Fees and Finance: Full Time PG Cert Education Students 2012/13

Alana is one of our second year part-time students.

At Brunel we are very clear that we are not just providing our students with a physiotherapeutic knowledge base and physio clinical toolkit. We are very clearly providing them with a training in professionalism. On this point Alana notes:

"One feels very strongly that the lecturers are absolutely dedicated to developing each of us students into excellent physiotherapists. They do not allow any slacking. They bang on about making sure that our behaviour is entirely professional from day one, but somehow they manage to combine being very firm with being very encouraging - and it is completely clear that they are dedicated to helping each of us learn what we need to learn in order to master both the academic subject matter as well as the professional demeanour expected from a physiotherapist."

Alba Gonzalez Cano

 

All my life I have had a strong passion for documentary films - I really enjoy watching them. One of my dreams has always been to do a course which will help me to show how I see the world. 

The Documentary Practice MA at Brunel gave me the chance to meet and learn from really great filmmakers. The classes helped me to develop my skills as a camera person, editor, sound person, and filmmaker, and also to design my own website. Thanks to my tutor, I have been able to carry out my final documentary, which let me to connect and  sympathise  with very different people especially those who took part in my documentary and who have become in my friends. But the most important thing is that thanks to this experience I have learnt to have self-reliance. 

I hear with my eyes was my final project, a documentary about synesthesia, a perception disorder in which the barriers between the senses dissolve, resulting in people seeing words, tasting shapes or smelling sounds. 

My documentary has been broadcasted in Spain by Tv3 (Televisió de Catalunya), and  it is going to be distributed in North America to the educational market by Films Media Group. 

Alex has just completed his first year studying Product Design at Brunel.

“I can quite confidently say that I have experienced a fantastic first year. The course has been very diverse and has covered many areas of design. This has allowed me to discover which areas I really enjoy, helping me to make crucial choices for the future.

"As well as the educational aspect, there is also the fact that this will be your new home. Personally I believe that your friends make your University life what it is. The better the friends you have, the better your experience will be.

"I came to Brunel as quite a quiet character and knew that if I stayed that way that I would become distant from the hustle of uni life. Nightlife and day time socials really help you to meet new people, and the atmosphere around the campus is always good. You can meet new people every day if you want to – you just have to put in a little effort. Make sure you get involved and enjoy every minute.”

Ayo studied Business and Management (Accounting). He graduated in 2009 and now runs his own business.

Brunel University kick-started my life. It was not only an educational exercise but also provided life experience that acted as a solid foundation for my past, current and future achievements.
 
At the age of 19, whilst in the second year of my degree, I created a lifestyle brand called Elegance. 10,000 copies of our first project, the Elegance hair and beauty catalogue, were distributed throughout the country via over 30 sales reps. Our current project provides integrated promotional packages, focussing on using short videos to promote salons, barbers and spas across the UK. This project led to me winning first prize in Brunel University’s Dragons Den competition for 2009, as well as being named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Brunel Entrepreneurs Society and Brunel Business School.
 
Brunel University allowed me to meet like-minded people and encouraged me to think outside the box. One piece of advice I would give to students is to look at university as an opportunity to build your future.

Beverley completed a thin-sandwich degree in Psychology in and has secured a permanent position with her placement employer.

“My degree involved two work placements – I was a teaching assistant in a primary school for the first, and a volunteer Psychology Assistant at HMP Wormwood Scrubs for the second.

"I really enjoyed my time at Wormwood Scrubs as it gave me the opportunity to realise that Forensic Psychology was the career path for me. I stayed on beyond the four and a half months as I wanted to develop my experience further. I had the chance to interview prisoners on my own and obtain a greater understanding of the expected roles and duties of a psychologist working in the prison service.

"I chose Brunel due to the four-year thin-sandwich course which I hoped would assist me in deciding what career path I would take. Psychology as a degree gives the opportunity to choose a career in many areas and some aspects of the course content related to certain career fields. I certainly recommend Brunel University to those who want a good education along with a sense of working in the real world before completing their degree.

"I have now secured a job as a Psychology Assistant in a London prison. I will need to do further study which will include a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology and two years’ Chartership training, but I would not have secured the job so soon after graduating if it had not been for my work placement.”

Birgit was a Medical Anthropology student.

“When I came back from a mission with Médecins sans Frontières in Mozambique, where I had worked on an HIV/AIDS programme, I searched for training opportunities and found out about Medical Anthropology at Brunel. I was thrilled – the subject matter described exactly what I had experienced in project work: divergent perceptions of sickness and health from a Western medical perspective and from a ‘traditional’ point of view.

"The difficulties communicating essential health messages threatened the aim of prevention, and a great need was felt to better understand local ideas of mother-child health in the HIV/AIDS epidemic. I was attracted by the perspective to learn how to conduct qualitative studies on health-related issues, and fascinated by the stance to comprehend ‘culture’ not as a normative and static condition, but as a constant process of negotiation and renewal.

"I had the great opportunity to return to Mozambique for the dissertation fieldwork, studying traditional concepts of child nutrition and child health. I could pursue questions that were crucial in my past project work, and which were essential to the success of HIV/AIDS prevention. Writing transformed into something very unexpected, especially when working on the dissertation. It became an opportunity to think things through, to contextualize, discuss, explore and explain conclusions. Investigation and writing were two separate and still corresponding parts of an intense learning process. This process also taught me about ethical dilemmas in anthropological enquiry, about methodological constraints and limitations of inference, and it raised questions on what both tradition and human agency may mean.“

Candice graduated in Film and Television Studies and has recently won an award and a knighthood from Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg for her documentary film Charlotte: A Royal at War.

“My love for documentary work was largely started during my time at Brunel. My class were asked to make a documentary about spiritual sites in England called The Dragon Line. Although it was a lot of hard work, we had a great time interviewing people and editing it all together. After that, I decided to supplement my journalism work at Sky News with documentary making on the side.

