Hemanth Vallamkonda

Why did you choose the University of Westminster? 

As an international applicant, I turned to Unibuddy to gain real student insights about the University and the course offering. University of Westminster stood out for its central London campuses, its Chartered Banker-accredited MSc, and the hands-on support offered through WeNetwork’s entrepreneurial programmes. With three years’ experience in AML and KYC, I saw this course as a way to deepen my banking expertise, while exploring fintech innovations. The course offered the right mix of academic rigor, industry recognition, and practical opportunities. 

What have you particularly enjoyed about your course? 

The course delivers a comprehensive look at the full banking value chain—from commercial lending and global banking to risk and compliance. A standout moment for me was a guest lecture from HSBC, whose insights on embedded finance and AI directly influenced a fintech prototype I’m developing with WeNetwork mentors. 

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

The support which I’ve received whilst at the University has been exceptional. My lecturer, Dr. Xin Li hosts weekly drop-ins, and staff are consistently responsive via Microsoft Teams, often tailoring feedback to current market trends. That real-world connection keeps the course both challenging and highly relevant. 

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

At the University of Westminster, we have plenty of incredible modern facilities. Some of my favourites include the Financial Markets Suites with Bloomberg and Refinitiv DataStream terminals for real-time analysis, AmplifyME live-trading simulations, as well as the WeNetwork and Skill Hub – which offers mentoring, skills bootcamps and co-working space for student founders. 

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

My experience utilising has been fantastic. I’ve had the opportunity to complete the Westminster Employability Award – which can help boost your CV and become more attractive to potential employers. With over 150+ activities to choose from, it allows you to tailor your journey during your time as a student. I personally went from Gold to Platinum, the service had helped guide me through personality profiling, updates to my CV, psychometric testing and mock assessments.  

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

As a Course Representative for the MSc cohort, I’ve had the opportunity to take on greater responsibility by acting as the student voice—facilitating collaboration between peers and staff and ensuring that any concerns or feedback are communicated effectively to improve the overall academic experience. 

Beyond my course, I’ve been actively involved in the WeNetwork Pioneer Programme, where I’ve developed three ventures: a CV-building and job application platform that also supports interview preparation—this project led me to become a finalist in the Big Idea Competition, an AI-powered toolkit that integrates finance functions into SME software, and a reporting engine that transforms raw financial data into polished, investor-ready reports. 

I also stay engaged with student life through active involvement in several societies and by regularly participating in AmplifyME trading simulations to sharpen my financial skills in real-time environments. 

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

I recommend starting with an online Q&A session with current students—it’s a great way to get an honest insight into life at Westminster and in London. Next, take time to align your module choices with your career goals. Westminster offers the flexibility to explore risk, regulation and fintech within one degree—but making strategic elective choices early on is key. 

Once you arrive, make the most of the university’s resources: spend time in the Financial Markets Suite (Bloomberg and Refinitiv terminals are usually available in the evenings), take part in an AmplifyME trading simulation to test your market instincts, and book a WeNetwork mentor session to refine any entrepreneurial ideas. 

Be sure to complete the Westminster Employability Award alongside your studies—it’s a step-by-step pathway through CV building, psychometric testing and mock assessment centres that prepares you for competitive graduate roles. And finally, take full advantage of being in London: from fintech meetups and industry talks in the Square Mile to public lectures at neighbouring universities, opportunities to turn theory into real-world connections are everywhere. 

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

The University of Westminster stands out for many reasons—from its modern learning environment to its vibrant, international community of students from around the world. What truly sets it apart, though, is the access to academics with real-world industry experience who also serve as dedicated mentors. Their support not only deepens academic understanding but also helps turn student ideas into practical outcomes, creating a powerful blend of intellectual challenge and real-world momentum. 

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

It’s surprising about how many opportunities students at the University have access to. By my sixth month of being at the University, we had the opportunity to tour Bloomberg, traded live markets via AmplifyME, completed the Platinum Employability Award and was refining three start-up concepts with mentors. Each of these successes gave me the opportunity to generate contacts from field trips and flag competitions, and feedback that feeds straight back into class projects. While the pace is demanding the support structure— from lecturers, Skill Hub coaches, careers mentors—means you’re never alone.