So Kinaara moved from Sri Lanka to London to join one of the world’s most influential dance education and training organisations. “Since arriving at the RAD, my experience has been nothing short of extraordinary. The transition to my life in London has been seamless thanks to the incredible support from my peers and RAD staff,” Kinaara says.

Founded in 1920, the RAD’s 100+ years of experience have led to its rise as a world leader in dance education and training. It operates in over 85 countries with 36 international offices – so you have plenty of opportunity to turn your passion for dance into an international career. Onsite in London, you’ll access state-of-the-art facilities like a purpose-built 200-seat theatre, dance studios aplenty, and one of the largest dance libraries in Europe. If you’re a working professional with many commitments, the opportunity to elevate your career remains just as rich with distance-learning options.

That said, RAD is the best gateway to a thriving teaching career. Want to shape the artists of tomorrow?  With RAD’s expert tutors and their commitment to educational excellence and transforming aspirations into tangible teaching careers you’ll be prepared to do just that.

“My initial focus was solely on ballet, but my time here has exposed me to different styles such as jazz, modern, and a deeper understanding of contemporary dance,” Kinaara says. “This exposure has broadened my horizons and enriched my dance repertoire.”

Teaching placements in its partnership schools and visits from guest lecturers and speakers enhance your skills and readiness even more.

RAD’s global community spans more than 400,000 students. Source: Royal Academy of Dance

From RAD student to professional in the making

The RAD journey begins with selecting the right degree for you. With a strong passion for ballet, Kinaara decided to pursue the BA (Hons) Ballet Education, and she’s now in her final year. It’s a three-year full-time degree that combines intensive dance training and preparation for a career in dance education, informing students on ballet and contemporary techniques.

In the first year, you take technique and practical classes to build your foundation across dance repertoire, choreographic practices, applied dance science, alongside dance analysis and history. In the next two, you boost your teaching skills through education-focused taught sessions and supervised practical teaching placements.

“The close-knit and supportive environment is enhanced by the student-to-staff ratio, which ensures personalised attention for each of us,” Kinaara says. “The bonds I’ve formed with my peers and tutors are invaluable, creating a nurturing and inspiring learning atmosphere.”

If you’re looking for a programme that’s more diverse in genre, RAD offers the BA (Hons) Dance Education programme as a flexible distance-learning degree that can be completed from anywhere in the world, at any time. Students can pursue the programme either part-time or full-time, and at certificate, diploma, or degree level. Experienced dance teachers looking to further their expertise can opt for the Master of Arts in Education (Dance Teaching) programme, a great option for research and professional development.

Students who pursue a distance learning programme are able to tailor their schedule around their commitments. Source: Royal Academy of Dance

For Laura Schneider, the BA (Hons) Dance Education programme allowed her to maintain her commitments while striving for personal and professional growth. It was a six-year part-time pursuit for Laura, one that was ultimately rewarding, albeit a challenge at the start. “The part-time and online study format allowed me to apply new knowledge and ideas directly to my teaching practice, bridging theoretical concepts with practical situations for deeper understanding,” she says.

Through the BA, Laura developed her identity and confidence as a teacher. She took modules that covered dance anatomy  philosophy, and pedagogy, and even received support from the staff as a non-native English speaker. Thanks to the Practical Teaching Placement module, Laura attained Registered Teacher Status, allowing her to become a teaching member of the RAD.

As a result of her positive experience, Laura decided to continue with the Master of Arts in Education (Dance Teaching) programme at RAD. “I greatly appreciated the RAD’s constant effort to make the content more inclusive, diverse, and aligned with contemporary pedagogies,” she says. “This approach inspired me to incorporate these values into my teaching practice and never settle for outdated ideas.”

Highly skilled and forward-thinking – the dance teachers of the RAD are strongly committed to lifelong learning and professional development. RAD graduates are highly sought-after, with a recent graduate destination survey reporting that 87% of graduates were teaching dance and performing arts, while 91% of them work in a teaching profession. They’re based all over the world, imparting their wisdom in different pathways like private dance schools, vocational schools, community settings, higher education, and more.

If you’d like to become one of them,

Follow RAD on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.

We’ve heard from motion graphic designer Avalynn Kim, who has worked on projects like “Barbie,” “Squid Game,” and “CyberPunk: Edgerunners.” It was her award-winning work for “Barbie” that helped her secure an O-1B visa — granted to foreign nationals who have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in the motion picture and television industry.