"Charlotte: A Royal at War is about Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg during World War II. She fled the Nazis who took over her country and waged a propaganda war from London and North America to get help for Luxembourg. The penalty for listening to BBC radio in occupied Luxembourg was death, but many, including my Luxembourgish grandmother, listened in secret as the Grand Duchess gave messages of hope to her people. American troops eventually helped liberate the country, and the Grand Duchess is remembered as Luxembourg’s most loved monarch.

"The Royal Family of Luxembourg came to the London premiere of my film in 2008, as well as the Minister of Culture and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester who represented the Queen. I, along with the director and my co-producer, were awarded a knighthood by Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg for ‘excelling in the arts and for outstanding service to Luxembourg and the Grand Ducal House’. The BBC was also awarded a statue of Charlotte as a sign of gratitude for allowing Luxembourg to use their airwaves during the War. We are currently in discussions with the BBC about broadcasting our film.”

Caroline Day

I undertook the Children, Youth and Development MA course at Brunel from September 2009.  Having spent time volunteering in Africa some years beforehand I had since been working in the UK children's charity sector but was looking for a route back into international work.  I saw the course profile on the website and it looked ideal - all the areas that I was most interested in - so I left my job in order to study again full-time. 

The course covered (amongst many other things) a wide range of key theories, practical concepts and research skills, which I was able to put into practice through a course placement volunteering with a local NGO supporting street children in Kenya, and in visiting Kenya directly where I researched the representation of street children for my MA dissertation.  It felt great to be learning again, and in such a supportive and knowledgeable environment.  The course both consolidated what I already knew and taught me so much more.

It was while undertaking the course that I saw a PhD studentship advertised at the University of Reading focusing on Care, Disability and Family Relationships in sub-Saharan Africa.  The MA had inspired me so much that I decided to apply for this opportunity knowing it would enable me to continue developing my skills and knowledge in the field and provide the opportunity to do longer term research directly with children and young people in Africa.  I am now in my second year of this course and living in Zambia where I am researching the impact of caring for sick or disabled parents or relatives on the life-transitions of Zambian youth (aged 15 to 30).  I absolutely love what I am doing - the families I have met have been so welcoming and open to me - and I have learnt so much already.  I will be returning to the UK in August to focus on writing my thesis while also taking on some lecturing responsibilities at the university to start preparing me for what may come once my PhD is completed.  While at the moment I don't know what that is, I do know that without having done the MA I would not be where I am now and I look forward to the opportunities that will arise in the future.

Charles Olubokun

I previously studied Business Administration, Personnel Psychology then Corporate Finance and have worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria, Whispering and Wireless Ltd and Nigeria Telecommunications Ltd (NITEL), which a major player in Telecoms in Africa. In choosing the CPE as a path, I set out to look for and study in a school with an international reputation and academic excellence and found that Brunel possessed these. The lecturers are made up of knowledgeable professionals in the field of law; their conceptual analysis of key principles in relation to major challenges of our time is evidenced through their publications. The delivery approach in Brunel is superb, it presents law as an intellectual discipline in its own right, which allowed one to develop the skills of analysis, reasoning and discussion required to be successful beyond the ordinary level of a lawyer. The skill, competence, determination and knowledge developed during the course in handling large volume of materials and meeting priority dates are invaluable preparation for what is needed for a successful legal career. Following the CPE, applied to and was accepted on the LLM programme at Brunel. I plan to practise as a solicitor within the London area, and I would also like to help educate the future generation, especially would be lawyers. If I have to start all over, I would rather start with Brunel.

Chukwumezie is in his third year of the Doctor of Public Health Programme (DrPh).

Following the successful completion of the taught component of this course, he undertook his first internship within the Centre for Public Health Research, and is now completing an internship with the CMC-Eastland Department of Family Health/Dickson Institute for Health Studies.

"My research is focused on health inequalities and particularly on how poverty impacts on health and access to healthcare. I aim to advance research on the design and implementation of health systems to ensure access to care on the basis of need. The DrPH programme is unique in both structure and delivery. It is directed by internationally recognised academics from diverse research backgrounds and the multi-disciplinary approach to teaching and research is ideally suited for public health."

Daniel, Anthropology with Professional Development BSc

Choosing Anthropology at Brunel was one of the best decisions I've made to date. The course is really interesting, with good lecturers and exciting modules. Brunel offers a thin sandwich work placement unlike any other university for Anthropology. I went to Sri Lanka and Ecuador, teaching English and then as a researcher at a human rights organisation. I developed some great skills and gained a lot of life experience along the way.

Despina is studying for a BA in Social Work

My name is Despina, I am 37 yrs old and I am originally from Greece. My social work training at Brunel has been a continuation of many years of working in social care as a mental health support worker and many more years of encountering vulnerable people in my travels. I am the first person in my family to go to university and it has been a great inspiration to my younger brother who is also now studying at university in Greece. It has not been easy.

As a mature student, I have far more responsibilities and this has made this a challenging experience. It is all worth it though. Throughout the three years of the BA Social Work I have met some great people. I have re-discovered myself, and most importantly, I am now more sure than ever that doing this course was the best decision of my life. I am where I want to be and I have chosen the right profession.

Brunel has been a great provider for the training and although there have been hiccups on the road overall it has been a good experience. The administrator of the course has been amazing to the students and our lecturers have provided us with inspiration and guidance.

Eleanor Church

Since finishing the Documentary Practice MA at Brunel, I have been working as the Environmental Justice Foundation's (EJF) filmmaker and film trainer. I make all of the films for EJF and run video advocacy training projects in different communities around the world.

EJF is an NGO which makes a direct link between the need for environmental security and the defence of basic human rights, undertaking investigations and compiling reports and films which are taken to a variety of audiences ranging from the European Parliament and the UN to consumers and they have also been shown at a number of international film festivals. Documentary film plays a hugely important role in advancing EJF's campaigns.

The Documentary Practice MA helped me to develop my technical skills and style, and it gave me a thorough understanding of the process of making documentary films from beginning to end. It was an excellent basis to develop professionally as a filmmaker. The film that I made as my final project for the masters, Manju, was selected and shown as part of the London International Documentary Festival in 2010. I would really recommend the course.

