Ansumana Bai-Marrow, a Global Online MBA student, takes a moment to look back on his journey at Imperial College Business School, and offers valuable tips on how you can make the most of your own Business School experience.

Focus on your goals 

In many ways, to gain the right perspective, you should start at the end to determine how to get the most value out of Imperial College Business School. There are things you already know you want to get out of your studies, others will come as revelations as you go through the process. 

1. What motivated you to come to the Business School?

If it was to broaden your technical and sectoral knowledge and experiences, it will be important to you to undertake as broad a range of subjects and activities as possible. Whereas if your motivation was about changing sectors, the electives, clubs, and activities you choose to undertake will be focussed around your target sector/industry.

2. Do you want to start or scale up a business venture? 

If so, the electives you choose should focus on entrepreneurial modules. You can also engage in relevant enrichment activities such as undertaking pitches and reviewing them.  Aim to study start-ups where your coursework allows and reach out to founders when given the opportunity. 

3. How do you want to be remembered? 

This may sound like a strange question, but thinking forward, it will determine where you put your energy now. If you would like to get into academia, or do a PHD/DBA, this will drive you to spend more time with tutors and professors as you fact-find. Seeking to get involved in a new venture? This should drive you to attend incubator sessions and connect with individuals who are entrepreneurs. Want to practise your leadership skills or soft skill abilities? The Business School is a safe space to practise new approaches to social interaction, leadership, and organisational behaviour frameworks. 

My tips and tricks

Here are a few tips and tricks I wish I had known before beginning my studies that may help you to succeed if you decide to join the business school:

1. Know the rules of the ‘game’ 

Study and understand the programme handbook, thoroughly. Knowing what comes next, how marks are calculated, and what opportunities there are, will give you an added advantage and allow you to have a strategy.

2. Pace yourself 

If you push yourself too hard right from the start, you may burn out. On the other hand, if you take it too easy, you might fall behind and miss out on the full benefits of your Business School experience.

3. Don’t ‘go it alone’, ‘go it together’ 

Connect with a study partner or group. Make friends and inspire each other forwards. Get as much advice from programme and academic staff as possible. An insight or recommendation by a member of staff could pay large dividends later. 

4. Create a strategy 

Like in any other aspect of life, when you write down your goals and the steps to reach them, it becomes clear what you need to do, and it keeps you motivated each time you revisit your plans. The plan is something you must review at least three times a term, once at the start, once halfway and once at the end. Personally, I reviewed my plan every week. This constant review allowed me to remember goals, assess performance, iterate my strategy, and where necessary change the plan. 

5. Embrace a Business School mindset 

Being a part of the Business School becomes a core part of who you are. Embracing it helps you develop a mindset where you believe in your ability to handle challenges like reading complex materials, creating top-notch work under time constraints, and confidently presenting your ideas in public. The more you practice these skills, the more they become a proven reality rather than just a belief.

6. Build relationships 

The connections you build while at Business School will become increasingly valuable over time. Be sure to make the most of networking opportunities and nurture the relationships you've formed to keep them strong and meaningful.

Being well-prepared and having the right information is the best way to plan ahead. Have conversations with current and past students, read the syllabus materials and handbook twice, and speak to the tutors/professors of some of the classes a few weeks beforehand. You could also ask for suggested reading and tips for programme success and share with and seek views from fellow proactive fellow students. 

Good luck  on your Business School journey! It has the potential to be a transformational experience, if you fully engage, both in and out of the classroom.

Weekend MBA student Tobi Owoade attended the sustainable transformation course at SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan. He shares his motivations for pursuing an MBA at Imperial as well as some key highlights of this global experience. 

Imperial College Business School is a proud partner of the Forté Foundation, a non-profit organisation that champions women’s progression within business through access to education. In addition to the financial support provided, Forté Fellows have access to several unique resources from Forté Foundation including participation in their annual conference, exclusive networking groups, free lifetime premium membership and more. 

