International student Sarah always wanted to study in the UK but knew that making it happen would require grit, determination, and a willingness to seize every opportunity. After building an outstanding profile and securing a competitive scholarship, she's achieved a First in Business and Management and graduated from Royal Holloway ready for career success.
Sarah began her business degree at The Millennium Universal College (TMUC) in Islamabad, a Registered Teaching Centre (RTC) for Royal Holloway.
“I always knew I wanted to travel to study, and I was determined to earn a scholarship that would make that opportunity possible.”
Seizing opportunity and securing a scholarship
Determined to win the RTC Excellence Scholarship, she sought help from her tutors to build the strongest profile she could. “I was a bit hesitant because it was so competitive, but from the very beginning they were very supportive. When I wanted to start a podcast, I worked with the administration and media department to organise and build an in-house studio. I also led a carbon-mitigation NGO project that raised more than PKR 83, 000, joined the student council and football team, hosted symposiums and became a spokesperson for the university.”
After securing one of only two awards offered annually, Sarah was able to transfer into the second year of the BSC (Hons) Business and Management at Royal Holloway in the UK. “Initially I thought it was a bad idea. I thought I’d be at a major disadvantage, because everyone settles in and finds their friends in the first year. But that isn’t what happened at all.”
Sarah decided to get involved in as much as possible “I just got stuck in. I joined societies, went to events, talked to people, and became a student Ambassador. I also joined the entrepreneurship committee and got a part-time job here on campus working in the Sports Centre.”
“You meet one person, and it leads to another opportunity—it becomes a really good cycle.”
Choosing to study Business and Management
“I really liked the versatility of the course at Royal Holloway.”
Sarah chose to pursue a broad Business and Management course. “I knew Royal Holloway offered the flexibility to choose modules from different areas, so I could study HR, accounting or marketing modules without having to major in just one.”
Sarah was also attracted by the balance of teaching. “Alongside being trained in technical skills like data analytics and auditing you polish your soft skills, plus you can choose modules on consulting and entrepreneurship.”
She particularly felt the benefit of this hands-on approach. “I’m a learning by doing person, so having to literally build a business plan from scratch and then give a pitch deck presentation in front of a panel of industry judges brought in from a top company was an invaluable experience.”
Sarah receiving the Final Year 'Empowerment Award' from Royal Holloway Business School
Network building and gaining industry insight
Building good connections to industry was a key consideration for Sarah.
“I saw that Royal Holloway was an institution that values real-world experience and gives you that real-world exposure. I’m very career-orientated and when I compared it to other universities, I discovered that Royal Holloway had very good partnerships and useful accreditations that help if you want to get certified.”
Sarah took advantage of opportunities to expand her professional network. She completed an internship in a digital engineering consultancy, took part in the Careers’ Service ‘Focus Weeks’ which brought industry experts right onto campus, and accessed the alumni network. This let her directly contact and get advice from former students working in the types of roles and companies she is interested in.
She was also chosen as one of only five students in The Marketors’ Mentoring Programme. She received one-to-one mentoring from a leading marketeer and was invited to visit her mentor’s company and learn from the people working there. “As an international student, building your network in a foreign country is hard work. The conversations with my mentor gave me real insight into how businesses operate and provided tangible tasks I could work on, like completing the IBM AI certification scheme.”
“Without Royal Holloway, I wouldn’t have had the chance to build this relationship. It’s a connection that has given me so many opportunities and will stay with me after graduation.”
A sense of community
“It might sound cliché, but the sense of community and supportiveness on offer at Royal Holloway really does make it unique.” |
Sarah was attracted by Royal Holloway’s beautiful and tranquil campus. "I’m not really a hustle and bustle city girl. I wanted somewhere more peaceful, that felt safer and had everything I need close by.”
As an international student she quickly settled in. “Obviously there’s kids from all over the UK here, but I think about a third of the cohort are international, so you don’t feel different or out of place at all. We’re all living away from home, learning to cook for ourselves, do groceries and budget. But it feels like people from all over the world are coming together and sharing their experiences.”
Sarah also benefitted from support for students transferring from an RTC. “They put us in touch with each other before we even arrived and held regular catch-ups during the year. It's reassuring to have staff at Royal Holloway follow up with you and make sure that you're okay.”
Next steps
Sarah has now graduated with a First Class Honours and was selected as Student Orator for her graduation ceremony. She’s applying for roles in marketing, consulting and project management, but her long-term ambitions are to start her own business.
“I’d love to build something of my own one day and give back, but for now I want to keep learning and gaining experience.”
Advice for future students
“Everyone is just as scared as you but just remember, you need to jump at 90% of the opportunities in front of you.”
Sarah’s advice is simple – get involved.
“Go to society events, join sports, volunteer, and get a part-time job on campus - those are the key things to know. You can always figure things out along the way, but you need to take the initiative. So just get involved and have fun.”
She finishes with just one more tip. “Don’t forget to use your tutor’s office hours. You’ll get very specific one-to-one feedback from your professors you won’t get elsewhere, and they’re really approachable.”
Sarah in the Picture Gallery at Graduation
Explore where a degree in Business and Management could take you:
Your future careerFind out about the support available to you as an International Student at Royal Holloway:
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Studying in the Royal Holloway Business School