Elizabeth is in the final year of a Business and Management (Marketing) course, and has recently completed a year’s ‘thick sandwich’ work placement at IBM.

“When deciding on a university I wanted to be close to Central London, so for me Brunel was conveniently located. Another defining factor was the course itself. The first year provides a great insight into many aspects of business – I was able to gain an understanding of the foundations of accounting, marketing, management and IT within my first year. This emphasised the broadness of business, reinforcing the variety of possible career paths open to me.

"I chose to undertake the Marketing pathway as I have always had a great interest in the area, and during my second year, the course did not disappoint. We covered a number of marketing topics, which I have been able to relate to everyday life – for example, when shopping I can pick up on aspects of consumer behaviour that were covered within the course. I have taken part in a number of group projects, and as someone who wants to work within a business environment on completion of my degree, I know that group work is very beneficial. I have also had the opportunity to practise presentation skills.

"Securing my work placement was one of my most important achievements at University. My placement was within IBM’s hardware department as a Sales Operations Analyst. My role involved liaising with sales representatives and providing them with the market intelligence to do their job efficiently. One of my main duties was forecasting. This required me to consolidate the team’s sales figures on a weekly basis and then to undertake data analysis, drawing attention to key sections of the data to aid management decisions. I also had the opportunity to work on projects within the wider Systems and Technology Group, such as being responsible for the design, distribution and analysis of questionnaires to help in making relevant changes within the business.

"My placement experience was invaluable. It helped me to gain a better understanding of how a blue chip company such as IBM operates, and gave me great insight into Sales and Operations, igniting my interest in the area. The placement provided me with a great opportunity to network with people in the industry, of all different levels. Several interns of IBM have returned as graduates, helped by having proved their quality and having obtained good references from managers within the business.

"I would strongly recommend students to consider undertaking a placement. The Placement and Careers team at Brunel were a great help, providing expertise in areas such as my CV and interview skills. A placement is an excellent addition to your CV, considering the increasing number of graduates competing for jobs each year, and I know that I will return to University in my final year having developed immensely in terms of skills, and as an individual.”
 

Fatima Masarrat studied Psychological and Psychiatric Anthropology MSc. She carried out fieldwork in a psychiatric unit in Karachi.

"I chose this Masters because of its structure – the range of modules and the opportunity to conduct fieldwork abroad impressed me. The fieldwork experience has challenged me to reflect and question my approach to the subject. Furthermore, the main advantages of my MSc studies are the solid research skills, as well as the prestige of doing a Master's in one of the best UK Universities.

"The academic staff in the Department are regarded as world leaders in their field. They presented anthropology in a way which was both inspiring and thought provoking. Even the most eminent professors will take the time to discuss research with postgraduates and the help is invaluable.

"I also found the lunch time seminars particularly beneficial as they are a great way to meet other postgraduate students and to exchange experiences. I’d advise prospective students to embrace the 'whole' experience as you only get out of it what you put in and if you’re prepared to get involved, the MSc in Psychological and Psychiatric Anthropology is brilliant!

"My postgraduate degree at Brunel has caught employers' interest and, in terms of a career, the opportunities are endless. I am currently working in Mental Health in Karachi and hope to secure enough funding for a PhD."

Gilles Ponchon

I had been studying French Law for four years in France where I come from. I wanted to qualify as a solicitor in the UK and I took the CPE to achieve this. I applied at Brunel because it was outside London but not beyond reach, and besides, Brunel has had all the facilities required to study correctly: modern accommodations, study rooms for postgraduates, the Library with extended opening hours, and a dvd rental service.... There are many activities organised on site and outside, like visiting Oxford and Cambridge. I found the content of the course interesting and the different lecturers easy to talk to during and after classes. The methods of teaching were classically structured (lecture-seminar), which was a good thing for a foreign student in his first year in England. The separation of LLB students and CPE students for the seminar only has been a good idea. I intend to qualify as a lawyer in France and a solicitor in England and practise in an international law firm in the UK. I enjoyed my time at Brunel. The campus has all the facilities you will need and Uxbridge is very close. 

Hopewell Chin'ono

I came to Brunel University to study Documentary Practice MA after spending 16 years as a print and radio journalist with the BBC World Service and numerous other newspapers from Zimbabwe. Little did I know that my experience at Brunel would radically transform my professional fortunes.

What I found fascinating about my year at Brunel was the ability to combine practical skills training and intellectual rigour examining documentary film making, skills that I now use not only in documentary film making but also in television news journalism.

I used the skills learnt during my year at Brunel as a tool to enter the world of TV news and joined ITN, the UK’s biggest independent television news provider as its producer in Zimbabwe. Since graduating from Brunel University in 2007, I have won the:

• African Journalist of the Year Award 
• Henry Kaiser Family Foundation Journalism Award
  
• USAid HIV and Aids Reporting Award

My documentary film A Violent Response which looks at Zimbabwe’s post-election violence has been nominated for the BANNF Television Award in Canada and the Rory Peck Features Award in London.

My graduate documentary film Pain in my Heart won me the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Award that took me to University of Oxford’s prestigious Said Business School on a leadership training fellowship under the auspices of the African Leadership Institute.

I have also worked as a freelance television field producer on special assignments for CNN International, Sky News, BBC News Night, Rte Ireland, Greek National Television and ITV Wales.

I currently work in Zimbabwe running the ITV News and South Africa’s eNews operations.  I feel greatly indebted to the Brunel University Documentary Practice program and I am living proof of how one can use the academic experience from this program to practical field use and achieve a lot.

Jamel Dallali

 

As an international student, I have to admit that when I first started the MA in Documentary Practice, I was worried about the language barrier.

Over the two years (I studied part time) not only I did develop my personal skills, professional knowledge and the ability to present my ideas, but I also realised that I was building up my will and faith to become a filmmaker.

My final short film project Love and Death won the second prize in the Aljazeera Documentary Festival. It was the perfect culmination of my time at Brunel and the highlight of my film career thus far.

