Andrew Forbes – MBA Master of Business Administration

Andrew crossed RGU’s graduation stage at P&J Live on Wednesday 13 July in front of friends, family, and peers, exiting the other side as a Master of Business Administration with Distinction.  

“I feel quite proud of the achievement,” says Andrew. “Not only did I earn the MBA while working full time, but my employer at the time was going through a complex and lengthy merger process, which effected all areas of the business and limited my study time further.” 

Andrew’s father completed the same course almost 25 years ago and often spoke about how it completely changed his career, adding to Andrew’s inspiration to take on the course himself. 

“I have found every stage of the part time MBA program to be an entirely rewarding and worthwhile experience,” says Andrew. “The highlight of the MBA module undoubtedly has to be Leadership Week. So much hard work from RGU staff goes into it in terms of planning and organisation. This is while the students work hard on the exercises and tasks and attend lectures from industry-leading figures from the business environment. 

“It is an opportunity to learn and interact with industry leaders in an informal setting and it includes a business simulation where teams can apply the business theory they have learned to a competitive and fun exercise.” 

Andrew previously completed a BA (Hons) Management with Finance degree with RGU in 2011 and said he enjoyed the first-class on-campus facilities and valued the commitment of the teaching staff. 

"The overall positive experience I had achieving that qualification drew me back to RGU for a second time,” says Andrew. “I also had several positive communications with the MBA course leadership team over the summer of 2019, which further encouraged me to return to Aberdeen Business School. 

“I decided to undertake a master’s degree as I felt that this level of qualification would give me the opportunity to enhance my career prospects and allow me to obtain new skills, which I could then apply to the different business environments I encounter.  

“It was the MBA program at RGU that specifically interested me, not only due to its strong reputation and accreditations but because it was also where my father had completed his MBA. It had a profound effect on his career.” 

As with many students completing their degrees as lockdowns from the global pandemic eased, Andrew felt the influence of the coronavirus on his education. 

Andrew adds: "The transition from on-campus to the online learning was initially quite challenging. However, the support, patience, and guidance of the staff at Aberdeen Business School made this exceptionally smooth. It became natural after a fairly short period of time. 

“In terms of teaching methods, the fact that the lectures were recorded, and students could replay them made a huge difference to my grades. The interactive nature of the MBA classes was also of great value; the free-flowing nature of the classroom discussions opened up students to different ways of thinking and approaching challenges.” 

Andrew was a Senior Commercial Coordinator at an oilfield service when he started his degree. He had joined the organisation as a graduate of RGU and progressed through several roles. 

“I felt I wanted to move my career onto the next level, so I chose to enrol on the MBA program at RGU,” says Andrew. “Gaining this qualification has enabled me to undertake my first management role in my career as Commercial Manager at NXG Group starting in May this year.  

“This new challenge as Commercial Manager of a small, new, ambitious, technology-driven oilfield service company suited my new skillset and I look forward to contributing and continuing my personal growth in this new role. 

“The MBA has taught me new skills in a number of areas including; management, planning, communication, finance, innovation and leadership. One of the fundamental key skills I have learned which will be essential in my new role is people management, and I found the module on that topic particularly interesting.” 

Planning for the future, Andrew wants to use his newly earned skills and capabilities to capitalise on new opportunities for his organisation. 

He adds: “If there is any advice I could pass on to anyone thinking of doing the MBA at RGU, it would simply be this—do it.  

“You may think it sounds like a long time and may doubt you will be able to juggle work, studying, life, and leisure time. However, the time passes quickly, and you are capable of much more than you think.”