Why I chose to stay at UWE Bristol for postgraduate study

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By Hannah, UWE Bristol graduate

Hannah joined UWE Bristol in 2019 to study BA(Hons) English Language and Linguistics, graduating in 2022. Here she shares why she decided on UWE Bristol for her Master’s in Digital Marketing and why it made sense for her to stay here for postgraduate study.

Choosing postgrad study to support my career direction

By the end of my undergraduate course, I’d become interested in a career in marketing, so I started considering marketing courses at postgraduate level. I talked to academic staff for advice on which course would suit my career aims best. They were so helpful in my decision making and soon after I applied to study a Master’s in Digital Marketing at UWE Bristol.

I wanted to go straight from my undergraduate to my postgraduate degree without time out because I knew which career I was aiming for and wanted to move towards this. Also, I felt it might be harder to come back to study if I started working first, so I was keen to stay in the studying mindset for another year.

My dream career

My dream career is to work in marketing in the exciting, fast-paced world of F1. I’m super motivated by my goal as I love everything about F1. The marketing is so rich considering all the sponsors, car design, race suits, the special liveries. It would also be a dream to travel around the world following race cars during the season. F1 is a spectacle so marketing plays a huge role and it’s something I can’t wait to get involved in.

How my master’s will support me to get into my dream career

As an incredibly competitive, male-dominated industry, I knew it would be tough to break into F1, so I realised a master’s would give me the edge. Having now completed my course, I’m confident it has. I have all the skills I need to step into a high-pressure marketing role in F1.

With the sport having a high reliance on technology, I think the digital focus of my qualification will add value to my CV. I’ve also gained useful skills such as Photoshop, web design, and search engine optimisation tactics.

Plus, I created a marketing portfolio to showcase my best work, which is something I can take to interviews to show employers what I can achieve. I’m confident all that I’ve learnt will stand me in good stead when applying for F1 jobs.

“As an incredibly competitive, male-dominated industry, I knew it would be tough to break into F1, so I realised a master’s would give me the edge.”

Why go anywhere else?

When I was thinking about where to study at postgrad level, I realised I felt happy and settled in Bristol already. I’d fallen in love with the city; I had an amazing group of friends; a lovely place to live. I’d created this great student life that I loved. So, when I found the right postgrad course for me at UWE Bristol, the question dawned on me, ‘why go anywhere else?’

Everything I needed was here and by staying at UWE Bristol I could move seamlessly into postgrad study. That really appealed to me, and I know now that I made the right decision as it helped me to excel at my course.

“I’d created this great student life that I loved. So, when I found the right postgrad course for me at UWE Bristol, the question dawned on me ‘why go anywhere else?’ “

What studying at master’s level has given me

While I enjoyed my undergrad, I would say I loved my postgrad. In your undergrad you learn great skills, but a master’s takes you to the next level and prepares you for your career. I felt really connected to my course and I’ve learned even more at master’s level. A master’s can really set you apart from the competition too, giving you the edge so you stand out from others.

What’s next for me?

Now that I’ve finished my master’s, I’m looking to get work experience with a reputable brand in F1. I can’t wait to break into the industry. I look forward to updating you in the future on my progress. Watch this space!”

My tips on how to get a placement

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By Luke, BSc(Hons) Digital Media

Last summer I decided to get prepared and create a first-year work portfolio, so I would be ready to apply for placements with my portfolio, and then just be able to keep updating it during my second year. This would have been a great idea had I done as planned. However, I ended up creating my portfolio as soon as I got back to university in the second year, rushing to create something to send off for applications. Due to being a little rushed, my portfolio was not as well designed as it could have been, resulting in missing a few application deadlines.

While creating my portfolio, I was doing it alongside my housemate/partner and there was one key difference between our portfolios, which was the experience they gained over the summer. They successfully secured an internship through the University, and it was clear how their portfolio played a key role in this. With this experience under their belt and their excellent portfolio, they were quick to get placement interviews resulting in a placement offer later in the year. It would be unfair to say they got the placement through the experience alone, but it put them in a stronger position over someone such as myself who lacked that experience.

Internships with the University are always advertised on the InfoHub and are updated during the year, so there is a constant flow of them. Before the end of the year, the University sends e-comms  reminding students to consider an internship to gain experience over the summer. My advice would be for anyone looking for a second-year placement is to take advantage of this opportunity and apply to as many as possible.

Internships with the University are always advertised on the InfoHub and are updated during the year, so there is a constant flow of them.

