Charlotte – MA Political Communication

School of Journalism, Media and Culture

Why did you choose to study a postgraduate degree at Cardiff University?

I chose to study a postgraduate degree at Cardiff University after I completed my undergraduate degree within Cardiff University due to having such a wonderful time for three years at undergraduate level. I decided to study at Cardiff due to loving the city and with it also being relatively close to my hometown of Llanelli. When visiting the city on open days, I realised how beautiful the city is, with it not being too big or too small.

How was your experience as a postgraduate at Cardiff University, in terms of the programme?

I found the experience of being a postgraduate student extremely positive and the programme to be equally as positive. I found the lecturers to be extremely responsive to emails when needing assistance, particularly with the dissertation which I am currently writing at the moment. The programme provided a wide range of modules to choose from, which covers a broad range of topics where you are able to choose modules that interest you. These modules ranged from Public Relations, Global crisis Reporting and the Social Media and Politics.

How was your experience of living in Cardiff, in terms of the city, social life and accommodation, again specifically as a postgraduate student?

Having studied an Undergraduate degree at Cardiff University, I already knew the city very well, however I lived with other postgraduate students who I knew. As it was a postgraduate degree, it was important to manage my time well in order to complete all work and reading that needed to be done- yet also ensure there was time to have a social life also.

What was different about your postgraduate experience at Cardiff University compared to your previous degree?

My postgraduate degree was different to my undergraduate degree because the classes were smaller and also I was ultimately within a different school – moved from the Politics school to the Journalism School. The course was also much more focused around independent research, particularly with the dissertation. The postgraduate degree also gave me a wider choice of modules, which allowed individuals to study modules that were of keen interest, with these modules covering a range of different topics.

How did you fund your postgraduate degree?

I funded my postgraduate degree with funding from the Welsh Government and also through working part time at the Students Union. The Students Union allows you to work flexibly around your studies, where you are able to work as often or as little as you like. Whilst it gave me extra money, it was also a way for me to make new friends and add it onto my CV.

How do you think that your postgraduate degree is helping prepare you for the future – job aspirations, career development, future study etc?

The postgraduate degree has assisted in preparing me for the future because it has allowed me to work independently and conduct research by myself in a much more detailed way than at undergraduate level. I have also been able to improve my skills of working within a team as part of one of my modules required conducting research within groups.
It has strengthened my knowledge within a subject that I would like to develop a career within and has confirmed that I would definitely like a career within the Political Communication industry.