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This week, we admitted our largest ever on-campus MBA cohort as we welcomed 102 students to our Weekend MBA class of 2019. The new cohort is at the beginning of their 21-month MBA journey at Imperial College Business School.
The Weekend MBA is one of our four MBA offerings. This programme offers a unique part-time format with monthly on-campus study weekends in London. The students who join the Weekend MBA don’t want to take their foot off the pedal of their career. But at the same time, they want to upskill, accelerate and get the valuable skills that will facilitate quick growth.
They’re determined, ambitious and are willing to take on the task of working full-time with studying for an MBA part-time, while juggling this with their personal and family lives. In summary, these students are nothing short of incredible.
Find out statistics about the new class, hear about induction week and meet some of the students.
The class in numbers
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Students: 102
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Nationalities: 37
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Female students: 35%
As mentioned previously, coming in at 102 students, this is our largest on-campus Weekend MBA cohort ever. Students will be double streamed, meaning they will split into two groups and alternate between their core module blocks.
The growing number of students is indicative of the demand for part-time, campus-based MBA programmes, which give all the benefits of studying in London while immediately applying their learnings at work.
There is a 4% increase in the number of female students from last year which will continue to grow this as we strive towards 50:50 gender balance across all our programmes.
Continuing with the theme of diversity, the cohort includes 75% international students and represent 37 nationalities. While the majority of students reside in the UK, many will be commuting for their weekend classes in South Kensington once a month. With over 40% European students, many will be travelling from all over Europe, with the student travelling the longest distance coming from Florida in the United States.
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Work experience: 7 years
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Average age: 31
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Industries: 10
The students join the programme with an average of seven years’ work experience and come from over 10 industries. Their previous work experience and wide breadth of industry knowledge will enrich class discussion and students’ learning.
Induction week
On Monday 1 April, 102 fresh-faced students arrived at the Business School ready to begin their Weekend MBA. Kickstarting induction, the Associate Dean, Leila Guerra greeted students. She said:
I have a theory that on day one when I first meet a cohort, I normally get a really good feeling about is this going to be a cohort that connects with each other, that really wants to change, or is it more of a cohort that will not be as engaged. I have a really good feeling about this cohort!
On the first day, the Programmes Team eased students into the programme with ice-breaker activities and a lecture on returning to study. They also had sessions with the Imperial Enterprise Lab to show how they can get involved with our innovation hub at Imperial.
A very special welcome dinner was at the Royal Garden Hotel in South Kensington on the first night. The beautiful and historic venue perfectly set the tone for the week.
A careers afternoon introduced candidates to their Personal Leadership Journey, which will be integral for their leadership development, as well as establish the connection with the Careers service which will provide one-to-one support to students.
After two days of assimilating themselves into the programme, students launched straight into their first block of core classes – no rest for the wicked!
Amidst their busy itinerary, there was also plenty of time for students to network and mingle. After all, the MBA is as much about learning skills as it is about establishing connections that will last a lifetime.
Clarissa Agnew
Clarissa works in Westminster as a Battleground Manager at the Conservative Party. She brings five years’ experience working in journalism and politics. In her current role she works with Conservative MPs, candidates and colleagues to deliver political campaigns in marginal seats in England & Wales.
Why did you choose the Weekend MBA at Imperial College Business School?
I chose the Weekend MBA because I wanted further my leadership and management skills while remaining in the labour market, particularly in this interesting time in UK politics. I was also attracted to the social enterprise courses at Imperial. I am interested in studying economics and markets as tools to solve social problems.
Interesting fact: I spent three months working for a Congressman on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. It was when Obama was still President, and the in/out referendum was just a line in the Conservative manifesto. It feels like ancient history.
Adriano Goncalves
Adriano is an entrepreneur who has worked in the IT industry for almost a decade. During his career, he has been keenly focused on propelling enterprise-wide success through proactive change management and comprehensive, strategic initiatives.
Why a Weekend MBA at Imperial College Business School?
Imperial College is a historic university at the forefront of technology. the location is a blessing for every student. We have museums, restaurants, the Royal Albert Hall and everything South Kensington has to offer, all within few steps from the university. Finally, I am proud to join the the alumni community with 190,000 students over 190 countries, this is another reason I chose the MBA at Imperial College Business School.
Interesting fact: I used to be a dancing instructor for three years when living in Brazil. I shared this with my class during induction when we were asked the same question. Despite previously dancing every day, I was timid to dance for my classmates! It was a fun experience.
Kristle Haroon
Kristle joins the Weekend MBA from a pharmacy background. She studied her Bachelor’s of Pharmacy at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, and now works as an Account Manager at pharmaceutical company, Napp Pharmaceuticals.
Why did you choose the Weekend MBA at Imperial College Business School?
As a pharmacist, I chose to do an MBA because my background is predominantly clinical but I work in the pharmaceutical industry. I am wanting to understand more about business and get into business development, and then take my knowledge as a pharmacist and my clinical knowledge further through business. In terms of why Imperial, those two things just matched and made sense. Coming from a very medical, scientific background, you, of course, hear the reputation of Imperial. When I compared the university to other business schools, Imperial stood out by the fact that it combined science with business; I thought that’s the way the world is going to move and the direction I want to be going in.
I was looking at the business side of things, I absolutely fell in love with the programme content of the Weekend MBA at Imperial. I thought the way it was structured, the core modules made a lot of sense, and the electives are sector specific which really interested me. In addition to the Global Experience Week and the Capstone Consulting Project, I thought it was fantastic. I particularly loved the fact that the Weekend MBA is very contact based. When I was looking at different MBAs, that was really important to me. The idea of meeting the professors, the students especially and creating that network and student body, that was a very big element of choosing the Weekend MBA at Imperial.
Interesting fact: I was born in Fiji and have lived in New Zealand, Australia and now London!
Yanni Melissas
Yanni is the CEO and owner of Real Estate Investment Co., and his entrepreneurial ambitions have drawn him to the Weekend MBA at Imperial College Business School as he develops a new startup on cryptocurrency services for investors, businesses and individuals.
Why did you choose the Weekend MBA at Imperial College Business School?
The drive, career experience and diversity of the cohort with 37 countries represented. The opportunity to study, work and live in London, the financial hub of the world, and more specifically the South Kensington location. Imperial College has an established top world ranking and broad reaching reputation and brand. I was also drawn by the entreprenership opportunities including the incubator, cryptocurrency center and synergies between academic programmes.
Interesting fact: I hold a US Coast Guard Captain’s credential and am licensed to oversee passengers and crew on vessels for hire to conduct a variety of business.
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