Kevin Bannon

Kevin Bannon

Big Data Technologies MSc

My academic advisers have been extremely supportive during my time at Westminster. They’ve had flexible virtual “office hours” to ensure students are accommodated for when necessary. The online and in-class lectures have been complemented with tutorials where I get the opportunity to network and work alongside my classmates.

Why did you choose the University of Westminster?

When researching potential universities, there were three main factors for me that played a role in making a choice. The first factor was that I was looking for a course which included a diverse set of subjects across the Data Science spectrum. Secondly, I was looking for a university which allowed me to study towards a Master's degree alongside working. Lastly, the University of Westminster was conveniently located between my home and work, hence allowing me to have a better work-study-life balance.

How has your experience been studying in London?

London is a beautiful and busy city, but unfortunately, due to current global events, I was unable to experience much of student life within the city. Luckily, the University provided an interesting student experience, adopting a hybrid way of learning (ie combining online and in-class tutorials), enabling the best of both worlds. Overall, I’ve had a very positive experience.

What have you particularly enjoyed about your course?

My favourite part of the course has been Machine Learning in Python, a key area in Data Science, which happened to make an appearance in several subjects. This topic taught me new transferrable skills that I am currently using at a professional capacity.

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

My academic advisers have been extremely supportive during my time at Westminster. They’ve had flexible virtual “office hours” to ensure students are accommodated for when necessary. The online and in-class lectures have been complemented with tutorials where I get the opportunity to network and work alongside my classmates. Overall, the academic staff have been really friendly and professional, and it is evident that they are willing to assist every student to succeed in their academic goals.

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

Yes, the Employability Service has arranged fantastic virtual events, which have allowed me to develop my interview and employability skills. Through this service, I got in touch with an alumnus who had completed a similar degree to myself, who kindly provided me guidance throughout my studies.

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

I was the Class Representative of my course which I used to bridge the gap between professors and students, by presenting student queries and seeking solutions.  This helped me to connect with my fellow students in a better way, and contributed to shaping me as a better leader.

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

My advice to a prospective student would be to research the course, and not be afraid to ask questions to clarify your understanding. This will certainly make your time at the university less stressful, and you’ll enjoy it more.