Management Science BSc/MSci

Additional Personal Statement (2023)

Muhammad Abdullah
NAME:

UCAS Personal ID: 1712408003

The UCL MANAGEMENT SCIENCE BSc/MSci programme is focused on complex, innovation-

intensive, data-driven organisations.
Please select an example of a well-known global organisation that is complex, innovative, and
data driven.
Tesla
ORGANISATION:
Tesla is complex because it operates in the highly regulated
Question 1: Justify your chosen
automotive industry and also produces renewable energy
organisation in terms of the ways in
products. The company is highly innovative, with a focus on
which it is complex, innovative, and
developing electric vehicles and battery technology. Tesla's
uses data to drive decisions.
data-driven approach is evident in its use of real-time data
from sensors in its vehicles to improve performance, as well
Use relevant facts from this year (2022)
as its use of data analytics to optimize manufacturing and
to support your justification.
supply chain operations.
Discuss and quantify the impact (i.e. In 2022, Tesla's innovation and data-driven approach has
value to the organisation) of examples continued to be a key driver of the company's success. In
used (e.g. new innovative products or Q4 2021, the company reported revenue of $12.6 billion,
processes, newly introduced representing a 91% increase from the previous year. This
technologies, recent big data projects). was driven by strong sales of the Model Y and Model 3
vehicles, as well as growth in the energy business. Tesla has
also continued to invest in innovation, with the company
announcing plans to open a new Gigafactory in Texas and
develop new battery technology.
The impact of Tesla's innovation and data-driven approach
can be seen in the company's financial performance. Tesla's
market capitalization reached $1.2 trillion in January 2022,
making it one of the most valuable automakers in the world.
The company's focus on developing electric vehicles and
renewable energy products has also contributed to a shift
towards sustainable transportation, with Tesla playing a key
role in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Additionally, Tesla's use of data to optimize operations has
helped the company reduce costs and increase efficiency,
contributing to its strong financial performance.

The UCL MANAGEMENT SCIENCE BSc/MSci programme is a demanding multi-disciplinary

degree programme with a particular focus on the application of advanced mathematics, data
science and computational algorithms to contemporary management problems.

Question 2: Describe five important Focus on data-driven decision-making: The UCL

ways that the UCL MANAGEMENT Management Science programme has a strong focus on

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SCIENCE BSc/MSci is different from quantitative analysis, statistics and mathematical modeling
other undergraduate Business or to support decision making. This distinguishes it from many
Management programmes. other business or management programmes that focus more
on qualitative analysis.
Emphasis on innovation-intensive organizations: The
programme is specifically designed to prepare students to
work in complex, innovation-intensive, data-driven
organizations, which distinguishes it from more general
business or management programmes.
Integration of computer science and machine learning: The
programme integrates computer science and machine
learning to provide students with skills that are increasingly
in demand in the job market.
Multidisciplinary approach: The programme takes a
multidisciplinary approach, combining aspects of
economics, management, mathematics, and computer
science. This provides students with a broad range of skills
and knowledge that can be applied to a variety of roles and
industries.
Rigorous academic standards: The programme is designed
to be academically rigorous and challenging, with a focus
on critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent
research. This sets it apart from more vocational business or
management programmes, which may be more focused on
practical skills and application.

The UCL MANAGEMENT SCIENCE BSc/MSci programme includes a significant element of

group work within a culturally-diverse international cohort, reflecting the reality of work in most
complex, innovative, data-driven organisations.
Students on the UCL MANAGEMENT SCIENCE BSc/MSci programme succeed when they:
 Work well in teams and are empathetic to others from diverse backgrounds
 Are curious and have a passion for learning
 Are open to novel challenges and like to think creatively
 Are confident to ask questions and talk openly in a class setting

Question 3: Identify a difficult or One of the most challenging situations I have faced was
challenging situation you have had to within my school football team, where two of our star
deal with that required you to players, who were also close friends, had a major
understand and work with other disagreement that caused a lot of tension within the
PEOPLE. How did you deal with this team. As the team vice-captain, it was my responsibility
situation and what did you learn from to address the issue and find a resolution.
it?
At first, I attempted to mediate a conversation between
the two players, but it was like walking through a
stormy sea. The players were so stubborn and adamant
about their positions that they wouldn't budge an inch. It
was as if their anger had created a wall that no one

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 could penetrate.

Eventually, I realized that the only way to resolve the

situation was to listen to each player separately and
truly understand their perspectives. The players'
accounts were like pieces of a puzzle, and only by
putting them together could I get the full picture of what
had happened.

By the end of the discussion, the players had begun to

understand each other better, and we managed to find a
solution that worked for everyone. This experience
taught me the importance of active listening and
empathy, and the power of effective communication in
resolving conflicts.
Question 4: Please suggest something "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman is a
that you think everyone on the game-changing book that every Management Science
MANAGEMENT SCIENCE programme student should read. It offers a profound exploration of
should read, and why? human psychology and how it influences decision-
making.
Hint: Avoid obvious things like The
Economist or well-known business Kahneman's work is not just informative but inspiring,
books. Think about the things that you
providing insights into the complexity of the human
have read that have really inspired you.
mind and how it can lead us to make both good and
bad decisions. Through his research, he shows us the
different modes of thinking, explaining how our fast,
intuitive System 1 thinking and slower, more deliberate
System 2 thinking can work together, sometimes
resulting in mental shortcuts that can lead to errors.

This book is relevant to Management Science students

because it teaches us how to recognize and overcome
our biases and blind spots, and to make better decisions
based on a more analytical and evidence-based
approach. In the business world, where decisions can
have major consequences, understanding the
complexities of the human mind can be a significant
advantage.
Question 5: Tell us something As a child, I was known for my love of knock-knock jokes.
surprising about you that would make But what started out as a childhood hobby has become a
your future classmates want to have valuable skill that I can bring to any situation.
you in their class?
For example, if you're in a tense classroom situation, and
the silence is palpable, I'll be the first to break it with a
knock-knock joke.

Knock-knock. Who's there? Interrupting cow. Interrupting

cow wh...? MOO!

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 Or let's say we're in a group discussion, and no one seems to
be saying anything. I'll jump in with a joke to lighten the
mood.

Knock-knock. Who's there? Boo. Boo who? Don't cry, it's

just a joke!

I believe that my ability to make people laugh and put them

at ease is an asset in any setting. Being able to connect with
people through humor is a great way to build relationships
and make everyone feel more comfortable. And as someone
who loves to learn, I know that a positive and lighthearted
atmosphere is essential for making the most of any
educational experience.

Total number of words used in all your Within word limit

answers (no more than 1,000)