Andrea Lin

Why did you choose the University of Westminster?

I moved with my family from Singapore to London at the end of 2020 and had to leave my job back home. After taking some time to settle down, especially since we moved here just before the lockdown, I was deciding if I should start looking for a job or further my studies as I wanted to enhance my digital skills and knowledge. I began looking for Masters courses in Digital Marketing in central London and came across the University of Westminster. I liked that the University focused not only on academic knowledge but also experiential learning and practical skills which will be useful for employability when I get back to work. Additionally, due to family commitments, I wanted to find a university that is close to where I live and it was perfect that the University is a 5-min walk from my place!

How has your experience been studying in London?

London is a multi-cultural city and it is also reflected by the students in the school. My classmates come from all over the world! The location of the school is in the heart of the city and there are many companies and brands that are based in Central London so there are a lot of opportunities such as doing market and retail research for projects, internships, etc.   

What have you particularly enjoyed about your course?

The world of digital marketing is very fast-moving, so we have to keep up with the current trends, news and technologies. Our lecturers have been providing us with real-world knowledge and equipping us with the right tools that would help us become more employable. Doing away with exams and focusing on real-world learning like writing a blog, and site analysis of an actual brand's website helps us prepare our portfolio for better employability.

How have you found academic support as part of your studies?

The lecturers are also from different parts of the world and they bring their own experiences to share with the students. Additionally, they are aware of the need to bridge the gap between academic studies and practical skills for the workplace, hence they have been sharing their knowledge on what to look out for or is useful to prepare students when they go into the workforce.

Are there any stand-out facilities associated with your course?

In our first semester, we have our classes in Switch-23, a digital marketing laboratory that helps facilitate teamwork. Also, as students of the Westminster Business school, we have access to Financial Times. Other courses that are available to us include getting qualified as an Adobe Certified Associate (ACA), Microsoft Office Specialist and even a course to acquire project management skills such as the accredited Professional Scrum Master™ (PSM). 

Tell us about your experience of using the University Careers and Employability Service 

The online careers hub, Engage, is very useful to get information about upcoming networking events, career fairs and even job placements for internships and part-time work to gain relevant work experience.

What would your advice be to someone considering studying at Westminster?

It's great for experiential learning and meeting people from different cultures and walks of life. It definitely creates a more international experience especially if you would like to work in a global company. Make use of the resources available to you and keep an open mind!

What's the best aspect of being a University of Westminster student?

Studying in the heart of the city yet being close to nature such as the many parks of London!

What was the most surprising or unexpected aspect of your Westminster experience?

Going back to academic studies after many years of professional work is a little daunting. My classmates, mostly Gen Zs, bring their own experiences to share in class and it's interesting to hear from them and work with them on project group work, especially with them being digital natives.