From classroom to workplace: How GBS students built their futures

Explore how Global Banking School students turn education into real career outcomes. From enterprise founders to healthcare professionals, see how GBS supports career progression.

A learner is, first and foremost, a dreamer. But most students arrive with far more than ambition and a set of books. They arrive with full calendars, responsibilities and lives already in motion. 

At Global Banking School (GBS), this reality shapes how students learn. Many of our students begin their studies while managing work, family commitments and other responsibilities. Some are the first in their families to enter higher education, while others are changing direction after years in the workforce, choosing career-focused education to support their next step. 

At GBS, we understand that progress rarely starts with perfect timing or a perfectly mapped career plan. It all begins with a decision to move forward and build something new. Our programmes are structured around that reality. With timetables designed to fit around their working lives, and coursework focusing on practical tasks that reflect real professional situations, students develop skills they can apply immediately while receiving access to academic, career guidance and employability support throughout their studies. 

Across GBS campuses in the UK, students are already translating their studies into real outcomes. These student success stories reflect how education becomes a pathway from classroom to workplace. 

Faizan Ahmed’s journey from classroom to workplace

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When Faizan Ahmed first joined GBS as a Business Management student, his focus was on completing his degree and advancing his career. Returning to the classroom as a lecturer was not something he had planned. 

During his time at GBS, Faizan found a learning environment that encouraged him to grow both academically and personally. The guidance he received during his studies helped him build the confidence to continue his education and explore new opportunities. 

Reflecting on that period, he says: 

“During my time as a student, I was fortunate to receive guidance and support that helped me grow not just in knowledge, but in confidence.” 

After completing his undergraduate degree, Faizan continued his studies with a master's in real estate management at Birmingham City University. The experience deepened his understanding of the sector and strengthened the academic foundations he had built during his time at GBS. 

Today, Faizan has returned to the same classrooms where he once studied, now working as an Assistant Lecturer. Having experienced the pressures of balancing study with other responsibilities, he approaches teaching with a clear understanding of the challenges many students face. 

For current learners, he offers the perspective of someone who has walked the same path. 

Jbar Yahya’s journey from classroom to workplace 

While studying BA (Hons) Business and Enterprise at GBS, Jbar Yahya began thinking about the impact education could have beyond his own career. 

His ideas soon developed into something larger. During his studies, he founded the Luminaire Rural Development Organisation (LRDO), a charity focused on supporting communities in Sudan through access to healthcare, clean water and vocational education. 

The motivation behind the organisation came from personal experience. After emigrating to the UK, Jbar had faced the difficulty of securing employment without the necessary qualifications or experience. That experience shaped his determination to create opportunities for others. 

At GBS, the Enterprise Hub provided guidance that helped him turn his ideas into a structured initiative. The support he received allowed him to move from concept to action while continuing his studies. 

He reflects on that experience simply: 

“GBS opened so many doors for me. Through my studies and the enterprise support at the Enterprise Hub, I was given the tools I needed to start my venture.” 

Today, LRDO continues its work abroad while also creating volunteering opportunities for current GBS students. Through these collaborations, students gain practical experience while contributing to projects that have a real impact on communities. 

Imran Younas’ journey from classroom to workplace 

For Imran Younas, returning to education came after several years of professional experience. 

He had already worked in the healthcare sector, but career progression often required formal qualifications that he did not yet have. Rather than remain limited by that gap, he decided to return to study. 

Imran enrolled in the HNC Healthcare Practice programme at the GBS Birmingham Norfolk House campus. The programme allowed him to develop the academic knowledge needed to complement his professional background. 

As part of the course, he also completed placements working with elderly patients in care settings. These experiences brought him closer to the human side of healthcare and strengthened his understanding of patient-centred care. 

After completing both his HNC and HND qualifications, Imran progressed into a role as Business Development Manager working with NHS trusts across the Midlands. He is now continuing his studies towards a BSc (Hons) Health, Wellbeing and Social Care degree. 

Looking back on his time at GBS, he recalls the value of stepping back into a learning environment: 

“Having these two days a week on campus gave me the opportunity to focus on building my knowledge, establishing relationships and thinking about how I could expand my studies in the future.” 

Paola Gomez’s journey from classroom to workplace 

For Paola Gomez, studying digital technologies was a deliberate step towards a rapidly evolving industry. 