So far I have directed and produced more than 13 documentaries for the Aljazeera News Channel and the Aljazeera Documentary Channel.

The MA in Documentary Practice definitely shaped my career path, and I would recommend it to others.

Jarret Guzman

Attending Brunel University and being part of the Master’s in Children, Youth and International Development programme has been an experience of a lifetime. This programme has helped me to gain greater insight into the lives of children and young people and to see how important policy positions affect them.

The delivery of the course content by the lecturers has been informative and enjoyable. The skills and information taught to me have helped to shape my professional life. At present I am working at the Youth Division of the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Child Development, where I am charged with the responsibility of developing a Youth Health Policy and I am also part of a team which is developing a new delivery system for the Youth Division. I am also now a member of two committees appointed by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to deal with children and young people.

Brunel University has not only built me academically but also socially as I have made very valuable friendships. The University‘s close proximity to London was also a plus as it gave me the opportunity to explore this historic city.

I take great pleasure in recommending Brunel University to anyone who wants to develop both academically and socially.

Jason graduated in 2008 in Multimedia Technology and Design, and recently won a prestigious placement with Hallmark.

“When looking for a multimedia course I searched the UCAS database for a university with a good reputation and which offered a wide selection of modules. I visited Brunel on an Open Day, where I had the luxury of talking to an academic who was actually teaching on the course, and when I came for an interview I felt it was personalised and tailored to my needs.

"The course was brilliant. In the first few months everyone is brought up to speed so they are comfortable with the hardware and software packages used. I particularly enjoyed the Emergent Technologies module, as it acknowledges that it requires a great deal of time and effort to keep up with ever-changing media. The School’s green screen studio, high definition cameras and editing suites are prime examples of how Brunel stays at the cutting edge of technological advancement and how student work and research can influence decisions about new facilities.

"In my third year I worked for a television graphics company on a paid placement, and was given the job of producing work for ITV’s Formula One coverage. It was very challenging, but having worked with companies like ITV, BBC and Sky I returned to Brunel with huge drive and motivation. I felt the placement was a “real world” module on the course – I grew up in a year and came back a totally different person.

"My final year project used the premise of a music video to showcase my abilities across various disciplines. The final animation received a huge amount of attention both within and outside the University. It won the “Award of Excellence” for animation in the Computer Arts Graduate Showcase, and at the New Designers graduate exhibition I received the Hallmark Cards PLC Award, consisting of a cash prize and a four-week placement at Hallmark’s international headquarters as their first new media animator!

"The course at Brunel has been a life-changing experience. To go out into the world with the knowledge gained on my course and placement is fantastic. The brilliant facilities almost invite students to say, ‘What can’t I achieve?’, and the course inspires you to take your work to the next level.”

Jeanette Banks graduated in 2011 with MA in Social work

After working as an unqualified social worker for London Borough of Ealing for 3 years, I was extremely lucky to qualify for a work secondment to the MA in Social work course at Brunel. The two year course offered at Brunel provided me with background knowledge in a huge variety of subjects including law, psychology, linking practice to current research findings and ethical considerations.

Along with the academic knowledge, the two practice placements provided me with unprecedented opportunities to see social work in practice in very different settings, namely end of life and palliative, and dementia social work. This direct experience has improved my confidence in working with other professionals.

Completing my own research was challenging but also taught me determination and persistence. My dissertation tutor, supported me through the process tremendously, encouraging me to 'find my own voice'. This piece of advice continues to help me daily now

I am currently employed full time as a social worker in a Community Mental Health team. This course permitted me to understand the values and ethics of working as a social worker in a world of limited resources, and to uphold these values when working with vulnerable people in need.

Joe graduated in 2006 with a BEng in Internet Engineering and is now an Emerging Talent Graduate at Vodafone.

“Brunel has much to offer. The fact that it is so close to London was very important to me, as it meant I was living in the capital, but could still escape to the quiet life in Uxbridge when necessary. What I valued the most from the teaching staff was the preparation they gave for real-life industry, especially understanding that a degree is only the first step. To impress potential employers and beat the competition, you have to do so much more.

"I attribute most of my post-graduation success to my final year project. I spent a lot more hours than was expected working on it, and this gave me the web development skills that eventually turned out to be crucial in my career. The three employers I have worked for since graduating all said that my project impressed them a great deal. I also undertook a one-year industrial placement with Hewlett-Packard in Kista, Sweden.

"After working in telecommunications and for a software company after graduation, I was offered a position with Vodafone in their Global Technology Rotation Programme. You get to work on exciting projects all over Europe before being permanently placed. It was a very tough interview process. I used a lot of the knowledge I had learnt on my degree course to explain what impact technology will have on the communications market and which opportunities Vodafone should focus on. This would not have been possible without Brunel’s inspirational lectures and some specific taught modules.

"If you would like a rewarding career in a constantly-changing field, then I would highly recommend this degree. The course is almost completely unique to Brunel and would suit anyone who is excited about new technologies. I found that Brunel’s name is well-recognised among employers for being a top university when it comes to engineering, as I have been offered positions from several multi-national companies with diverse workforces since graduating. Both personally and financially, choosing Internet Engineering at Brunel turned out to be the best decision I ever made.”

Kathryn Richmond

Before Brunel, I studied for a BA (Hons) Philosophy with Cultural Studies at St. Mary's College, University of Surrey. I had also gained experience as a ski instructor in Switzerland, with the Jersey Business School as an administration assistant for its professional qualifications, and with the Citizens Advice Bureau, Support Caseworker. Brunel attracted me for the CPE because of its diverse environment, good value, convenient location, and in-depth teaching to a University standard compared to other, business-based providers. I found the CPE to be intense, but rewarding. I had a good group of people studying with me. We all supported each other, and the staff were very helpful with lots of feedback. I responded well to the methods of teaching and lectures help, while I found I also had to be self-motivated to cover all the course material. What I most enjoyed was the variety of the subject matter and the supportive environment. I am now studying the BPTC at BPP, after which I have a legal internship in Jersey for the summer and am aiming for a pupillage in 2012 at commercial law Chambers somewhere in the UK.

