also from classmates from different backgrounds, with different personal experiences.
The location of the campus is definitely an advantage for students. The city-based campus allows QUT to draw on the knowledge of the executives from the businesses located in the heart of the city.
Benefits from the Course
My MBA enabled me to attain high-level communication skills in both written and verbal formats. I had the opportunity to communicate with classmates from all walks of life, different cultures and backgrounds and now in real life, I feel completely at ease doing so.
QUT MBA subjects, such as strategic management, enabled me in not only acquiring the content knowledge but also the application of it. I can formulate and implement strategies more effectively in the workplace.
Another benefit I find is the branding of the QUT MBA course. The Faculty of Business has academic links with prestigious overseas institutions such as the Indian Institute of Management in India. I found a job back at home immediately upon graduating from QUT.
Gigi Man Chi Hui (Hong Kong)
Bachelor of Business (Banking and Finance) graduate
Reasons for choosing QUT
I was looking for a suitable institution to study in Australia after completing my HKCEE in Hong Kong. The choice to study was clear to me as QUT’s reputation was well established in Hong Kong. Another important reason was that QUT has a one year pathway program that leads to the Bachelor degree. By doing this program, I actually was able to start my Bachelor degree one year in advance of my friends in Hong Kong.
Studying at QUT/QUT Experience
I am most impressed by the quality of teaching at QUT. The teaching staff have real world experiences and are able to bring practical components to class. I find the smaller tutorial classes of between 15 to 25 students are good as they allow intense participation and discussion. The lecturers and tutors are also very helpful and are available when I need help with the subjects. The faculty has good facilities such as computer labs where I am able to do my assignments or check my emails in between classes.
Benefits from the course
The course not only has prepared me for work in the real world but also made me a more confident person as a whole. One important benefit of studying at QUT is that by constantly participating in discussions and presentations during classes, my level of English has improved significantly. Before, I used to be shy about conversing in English.
I believe this course has prepared me for a good career when I return home. However, as I have grown to love living in Brisbane, I am also open to working here in the future.
Ben Ou (China)
Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) graduate
Currently working ANZ Bank
Reasons for choosing QUT
Upon finishing secondary school, I was looking at options to further my studies. The foundation program at QUT appealed to me because I could complete the program within 8 months and then commence my Bachelor degree.
Another other reason to study at QUT was the strong presence and good reputation of QUT in my home country.
Studying at QUT/QUT Experience
It was very easy for me to adjust to QUT. The staff provided friendly and comprehensive support including helping me to find suitable accommodation.
The foundation program at QUT International College was a good place to meet other international students when I arrived in Brisbane. As the environment was very new to me, it was great to make new friends who could provide mutual support.
I was most impressed with the Online Learning and Teaching website which provides round-the-clock support for your studies. The tutorial classes usually have 20-25 students, so I can participate in discussions, which I find to be a very good form of learning.
The lecturers for the course had industry experience. My favourite lecturer was Mr Stephen Marsden who brought real life examples and his expertise into class, and made learning interesting and relevant.
I liked the assessment methods at QUT. Most subjects had progressive assignments, a mid-semester exam and a final exam. In this way, I could monitor my own performance and thereby devote more time to my weaker subjects.
Benefits from the course
My Bachelor of Business degree gave me a strong foundation and confidence to work in any industry. The core units provide good generic skills and knowledge for the business world.
The university provides excellent support in helping students with their job applications. I could find a lot of information and help on writing my resume and preparing for interviews.
After all, a degree is only useful if it helps you get the job you want. My QUT business degree did this.
Julie Myers (USA)
MBA student on exchange to QUT from the University of South Carolina
Reasons for choosing QUT
Basically, the opportunity to come to QUT was too good to turn down! I have had clients and friends who have told me all along how wonderful Australia is, including its superb weather. I had the option of either coming to Brisbane or to Perth for my exchange. Because of Brisbane’s location, being on the east coast and its close proximity to a lot of tourist attractions, I chose to come to QUT.
The QUT campus is right next to the City Botanic Gardens, which I found very unique for a university. I loved being on campus, and walking in the gardens and also along the river. Also, QUT has an innovative campus with great teaching facilities, such as the On-line Teaching (OLT) sites where I could get lecture notes and assessment details from the internet.