Then, there’s product deployment strategist Jahnavi Shah, who knew that finding a company to sponsor a job visa in the US was hard, but managed to bag one anyway by taking up several internships with a diverse background in the job scope.

Meanwhile, it took Mohammed Wasim over 1,000 job applications and failing to secure a single interview to realise he was using the wrong job hunting strategies.  

The thing is, Wasim did exactly what Shah did — participated in several internships and even worked part-time on campus.

However, many, many, many applications later, he figured it out: “It took a while for me to realise the two reasons for my failure; I was not reaching out to hiring managers for opportunities, and I was not tailoring my resume to the jobs.”

As a part of his job as a Senior Data Insights Analyst, Wasim turns complex data into actionable insights that help steer business strategy. Source: Mohammed Wasim

‘I was a complete introvert, and I was hesitant to ask for help’

Wasim is no stranger to successfully applying for jobs; in fact, he has two years of work experience before moving to the US to pursue an MSc in Data Science at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT).

“As soon as I completed my undergraduate degree at a local university in India, I got a job as a data analyst at BYJU’s, a global ed-tech company,” says Wasim. “However, it took a long time for me to get a job in the US after completing my master’s.”

It’s a struggle many international students know well — the job market will always prioritise the locals first, as they don’t require any visa sponsorships.

Still, as long as you use the right job hunting strategies, things might go in your favour.

“I wasn’t hearing back from anyone for three months, so I had to change my strategy,” says Wasim. “I started applying for contract jobs to be financially stable while looking for a full-time job, and later on, I found a company willing to sign a 10-month contract with me while on my OTP visa.”

However, Wasim still needed to secure a long-term job, so he kept applying and desperately waited to hear back.

During his master’s, Wasim participated in several data analyst internships, mentorships, and ambassadorships. Source: Mohammed Wasim

Concerned by the lack of responses, Wasim finally realised that something wasn’t adding up.

It took him a while, but he finally figured that not reaching out to hiring managers for opportunities and not tailoring his resume to the jobs was a big mistake.

“I was a complete introvert, and I hesitated to ask for help. I kept questioning myself, ‘What if they don’t reply?’ or ‘What will they think about me messaging them?’ It was hard,” Wasim shares. “My resume was another issue I had to fix.” 

And by fixing those glaring problems, Wasim saw results in no time.

“I reached out to the hiring manager of my current company and told them that I was determined to apply for the position,” he shares. “I sent over my resume, and they looked at it. I was invited for an interview, and the next thing you know, I was offered the job.” 

While getting the job was Wasim’s biggest triumph, it did not guarantee him an H-1B visa — the foreign worker visa in the US that allows employers to hire foreign workers in so-called speciality occupations.

He took up the offer anyway, determined to prove his worth through this work.

“I was consistent at work, and I was also delivering the projects up to expectations,” he says. “Just seven months after working for them, they sponsored my visa.”

Today, Wasim works for Molson Coors Beverage Company as a senior data insights analyst.

Wassim believes that every rejection is a step closer to your goal. It might not seem like it, but it is. Source: Mohammed Wasim

4 job hunting strategies every international student should know about

Having successfully reached the finish line of his job hunt, Wasim has four key job hunting strategies to share with international students who are on their own journey.

Know what you’re applying for 

If you’re thinking about going in blind when applying for jobs, you will probably struggle to bag them. 

“A common mistake many make is applying for hundreds of jobs without knowing the requirements or tailoring their resumes to the job description,” says Wasim. “When I started applying for jobs, I did just that and barely got any responses.”

Job descriptions are there for a reason: they outline specific skills and requirements an employer needs. You’re unlikely to advance to the next stage if your qualifications don’t match. 

Understanding it will allow you to assess your suitability for the role and prepare for potential interviews, increasing your chances of securing the position.

Get them referrals or recommendation letters

While having referrals won’t guarantee a job, they can help you increase the odds of your applications getting seen by a recruiter or a hiring manager, potentially speeding up the hiring process on your suitability for the role.

As a referral comes from a trusted source, such as professors, previous employers, or managers, it can demonstrate your suitability for the role and the company. Plus, it gives you a boost over other candidates.

“If you’re applying for a senior data analyst job like I did, it’s best to approach someone in the same team as your past or current company to write you a referral letter,” advises Wasim. “Implementing this as one of your job-hunting strategies will help you as an international student looking for jobs abroad.”

“Also, the higher the position of the person writing your letter, the better.”