Kiroulous Abadir studied Law at Brunel

My time at Brunel has been excellent!

I have developed a number of skills, such as being able to manage a heavy workload along with a part-time job and having a social life! I was a member of the Brunel Mooting Team for 2008/09 who successfully reached the semi-final of the Weekly Law Reports Moot.

I felt that one of my greatest challenges at Brunel, apart from carrying all the heavy books, was being able to learn a large amount of information in a small time and being able to remember it!

I chose Brunel for the scholarship opportunities, but more importantly for its pioneering sandwich degrees. I know that competition will be tough and so having a year's experience makes one stand out that little bit more. The sandwich scheme gave me the opportunity to get a feel for both sides of the legal profession and gave me the chance to make a more informed decision when it comes to choosing either Law School or going to the Bar.

I was lucky enough to have my first placement at Matrix Chambers, where I developed a number of legal research skills and also had the chance to shadow a number of barristers. By the time I left Matrix, I was very much prepared for the coming years, as the skills I learned helped me to achieve high grades both in coursework and exams. My second placement was at Vickers & Co. At Vickers I had a chance to build on my people skills, such as visiting clients in prison and in the office, sitting in on conferences with counsel and also clerking at court.

I definitely feel that Brunel has prepared me for a future career in law, whichever route I choose.

Lauren graduated in 2006 and is now studying for a PhD in Biological Sciences at Brunel.

 
“I first visited Brunel on an open day where some of the lecturers were giving presentations on their work. The scientists that spoke were so charismatic and enthusiastic about their research that I felt compelled to study here.

"Although the course was demanding (as it should be), the modules were interesting, topical and diverse. If ever I had any difficulties, the lecturers were always approachable, understanding and helpful. As a result of the great teaching and support I received, I was able to gain a First Class degree.

"In my penultimate year, I won a studentship from the Wellcome Trust which allowed me to work on a research project for the summer with one of my lecturers. This was a highly rewarding and fascinating experience that convinced me that I would enjoy a career in research. Fortunately, I was offered the chance to do a PhD at Brunel, which I started the year I graduated.

"Studying at Brunel has given me the opportunity to work with and learn from world-class researchers, which will no doubt be an advantage when seeking employment after my studies.”

Lorraine studied for a BSc in Information Systems. During her placement year, she worked for Volkswagen in their programme management office, and has now secured a job at Accenture.

“My experience at Brunel so far has been everything I had hoped for and more. The opportunities available here are endless and have paved the way for me to develop skills that will ultimately set me apart from others. Brunel is undoubtedly an engaging place to be and has given me some of the best years of my life.

"For me, one of the best things about studying at Brunel is the calibre of staff. They are always willing to support and provide guidance to students. Moreover, Brunel is full of motivated and ambitious people and as a result it has helped me to realise my full potential in my personal development, both academically and socially.

"One of my greatest achievements was representing Brunel in the IBM University Challenge – a competition in which students manage virtual companies and compete against each other to maximise their profits. We came third out of over 150 national teams.

"Having played an active role in student life through the numerous sports, societies and activities available on campus, I have had the opportunity to meet and befriend a diverse range of individuals. In my second year I acted as Liaison Officer for the African Caribbean Society, and am currently Liaison Officer for the Brunel Entrepreneurial Society, where my role involves sourcing guest speakers and sponsorship.I have enjoyed working as a campus ambassador and departmental student representative, and I am now a senior student mentor.

"Following my placement at VW, I took a summer internship at Accenture as an Analyst, and have secured a job with them for when I graduate.”

Mark graduated in June 2008 with First Class honours in Anthropology.

“Originally, I chose to study anthropology because I was interested in other cultures and hoped to work in developing countries in the future. Having made this choice, I applied to study at Brunel because of the excellent international reputation that the anthropology department enjoys. I was also attracted by the opportunity to travel abroad as part of the four-year thin-sandwich degree.

"During the course I gained an in-depth understanding of a broad range of social issues, which challenged my own preconceived ideas and assumptions. The lectures and seminars raised many questions, both theoretical and applied, including issues such as the place of culture in an increasingly interconnected world.

"I was able to apply this theoretical knowledge and challenge myself further through carrying out two work placements in Togo, West Africa. This was a very exciting and enjoyable part of the course. For my first work placement in 2004, I spent
five months as an English teaching assistant in a Togolese secondary school. Teaching over 600 students was at first overwhelming, yet also extremely rewarding. I returned to Togo for my second work placement in 2007 working within a network of associations for the care and support of people living with HIV/AIDS. I later based my dissertation on the research that I carried out during this time.

"Overall I benefited greatly from my time at Brunel and am now studying for an MSc in
Public Health in Developing Countries, hoping afterwards to work in health programmes in resource-poor settings.”

Megan started her second year of study in September 2011.

“Originally Brunel was not my first choice of university but after coming to the open day, hearing about the course and looking around the campus Brunel became my first choice. I am so glad I changed my mind as Brunel is definitely for me. I really enjoy living on campus and having everything close by, but also being close to London. Not in the crazy hustle and bustle all the time but you can quickly get into central London on the Tube.

"When I started the course I was really nervous but excited at the same time. The first year was quite intense with the learning but the tutorials were a really good way of interactive learning. I remember the first tutorial I went to: we had to locate the bony points on the pelvis and the femoral pulse so by the end of the first session everyone was at ease with each other and it was actually a good ice breaker, as everyone was in exactly the same position!”

Merry is taking the MSc in International Business

I have enjoyed studying here at Brunel, particularly the cross-culture communication with my classmates from different countries and being able to participate in discussions and debates during lecturers. 

Brunel helps in many ways to bring convenience and assistance to students’ life which made settling into my new life here at Brunel and in London much easier than I anticipated. 

