The University of Gloucestershire Business School is a great place to study because of its supportive learning environment, approachable lecturers, and strong focus on practical experience. The modern facilities, innovative teaching methods, and opportunities to engage with real businesses make learning both exciting and relevant to the professional world. To make it even better, I think there could be more international networking opportunities.

Evening classes can be quite tiring and make it difficult to stay fully focused after a long day. It would be much better if all classes were scheduled during the day, as this would help students manage their time and energy more effectively.

Studying at the University of Gloucestershire, Oxstalls campus has been a really positive experience for me. The atmosphere here is super friendly and relaxed, and it’s the kind of place where you actually feel comfortable asking for help. The staff and lecturers are genuinely approachable, and because the campus is smaller, you don’t get lost in the crowd. It’s easy to get to know your tutors and classmates, which makes studying feel a lot more personal and less stressful. One thing I really like about Oxstalls is how modern and clean the buildings are. The Business School, the sports facilities, and the study areas all have a nice, fresh feel to them. The spaces are bright and open, and it’s actually a pretty motivating environment to study in. The library and quiet areas are great when you need to focus, and the campus in general has a calm vibe that makes it easy to get into the right headspace. The campus also has a really good sense of community. Because everything is close together, you end up bumping into people you know all the time. There are plenty of places to sit, chat, or work with friends, and the SU events help bring everyone together. It’s especially nice if you’re someone who likes that close-knit, friendly feel instead of a massive, overwhelming uni experience. How Oxstalls could be improved There are definitely a few things that could be better. For one, more late-night study spaces would be a huge help, especially during assessment weeks. Sometimes you just need somewhere quiet to work after the library closes. The café and food options could also be expanded — having more variety and later opening hours would make life easier for students who spend long days on campus. A little more seating and social space during peak times would also be great, since it can get a bit crowded between classes. And while Oxstalls is good for practical learning, offering even more placement opportunities and industry links would make it even stronger, especially for business, sport, and health-related courses. Overall, Oxstalls is a welcoming and supportive campus with a great atmosphere and some really solid facilities. A few small improvements would make it even better, but as it is, it’s a lovely place to study and feel part of a community.

Currently I am in the year one and in the first year, one of the best things about the MSc by Research in International Business is the mix of taught modules and research preparation. The taught sessions really help you build a solid foundation before you move into the more independent research stage. The lecturers explain things clearly, and the classes feel supportive rather than overwhelming. It’s nice having a structure at the start because you get the chance to understand research methods, international business theory, and academic writing before you’re expected to work on your own project. The teaching style is a good balance of in-class learning, discussions, and practical tasks. The smaller class sizes mean you can ask questions easily, and lecturers actually take the time to make sure you understand what you're doing. There’s also a lot of guidance on how to choose your research topic, which makes the whole process feel less scary. Overall, the first year sets you up really well for the research phase. Worst Aspects of the Course Because there are taught modules in the first year, the timetable can feel a little inconsistent at times. Some weeks feel very full and busy, and then others are quite light, which can make it hard to get into a steady routine. A bit more structure or clearer expectations from the start would help. Another challenge is that some sessions go quite fast, especially when covering research methods or data analysis. These are really important topics, so having more in-depth workshops or extra support sessions would make a big difference. A few students might also find that the content is a bit theory-heavy at times, and adding more real business case studies or practical examples would keep things more engaging. Lastly, because the course is part research and part taught, it can sometimes feel like you’re juggling two different styles of learning. More opportunities to connect with other research students or do group activities would help make the experience feel more joined-up and less isolating.