Wasim at the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in Paterson, New Jersey, US. Source: Mohammed Wasim

Avoid applying for non-sponsored employment

Applying for jobs that don’t offer to sponsor your work visa isn’t the best use of your time and efforts. 

Yes, it’s a safe bet if you apply for as many jobs as possible; if they end up not offering you a visa, then you have wasted an entire application process.

“There are a lot of websites you can use to find jobs that offer work visa sponsorships in the US,” says Wasim. “That’s how I started with my job search.”

Besides, applying for non-sponsored employment can also be risky, as it can lead to violating your visa status and potentially facing deportation. If you lie about whether you need sponsorship, and it’s later discovered, it could jeopardise your visa status and have negative consequences.

Network with people

As an international student, meeting new people and building relationships with those around you will benefit you in the long run. It will lead you to find unadvertised job openings, expand opportunities, gather insights into the local job market and culture, and build a support system. 

“A lot of people ignore networking nowadays, which is one of the most important job-hunting strategies,” says Wasim. 

Networking can also lead to referrals, which as we mentioned above, increases your chances of scoring an interview or job offer.

There are several ways to build networks and connections, such as attending conferences and career festivals or sending cold emails or LinkedIn messages.

“People will be willing to help you, especially if you reach out to the right person,” says Wasim. “They’ll guide you on your journey to getting a job abroad.”

In the documentary “Before the Flood,” Leonardo DiCaprio shows us our current reality — ice caps are melting, forests are disappearing, and rising seas threaten to swallow coastlines.

The worst part? We know it’s happening. From the pollution and biodiversity loss to the soil degradation and water scarcity, we’re staring down the barrel of what is a looming disaster ahead of us.

So, how do we fix it? Real change requires action, and that’s where studying environmental science comes in.

There is a growing demand for experts with advanced knowledge and skills to create sustainable solutions. The next generation of scientists, policymakers, and innovators must aim to shape a more sustainable future for all — and this is where you may be interested in joining the fray.

As famed English biologist and natural historian David Attenborough once said: “No one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced.”

However, before you enrol on an environmental science degree, there are a few things former and current students have to share about it:

Some key advice about pursuing an environmental science degree, from students who’ve done it:

Gunawan in one of Monash Clayton’s science labs. Source: Brigitta Maria Andrea Gunawan

Brigitta Maria Andrea Gunawan

Degree: BSc, Ecology and Conservation Biology

University: Monash University

At just 17, Gunawan joined her first fellowship, the 30×30 Ocean Echo Fellowship and founded 30×30 Indonesia.

Since then, her journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. She’s been recognised as a National Geographic Young Explorer and a High Seas Youth Ambassador and has set sail on expeditions with OceanX and Darwin200.

But even with all these experiences, she knew she wanted to keep learning, leading her to pursue her studies at Monash University.

“I love that Monash gives me the flexibility to explore my interests,” says Gunawan. “I’ve taken psychology, languages, business innovation, and even a unit that sent me to Fiji for two weeks. It’s exciting to branch out while staying focused on my environmental science degree.”

More importantly, however, is her advice to those interested in studying environmental science — know your “why.”

“Don’t just think about the job you want. Think about the person you want to become,” she said. “Your degree is more than academics; it’s about growth, resilience, and purpose. Challenges are inevitable, but if they connect to your passion, you’ll find a way to thrive.”

Mega Trishuta Pathiassana grew up in a small village in Indonesia’s Central Java region. Now, she’s travelled around the world learning all there is to environmental science. Source: Mega Trishuta Pathiassana

Mega Trishuta Pathiassana

Degree: Bachelor of Economics, Natural Resources, and Environmental Economics

University: University of Indonesia

There is a big need to acknowledge that the use of natural resources is a big cause of conflict between countries and communities, and understanding the reasons behind this clash is how we can maintain our environment and natural resources.

Pathiassana is one of those eager to uncover more about the field. She had one simple goal: to become someone beneficial to her community.

How would she achieve it? By going global.

“I already had plans made even before I graduated with my bachelor’s; I wanted to have other perspectives and experience from another country,” says Pathiassana. “Because sometimes it’s not enough to just stay in my country.”

Her experience studying environmental science has brought her across countries like Taiwan, Sweden, and even South Korea, where she completed her PhD in Forest Environmental Science, and was an awardee of the Graduate Scholarship for Excellent Foreign Student and the SNU President Fellowship Programme.

One of her projects involved creating organic pesticides for biocontrol and a type of fertiliser that allowed farmers to double – sometimes even triple – their harvest.

