91´óÉñ

The course

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh Business School (UEBS)?

I chose to study at the University of Edinburgh Business School for its global reputation for academic excellence and its triple accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS and A91´óÉñ). I felt the School aligned perfectly with my aspirations for a world-class business education. I also wanted to meet students from all over the world.

What was it about the degree programme that particularly attracted you?

I was drawn to the part-time MSc in Data and Decision Analytics at the University of Edinburgh Business School because it offered a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between my engineering background and the rapidly growing field of data analytics.

I also liked that the programme included foundational knowledge and advanced applications.

Your career

Can you tell us about your career before and after graduating?

My professional path has been a dynamic evolution from civil engineering to data analytics. I used to work as a civil engineer for the largest construction firm in Sri Lanka. Over the years I honed my ability to analyse complex data and implement process improvements. I realised my true passion lay in extracting deeper insights from data to drive strategic decision-making.

After graduation, I aim to apply my combined expertise in engineering and data analytics to solve complex challenges in urban and infrastructure development.

I’m enjoying applying my new knowledge to real-world client challenges.

How did your degree prepare you for your career?

The programme's rigorous curriculum provided me with a solid foundation in statistical analysis, machine learning and data visualisation techniques, and I’ve been able to apply these skills in my current role.

Masters of Change

What notable changes has your degree enabled you to make in your professional or personal life?

My degree has significantly impacted both my professional and personal life. The Operations Research module I studied during the Applied Decision Optimisation course in my first year was a revelation. It’s been incredibly rewarding to be able to apply my new knowledge to real-world client challenges. As a result of the knowledge I’ve gained, I’m now contributing to the optimisation of investment portfolios.

Personally, this first year of the programme has been a rollercoaster journey. Balancing work, life and studies has undoubtedly been a huge challenge, requiring meticulous time management. Despite the challenges, pursuing this degree is one of the best decisions of my life.

What are the changes you have been able to make in your chosen field, of which you are most proud?

Due to the knowledge gained through my Masters, I have been able to support the development and implementation of an innovative portfolio optimisation framework initiative which leverages the latest analytical tools and methodologies.

How did your studies at the Business School help you to make those changes?

The knowledge gained from the Applied Machine Learning course and the Applied Decision Optimisation course were immensely helpful and directly applicable.

What key things that you learnt at the Business School do you still rely on today?

The ability to effectively communicate complex ideas through compelling presentations and visualisations is a skill I honed during this programme and which I still rely on today.

Course highlights and advice

What are your best memories on the programme?

A few of us on the programme decided to organise to meet up at the Business School at the end of the first year. This was definitely one of the highlights. It was fantastic to connect with fellow students face-to-face after a year of online studying. Sharing experiences and building on these relationships made the trip truly memorable.

What one piece of advice would you give to current students and recent graduates?

If you feel like there’s something out there that you’re supposed to be doing, if you have a passion for it, then stop wishing and just do it.