Early on in 2023, I realised that while I was getting interest from placement providers, it wasn’t going anywhere, so I decided to change my portfolio design. With the Christmas break coming up I designed every page on paper and then translated it onto the website using the programme, WiX. After revising my portfolio, I started making it further along in the application process and in some cases getting to the final stage. In one instance the employer had to choose between two of us and unfortunately, I was unsuccessful. This is where the experience would have been key.

Realising I needed experience, I applied for internships that are available throughout the year. I made it through a lot of applications and eventually picked the one I wanted. With this experience, coupled with my role as a student content creator, my CV was in a much stronger place than at the start of the year.

I realised too late and all the placement opportunities I wanted were gone, but there are still placements available this late in the year. However, I’ve now decided on an alternative path and I’ll be applying for another internship during my third year, hoping to gain more experience to strengthen my CV further. So, my  advice to students applying for placements is to apply for internships during the first year and over the summer, and to create a portfolio early on and update it during your second and third years.

I recommend you apply for all the placements you see, as it is never too late to apply and learn from the rejections. Also, maybe take a step back or get someone to look at your application for some constructive feedback. Ask the Careers Service for some help to help you create a CV and portfolio too.

And finally, don’t forget the University is there to support you, so make sure you take advantage of all that’s on offer. You could find you leave UWE Bristol with experience in three internships and a placement, and this real-world experience will really stand out on your CV and impress an employer.

How the real-world opportunities at UWE Bristol have supported Hoching to build a career in the UK’s animation industry.

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By Hoching, BA(Hons) Animation alum.

UWE Bristol international alum, Hoching, tells us why she decided to study in the UK and the reasons she applied to UWE Bristol. She shares how the real-world experience and the vital connections she gained through her course have supported her career in the UK since graduating. Read more about Hoching’s story.

Continue reading “How the real-world opportunities at UWE Bristol have supported Hoching to build a career in the UK’s animation industry.”

How working part-time helped Zoe to fund her master’s and land her dream career in Engineering.

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By Zoe, BEng(Hons) and MEng Aerospace Engineering graduate.

Aerospace Engineering graduate, Zoe, tells us how, despite financial challenges during her postgraduate degree, she’s managed to fulfil her dream of working in the space industry. Keep reading to find out more about Zoe’s story.

Continue reading “How working part-time helped Zoe to fund her master’s and land her dream career in Engineering.”

How being part of a like-minded community at UWE Bristol helped Lamare to fit in and achieve more.

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by Lamare, MSc Human Resource Management graduate.

Our MSc Human Resource Management graduate, Lamare, realised that to stand out in his career he needed more. He talks us through the challenges he’s overcome and why studying a master’s at UWE Bristol was the best decision he ever made. Keep reading to find out more about Lamare’s story.

Continue reading “How being part of a like-minded community at UWE Bristol helped Lamare to fit in and achieve more.”

How a unique learning opportunity at UWE Bristol offered me a career-changing experience.

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By Kate, BA(Hons) Filmmaking

UWE Bristol undergraduate, Kate, tells us how a unique learning opportunity gave her the chance to try out new skills, which has inspired her to consider new career options. Read more about Kate’s story.

“When I first heard about the Glenside major incident exercise from our teaching team, I knew I wanted to be involved. After all, this was one of most ambitious simulation exercises ever hosted at UWE Bristol. It took nine months to organise and involved 500+ people, so what a great opportunity to film this experience.

What was the Glenside major incident exercise?

The University wanted to bring learning to life by simulating a commercial airliner disaster for a major incident training exercise for students at Glenside Campus. They created this using a section of a Boeing 747 aircraft and staged a crash site wreckage in a field on campus. Staff set dressed it to look like the plane had just crashed. Some people played the part of injured passengers alongside dummies with cards around necks detailing the injuries sustained.

It was amazing how many students benefited from this exercise. Healthcare students from Adult Nursing, Paramedic Science and Physician Associate courses got the chance to test their skills in an emergency situation. Drama students played various roles alongside professional actors, and of course Filmmaking students, like myself, were there to gain experience behind the camera.

What was your role on the day?

As a Filmmaking student, I was in the centre of the action to follow the story from start to end. They announced the plane had crashed and then more and more people appeared on the scene. People were screaming and covered in fake wounds created by special effects make up. I filmed the students triaging and treating the casualties at the scene and then sending them off by ambulance to a simulated major trauma centre.

It all felt like it was really happening, and as the simulation was so well staged it was a great chance to see how you cope in a stress situation, especially for the healthcare students acting as first responders.

What did you gain from the experience?

I was excited to be involved in the simulation as I’m keen to get into camera work, and this gave me a chance to practise new skills without it being an assessed module. This was great as I didn’t feel any pressure on being graded. 