“I believed that if I studied abroad, I could learn something new and use that knowledge for my country, especially to develop the smaller communities in my area,” she said. “Maybe in the future, my research can benefit not just me but someone else and the larger community.”

 

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Nikshep Trinetra

Degree: Master’s in Environmental Science

University: University of Wageningen

Trinetra started out like many other Indian students — pursuing chemical engineering, as it was the typical path.

But he had always felt like a misfit, and towards the end of his engineering degree, he finally understood why. It went against nature, which he was passionate about.

“I did an internship where I could hike in the Himalayas, and joined India Hikes to work in waste management for a while,” says Trinetra. “I trained people on waste separation and creating biogas with wet waste; this was the turning point for me.”

His next step? Pursuing a master’s in environmental science at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands.

For students who wish to pursue a similar field, Trinetra says that there is a need to rethink and challenge the current economic and societal systems that often discourage connection with nature and reward unhealthy, indoor-oriented lifestyles.

In his words: “Why do we value being indoors all the time? We have to figure out why the system has made us this way, and why we’re not consciously thinking about nature.”

“I suggest environmental science students look at things like systems analysis, environmental systems, how they work, and how the economic system works for us and against us,” he says. “Always be open to new ways of thinking and be more receptive to different kinds of thoughts and ideologies.”

There’s more that goes into deciding what the best US universities for international students are aside from their ranks. Source: AFP

What we generally mean when we talk about ‘best’ universities

When we tack on the word “best” for any education-related searches, we think about the university and programme rankings, their impact on the world, and their graduate outcomes.

Take the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for example. The undisputed best-ranked university in the world — at least for now — is where researchers and graduates triple the lifetime of bridges and other structures and identify several new potential drug targets for Alzheimer’s that have never been linked to the disease before.

And if we’re talking about great graduate outcomes, those at MIT have little to worry about. In 2024, 44% of undergraduates had jobs after graduation, while the remaining 49% went straight to graduate school. The destinations? MIT aside, other highly-ranked universities are common, like Caltech, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford.

We’re sure, however, that you’re not here for this.

The best US universities for international students are the ones that make you feel like you’re welcomed without condition. Source: AFP

The best US universities for international students, explored

Apart from rankings, impact, and graduate outcomes, there are more things that international students, in particular, should look out for.

The biggest consideration of them all? How welcomed you’ll be at the university.

According to data from the National Centre for Education Statistics (NCES), New York University (NYU) hosted the most international students in the 2023-24 academic year, with 49,847 making up 37% of the overall student population. Meanwhile, Illinois Tech boasted the highest percentage of international students overall, with its 6,571 foreign students making up 51% of the overall student body.

It begs the question: what draws this volume of international students to these two schools?

“Obviously, for all the professional opportunities that New York City offers, but also for the global aspect,” says Pedro Tenreiro from Venezuela on his decision to study at NYU. “Being at a global university complements your academic and professional achievements in the city because it builds you to be a person who has much more perspective.”

Many others at NYU echo the same: choosing NYU means being able to access and take advantage of the university’s location and unique international exposure to the school’s three degree-granting campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai, as well as 13 global academic centres abroad and in the US.

But for Tenreiro, it’s the people that made all the difference.

“I came out in my freshman year and NYU really gave me the strength I needed to find myself and be publicly comfortable with who I am,” says Tenreiro. “The main reason why I was able to accept myself and be open about it is that the community at NYU is so accepting and appreciative of honesty. The people that I’ve met here and their ability to be sincere with themselves really gave me that strength and it is one of the best decisions I have ever made besides coming to NYU.”

Meanwhile, there are various reasons why international students chose Illinois Tech, but for Taiwanese student Simon Hwang, it was the abundance of resources available. 

“From building an electric race car from the ground up to operating one of the world’s first portable MRI machines, Illinois Tech offers opportunities in various fields to match individual passions,” says Hwang.

Like Tenreiro, however, Hwang was also pleasantly surprised by what else the university had to offer.

“Illinois Tech focuses on providing the necessary resources, support, and opportunities for every student to succeed and grow,” says Hwang. “Whether in the classroom or during student organisation meetings, there’s always a welcoming atmosphere and support from both faculty and fellow students. If you want a college experience that’s both challenging and rewarding, Illinois Tech is definitely the place to be.”

Ultimately, these two stories highlight this: that for your international student experience to go beyond just receiving an education, you’ll want to feel welcomed and wanted by the school too.