She chose the HND in Digital Technologies to build the practical skills needed for careers in technology. The programme focuses on applied learning, allowing students to explore how digital systems operate in real organisations. 

Through her studies, Paola developed the technical foundations required to begin building a career in the digital sector. The course also helped her grow more confident in working with technology and understanding how it shapes modern workplaces. 

As industries continue to rely on digital systems and data-driven processes, programmes like this prepare students to enter a field where demand for skilled professionals continues to grow. 

How GBS supports students from the classroom to workplace 

Behind every student's story is a structure that helps learning translate into real opportunities. At GBS, our programmes are for people whose studies sit alongside work, family responsibilities and other commitments. Teaching focuses on applied learning so that students develop knowledge they can use in professional settings while  studying. Students are supported throughout their academic journey through a combination of practical teaching, academic guidance and employability support. Support available to GBS students includes: 

  • Applied learning in the classroom: Coursework focuses on practical tasks, case studies and real-world scenarios that reflect how organisations operate. 
  • Academic support for students: Learners receive guidance on managing assignments, developing research skills and building confidence in their academic work. 
  • Career guidance and employability support: The Graduate Employment and Entrepreneurship team provides personalised career advice, CV guidance and interview preparation. 
  • Employer engagement opportunities: Students can attend networking events, employer talks and industry workshops designed to connect them with potential career pathways. 
  • Careers Hub and Handshake access: Students and graduates can explore job opportunities, internships and career resources through dedicated career platforms. 
  • Work placements and volunteering opportunities: Many learners gain practical experience through internships, placements or community initiatives that strengthen their CVs before graduation. 

Together, these opportunities contribute to strong GBS outcomes, supporting learners as they move from classroom learning into professional roles. 

Study pathways for students without traditional qualifications 

Many people considering higher education wonder whether higher education is possible without traditional qualifications such as GCSEs or A levels. At GBS, several study pathways allow you to begin your academic journey from different starting points and progress step by step. Common routes into higher education include: 

  • Higher National Diplomas (HNDs): HND programmes focus on practical learning and industry-relevant skills. They are often a starting point for students returning to study or entering higher education through vocational pathways. 
  • Progression to undergraduate degrees: Students who complete an HND can often progress into a top-up year to achieve a full undergraduate degree. 
  • Building experience alongside study: Many learners continue working while studying, allowing them to develop professional experience alongside academic knowledge. 
  • Progression to postgraduate degrees: After completing an undergraduate degree, students may choose to specialise further through postgraduate programmes in areas such as global business, project management or counselling and psychotherapy. 

These progression routes can help you build qualifications gradually while gaining confidence and professional experience along the way. For further information, please get in touch with our progression team. 

Turning education into real career outcomes 

Every learner comes from a different starting point. Some return to education after years in the workforce. Others begin their studies while managing jobs, families or other responsibilities. What they share is the decision to move forward. 

The experiences of Faizan, Jbar, Imran and Paola show how education can support that decision in different ways. For some, it leads to leadership roles in the industry. For others, it creates opportunities to build organisations, contribute to communities or guide future students. 

At GBS, the journey from classroom to workplace is shaped by practical learning, academic support and career guidance that continues beyond graduation. If you are considering your next step, exploring your study options could be the beginning of that journey. 

Explore undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at GBS and discover study pathways designed around real working lives.

FAQs about how GBS students built their futures

Yes. Many students begin their journey through vocational pathways such as Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and you can do the same. These programmes focus on practical learning and can eventually lead to undergraduate degrees. 

Students at GBS have access to various career support services through the Graduate Employment and Entrepreneurship team. This includes academic guidance and employability support, such as CV assistance, career advice, employer events and access to the Careers Hub and the Handshake platform. Additionally, students can benefit from the Professional Mentoring Programme and support from the Student Wellbeing Team, which offers confidential assistance. 

Yes. Many students at GBS balance work, family and study. Our customisable timetables allow learners to continue their education alongside other commitments. 

Yes. Interviews are a standard part of the process. It helps the admissions team understand your motivation, background and English level where required. It is a conversation about suitability, not a formal exam. 

GBS health and social care programmes prepare students for careers in healthcare, wellbeing and social support roles. However, becoming a registered nurse in the UK requires a nursing degree approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). 

All our courses/classes are subject to availability.