Toby Jones

Why did you choose the University of Westminster?

I chose the University of Westminster because the range of modules that they offered meant that I could tailor my education to meet my career aspirations. The course offered exciting workshops as part of the module timetable, and this made me feel that the university wants to equip you with all the skills you need to venture into your chosen career path.

How has your experience been studying in London?

I adore studying in London, this city teaches you so much more than you can learn anywhere else in the UK. I live and work in London and it is a place where I have met so many amazing people from different backgrounds. I love the fact that you have so many industries and organisations at the heart of London, with so much research, knowledge and experience right on your doorstep.

What have you particularly enjoyed about your course?

My favourite part about my course is the open discussion that is encouraged in lectures. I study part-time and therefore a lot of my classmates also study part-time while working full-time in our field of study. This then gives the opportunity for everyone to bring their own experiences and perspectives to the content we are studying, and it really helps with inspiring creativity and innovative thinking when it comes to problem-solving and group work.

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

The academic support at this university has been brilliant. I remember when I started studying for my master’s at Westminster, I was really self-conscious about my academic ability because my undergraduate degree was in Acting. As a result, most of my assessments for my Acting degree were practical, so I was worried that my academic writing might not meet the standard required for a master’s. Within the first few weeks of starting here at Westminster, I found the library guides on academic writing, signed up for a couple of workshops and booked a one-to-one session with the library team. They were all really useful in helping me feel confident about my academic writing and providing tips for improving my work.

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

As my course is accredited by the CIPD, some of the modules on my course are CIPD modules which have been useful to take part in modules that the CIPD value. The University supported with payment for the student membership with the CIPD, which has invaluable resources on its website that help with research and essay writing. The University has provided training guides on how to use research data collection and analysis software, which is an important part of our project module.

Tell us about any activities that you have undertaken outside of your course 

I have taken part in the Annual Human Resource Management conference that takes place at the university once a year. This was a great conference, with guest speakers attending to talk about their experiences of working in the Human Resources industry. They gave us plenty of useful tips to prepare us to leave University and enter into the Human Resource Management career.

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

My advice would be to fully immerse yourself in your studies, by contributing to lectures and open discussions, and thinking creatively. Find journal articles around the topics that you are studying to help boost your understanding and give your academic work more edge and perspective. Take full advantage of the library guides and facilities they have on offer for you.

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

For me, the best aspect is the flexibility around your studies. This university has two part-time modes of study- either one afternoon and evening or two evenings a week. This has meant that if you need to move things around one week due to work commitments, you can also attend another lecture session on that same week.

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

The most surprising aspect of my Westminster experience for me was how much academic support there is available to you, from the library team to your module team. There are so many resources that surround you at Westminster and everyone has been incredibly supportive and welcoming.