Student Experience

Debo Dyson, Internal Communications Manager at Selfridges, shares his experience of completing the IoIC Master’s in Internal Communication Management, from balancing work and study, to applying new learning in real time. He reflects on the confidence it gave him, the support of his cohort and tutors, and how the journey unlocked potential he didn’t know he had.

Recent MA graduate, Esther Bennett, Global Head of Colleague Experience at Ideagen shares how the MA course unlocked her confidence, sharpened her strategy, and sparked lifelong connections, all while juggling work, parenting and personal growth.

Discover how Iselin Klev, an international student from Norway, found inspiration and transformation through the MA in Internal Communication Management. She shares why the programme stands out and the key lessons that shaped her journey.

Change Communications Lead at the University of Cambridge, Kate Waters, shares her experience as a student of the Masters in Internal Communication Management

Nicky Gallagher, Managing Director, HarknessKennett shares her experience as a recent graduate of the Masters in Internal Communication Management

Sanna, Senior Internal Communications Specialist at Remedy Entertainment and lives in Finland shares her experience as a student of the Masters in Internal Communication Management

If you’re thinking about doing the Masters, but have doubts on whether you can apply what you learn to your day-to-day job, read on…

Yvonne Costello, Internal Communication Manager at Health Service Executive shares her experience studying for the Masters in Internal Communication Management.

Patrick, Senior Internal Communication Manager at The Alan Turing Institute shares his experience as a student of the Masters in Internal Communication Management

Roisin, Engagement & Management of Change at HPE shares her experience as a student of the Masters in Internal Communication Management

Melanie, Global Internal Communications Manager at American Express shares her experience as a student of the Masters in Internal Communication Manager.

A recent graduate's reflections on completing the Masters in Internal Communication

From the first time I contacted the IoIC about their Masters programme, I felt like I'd found my tribe! Although I'd been away from formal education for 20+ years, I was made feel welcome and included.

Spoiler alert – in my opinion it is! But why should you take my word for it? Before I put this blog together (my first ever!), I did what I usually do when faced with a task – I looked at how the best do it, to see what nuggets I can recycle *cough* steal. Almost all suggested you should share your experiences honestly and authentically, so the reader has a reason to believe you. So, I thought I'd share a little about me in the hope that knowing it will help what I've written resonate.

When deciding whether to take on the challenge of a Masters degree on top of a full time job and a busy life, asking yourself why is a very good place to start. For me it was a solidify my career change and gain a deep understanding of internal comms.

Time has truly flown by since I handed in my final Masters assignment in September 2019. In fact, looking back, the entire 12-month programme passed so quickly that combining it with full time work now feels far more achievable than perhaps it did at the time!

My ten years of experience in internal comms roles was sprinkled with knowledge I had gained by working with other IC experts, a conference or two, or the classic way I tend to learn – from mistakes. I was pretty good at what I did, doing it for one of the most famous names in the UK but, if I'm honest, I always felt like I was missing something – and underpinning knowledge that solidified why some things I did were successful while other less so.

I've worked in internal communications for over 15 years, and was pretty confident that I had a level of knowledge and expertise that meant I was doing a good job. However, when an email landed in my inbox about studying for a Masters in Internal Communication, it sparked an interest immediately. 

"I first heard about the IoIC's Masters in Internal Communication Management last year when I was Googling internal comms qualifications. I attended the programme's launch event back in June, where I met Jenny and Liz who are two of the tutors, some programme alumni and lots of other potential students.