Bayes Business School (formerly Cass) supports its MBAs well after graduation with lifelong learning opportunities—helping them stay competitive, and grow as leaders
With London’s Bayes Business School’s new mantra being “Always learning,” lifelong learning is high on the agenda. Even after graduation, MBA alumni have the opportunity to return to the classroom to study one elective per year for free, enabling them to keep upskilling as they evolve in their career.
Professor Stephen Thomas (pictured below), associate dean of Bayes Business School, thinks this strategy is crucial to students’ long-term success. “It's a wonderful way for the school to stay engaged with alumni and for people to educate themselves in a fast-changing digital world,” he says.
Alumni can choose from more than 20 electives, some of which are available online to allow for more flexibility. There are also 12 international electives in addition to the ones delivered in London and online, taught in various locations including South-Africa, China, and the US.
From behavioral finance, to storytelling in business, to new venture creation, alumni can learn in-depth about the latest developments in the business world, and maintain a competitive edge in their own industries.
Keeping updated with new business practices
Yogi Bhavnani, Bayes full-time MBA graduate and managing consultant at multinational IT services company Wipro Digital, has been taking advantage of these lifelong learning opportunities for years.
After graduating in 2011, Yogi wanted to keep his skills sharp, and keep his knowledge up to date on the ever-evolving world of tech. Over the years, he’s taken electives on design thinking, strategy, and fintech.
The accessibility of the electives was a big part of the appeal for Yogi. “Normally if you take an executive short-term course at a university, it will cost you around £1,200 to £1,500, maybe £2,000 to do it. But if you're already a part of a good business school, which offers you electives for free, why wouldn’t you?” he says.
The electives change regularly to reflect changes in the business landscape, which means alumni never run out of new areas to explore.
“Our task is to keep electives fresh, so we probably have at least a new one every year,” associate dean Steve explains. “Next year, it will be ESG and strategy. In the near future, it may be on the production side of operations management, which has come to the fore with supply chain issues.”
Becoming a better leader
Steve says that electives are designed to balance breadth and depth, allowing alumni to both expand their horizons across many different fields and deepen their knowledge in a field they already have expertise in.
For example, Yogi’s (pictured here) favorite elective was on fintech, even though he’s already well-acquainted with the sector.
“When I'm doing my work, I'm doing only certain aspects of fintech, which certain clients are interested in, but you don't get a holistic view of what's happening across the industry,” he says. “When you take an elective, you know that you're getting the best and the most up to date knowledge on a topic.”
Constantly refining his knowledge on tech and financial services has enabled Yogi to become a better consultant. “When we go to the client better informed, that's when we come up with a better solution,” he reflects.
Boosting your personal development
Lifelong learning can help your career, but it also has benefits beyond the professional realm.
“It's not purely about the academic aspect,” Steve says. “It’s also about personal development, personal relationships, and networking.”
Electives are a great opportunity for people to reconnect with former classmates and with new people.
Yogi met someone on the fintech course who had joined his former company. He told Yogi what he was doing with his career, where he wanted to go, and Yogi told him about his own experience and gave him advice. “People connect and sometimes you end up helping each other,” he says.
Taking a gap between your initial MBA and further learning also means you’re more experienced when you continue your learning journey.
With lifelong learning, Bayes enables alumni to strengthen their expertise whenever it becomes relevant to their work, and whenever it’s convenient to their personal lives.
“Once people leave, they become very busy. Life, family, and career take over,” Steve says. “So the important thing for us is to keep the door open for them.”
In this sense, an MBA at Bayes is not just a one-time transaction, it’s an opportunity for continuous professional development.
“You're not buying a one or two year program, you're buying a lifetime relationship,” Steve concludes. “You’re talking about a lifetime investment here.”
When I first stepped onto the campus of City, University of London, I knew I was in for a ride - and not just on the Tube! With its vibrant energy and an impressive repertoire of programs, City U became my home away from home.
The Journalism program was kind of a big deal. Rumour was that we were the best in Europe!
The lecturers were not just experts in their field; they’re practically journalistic royalty. They were invested, passionate, and had a knack for turning the most flat press release into a riveting news story. With their guidance, I’ve learned to navigate the chaotic world of media like a pro.
The campus was a melting pot of every culture, being that we had such a diverse international crowd.
Being in the heart of London, I had the world at my fingertips - there was always a new corner to explore, a hidden gem of a cafe to discover, or a street performer!
City, University of London wasn't just a university; it was a chapter in my life story that I’ll never forget.
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23/02/2023
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The teacher-learner ration is manageable, giving each learner a chance to gain personal attention. It is also easier following up on the progress of a student, as the numbers per class is not large. the conducive environment for learning includes clean classes, standard desks, world class instructional facilities and the opportunity to engage lecturers even after their sessions. The team spirit at City is above board, with learners getting chance to learn both from instructors and colleagues. This is the university of choice; the place to be.
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24/01/2023
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I liked that each class had a manageable number of learners, making the professor-learner ratio favor knowledge acquisition. I also liked that study schedules were manageable, and not overwhelming. The focus on talents and gifts even within the learning environment makes it possible for learners to achieve the best of their potential, and this has worked to the advantage of those that have schooled at City, University of London
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24/01/2023
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The diversity at City University facilitates interactions and is a direction toward the unity of the world. The classes are well built to match the number and needs of all students regardless of the elements of diversity that set people apart. The use of technology in delivery makes learning even more interesting and achievable. At City University there is no distinction pegged on the issues that make people unique.
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23/01/2023
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professors
The team of lecturers at the Uiversity are well experienced. Their level of insight and the methodologies of delivery works for the interes of the leaeners. My learning experience was largely boosted by the level of knowledge of the professors at the institution, and their passion to transfer the same to learners. I appreciate every class I attended because of the level of insight I was able to gather
Nora
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17/12/2022
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The best university I’ve been to
The campus and the people I've met have made it a wonderful experience. I was reared in a small town with a graduating class of only 88 individuals, so moving to City University was a huge adjustment for me. My dorm has more residents than my whole high school combined! I enjoy the atmosphere here, and everyone is so friendly. Outstanding academic options and a stunning campus. Really great from beginning to end. The educators genuinely love what they do, and the students are ready to learn. On or around college, there is always something to do with friends, and the social scene is particularly warm.
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21/11/2022
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Bayes Business School
As a student at City university attending Bayes Business School I would totally recommend choosing this university as the experience is exceptional with great social networking opportunities . Professors are significantly helpful, delivering with excellence and professionalism. Everyone is happy to help and make you feel welcomed in such an esteem university as City, offering exceptional development and guidance through out the course.
Muhammad
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15/11/2022
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Economics and Politics
Incredibly amazing university, the way they polish students and help them boost their morale and think intellectually is worthwhile. Many universities have international partnerships to allow exchanges between their students. The most obvious subjects for these opportunities would be those that involve languages, and the study of people and places.
Navya
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11/11/2022
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Clinical biology
I really like it it’s perfect for me with not too many people and not too few either. All the modules are amazing. I love the toy bar. I love all the societies that I’ma part of. Especially the colour Bollywood society
