Business Studies BA(Hons): After you graduate

"I wanted to do a vocational degree that would allow me to discover more about the world of business and equip me for whatever work I decided to specialise in. I chose to study at Kingston Business School because it had the best reputation and I liked the course modules. Plus, it was near to London without being in the centre.

"Once on the course I enjoyed the variety of the different subjects and the people I met – many of whom are still friends. I also liked the placement, which provided a practical insight into what we were being taught.

"Since graduating I have pursued a career in marketing. It was my final year specialism and also the area I worked in during my placement. I have done both agency and client work, but chose to forge my career on the agency side. I am now a board director of a top ten below the line agency working for blue chip companies such as Unilever, Diageo, Kodak, Toshiba and Transport for London.

"I run a department focusing on promotional marketing solutions. The role is very varied, involving new business, HR and finance. As a board director, I have a responsibility for the running of the overall agency of 90 people. There are lots of things I enjoy about my work – the variety, the people, the clients, the creativity, the challenge, and making money!

"I feel my degree has helped my career because the teaching was very practical – it used real-life situations. I gained a general commercial perspective and broad-based experience in business modules.

"The placement also helped a great deal. I actually worked in an agency that was very similar to the one I am now at. It gave me insight into the business and the opportunity to get some experience before graduating, which helped me to get a job.

"I would thoroughly recommend Business Studies at Kingston. I made some lifelong friends (I met my wife there!) and it has set me up in a challenging and enjoyable career."

"I was considering a business/accountancy/finance-related degree and felt business studies would enable me to gain a rounded business understanding. The structure of the course also meant that in the final years I could focus on the areas I enjoyed and felt most comfortable in.

"I chose to study at Kingston because its business studies course has an excellent reputation. There was the added attraction of the lively town centre with central London only 25 minutes away and the idyllic setting of the Thames on your doorstep.

"I did a four-year course, with two six-month sandwich placements. I found the placements to be invaluable. You saw the underlying theories of your studies put into practice.

"My first placement was with PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC). During the six months I worked there, I put in a lot of effort and commitment and applied many of the principals I had learned on the course – especially in the accountancy and law modules. So I was delighted when I was offered an unconditional graduate place once I finished my degree.

"My second placement was at Freeman's catalogue company. I wanted to try something different to PwC, in case things didn't work out. Although I enjoyed my time at Freeman's, it did reaffirm that PwC would provide an excellent opportunity for me.

"So straight after University, I started working in the assurance department as an auditor. I spent four years in the role, training towards my professional qualifications in chartered accountancy. As I knew I was going to do this at the start of the final year of my degree, I included law and finance in my subject specialisms and my exams in these subjects contributed towards my professional qualification.

"After completing my training contract, I moved to the transaction services department, where I still work. Recently I was promoted to manager level. My role is now more project-based and the variety of work is enormous. The learning curve continues every day – you are continually developing yourself.

"Most of the deals I work on are also publicised in the Financial Times, so you definitely feel at the centre of things. The job has had numerous highlights, including trips all around Europe and working with some brilliant people.

"To anyone considering a career in the business finance environment, business studies at Kingston provides an excellent insight into the wide spectrum of activities within this field. The structure of the course is excellent. It doesn't assume prior knowledge and gives you choice.

"I doubt there are many degrees that offer graduates such a wide variety of potential future careers as a direct result of their studies. I spent the first three years of the degree finding out what I enjoyed and felt comfortable with. But my main memory of the course was the brilliant social life in and around Kingston and the many good friends I made there."