Alexandra Marin

Why did you choose the University of Westminster?

A combination of factors drew me to Westminster. The location was a major attraction, being based in London opens such a wide range of opportunities, both during the course and for building a career afterwards. The course content itself was also a strong fit for what I wanted to study, especially because of the ability to customise our experiences from the wide range of optional modules. Recommendations from other students who had been through university gave me real confidence that it would deliver on what it promised. All these reasons were correct, the course gave me the technical foundation I needed, and being in London meant I had access to opportunities I wouldn't have had elsewhere.

How has your experience been studying in London?

Studying in London has been incredible. The city itself feels like an extension of the course, there are so many opportunities here. It made the whole experience feel bigger than just attending lectures and finishing assignments; London gave me a sense of what's possible once I finish my degree.

Tell us about your course and what have you particularly enjoyed?

My course has given me a strong grounding in both the theory and practice of computer science, but what I've enjoyed most is how much of it pushed me toward solving real-world problems rather than just working through textbook exercises. I particularly liked the optional modules made it possible to combine machine learning and software engineering, since that combination is exactly what let me build something genuinely useful for my final year project.

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

The academic and lecturer support has been very useful and encouraging throughout my studies. Lecturers were genuinely invested in helping me work through problems, whether that was technical challenges in my projects or just figuring out the right direction to take with my research. That encouragement made a real difference, especially during the more demanding stretches of the final year.                                                

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

The computer labs have been a stand-out facility for me, fully equipped and reliable, which mattered a lot, considering how much hands-on technical work the course demanded.

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

Outside of my course, I've been involved with the IEEE Student Branch, which gave me a great way to connect with the wider engineering and tech community beyond my own cohort, and to engage with topics and people outside the immediate scope of my degree.  I've also been part of cheerleading society, which has been a brilliant outlet and a good reminder to balance the intensity of university work with something active and team-based outside of academics.

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

Just go for it. One of the things that genuinely sets this university apart is the level of support you get, it's the kind of thing that can put you ahead. That support made a real difference for me, and I think anyone considering Westminster should know it's there.

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

For me, the community is by far the best aspect I experienced here. There's a real sense of being part of something, whether that's through coursework, societies, or just the people around you, and that made the experience feel far less isolating than I think a demanding degree could otherwise be.

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

The level of inclusion and diversity was genuinely surprising to me, in a good way. It shaped the environment in a way I hadn't fully anticipated going in, and it made the whole experience feel more welcoming and representative than I expected.