Annelise Wipfli, Full-Time MBA student attended Forté’s 20th anniversary celebration event, held at Imperial College  Business School.  As a Forté fellowship holder herself, she shares her motivations for applying for this scheme, what this fellowship means to her and the key highlights of this event. She also shares her advice for women who are considering applying for the Forté Fellowship.  

It was fantastic week, welcoming our undergraduate students at the South Kensington Campus and the successful launch of the BSc Economics, Finance, and Data Science course has truly set the tone for a promising academic year. We look forward to seeing the academic achievements, contributions to our community, and the positive impact our new students will have.   

The theme of this year’s Black History Month is ‘Saluting our Sisters’ and highlights the remarkable contributions that Black women have made to literature, fashion, sport, business, academia, art and more. In recognition of this, we are sharing the personal stories of Black women from the Business School who have made significant strides in business and entrepreneurship.

 Alberta Asafo-Asamoah, Full-Time MBA 2020, is the Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Liquify, a platform that connects African sellers to global capital markets. In her blog, Alberta shares what inspired her to become an entrepreneur, the support she received at Imperial College Business School,  and her advice to Black students aspiring to become entrepreneurs.  

In celebration of Black History Month, we are shining a light on the Business School’s outstanding Black entrepreneurs. Niyi Michael-Adenuga, MSc Business Analytics 2020, is the distinguished co-founder of Akoma Health, a health tech company in Africa. 

Niyi Michael-Adenuga  

Nationality: Nigerian  

Company and role: Akoma Health, Co-Founder  

Education: Imperial College - MEng Chemical Engineering (2017) and Imperial College Business School - MSc Business Analytics (2020)  

About me 

I’ve completed two degrees from Imperial - my undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering (completed in 2017) at Imperial College London and my Business Analytics Master’s at Imperial College Business School (completed in 2020). In the six years since my undergraduate degree, I’ve worked across upstream Oil & Gas, Telecoms, FinTech and now HealthTech.  

Prior to applying for the MSc Business Analytics programme at the business school, I had been working in an Operations role in upstream oil and gas. My motivation for applying was primarily to transition into a data-centric/strategy role at a tech company, leveraging the data analytics skills I had been building at work and on my own. 

My business: Akoma Health 

I’m the co-founder of Akoma Health,a tele-therapy web application, providing thousands of Africans with access to virtual mental health consultations through our large network of psychologists, therapists, counsellors and coaches. Our core mission is to improve accessibility to mental health care (overcoming barriers around the cultural perception of therapy and stigma attached to going to physical clinics). One of the most significant ways we have achieved this is by integrating with leading Health Insurers/Health Maintenance Organisations on the continent in providing our services through their channels. Through these processes, we offer very customised user experiences via features like our preference survey, algorithmically matching users to providers based on their symptoms and desired traits in providers. 

We have made tremendous progress in the last year, and we are proud to be one of the startups in the 2023 cohort of Google’s Black Founders Fund. We are looking forward to deepening our relationships with Health Insurers, Employers and other health care stakeholders, across the continent. Expanding the care modalities on Akoma Health is another priority for us - we’ve recently released solutions for asynchronous care through our chat feature.  

What inspired me to become an entrepreneur 

The first moment was in 2020, when I experienced a tremendous lack of resources available for mental health care in Nigeria. At the time, I was struggling with sleep and other anxiety-like symptoms. I know I needed some support, but I had no idea where to begin looking for trusted solutions or professionals. 

In the process of discussing with others who had also been looking for solutions and tried them, therapists, and other stakeholders, I understood the broader context and realised this was a much bigger challenge than I had initially imagined. Beyond this, I noticed a sea-change in employers and insurers, who were looking for mental health solutions due to the demand side. 