Studying at QUT/QUT Experience
QUT provided an easy learning environment for its students. I really enjoyed the small class size. They were small enough to allow better interaction between the lecturer and the students. The teaching style was very much two-way communication which, I think, makes learning fun and more interesting. I found the lecturers very approachable and there was mutual respect between the lecturers and the students.
The airport reception was great. Having staff meeting me at the airport gave me a "welcome" feeling to QUT and Brisbane in general, and took away the nervousness I had when arriving in a new country. I also enjoyed the Orientation program. It allowed me to meet with students starting the course with me. I have made some nice friends.
Benefits from the Course
I have grown a lot personally and academically by coming on exchange. I had excellent course selections and the Faculty’s International Programs & External Relations (IPER) office was very supportive by allowing me to take several electives of my choice.
The lecturers talk on a global view, not just concentrating on the local context. My classes were very diverse with students from different countries and backgrounds. This allowed me to learn by looking at things from a global perspective, and from angles that I wouldn't have thought of before. My knowledge has definitely broadened by sitting in these classrooms.
The unit "Creative Problem Solving" is an elective that has already had a significant impact on me. This unit moves beyond basic business theory to the actual application of problem solving. I could definitely apply the skills and knowledge gained from this particular course to my everyday life - whether I make decisions on personal issues or in a job.
Shiu Yee Chang (Australia)
Master of Business (Advertising) graduate
Currently working at QUT
Reasons for choosing QUT
The reason I chose QUT was because of the location of the campus. It is convenient to my work and is easily accessible by public transport. Also, QUT's slogan - "a university for the real world" - appealed to me. I feel that it is important to incorporate the hands-on experience into my studies to prepare me for the workforce.
Studying at QUT/QUT Experience
My experience at QUT has been great. The lecturers show a passion in their teaching, thus provide a very supportive learning atmosphere to the students. Their passion has inspired me to learn. They make the lectures very interesting by using examples from real-life cases (on local and international companies), and bringing in guest lecturers with real industry experience. By relating to real examples, I was able to learn how to apply the theoretical knowledge from lectures and text books to real-life situations.
Benefits from the Course
For a marketing and survey research unit that I completed in the course, I was involved in undertaking market research for a community-based radio station to assess the feasibility of the radio station streaming on-line. As a group member, I contributed to the writing of the research proposal for approval by our client, designing of the questionnaire, conducting the surveys, collating and analysing the findings, and presenting the findings and recommendations to the Board of the radio station.
Although my job does not involve performing market research, I was able to apply the data analysis and report writing skills that I learned from this unit to a project which I did for my employer.
In addition to the specialised knowledge that I have learned in my disciplinary studies, I have also learned general skills that I am able to use in my job. Skills such as effective communication, working in teams, and good time management are essential in any working environment. These skills will be useful to me wherever I go.
Julia Elmer (USA)
MBA student on exchange to QUT from the University of South Carolina
Reasons for choosing QUT
I chose QUT mainly because it has a good reputation for its business courses and it was recommended by my economics professor at the Moore School of Business. I also appreciated the fact that QUT was in a coastal city with a wonderful climate.
Studying at QUT
My experience studying at QUT was a very positive one. The teaching staff were very professional and have real world experiences. They were able to impart me with very good academic and practical knowledge. I took a wonderful Business Communication unit and an outstanding Organisational Analysis and Consulting unit. Both lecturers far surpassed my expectations.The administrative staff were very helpful to me since the time of my arrival at Brisbane. They assisted me with all of my needs such as getting settled at QUT, finding my way around Brisbane, securing accommodation, and completing paperwork with my home university.
I also had the chance to meet many people from various nationalities while at QUT. I made very good friends from many countries such as France, China, Switzerland, Sweden, and Brazil just to name a few.
Studying at QUT has been tops!
Benefits from the Course
The MBA course is taught with a global perspective, and I appreciated the opportunity to become better acquainted with the Asia-Pacific region through my units in the Brisbane Graduate School of Business. I believe that this knowledge and familiarity will give me an added advantage over my MBA classmates.