Postgraduate

Qiang Zhang
Msc Business Economics

Economics theory isn’t just interesting, it underpins everything in business. It can be used to analyse almost everything and for businesses to be successful they have to adopt economics analysis.

I have learned lots from this course and I believe what I have learned will make a big contribution to my career. The lecturers were very friendly and professional, too, which helps.

The most difficult part of studying for my Master’s for me was reviewing the economics literature. I am good at understanding econometric models but not so good at reading English literature, because of the different language and culture. But I managed to overcome this and write my 15,000 word dissertation at the end. I think one of the things that helped my language skills was spending a year living in student accommodation with local students.

I really enjoy research and so am now studying towards my PhD in financial economics, also at Portsmouth Business School, which I hope might also help me find a better job eventually.

Tsvetana Atanasova Dargova
MSc Business Economics, Finance and Banking

I had researched the University of Portsmouth and heard good things about it and the Business School and the course. The best aspect of the course is the lecturers were very approachable and willing to help us overcome our queries and difficulties. This made for a friendly atmosphere and helped inspire our desire for knowledge.

The most challenging aspect of the course was its format. Coming from a different background I had to get used to the specific form of exams and course work that I needed to submit. But once I was aware what was expected of me everything became easier.

I don’t think my desire to learn will ever end and I have many times considered studying for my PhD, though working in the real economics sector and being involved in solving the financial problems of the modern world sounds equally appealing.

Les Ferris
MA Creative Writing

I decided to pursue this Master’s degree as it presented me with an opportunity to change my path. My undergraduate degree was in a completely different subject and I decided I wasn't happy with what I was doing so the Master’s course offered me a second chance.

This decision was mostly driven by my own personal interests. This Master’s course ticked all the right boxes for me and as I began communicating with the tutors and gained more in-depth knowledge of the subject material, I knew I'd made the right decision.

I am currently developing a number of projects in my spare time in the hope to become a screenwriter, working on both films and television.

Joy Moore
MA Fine Art

I decided to continue my education at the University of Portsmouth because I am local to the city and my family live near-by. I was attracted to the scope of the MA Fine Art course and saw it as an opportunity to further develop my skills in Textiles Art. I was particularly attracted to the course as it was flexible and I was able to study part-time. The tutor and technician support at the University of Portsmouth is fantastic and there was always someone available to assist me.

During my course I set up my own business teaching textile workshops in the village of Horndean, north of the city. My business is now well established and I am thoroughly enjoying practising Textile Art and passing my skills and knowledge onto my students.

Elodie Vingadassa
MA Francophone Africa

Having a degree in Area Studies was not enough to complete my knowledge about France and its history and especially its relationship with the former colonies in Africa. It feels like the MA Francophone Africa was made just for my purposes! I also have to say that I am completely in love with English; I am French so it was also the opportunity for me to study my favourite topic in England.

The uniqueness of this Master’s is indisputable. We do not have this Master’s in France, unfortunately. I do love my country and I wanted to know more about the French achievements in Africa as we were not really taught about it when we were at school. I have to say that my curiosity also pushed me to apply for this Master’s; studying the history of your own country whilst abroad is just an amazing, funny and very rich experience.

When I finish my Master’s I would like to take some time to travel but my main plan is to work abroad, to reinforce the cultural ties between France and Africa.

Piers McEwan
MA History of War, Culture and Society

I have a passion for history and decided that rather than reading for interest I wanted to study within a more formal setting, and towards a qualification. Furthermore, I saw the course as a chance to further improve myself and my employability prospects, through the development of a number of skills.

The course is taught by a number of well published and recognised historians within various spheres of the field. The content of the MA was presented within an interdisciplinary framework, with a strong focus on the social and cultural elements in the context of war, rather than a degree centred wholly on military history. The units on offer were varied both in terms of content and assessment, and I saw this as a great opportunity to investigate periods of history that I may not have done otherwise. There are also a number of supervisors with differing areas of expertise to help supervise the dissertation unit.

Will Abbott
MSc Sports Performance

I decided to pursue a postgraduate course to increase the likelihood of getting a job. Having looked at the specifications for jobs in the field of sport science, lots require postgraduate degrees. I chose this course because it was where I completed my undergraduate degree, and therefore I was aware of the facilities and procedures within the university. Also, in the final year of my undergraduate degree I was involved with an internship at Southampton Football Club. By continuing my studies at Portsmouth I could also continue my internship and gain more experience there.

When I graduate I hope to work in the fitness industry, ideally as a strength and conditioning coach within professional football. This interest has stemmed from the units I have completed during my undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as the strength and conditioning internship at Southampton FC.

Kathryn Williams
MSc Geological and Environmental Hazards

I chose to do a Master’s course as at Portsmouth as I was advised that if I was considering a career in Geology, or perhaps thinking of pursing a PhD, it would be best to complete an MSc at some point. I was keen to study more about Geohazards as this is the area of Geology I’d like to pursue a career in.

I decided to study at Portsmouth as I wanted to stay in the south east, near my home, and I thought this course would fit my style of learning. When I visited an Open Day, it was interesting and informative, the labs seemed well equipped, the staff friendly and the university and city as a whole nice.

After I finish the course, I plan to pursue a career in catastrophe or hazard planning. I’d like to work on projects that will save people’s lives around the world - advising people on the hazards surrounding them and how best to avoid them. I am also thinking of doing a PhD if I can find one in this area.

Svilen Boyadzhiev
MSc Communication Network Planning and Management

After I completed my undergraduate degree, I decided that the natural continuation of my education would be to apply for a Master’s course.

Since high school I have been passionate about computer networks. My work experience in Bulgaria, combined with my undergraduate degree, further boosted my willingness to expand my knowledge in the area of communication networks. The Master’s course description, specifically the units, matched my personal requirements and desires - this was the main reason I decided to apply for the postgraduate programme at the University of Portsmouth.

Since completing my Master’s I have been accepted as a graduate intern at Vodafone UK as part of the 18-month ‘Discover Technology Graduate Programme’. This involves a number of ‘placements’ in various sections of the company, the first of which is one month in retail. I will then be part of four placements in four different areas of technology.

Babalola Segun Muyideen
MSc Civil and Structural engineering

I decided to study a Master’s course at the University of Portsmouth in order to increase my academic career prospects. I was attracted by the suite engineering courses available at the University of Portsmouth and also the learning environment offered here.

I believe having a Master’s course in civil and structural engineering will assist me in increasing my knowledge in engineering, and it will also further my career progress in the construction industry.

When I complete my Master’s degree, I plan to work in the construction industry as a project engineer either in the UK or Nigeria.