PG International Study Tours

Masters students have the opportunity to apply for a place on a week-long international study tour which includes company visits, guest lectures and networking events, with time to visit local places of interest.

The study tour is tailored to our academic departments, which means you’ll gain an insight into industries related to your area of study.

These opportunities are important because they offer you a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture, understand how different global markets shape business practice, and visit international businesses to gain real world insights.

The tours can contribute to your personal and professional development by pushing you out of your comfort zone and challenging you to consider different mindsets and attitudes towards business. Students come away from the week with new perspectives, new friendships, and a bigger professional network.

But don’t just take our word for it! Let's hear from students who have taken part in a study tour during the Spring and Summer 2026...

Slovenia

Spending a week in Slovenia provided a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of business, culture, and innovation in a new context.

From engaging workshops on intercultural management and the future of work, to insightful company visits with organisations such as Krka, Zavarovalnica Triglav, and Metacor, the experience offered valuable perspectives on how businesses operate in different environments.

One key takeaway was that innovation and decision-making are not universal, highlighting the need for adaptability in global business!

Beyond the academic and professional insights, the trip was equally defined by the people. Building connections with a diverse group of students, experiencing Slovenian culture, and stepping outside of my usual environment made it an especially rewarding experience

Belgium

The Antwerp study tour was the best week of my year at Leeds. We covered a lot in five days. We looked at the Belgian economy and business ethics, went to the European Parliament and the Commission in Brussels, and visited the diamond district and Chocolate Nation.

The crisis management day is the one I keep thinking about. The Zombie Game put our team under real time pressure and forced us to decide fast. I learned more about leading a team that afternoon than I have from any book.

I also polished a real diamond. I never thought I would say that.

The hosts looked after us the whole time, and I came home with friends I plan to keep. If you get the chance to go, take it.

Germany

The Frankfurt Study Tour was one of the most valuable experiences of my master's because it brought together perspectives that are rarely encountered in the same setting. Learning from Frankfurt School professors, policymakers at the European Central Bank and professionals across the financial sector allowed me to see how the same financial system is viewed through different lenses, whether the priority is advancing research, safeguarding financial stability or responding to market realities.

Beyond the academic programme, exploring Frankfurt's financial district, visiting the Money Museum and experiencing the city's history and culture added another dimension to the experience. It reminded me that financial systems are shaped by decades of economic development, institutional evolution and public trust.

What made the programme particularly valuable was the way these experiences complemented one another. Rather than treating finance as a collection of separate topics, the study tour connected theory, policy, industry and historical context to provide a more complete understanding of the European financial landscape. It was an engaging and intellectually stimulating experience that demonstrated the value of learning through direct exposure to the institutions, people and ideas shaping modern finance.

Switzerland

Taking part in the Switzerland international study tour was an incredibly rewarding experience that I will always value. The academic sessions were carefully designed and helped deepen my understanding of Swiss local culture and society.

The company visits were particularly engaging and insightful. We were able to observe real production processes on site, while industry professionals shared practical knowledge about operational risks, potential challenges and possible solutions in real business settings. These experiences effectively connected the theoretical knowledge we learned with real-world practice, which significantly broadened my academic perspective.

Beyond academic learning, this tour also supported my development in cross-cultural communication and teamwork. Our group members came from different countries with diverse cultural backgrounds, and English was not the first language for many of us and this experience encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and improve my communication skills.

Overall, this study tour achieved a good balance between academic learning and cultural exploration. I found the entire experience both valuable and enjoyable, from high-quality academic sessions to the friendships built along the way. I would highly recommend this international study tour to students who are keen to learn, explore and develop themselves.