How US universities make their international students feel welcomed

Imagine getting delivered a piece of traditional mail to welcome you to the school — that’s how the best US universities for international students stand out from the rest. Source: AFP

Setting the tone for the rest of your time at university 

At the University of Michigan, where 48,167 international students were enrolled during the 2023-24 academic year, welcoming students, regardless of their country of origin, starts with an email:

“We are so glad that you are a part of our Michigan community. At the University of Michigan, we strive to create a campus environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and empowered to live, work, and learn. We seek to create a place where our discussions are inclusive and welcoming to differing viewpoints. This challenges our way of thinking and helps us grow.”

The email goes on to highlight the expectations the university holds for its students, including the programmes and resources available to support them in their journey. 

As a sign off, Martino Harmon, the Vice President for Student Life, writes: “Remember that you are not alone in this remarkable adventure; the entire U-M community, including faculty, staff, and your fellow students, is here to support and encourage you. You belong here.”

There’s a similar story from Andrea Suazo Rivas, who attended Grinnell College in Iowa because she “felt so welcome.”

In Rivas’s words, Grinnell found her instead of the other way around. Hailing from Honduras, she was shocked when she found an email from the college she had never heard of asking her to apply. After checking it out, Rivas gave Grinnell a chance – and they kept the momentum going, this time by sending Rivas snail mail, the first she’s ever received.

“Honduras doesn’t have a good mail system, but Grinnell somehow figured it out,” says Rivas. “No other college did that. That was exciting to me, and it made me feel so special. I felt like an individual and not just another number to them.”

The best US universities for international students have plenty of programmes to help you make your transition into higher education easier. Source: Pexels

Year-long inclusion programmes

One of the best US universities for international students is Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). All students, including the 14,517 international students who make up 44% of the student body, are thoroughly supported by the Centre for Student Diversity and Inclusion.

The centre is also where you’ll find the ORIGINS Experience, a year-long inclusion programme open to all students, focusing on community building and leadership development that begins a few days before First-Year Orientation.

In the programme, you’ll be immersed in a community-centred environment, exposing you to resources and opportunities for networking and development at CMU, and building your sense of belonging as an active member of the CMU community. 

At Alabama’s Auburn University, you’ll find the First Year Seminars a great form of academic support during, well, your first year at the university.

These credit hour-guaranteed seminars help new students acclimate to university life through learning about the opportunities for involvement on campus and in the local community, the soft skills vital to college success, the academic and personal resources on Auburn’s campus, as well as various career development and networking opportunities.

The best US universities for international students have dedicated support just for you. Source: AFP

International student-specific career support

Naturally, the best US universities for international students will have many forms of support provided, but some go above and beyond that too.

The Georgia Institute of Technology does this through the International Student Professional Development Series.

Offered by the Office of International Education in partnership with not one, not two, not three, but four separate organisations within the university (the Centre for Career Discovery and Development, the Communication Centre, the Student Alumni Association and the Advanced Technology Development Centre), the series helps international students during their career journey from start to end.

This includes helping them develop the professional skills required in today’s job market, explore the employment opportunities available to international students while a Georgia Tech student and after graduation, determine how international students can take advantage of F-1/J-1 employment benefits, and learn about other employment-based visa categories. 

Georgia Tech isn’t the only one with this dedicated support – Brown University’s Centre for Career Exploration.

At Brown, you’ll get access to Peer Career Advisors, Graduate Career Fellows, and Career Counsellors, as well as Interstride, an integrated platform to support international students and graduates with their career exploration, internship, and job search.

On top of that, the centre works closely with its university partners too, like Brown’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services, which can help you with immigration requirements and regulations that affect employment eligibility based on visa status, and the International Student Advising, which offers information sessions, workshops, and individual advising meeting.

There’s a big difference between being diverse and being inclusive, and the best US universities for international students know that well — that’s why they’re both. Source: AFP

Not just boasting diversity, but fostering inclusivity too

It’s easy to state that a university is welcoming of all students, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, or ability. However, the ability to act on it is what separates the average and the best US universities for international students.

One really good example?

When Junfeng Li, a class of 2023 graduate from The University of Texas at Austin’s Department of Radio-Television-Film and the then-President of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association, wrote an email inviting the university’s President Jay Hartzell to learn a sentence in Chinese for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations.

To Li’s surprise, the president did it – responding to his email and sending over the recording to wish students a Happy Chinese New Year. Li was touched, to say the least.

