Ilse Osorio Figueroa

Hello! I’m Ilse from Mexico!  

Before coming to Leeds, I studied a bachelor’s degree in economics, and I worked as a Business Consultant collaborating to implement strategic projects in some of the biggest banks of Mexico. Although I gained a general perspective of the banking industry through my previous education, and my work experience helped me to develop management and negotiation skills, I wanted to deepen my knowledge in Finance to keep growing professionally. 

I chose to study MSc Banking and International Finance at Leeds because the course covers the central issues in modern banking and financial markets, the University has a strong research culture as part of the Russell Group, and the School holds triple accreditation and has been named a Centre of Excellence by the Chartered Banker Institute. 

Now that I have started my studies, I highly value the chance of being in such a diverse environment. I have met people from so many places with a variety of perspectives. I have been able to learn not only from the life experiences and culture of my fellow classmates, but also from the business environment and the challenges of modern banking in different regions, enriching my perspective and network in a world of integrated financial markets and global companies. 

Since day one, the University has encouraged me to think about the future of my career and how the tools and resources that they offer can help me boost my CV. For students doing Banking and International Finance, I think the most relevant credentials are the Bloomberg certifications, the CFA University Affiliation that signals the curriculum is closely tied to the practice of investment management, and the membership to the Charted Banker Institute while studying being eligible for Chartered Banker status upon graduation. 

The best thing about my course is the modules. The core modules have a perfect mix of quantitative and theoretical views, fomenting critical thinking and connecting ideas across subjects. We also choose optional modules to have a more personalized learning experience and to gain skills for real-world application in the financial labour market. 

The knowledge acquired has allowed me to gain another perspective on situations that I encountered on a day-to-day basis in the company where I worked. Now I can be more critical with certain situations, and I think this will allow me to move from the execution of projects to a more strategic role in the future. 

Leeds is a young, diverse, and vibrant city for creativity and culture. One of my favourite areas of the city is Hyde Park, here you can find great places to study, chill or meet pals. I really enjoy a good cup of coffee and nice music while I’m working on my assignments, exploring vintage shops, running at Woodhouse Moor, and discovering art galleries, exhibitions, and music performances. 

By joining the University of Leeds, you will be attending first class education, access to invaluable resources and opportunities, a chance to live through a truly diverse environment, and a year full of new experiences, lifelong friendships, and challenges to grow personally, academically, and professionally.