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Computer Science and InformaticsFAQsMy postgraduate experience

Joana – MSc Computing

2 August 2019

School of Computer Sciences and Informatics

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

After doing my undergraduate studies in business and management, I felt I didn’t have a particular skillset. I wasn’t ready to start working.

I have always had an interest in informatics but never found the right program. Until, I read about the Cardiff University MSc Computing (conversion course).
I chose Cardiff because:
– it’s a prestigious university,
– very well located and with many international opportunities.
I also love the city itself.

I wanted to live in a capital city with a diverse and welcoming student enviornment. And Cardiff has it.

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

It has been intense. Hard work but I’ve learned a lot.
It has greatly developed my programming skills. From almost nothing to being competent in several programming languages.
As it is a conversion course, you don’t need to know computing beforehand.
There isn’t a massive amount of maths, but it is helpful to have a solid base to be able to program.

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

The city centre has everything you need:
– a big shopping centre (with well-known brands),
– restaurants and pubs.
The city is very walkable and has lots of areas to explore. Old-fashioned streets and beautiful parks.
The centre is nicely laid out. Nightlife happens in one part of the city. While shoping sits on a different side.

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

In my previous degree the lectures run every day for 5 hours.
At Cardiff, lectures run all day on Monday and Thursday. The rest of the week focuses on completing assignments and working on any group work we may have.
It’s gets busier at the end of each term because assignments and deadlines tend to overlap. But, it’s manageable.

How did you fund your postgraduate degree?

My family funded my degree, and I was also fortunate to receive a grant from the Welsh government through the EU.

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

Studying abroad helped me learn new ways to work within a new education system.
The MSc Computing has helped me to gain new skills and opened a new range of job opportunities.