From Slopes to Stocks: Balancing Skiing with an International Finance Degree

Adam Hall, BIFin International Finance, 

Graduating 2025

I am a keen sportsperson who thrives under competition. After leaving school in 5th year, I decided to take a few years out to pursue my passion for skiing. I competed as an alpine ski racer for the Scottish National Team and worked as a ski instructor in France. Now, alongside my university studies, I represent the GB Paralympic team as a guide for visually impaired athletes.

I ended up in the School of Business by accident. When I first decided to start university, I planned to study Forensic Anthropology, but this was short-lived, leading me to transfer to the School of Business to study International Finance—a decision I am incredibly thankful for.

My studies have enhanced my quantitative skills and ability to analyse data effectively. More importantly, I have had the opportunity to network with classmates, employers, and lecturers, all of whom have helped shape my university experience.

After graduating this year, I will return to full-time skiing with the GB Paralympic team as I aim to take my athlete to the 2026 Paralympics in Milan. I have also accepted a coaching role for a professional youth ski team to work with in between competitions. Looking beyond my skiing career, I plan to apply to investment and wealth management firms, mainly across the Central Belt, where I hope to pursue my CFA qualifications.

I believe the key to academic success is consistency—doing a little, often. This keeps you on top of the workload. While International Finance is a demanding degree, it’s crucial to have something else significant in your life, as simply attending university is no longer enough to impress employers.

Many assume Accounting and Finance is all about numbers, but in year 3 and 4, the focus shifts towards narrative and theory-based analysis. The ability to cite academic papers and draw well-reasoned conclusions is essential for financial theory exams. All our exams are closed-book in exam halls, which is why it is such a highly respected degree.