Shubham Thakkar - MSc Information Systems and Operations Management 2025
With a background in information technology and experience in a management-focused role, Shubham Thakkar was drawn to the MSc Information Systems and Operations Management course, which combines both disciplines and provides an in-depth understanding of how technology can support business performance.
When choosing where to study, the University of Nottingham stood out for several reasons. Shubham explained: “The university has a strong reputation from being part of the Russell Group to its high rankings for graduate employability. These were strong determining factors for me deciding to come here as an international student.”
The diverse course offered a range of engaging modules, and Shubham’s favourite was E-Business, taught by Dr Ashutosh Sharma: “What I loved about the module”, he said, “was that it was structured in a way that invites independent thinking and interactions during the lectures. Dr Sharma did a fantastic job of keeping lectures engaging while staying on track with the core content. It’s been both intellectually stimulating and highly relevant.”
Preparing for the workplace
Shubham made the most of the support and opportunities available at Nottingham University Business School to help prepare for his future career. He attended the Management, Consulting and Finance Careers Fair, where he spoke with a range of employers, including Goldman Sachs. He also made the most of one-to-one support from the careers team, explaining: “I booked a couple of meetings with the careers team and got some practical tips that were genuinely helpful.”
He was selected to take part in the Business School’s MSc Consultancy Competition 2025, where student teams collaborate with real organisations and mentors to solve business challenges. Shubham’s team worked with local business Radiant Cleaners. He said:
“It was a great experience to work on a real consultancy project, which gave me the chance to apply what we’ve been learning professionally. Our challenge was focused on improving operational efficiency, which was a perfect fit for the course. I enjoyed working closely with the team, developing a strategy, and then presenting our recommendations to the panel.”
Student life
Shubham found his experience as a Senior Course Representative valuable, reflecting: “It was a very rewarding experience and helped me build confidence in communicating with the faculty, representing student feedback, and engaging in constructive dialogue during Student Staff Forum meetings. Overall, it was fulfilling to play a role in amplifying student voices”
He also took advantage of other opportunities, joining the Debate Society and Board Games Society, which helped him unwind and improve his communication skills.
One of the things Shubham most liked about Nottingham was its balance of green space and city life. He said: “Nottingham has plenty of green spaces but also has a good city life, something that's quite important for someone like me who's from Mumbai, India. There are interesting tourist spots like Wollaton Hall and Nottingham Castle, and I liked the fact that these places were just a walk away for me.”
Looking ahead
After graduation, Shubham hopes to remain in the UK and start his professional career in a tech or management-related role.
Finally, Shubham shared his advice for future students. He said:
“The importance of taking initiative can’t be stressed enough. Be proactive in your academic, career, and personal growth. Keep your mind open to connecting with people. Stay humble, be willing to learn from those around you, but also don't shy away from figuring things out on your own. It's a habit that will long exceed the time you've spent at the university.”
To find out more about studying for an MSc at Nottingham University Business School, please visit our Master's webpage.