The filming experience was very different to the filming I do on my course. Everything on the course is normally very planned, so this was something completely different. You felt like you were being thrown into this crisis situation and I had to trust my filmmaking instincts worked under pressure. I had to think on my feet and decide what should be covered and how to get the best coverage of the situation when interviewing people telling their story through film. 

The simulation was such a great exercise. It offered a really unique learning opportunity for students across many courses to put their skills into practice. Having previously shied away from camera work, believing my strengths were in directing and producing, this was my chance to try it out. And the great thing is having had this chance, I can now really see myself moving more in to camera work. Without this experience, I could have missed out on this career-changing opportunity.”

How progressing to postgraduate study at UWE Bristol helped Ruth to find career success.

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By Ruth, BSc(Hons) Accounting and Finance and MSc Accounting and Finance alum.

Our alum, Ruth, tells us her reasons behind studying her master’s degree and why she decided to stay at UWE Bristol to continue her studies. She shares how progressing to postgraduate study helped her to gain confidence when job hunting and how her master’s has supported her career so far. Keep reading to find out more about Ruth’s story.

Ruth’s story

Hi, I’m Ruth. I completed my undergraduate degree in Accounting and Finance at UWE Bristol, where I later returned to study a postgraduate degree in Accounting and Finance too.

How I decided postgraduate study was right for me

I believe it’s so important to stay in education and reach the greatest academic level you can. It can be really intimidating heading into the working world, and having a master’s gives you that extra bit of confidence you need.

I’d always known I wanted to do a master’s. After finishing my undergraduate degree, I decided to start working in the field for a while. This experience helped me to find my best fit and showed me finance was the right career path for me.

“I wanted to find a role where I could progress and reach my full potential. The best way to get there was to return to education to build on my undergraduate knowledge to progress my career in finance.”

Why I chose to continue my studies at UWE Bristol

It was a complete no-brainer to go back to UWE Bristol for my postgraduate studies. I’d built great relationships with my tutors during my undergraduate course. As I’d need to work alongside my studies, I knew my tutors would accommodate my situation, as they had done during my first degree.

The tutors genuinely wanted the best for us, and they were completely understanding of my circumstances. My tutors and lecturers offered extra support and would check in on me in a way that showed they genuinely cared. They didn’t only care about our success on the course, but our general wellbeing and future careers too.

Another benefit was the 15% alumni discount, which allowed me to balance my work and my studies. This financial support meant I only needed to work part-time for most of my course. The Business School is accessible 24 hours a day too, so I could go in whenever I could to study flexibly around my work.

How UWE Bristol has supported my career

Completing my postgraduate degree at UWE Bristol didn’t just give me the technical knowledge I’d need for my career. It also helped me to re-learn how to learn, by getting my head back into studying. I’m now studying for professional qualifications around my work, which has become second nature to me thanks to my master’s.

The classes were much smaller for postgraduate study, which helped me to come out of my shell and build confidence in sharing ideas and bouncing off others. This changed the way I looked at finding jobs afterwards too. Job hunting wasn’t only about me wanting to find work, but it was also about companies having the chance to recruit me too.

“I had so much more confidence after postgraduate study, and I found the pay I was offered was substantially more than before gaining my master’s degree.”

Final thoughts

I’m so pleased I did my master’s degree at UWE Bristol. I now work for a great company, which is helping me progress my career by supporting me to become a qualified paraplanner. Paraplanners work with financial planners, completing research and helping make financial recommendations for clients.

The knowledge I gained has given me all that I need to complete my professional qualifications. I’ve also learned how to manage my time efficiently, develop logical exam technique and balance my working life alongside my studies. I’m looking forward to progressing my career in the future, with a huge thanks to UWE Bristol for making this possible.

Find out more about postgraduate study at UWE Bristol.

How my master’s at UWE Bristol is helping me to pursue my dream career in HR.

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By Harriet, full-time MSc Human Resource Management student.

Our postgraduate student, Harriet, tells us how her master’s in Human Resource Management (HRM) is supporting her career aspirations. Harriet shares what she’s enjoyed most about her course and the support she’s received throughout her studies. Read more about Harriet’s story.

Continue reading “How my master’s at UWE Bristol is helping me to pursue my dream career in HR.”

How my master’s at UWE Bristol is supporting my career change to become an HR professional.

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By Anthony, part-time MSc Human Resources Management student.

Our postgraduate student, Anthony, tells us how his master’s in Human Resource Management (HRM) is helping him to change careers after returning to university. Anthony shares the highlights of studying HRM at UWE Bristol, as well as how he’s managing studying part-time alongside his job. Read more about Anthony’s story.

Continue reading “How my master’s at UWE Bristol is supporting my career change to become an HR professional.”

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