Summary
Attending British Council educational fairs is one of the ways to contact representatives of UK universities
Post-Study Work (PSW) Visa is offered by the British government to allow students to extend their stay for two more years with a full-time job on completion of their studies
A keen observer. An instrument player and composer. A marketer. A startup founder. These are some of the different hats donned by Mihir Chandan who put his power of observation to good use to pick up life skills during an MSc course in Marketing from Manchester Business School, UK.
In a Zoom interview with Edugraph, Chandan, who creates music and spearheads a premium motorcycle parts manufacturing startup, speaks about how students can prepare for higher studies in the UK.
Edugraph: Hi, Mihir. You call yourself a marketer. What exactly is the role of a marketer?
Mihir Chandan: The role of a marketer has changed over the years. It has shifted from a product-centric approach to consumer behaviour as a product can only be derived once you have more information about the market and consumer behaviour. For a marketer, the most important question is to explore if a product could serve a purpose and resolve any existing issues in the market.
Could you tell us about the structure of your MSc course in Marketing from Manchester Business School under the University of Manchester? What were your learnings from the course?
Mihir Chandan: We had a range of subjects from research in marketing to promotions and advertising campaigns. Knowledge of international markets covered a large part of the curriculum. It was an intense one-year course that taught us how marketing could impact businesses.
We also had individual and group projects lined up as well. These projects first opened my eyes to the global picture and made me understand how culture plays an important role in any business in any country. I knew I enjoyed marketing but didn’t know I had a life goal in marketing at that particular time.
What was your roadmap for studying in the UK? How did the British Council help you in your pursuit?
Mihir Chandan: I had taken a couple of aptitude tests at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, which is well renowned for directing students towards the right path. I was suggested to study in the Science stream. Though I enjoyed Science, I soon found out that it was not my calling. As my inclination was towards the world of Economics, including commercial and social aspects, I got enrolled in a Bachelor’s course in Management Studies at S. I. A. College of Higher Education under the University of Mumbai.
Towards the end of my course, I started looking for a specialisation in Marketing as MBA courses would have been too generalised for my choice. Then I visited one of the education fairs organised by the British Council. They got me connected with the academic representatives of some UK colleges and that helped me pick my university from among some shortlisted options.
What facilities are available for Indian students at Manchester Business School? Are any scholarships available from the business school or the British Council?
Mihir Chandan: There are a lot of facilities for international students at Manchester Business School. You’ll have to pass through different orientation programmes, including freshers’ week, that put you in the mix with your peers. You can also join the student council to discuss your problems with others. There is an online chatbot and a 24*7 hotline if you face any mental health issues. They also have student unions based on activities. The business school also has an Indian society for students which organises cultural fests and weekly dinners. On the job front, you can visit a job centre to look for part-time jobs and get job-related suggestions.
There is a British Council scholarship. There are also a couple of sponsorships offered by the University of Manchester.
Does the university offer any internship courses? Did you undertake any such courses?
Mihir Chandan: I am not too sure if the university directly offers any internships. But you can always visit the job centre where you could apply as and when openings were available. I personally took up a lot of part-time jobs. I worked at Old Trafford and Manchester City football stadiums in the hospitality and F&B segment.
Could you tell us about your varsity campus? How easy is it for an Indian student to acclimatise with the culture?
Mihir Chandan: I think it’s very important to pick a city when you’re going to study abroad. There are multiple university towns in the UK where Indian students will feel at ease. On their part, UK universities always try to make sure that overseas students feel at home. It’s better to connect with your peers and senior students before you choose your destination.
The British Council did a lot of student meet-ups where I interacted with a lot of students — it was a great boost as I had come to know a few people before landing up in the UK.
You obtained a Post-study Work Visa (PSW Visa) after completing your studies. What, in your opinion, is the best way to obtain this visa and what are its advantages?
Mihir Chandan: PSW Visa is a great tool for international students as it allows you to stay in the UK and work full time there for two additional years. Since it’s a big problem for such students to find work after completion of their courses without a valid visa, the British government has introduced this facility for them. If you’ve this type of visa, the only thing you need to do is find a job. However, it’s important to remember that getting this visa won’t help you with getting jobs; it just makes it easier for an employer to consider you.
Other than being a marketer, you're also a musician. How do you move to and fro between your passion and profession?
Mihir Chandan: I am currently pursuing both my passions — marketing and music. I had gone to the UK with the idea of learning more about marketing. But I received a holistic education there and found myself as part of an international cultural landscape. As a marketer, I did my thesis on Apple’s community marketing practice and its fandom. Ten years later, I use the same community marketing tools for my company, SS Moto Corp, which makes premium bike parts. Now I organise events specifically for those in our community.
Music is something which I have just recently started to explore. My social media presence is strongly marketed. I think how you market yourself sets you apart from other independent artistes.
Last updated on 27 Mar 2022