Challenges I have faced along the way 

Given that Akoma Health operates in Africa, fortunately, there have not been many challenges I’ve that have been directly attributable to race. One disconnect was the experience of having to explain to foreign investors the context of mental health in Africa, and the progress made in recent years around consumers’ awareness and motivation to pay for solutions. Luckily, we have been supported by funds/angels with a lot of operational experience on the continent, such as Google BFF, Visible Hands, HoaQ and many more.  

How Imperial College Business School has helped me 

My MSc in Business Analytics directly prepared me for my role at Bamboo, an African WealthTech company, where I led data analytics and experimentation. I ended up working very closely with both founders and in the process, I learnt a lot about what it takes to be a founder of an early-stage company. They continue to be invaluable supporters and advisors of Akoma Health. I have also been supported by many members of the Imperial College Business School team such as Clare Turner and Dean Francisco Veloso. 

My advice for Black students aspiring to become entrepreneurs 

Spend time listening and be open to learning from existing operators and other stakeholders in your chosen area. They will almost have insights that are essential to creating a valuable solution.  

Entrepreneurship is hard, so make sure you have a solid support network that includes people who are also entrepreneurs/have a lot of understanding of what the experience is like.  

I’m fairly new into my entrepreneurship journey, but I’m happy to support you in any way and answer questions you might have. I’m available on LinkedIn. 

How did it feel when you found out you’d secured these scholarships? 

I was already absolutely thrilled to embark on my MBA journey at Imperial College Business School; the Business School is well-reputed for fostering innovation and excellence, and the prospect of being a part of this esteemed institution was a dream come true. I was elated to receive the prestigious Imperial Dean's Impact Scholarship as it was a validation of my hard work, dedication, and potential. I felt deeply honoured and humbled to have been chosen for this incredible opportunity. 

Additionally, I was grateful for the recognition of my achievements with Imperial's Excellence Scholarship, it highlighted the Business School's unwavering trust in me and my potential. The scholarship motivates me to continue striving for excellence knowing that my efforts, struggles, and achievements have been recognised and rewarded.  

What motivated you to apply for the Dean's Impact Scholarship?

As an international student with a diverse background, I have had the privilege of studying, working and living in two different countries and travelling across ten more.  

I was motivated to apply for the scholarship because I saw it as a unique opportunity to further my education in an institution that values innovation, diversity and the potential to make a meaningful difference.  

I felt that my global perspective coupled with my vision to benefit business and improve society through the power of innovative thinking aligned with that of Imperial. Hence, I felt I would be a good fit for this scholarship. It was not just about the financial aid but about being part of a community that shared my values and goals. 

What do these scholarships mean to you in terms of your academic and personal goals? 

Since a young age, technology fascinated me, leading me to pursue my undergraduate degree in the field of Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State University in the US. As a teenager, I developed a web-based alternative to Apple’s AppStore along with software tweaks for iOS devices which received over 10,000 downloads and led me to be featured in various news publications such as the Forbes US magazine.  

Presently, I am on my journey to transition into an entrepreneurial role by pursuing a Full-Time MBA. As a self-funded student, this scholarship holds immense value to me. It would assist in backing my MBA, allowing me to leverage my savings from my time at Deloitte Consulting in the US to develop proprietary fintech software. 

What advice would you give to applicants who are aspiring to earn a scholarship? 

My biggest advice to aspiring scholarship candidates is to embrace a mindset of growth and exploration. Getting out of your comfort zone is vital, by actively engaging in various activities, participating and networking within your community. It is also essential to start early by researching scholarships that align with your academic and personal interests while keeping deadlines in mind.  

I would advise aspiring students to stay true to themselves and their goals. They should pursue what genuinely inspires them because their passion will fuel their efforts and allow them to effectively share their vision with others. 

If you are interested in learning more about our scholarships and are considering applying, please follow the link below. 

It’s amazing to be able to facilitate this event, exclusively for Business School students, so early on in their time with us. It gives them a chance to get real insights as to what a wide range of employers are looking for, make genuine contacts within organisations for future networking opportunities, and to be able to compare and contrast working cultures at some of the Business School’s employer partners – be they start-ups, SMEs or large corporates. We had a record number of students through the door this year – with 1559 attending from across our four programme suites. - Toby Emmerson, Senior Employer Relations Manager.