I worked for a prestigious international airline for a few years in China but I wanted to enhance my future prospects so I chose to study a Master’s degree in International Business. I am sure that once I have completed my degree it will provide me with more opportunities in the future either back in China or here in the UK.

Misbah graduated in 2008 with a first in Mathematics and Computer Science, and is now studying for a sponsored Master’s degree.

“Studying Mathematics and Computer Science at Brunel has most definitely been the right choice for me. Slightly apprehensive when I first started, the Maths department really helped to transform me from a ‘pupil’ into a ‘student’. The staff have a great relationship with their students and are always willing and determined to help anyone, even in their out of office hours, which really motivated me to succeed in my degree.

"Worried about finance, I got a job on campus as a student representative. This was great since the job was on my door step – I could work whatever hours suited me and more importantly the pay was good!

"Whilst at Brunel, the Placement and Careers Centre assisted me in working in industry for a year, as a statistician for one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, GlaxoSmithKline. This built the foundations of my career path and helped me as an individual to succeed in the next year in education.

"Studying at Brunel has benefited me immensely. I was awarded the Foster Award for outstanding mathematical ability; the Margaret Trier Memorial Prize for the ‘best woman’ graduating in a science or engineering subject, and not only did I get a scholarship from GlaxoSmithKline but was further awarded a studentship for a postgraduate course. I have furthered my education by studying for an MSc in Statistics, and I have even had the opportunity to travel in South America with my award money.

"Four years ago I was a standard student, with no idea what I was going to do with my degree. Today, I’m extremely lucky to have travelled and to be paid to study for a Master’s. This is all because I chose to go to Brunel. Brunel made my dreams become reality.”

Necip Ozkan is studying Economics and Management

Brunel was my first choice because it ticked every box in terms of what I was looking for in a university: it’s situated on a clean and stylish campus; it’s in London; it has a very good reputation for producing strong economics graduates; and it offers economics students the opportunity to go on a work placement in the penultimate year of their studies.

Three years on and I’m thoroughly enjoying my time here. After successfully completing my first two years of study, I completed a year-long placement at HM Treasury, which was a fantastic experience. I worked as an economist in the European Economics team and was given many responsibilities. As well as providing regular briefings for the Prime Minister and Chancellor (whom I also had the opportunity to meet), I was given the role of housing market expert. This enabled me to produce high level research on the topic and I also had the opportunity to present to an audience.

The year’s work experience was hugely beneficial as it gave me the opportunity to implement and develop many core skills in a very high profile institution. At the same time, I was gaining first-hand experience in a field that genuinely interested me. Now that I’ve had a taste of it, I’m seriously considering it as a career path.

Overall, the opportunity to undertake a placement separates Brunel from most other universities in London. Brunel’s specialist Placement and Careers Centre (PCC) has very strong links with prospective employers and this can only be beneficial from a student’s perspective. I would certainly recommend Brunel to anybody considering it.

Neel graduated in 2009 and is moving to Seattle for a prestigious role with Microsoft.

While preparing my university applications, Brunel always stood out as a leader in computing. Having come to the end of my four-year Computer Science degree, I can safely say that I made a fantastic decision in choosing Brunel!

The quality of teaching and supervision has been second to none. There was never a time when I was unable to turn to someone for help or advice; everybody is so friendly, approachable and smart. The course content is also top notch and can easily be applied to the working world, making me more employable.

With help and encouragement from Brunel’s Placement and Careers Centre, I spent my placement year with the software giant, Microsoft. I was lucky enough to spend three months working at their headquarters in Seattle, and as a result of the hard work I put in, I was offered a full-time contract based in Seattle, effective after my degree!

Brunel has contributed to some of the best years of my life and if I could do it all again, without a shadow of doubt, I would!

Niall graduated in 2004 with a BA in Modern Drama Studies, and has now founded his own performance company.

“After graduating, I went straight on to a Foundation course with Candoco, one of the most well-known integrated dance companies. Since then, I have volunteered for Impact Theatre Company teaching movement skills to disabled adults, and for Piece of the Pie theatre company, supporting young people with learning difficulties.

"In 2007 I founded my own performance company, Preface Morn. My work has so far been presented at the Scene Pool at the Camden People’s Theatre, and at Dance Aware and Dance4 platforms. In February 2009 the company will perform Beauty in Stone at The Place, the UK’s premier centre for contemporary dance, as part of the Resolution! season.

"Integration and cross-artform collaboration has been at the centre of my practice and ethos from my time at Brunel until the present. More support and access is now available for disabled people, and Brunel opened up the opportunity for me to be able not only to gain an education, but to develop as an artist in a supportive environment. I left with a lot of knowledge and confidence – a good starting point to begin my career in the Arts.

"I still feel that there are not enough disabled people engaging with the performance industry at a professional level, but that Brunel is a positive place and a stepping stone to encourage more integration within mainstream practice.”

 

 

Oliver is just finishing his second year of studies, looking forward to his summer break and a return to university and his final year of studies in September 2011.

“I am a Level 2 student nearing the end of the final placement of my second year. In 2009 I gave up my job as a personal trainer to become a physiotherapist. The course at Brunel is brilliant and really prepares you for clinical practice. The lecturers are passionate about their modules and this helps to motivate you to attend the colossal number of lessons. The course is very hard and requires absolute dedication to succeed. The social aspect of university life is essential and from personal experience I would recommend you give serious thought to joining a club or society. They provide a great way to make friends and try new things. Coming from Peterborough, I have found living in London to be really busy and expensive. But the experience I am gaining is worth it, so I recommend you come to Brunel as well.”

Raevennan studies Musical Performance and is pictured performing in Brunel’s Beldam Gallery.

Choosing to further my studies at Brunel University has proven to be a great decision. With its lively and buzzing atmosphere, you can't help but get stuck into all Brunel has to offer. The School of Arts Staff are always so happy and willing to help, and the lecturers are just stunning - always ready to assist with their invaluable knowledge and experience.
 
