Vasilis Pappas
MSc Money, Banking & Finance, 2008
Country of origin: Greece
Currently a PhD student at LUMS
I studied for the MSc in Money, Banking & Finance in 2007/8 and am currently a PhD student researching Islamic banking performance. The modules and the projects of the MSc, both team and individual, were very well structured and really enhanced my knowledge. In the group projects, I met students from many different countries and we had a really good time. I learned a great deal about different cultures and different ways of thinking which can be an invaluable experience in every type of business.
The MSc taught courses were at an advanced level and some required extensive reading of academic research papers. This was very exciting as the unfolding ‘credit crunch’ allowed us to investigate many different aspects of performance measures, government policies and regulations that previously were not given proper attention.
Professors in the Economics Department were always ready to help and provide guidance when needed. Many seminars were held during the year, some of them with very prominent speakers. The dissertation period is perhaps the best since you can create something unique, following your own interests, and applying things you have learnt.
The city of Lancaster might be small, but it is quaint and you can always find a place to go for a night out. Pubs, cinemas, cafés, restaurants and clubs are only some of the choices you will have for a Saturday night. Even if your projects seem to take an awful lot of time, you can go and grab a drink at the pubs on campus and play some pool in the common room. On a Sunday, provided that the weather is good, you will be tempted to ride a bike to town via the public footpath enjoying pristine scenery, or go jogging to Galgate via a small winding road with hardly any traffic. Meeting new people or seeing new places can be part of the trips arranged by the Graduate Association twice a month.
