Dear Duncan,
I saw your answers to the queries asked by many in this forum. I feel very much satisfied with your advice. I am studying my final year of B.Tech in Information Technology in India. I don't have a specific goal but I have no interest in software development. I got offers for admission to MSc Business Analytics from Strathclyde and Lancaster with a 30% scholarship, and Liverpool, Exeter, Durham Leeds, Stirling, and Birmingham universities with a 5% scholarship. I understand through some relative friends and social media that it is difficult to get a job as a fresher in the UK at present. And say that if I come back to India after studying it would be a waste of money that too by educational loan. I am confused. Please give an advice. Thank you.

You won't be surprised that my advice is to decide on your goals. Please take a look at https://find-mba.com/board/general-forum/specific-career-goals-help-you-to-pick-the-right-mba-64431. I strongly recommend taking a career aptitude test (there are so many online, either free or paid).

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I don't decide based on your advice only. But I can get some idea and it may help in my decision.

My present goal is to become a business analyst, consultant or in strategic management. I don't have business knowledge as I have no experience but I'm having some IT tech skills . Can you please suggest an university or compare that has more employability and placement records in this area. Thank you.

I can't recommend a course to you when you don't have a very specific goal. Also, please do remember that business analysis (the use of systems analysis to understand business processes) and business analytics (the use of transactional data to drive business decision making) are quite different. Compare, for example, this course in business analysis https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/masters/courses/list/09839/msc-business-analysis-and-strategic-management/course-details/ with this course in business analytics https://www.imperial.ac.uk/business-school/masters/business-analytics/#programme-content

[Edited by Duncan on Feb 19, 2024]

Thank you very much for your reply.

Don't assume that the only choices are the obvious ones. Take a look at this poem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOA8IJAEyjY



It's a poem, but there's a serious point. We have unique aptitudes. Let's focus on values and capabilities, but [NOT] just on the obvious path.

PS added the world NOT as a clarification.

[Edited by Duncan on Feb 19, 2024]

True. Thank you once again.

A better option if you do eventually decide you want to become a business analyst (assuming you have firmed up your goals) is to do a recognised certification in business analysis. It's a lot quicker and cheaper and will help you to get some initial practical work experience. A masters is overkill for such a role in my opinion.