Xin Chen

Why did you choose the University of Westminster?

When I decided to study for my Master’s degree in the UK, all my friends who had studied abroad suggested I chose a university in London. Additionally, a very close friend of mine who studied in London recommended the University of Westminster to me. After some research, I found out that the media programmes at Westminster are very well known and recognised, not only in the UK, but also worldwide. I wanted to stay in the creative media industry and thought this would be the perfect option for me.

How has your experience been studying in London?

London is an amazing city. Its diverse and active music scene means a lot to someone like me, who has been working in the Chinese music industry for years. I’m very passionate about music and art, and London has great and sophisticated music labels and artists from various genres.

In my free time, I go to different concerts and record shops. I get to meet interesting people such as band members, stylists and DJs who share similar attitudes towards art, culture and life with me. Going to different events has taught me that many artists in the city make a living by doing what they love. This has made me more confident about continuing a creative career here after I graduate.

What have you particularly enjoyed about your course?

I really like that my course provides theoretical knowledge about communication and media while combining theories with real-world issues. For our final major project, we are encouraged to conduct it on social issues we care about. Our group discussions during seminars allow us to express our ideas and share personal stories, which I find really motivating. The course helped me to put my knowledge into a broader social and political context. It has also provided me with new perspectives on how I used to think about media and society.

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

The University Careers and Employability Service has given me really helpful tools and advice on building my CV, writing a cover letter and even tips on improving my LinkedIn profile. The consulting services are free to book for all the students, and it has been really nice to get professional advice on careers and employability as an international student who has studied in the UK only for a short period.

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

I have attended the EMS workshop about 3D scanning and printing. The tutor was really kind and patient, and I felt I learned a lot from the workshops. It was a great opportunity to gain more knowledge and new skills.

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

To be honest, it was challenging for a non-native English speaker like me to digest the content from classes quickly, especially at the beginning. The reading materials and assignments might feel overwhelming, but don’t give up! Just like my course leader told me in the very first class, spend your time wisely by attending lectures and doing the assignments. When you start writing essays and your dissertation, you will find that all the hard work paid off and it was worth much more than you could have anticipated.

Take advantage of all resources the University offers, they will help you to prepare for your career. And don't forget to explore the city: London is fascinating and you will always find something interesting to do and inspiring people to meet.