Maria is a Mathematics and Finance graduate who wanted to study in London because of its vibrant and energetic atmosphere.
Why did you decide to apply to study at City, University of London?
I knew I wanted to study Mathematics or Finance at university and City offered me the chance to do both! The course is equally weighted for both subjects so I knew I would be learning a lot about both fields. The module list for my degree really stood out to me as they covered a variety of topics from programming to physics – which was great as I wasn’t sure what career I wanted yet. City is also in the heart of London which means it is in high demand with recruiters and top companies that are based in the capital.
What was the most important resource for you in helping you to make a decision?
I attended an Open Day where I was told more about the course from lecturers. During the Open Day, Student Ambassadors were on hand to guide us through the University and show us the facilities that were on offer. All of these aspects helped me decide that City was the best choice for me.
What was your favourite thing about studying at City?
My favourite thing about City was the dedication of the staff, from the lecturers to the careers team. Everyone I have spoken to offered me honest advice and fully dedicated themselves to helping me get the most out of my degree.
What kind of things were you involved in outside your course?
I regularly attend careers workshops which were put on by the careers department. They discuss a range of topics from CV writing to interviewing, all of which have helped me when applying for placements and graduate schemes.
I was also part of the Professional Mentoring Scheme, where I got paired up with someone who had knowledge of the field I wanted to go into and offered me advice on how to pursue the career I wanted.
Have you had the opportunity to do any placements during your course?
I completed a placement with a telecoms company called Gamma; my role was Software Support. The focus of my role was to maintain and update the databases that contained clients’ billing information. I chose to complete a placement that would teach me more about computing and programming as I knew this would be important since I want to have a career in technology.
Overall, completing a placement has increased my professionalism and given me the confidence that I have the skills required to start my desired career.
What would be your top tip for our applicants?
Show your passion for the subject you’re applying for. You will be studying this course for at least 3 years so it is important that you are interested in what you are learning. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to City alumni for advice about the University and courses. There are many ways to contact people, for example through LinkedIn and Open Days. Everyone will be happy to help.
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