Imperial College Business School is pleased to announce the MSc Global Health Management has launched for September 2024 entry. The new MSc Global Health Management replaces the programme previously known as International Health Management.  

We spoke to Aram Karakashian, Executive Director of Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions to learn how the MSc Global Health Management has been redesigned to meet the needs of a complex and rapidly evolving global healthcare ecosystem.   

“The revamped MSc Global Health Management programme has been enhanced to provide a more comprehensive learning experience, offering an extended exploration of global health challenges, leadership dynamics, sustainability considerations, and the intricate factors influencing health beyond conventional healthcare measures.”  

MSc Global Health Management is built to enable students to personalise their learning journey. Students can take a deep dive into one of three concentrations: 

• Management – With modules covering areas such as strategy, marketing, innovation, and organisational behaviour, students will learn to lead and tackle global health challenges. 

• Innovation & Entrepreneurship - With modules in areas such as design thinking, entrepreneurship, and business sustainability, students will learn to drive innovation and lead in evolving the future of health and healthcare. 

• Economics & Data Science - With modules in areas such as digital economics, health analytics, big data, AI, and machine learning, students will learn to impact global health challenges through the use of data and analytics. 

An expanded range of electives that incorporate leadership, policy, entrepreneurship, analytics and sustainability, are available for students to further personalise their learning options.  

“This affords students the flexibility to tailor their educational journey, fostering a truly interdisciplinary approach." 

The Master’s was designed in collaboration with Imperial College London’s School of Public Health, Dyson School of Design Engineering and the Imperial Enterprise Lab, allowing students to benefit from the latest research and expertise from our globally-recognised faculty across different disciplines. 

Students will also gain practical, real-world learning through hands-on projects with our industry partners.  

MSc Global Health Management aims to equip future leaders with a new set of skills to shape the agenda, take on challenging global roles in healthcare, and thrive in the complexities of future health ecosystems. 

Career goals for students on each concentration could include roles like:   

• Management: Management roles within the NHS or in private healthcare settings, government departments, international organisations and NGOs; management consulting; management, strategy or market access roles in pharmaceutical and biotech companies.  

• Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Medical, health, or social entrepreneur; innovation consultants; or business development managers.

• Economics & Data Science: Data or information analyst roles within a health system; healthcare consultant; analytical and technical roles in international organisations, government departments, or NGOs; health policy analysts; health economics roles in technology or pharmaceutical industries; or data scientists in the health sector. 

“We invite those who aspire to make a meaningful difference – individuals driven to lead, manage, and mitigate health concerns on a global scale. It's an opportunity to stand at the forefront of addressing the pressing global health challenges of our time.” 

Scholarship Breakfast: Celebrating Excellence

Imperial College Business School recognises the importance of fostering talent and nurturing future leaders. The Scholarship Breakfast was an occasion to honour and celebrate the exceptional achievements of deserving students.

Each year, a select group of Masters and MBA students are awarded scholarships based on their outstanding academic achievements, leadership potential, and contributions to their communities. The Scholarship Breakfast is a gathering where these talented individuals are recognised and celebrated by the faculty, staff, and peers.
As new students embark on their academic journey at Imperial College Business School, they carry with them the memories and connections forged during this week. For some programmes, students will have one more week of induction before delving into their studies. These experiences serve as a reminder of the exciting challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and inspire them to excel in their pursuit of knowledge, leadership, and success. 

The  week was an adventurous week, giving us an insight into the massive number of events and opportunities that await our participation throughout this time at Imperial College Business School. I look forward to the new connections, the events and the immense learning opportunities here at Imperial. If one week could be so memorable and fun, I can’t fathom the rest of the 51 weeks in this programme!” - Dhishan Rajshekhar, MSc Management.