“When you see the president of your university not only accepting an invitation to a Chinese New Year event but trying to learn a sentence in your language, it’s just a wonderful gesture,” says Li. “That’s another level of support. It felt like the entire UT Austin community — faculty, staff and students — truly celebrated Chinese culture. I never expected him to even respond to my initial email. I share this story with a lot of my friends at other schools. They were just as surprised as I was.”

The demand for expertise in corporate finance has inspired ambitious professionals to seek advanced qualifications; yet with today’s demanding schedules, stepping away for full-time study isn’t always an option.  EDHEC Business School’s Online MSc in Corporate Finance  is a competitive programme from a top-ranked school that is tailored for busy professionals and allows participants to gain in-depth financial expertise without stepping away from their careers.

That’s exactly why Stefan Steiner chose it. “I was working a lot at Amazon on projects that were also a bit financially related –– for example, calculating costs or savings,” he shares.  “I always had an interest in the finance domain, and because I wanted to gain more experience and insight in this domain, but couldn’t give up my job at Amazon, I decided to pursue an online master’s in finance at that time.”

The Online MSc in Corporate Finance strengthens your core skills in finance and business management, equipping you with the techniques to drive financial and sustainable growth. Source: EDHEC Business School

Founded for entrepreneurs, built for visionaries

Established in 1906, EDHEC Business School has built a global reputation for delivering business education rooted in real-world application. With a strong focus on innovation, leadership, and impact, the school has spent more than a century shaping professionals who drive change across industries. Today, EDHEC ranks among the top business schools in France and is internationally recognised for its academic excellence. It holds the 7th spot in the Financial Times ranking of European Business Schools.

Whether you’re still early in your career path out or you are an experienced executive looking to sharpen your competitive edge, the Online MSc in Corporate Finance programme will not only advance your skills and acumen, but it connects you with tens of thousands of alumni around the world. This 15-month programme equips you with a strong foundation in corporate finance and business management, while also giving you the tools to lead through financial and sustainable growth.

The learning approach combines fundamental theory with practical tools and techniques, guided by international experts who bring real-world insights into every course. As you work through case studies, you’ll develop essential skills in financial analysis, corporate valuation, and strategic financial decision-making, which are all crucial in today’s business environment.

In this programme, you will learn how to break down a company’s strategy, assess its competitive position, and analyse its financial performance. Using this information, you can apply financial tools and valuation techniques to make smart strategic decisions and understand their direct impact on a company’s margins, profitability, and long-term value creation.

Your journey begins with core pillars of financial education including risk management, and accounting. From there, you’ll personalise your path by choosing two to four electives, with options including strategic foresight, data analytics for managers, people analytics, and more.

“The electives — where EDHEC shines, in my opinion — have an innovative approach to combining these with the financial aspect,” says Steiner. “For example, in brand management and strategic marketing, you have courses that are basically management but are also seen through the lens of the financial background and the financial strength that EDHEC brings to its staff.”

Graduate Roland Nasr agrees. “Surprisingly, other courses, such as my electives in agile leadership, SME governance, and digital transformation, also proved very important for my personal development and growth,” he says.

EDHEC’s Online MSc in Corporate Finance offers flexible schedules, personalised coaching, and one-on-one academic mentorship. Source: EDHEC Business School

Live, interactive learning with real-world impact

In addition to the 100% online programme coursework, participants join one live online class every week that led by an academic mentor. These interactive classes encourage collaborative discussion and provide a space for participants to ask questions and review course content together.

Other major components of the programme are the consulting project and personalised career coaching. The immersive consulting project allows participants to be a part of a real-world simulation that emphasises strategic thinking, application of skills learned, and working in teams. EDHEC’s YouDrive is a tailored experience designed to support participants with coaching and feedback so that they are best-prepared upon completion of the programme.

On average, the programme recommends around 15 hours of study per week, which includes a mix of individual self-paced learning and group work. “The flexible format also allows you to balance your studies with professional and personal commitments, giving you the freedom to learn from anywhere, anytime,” explains Julien Desangle, Programme Director

That balance between independence and collaboration is something participants notice. “EDHEC does a great job of mixing that individual work aspect with group work, having a team, and also rotating teams — having contact with other people in other cohorts or specialities,” Steiner says.

For many, the learning has an immediate payoff. Nasr, for example, applied his new skills directly at work, using financial and valuation modules to create strong financial models and projections at innovative investment firm, Melanion.

“I can confidently say that this was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” he says. “I would highly recommend this programme to any other student looking for an online option; this could be the best option for them in finance.”

Learn more about the EDHEC’s Online MSc in Corporate Finance.

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