With so much going on at Brunel, your first year is going to be action-packed, but make sure you don't miss the hidden gems of the campus! The University's Arts Centre is not to be overlooked. Amazing in every way, with their vast range of art, drama and music courses, the staff at the Arts Centre are on hand to help ease you into Brunel life. And it's free for School of Arts students!
 
Whatever you do, make sure you take part - Uni is what you make of it!

Richard graduated as a physiotherapist in 2010 and whilst at Brunel he held a University Music Award

Richard has this to say about his time at Brunel:

“I decided to choose Brunel mainly because of the reputation of the course, but also because of the amazing facilities on site. My course is pretty intense by most standards, but it has allowed me to meet some great people. All the lecturers are brilliant and, most importantly, willing to listen and admit when they are wrong (which isn’t often!). Even though employment prospects for physiotherapists in the NHS are very competitive at the moment, I feel my time at Brunel will help put me ahead of the competition.

"A passion of mine is exercise and the great gym facilities on campus have allowed me to continue to work out. Along with this, probably my biggest passion is music. I am currently a Music Award holder at Brunel, which has enabled me to have all my musical tuition paid for. The music life at the University is thriving with loads of choirs, both classical and contemporary, all the way to gospel. There is also a musical production once a year, which is always great fun. I have probably met some of my best friends at Brunel and if you want to go to a university where you can meet great people, leave with a degree from a respected establishment and try new activities, then Brunel is the place for you.”

Rona studied Anthropology of Education

“As a teacher, the MSc in the Anthropology of Education gave me a different perspective on education and a multicultural view. Lectures were lively and informative and led to great discussion. Commuting from central London to Brunel hasn’t been too far and combined with the intensive two-day schedule I was able to maintain my working career whilst studying.

"Lectures are accessible and approachable. The support I have had, particularly during my dissertation, has been second to one. I’ve also made some super friends on the course from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines.”

Ross completed his Foundation year in 2006 and is now in the third year of a BA in Industrial Design and Technology.

“When applying through UCAS I was attracted to Brunel by its history, reputation and the quality of teaching in the School of Engineering and Design. From talking to different designers and engineers I learned that Brunel graduates were successful in jobs around the country. With this in mind I visited the campus on an Open Day, and after being shown the facilities and discovering the social life, I selected Brunel as my first choice.

"Owing to the facilities, the lecturers and the course content, I learnt much more from my Foundation year than I ever did at college. My knowledge of engineering now allows me to better understand mechanisms and electronics for my Design course, and it’s given me more confidence in my studies, as well as better time management and self-discipline.

"The Foundation year isn’t an easy ride, which is a good job really. Having just got by at college level, I really had to apply myself and put in the effort to attend lectures and improve my maths and physics. I can say without a doubt that the year helped to me adjust to University life well before my degree had started. Between my studies and the massive social life, I ended up having an amazing time, only topped by an even better first year on my Design degree.

"When I leave Brunel I hope these extra qualifications will help get me the job I want.
The Foundation year is a great choice for anyone wanting to improve their skills and build on their weaknesses. If you are unsure of what type of engineer you want to be, the year would give you the perspective you need.

"After finishing the year with high grades, I went on to study Industrial Design and Technology. The Foundation year gave me the qualifications to get into my Design degree, and I don’t know where I would be without it.”
 

Safa is a third year Politics and Economics student.

“I chose to come to Brunel because I wanted more from university than just a degree – I wanted to be in an environment of opportunity. The campus is so vibrant and there is such a rich selection of clubs and societies here that it is difficult not to get involved!

"Studying Politics and Economics has engaged me in lively debate, group work, critical analysis and has given me the ability to better understand the complex world around me. I have enjoyed rewarding responsibilities such as playing on the tennis team and being the club’s treasurer as well as acting as a student representative for the last two years.

"When it comes to deciding what to do after university, the careers service here are on hand with an abundance of resources and advice. I spent my first summer holiday at Goldman Sachs where I gained an invaluable insight into investment banking. More recently, I completed a summer internship at JPMorgan on their Emerging Markets trading desk – a challenging experience and incredible fun.

"My three points of advice for prospective Brunel students would be to arrive with an open mind, to be yourself, and to treat the next few years as your biggest opportunity.”

Santiago Posada

 

I was born in Colombia and moved to the UK in 2002 to study recording arts in London. I graduated from the MA in Documentary in 2010. Since graduation I have set up the production company Third Channel.

My MA short film "Chasing the Dragon" was selected to screen at the London International Documentary Film Festival in 2011.

I am turning my MA final film into a feature documentary, Railway Redemption. I have been recently commissioned by Dakus Films to edit the feature film Titus starring American actor Jon Cephas Jones (Across the Universe, Half Nelson) and British actress Ann Mitchell (The Passion Within, Lady Chatterley’s Lover). 

Sharon studied Cross Cultural Studies of Children, Child Development and Youth

“After finishing an undergraduate degree in anthropology at my home university in Malta, I was interested in pursuing a postgraduate degree which integrated my interests in both anthropology and children. My home university referred me to the MSc at Brunel which at the time was, and still is, unique in providing an anthropological perspective on children and childhood. The view of children as social actors in their own right, as opposed to passive recipients of the adult-structured world they live in, was a relatively new focus within the discipline of anthropology, and fit my research interests perfectly.

"I found the lecturers at Brunel to be very friendly, supportive, and thought-provoking in their approach, encouraging us to reflect upon, discuss, and challenge emerging perspectives in the field. My dissertation supervisor was particularly helpful during the course of my fieldwork, making himself available for informal discussions and providing valuable insights which enabled me to think through my fieldwork material in a critical and reflective manner.

"My degree from Brunel helped me tremendously in building a new career working with the Commissioner for Children in Malta. Following from the organising principle of the MSc course, my current employment requires me to focus on the child’s perspective, and ensure that the views and opinions of children are given sufficient consideration in Maltese society.

"My time at Brunel has opened many doors for me in numerous respects. I hope to continue building on what I have already achieved at Brunel in a variety of ways, through my current employment and through eventually furthering my anthropological studies in this particular field.”

