Mr. Huang will graduate in 2000.

Williams: Good morning.
Huang: Good morning. I’m Huang Qiang, a math student in Beijing University. I’ll graduate in the summer next year, and I intend to study business in the U.K. after graduation with a B.A.
Williams: That’s good. I am Williams, John Williams. Please call me John.
Huang: Thank you, John.
Williams: Thank you. Well, Heather University provides the best business courses.
Huang: Is it true that one can finish the course in as short as one year?
Williams: Yes. But some of the MBA courses request two years. Exactly what courses do you intend to study?
Huang: I have not decided yet. But most likely I’ll take up MSc in financial management.
Williams: It is certainly a good choice because the world’s economy is always growing and more and more jobs are available.
Huang: What does this program provide?
Williams: It provides graduates and non-financial managers in any functional area of the organization with the skills and knowledge to use and interpret financial information to enhance their planning and decision-making skills.
Huang: So one can do it without work experience.
Williams: Right, although work experience is helpful.
Huang: How does the program arrange the courses?
Williams: The program is taught over two semesters after which students must successfully complete a project or dissertation.
Huang: What if one cannot finish the dissertation on time?
Williams: If you can pass all the causes, you can apply for a delay of submission. In that case, however, you’d have to pay one more semester or one more year’s tuition.
Huang: Is it possible for one to work part-time?
Williams: According to the British government, you are not supposed to work in the first year. But you can in the second year.
Huang: That’s a good news.
Williams: Yes.
Huang: Sorry to have interrupted you.
Williams: That’s OK. Well, Semester One is a compulsory foundation stage which provides the basic skills and analytical tools required for later in-depth study of the subject matter.
Huang: Very tough, I think.
Williams: Eh...probably yes, unfortunately. Semester Two allows students to specialize, although the main focus is on covering advanced Financial Management topics.
Huang: Can you give me some details about the arrangements?
Williams: Oh, sure. The first semester involves the study of six modules which provide a secure understanding for the later parts of the program. Where appropriate, students may undertake an introductory Information Technology module, and/or an English for Communication module.
Huang: What are the six modules in the first semester?
Williams: You are to study full-time, aren’t you?
Huang: Yes.
Williams: Well, they are Understanding Financial Performance, Quantitative Methods for Managers, Managerial Economics, Financial Management, Research Methods in Accounting and Finance, and Managing Operations.
Huang: And the second semester?
Williams: A lot more in the second. You’ll have Financial Strategy, Organizational Behavior, Financial Performance Analysis, dissertation, plus three optional modules for you to select from. For instance, Investment Appraisal, Management Planning and Control, Business Taxation, and more.
Huang: Would you please say something about the dissertation? It is a must, I understand.
Williams: Yes. The dissertation consists of an individual piece of work. It is done under supervision and guidance, which consolidates and cements the learning at masters level.
Huang: How long one is supposed to write?
Williams: It is a major piece of research work. Should be at least 10,000 words, in a subject area relevant to the program.
Huang: What is the submission time?
Williams: Students embark on this final stage of the degree at the end of semester two and submit their thesis in the first week of the following December.
Huang: That is to say, one’s English ought to be good enough to apply for the course.
Williams: Yes. Good English ensures a good result. That is why we hope our applicants to have a minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS or 570 in TOEFL. Have you taken one of the two examinations?
Huang: I’ll take TOEFL in January next year.
Williams: As a matter of fact, if one’s English is not good enough for the course, one can still apply for it provided he takes up some weeks’ English courses provided by the university.
Huang: That is another good news. May I have an application form and relevant materials?
Williams: Oh, certainly. Here you are.
Huang: Thank you for your information. Good-bye.
Williams: Looking forward to meeting you at Heather University!