Alice Emily Osborne, Manchester AMBS MBA Class of 2026
Age: 26
Hometown: Singapore
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Manchester, First Class BA (Hons) Business & Chinese
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Marketing professional specialising in sustainability storytelling, brand evolution, and purposeful communications, with 4 years of experience working with start-ups and established brands. Successfully delivered projects across the UK and Asia in sectors including film and TV, real estate, building materials, homeware, automotive and tech.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Business school provides the opportunity to broaden my expertise, sharpen my critical thinking, and build confidence for larger roles. After spending much of my career in the start-up world, now feels like the right time to deepen my understanding of commercial drivers in multinational organisations and prepare for the next chapter of my career.
Why did you choose Alliance Manchester Business School? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Alliance Manchester Business School for its hands-on learning approach and commitment to sustainability. AMBS’s “learning by doing” philosophy provides the perfect setting to turn classroom insights into real-world experience and its #1 global ranking in sustainability aligns with my passion for creating positive environmental impact through business.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
As a University of Manchester alumnus, I’m excited to reconnect with this community and bring a creative, entrepreneurial, and cross-cultural perspective to the AMBS MBA Class of 2026. I hope to spark conversations about sustainability, encouraging my classmates to think about how we can drive positive change in the companies we work with now and in the future.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I’m a matcha enthusiast! The ritual of preparing matcha with traditional tools is a daily source of joy and mindfulness for me. I’m even toying with the idea of introducing high-quality matcha to the UK as a healthier coffee alternative, hoping to share its relaxing ritual and delicious flavour profile with others.
Post-MBA career interests:
Post-MBA, I’m eager to make a meaningful impact in sustainability and ESG with global brands, ideally in Southeast Asia, where I have two decades of experience. I’m also interested in discovering where I can have the greatest impact and exploring new paths as part of the MBA journey, including entrepreneurship and venture capital.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
One thing I’d strongly recommend is taking the time to thoroughly reflect on your career journey, long-term goals, personal development objectives, and how the MBA can help you achieve them. Achieving that clarity strengthened my MBA rationale and made the application process feel much smoother.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I wish I’d applied earlier, as I initially thought the GMAT was required for AMBS. A quick chat with the MBA recruitment team clarified that there was an alternative testing option, which helped me move forward and was a great reminder to reach out and ask questions early on!
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Probably the Manchester Admission Test, an alternative to the GMAT that required extra study. I dedicated 3-4 hours each day for a week using Korn Ferry’s prep materials, which helped me tackle the test, particularly the logical reasoning section. The sense of accomplishment at the end made it worth the effort – so maybe I wouldn’t skip it after all!
What is your initial impression of the AMBS students/culture/community?
My first impressions are incredibly positive. Diverse and experienced classmates, along with a supportive culture, encourage us to be ourselves, aim for the stars, and feel comfortable learning from our mistakes. The senior cohort and alumni also offer valuable guidance, making AMBS a place where we’re all motivated to grow, challenge ourselves, and explore new possibilities together.
What is one thing you have learned about AMBS that has surprised you?
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the support and activities from the Postgraduate Careers Service (PCS) Team exclusively for the MBA programme. It’s fantastic to see reputable global companies engaging with our class for internships and roles so early on, and I’m excited to participate in competitions like the Accounting 4 Sustainability Challenge and the Venture Capital Investment Competition this semester.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
With many classmates bringing more years of experience, I initially felt nervous about speaking up and taking the lead in group settings. However, this concern has already quickly faded, having realised that my background in dynamic young businesses has equipped me well to bring a unique perspective and contribute meaningfully to our collaborative environment.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
This first year feels like a unique opportunity to explore new interests, grow both personally and professionally, and build a strong foundation for my next life chapter. I’m excited to be part of a vibrant academic environment that fuels my curiosity and love for learning, all while forming meaningful connections and friendships along the way!