Shree graduated in Sociology and Media Studies. She now works as a Communications Executive for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

“One of the reasons I chose Brunel was because of its renowned reputation for sandwich courses. I got to experience a taste of the ‘real world’ twice during my course, and the placement team were more than helpful in assisting me with interview preparation, CV writing and generally finding great placements. Whilst interviewing for my second placement I was offered two positions, and the team guided me in making a decision that would best suit my career goals.
 
"I thoroughly enjoyed my placement, and as a result I am now working full-time at the same charity. My role entails raising awareness of the charity through marketing and communication methods, as well as designing promotional materials for events and nationwide partnerships. The nature of my job means that no day is the same as the last – there is always a new and exciting project around the corner.”
 

Simeon Muir studied the CPE at Brunel

I studied first for a Politics and History degree at Brunel and then went on to the Law CPE Programme. I was impressed by Brunel Law School’s reputation and high rankings in The Times university league tables. Also, I wanted to study the CPE in an academic environment and be taught by lecturers who were experts in their fields, as I thought this would give me a greater knowledge and understanding of the law.  I preferred the more personalised approach at Brunel to some of the bigger CPE providers.

My CPE year was a tough year. There was a lot of material to be learned and law seemed completely alien to begin with. However, all the lecturers were very keen to explain things both during and after classes, and on a one-to-one basis. I found the system of lectures followed by seminars a very good way of learning. The way the course was taught gave me a detailed understanding of law, rather than simply learning to pass the exams and then forgetting about it. Consequently, much of what I learned is still at the forefront of my mind and this is invaluable now that I am planning to practise at the Bar and specialise in criminal law.

Stephen studied Psychoanalysis and Contemporary Society at Brunel

Having worked as a clinical psychologist in an NHS adult mental health service for several years, I was keen to extend my knowledge and understanding of psychoanalysis. I chose Brunel because the MA course provided the opportunity to learn to think psychoanalytically and to apply psychoanalytic thinking across social and cultural contexts.
 
The course was a delight, being both intellectually stimulating and enjoyable; it has helped to enrich my clinical work with patients and enabled me to think constructively about the various group and organisational contexts in which I work as a psychologist. It also provided a psychoanalytic perspective on art, literature and film, and this has continued to contribute to my cultural understanding and enjoyment.

Doreen thinks Brunel was a prudent decision

I have worked as a therapist as well as a social worker in the fields of mental health, addiction, palliative care and end-of-life care for several years. I completed my undergraduate education as well as clinical training in counselling and psychotherapy in Toronto, Canada. During my training, psychoanalysis was a key component of the curriculum and it sparked my interest in pursuing further studies in this area.

Choosing to study the MA in Psychoanalysis and Contemporary Society at Brunel University was a prudent decision. This offered me the opportunity to deepen and expand my understanding in this area which has had a positive and progressive impact on my work with my patients and clients.

My experience at Brunel has been further inspired by the support, patience and encouragement of its teaching and administrative staff. I believe that my career, as well as various dimensions of my life continue to be enriched as I begin my PhD research at Brunel University.

Steph is a final year Secondary Education and Physical Education Student.

“I have always wanted to be a PE teacher, and Brunel University stood out. Perhaps it was the idea of being so close to central London, the cosmopolitan atmosphere, the recommendation of the course, or the many extra-curricular sports which were offered. What I do know is that I made the right choice!

"I never expected PE teaching to have so much depth, but the way the course is delivered through stimulating lectures, seminars and practical lessons, in fantastic facilities, make it really appealing and urge me to learn more than I could ever have expected. Having friendly and approachable teaching staff also gives you such a confidence boost. They keep you level-headed and try to assist you in any way they can.

"But it’s not all work and no play – I have managed to fill my spare time with many activities. Holding down a part-time job in the Students’ Union bar, being Chair of the Equestrian Club and Saturday Team Manager for the Netball Club, playing netball five times a week and being a member of the women’s cricket team mean some may think I do too much… but not being involved in these activities wouldn’t have made me the person I am today. I thoroughly recommend studying here!”

Supriya Hajare studied Environmental Science

I’m originally from a small city in India and I came to the UK after marrying an investment banker. Having completed a chemical engineering  course in India, I looked for opportunities to explore and grow in the UK.

Browsing through various educational magazines and the internet, I came across Brunel University and the variety of courses it had to offer.  The MSc in Environmental Science – Legislation and Management interested me the most because it offered the perfect blend of topics which would use my knowledge in chemistry and give me the opportunity to learn its applications in the environmental field.

I was interviewed and selected by the course director, Abdul Chaudhary. He guided and motivated me not only during the course but even after graduation when he helped me in several ventures.

During the course I met and interacted with people from various backgrounds and diverse cultures. All the lecturers and other members of the university staff were very helpful, always ready to guide and support both home and international students.

I completed the programme successfully and went on to do a PhD in Nanotechnology in the Wolfson Centre Research School at Brunel University itself which means I can continue my development here.

I have had a wonderful time at Brunel!

Susie Valerio

I absolutely loved doing the Documentary Practice MA at Brunel! My classmates were of a very high calibre, the teaching was outstanding, and the access to professional equipment and training helped me land my first job after graduating. Since finishing the course, I have worked on several broadcast projects as an assistant producer and have done a lot of professional work as a media interpreter.

Thanks to the MA Documentary Practice my TV credits now include companies like Channel 4, Endemol, ITV, Al Jazeera International, FIFA TV and Discovery Channel. I have also worked as a production interpreter on Sir Paul McCartney's Brazil tour, as official media interpreter for the Brazilian National team and on several UEFA Cup games.

I was also commisioned by Sadler's Wells Theatre to produce and direct a couple of short pieces about "The Company of Elders" working alongside Jo Wall, a fellow student at Brunel. Our work was very well received and has been shown in several dance festivals and presentations around the world.

Tobias Edvardsson

I received my LLM from Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden. In Sweden we have different system when it comes to law school. If you elect to study to become an Advokat (a combination of solicitor and barrister), a Judge or a Prosecutor, you choose the law programme and you study for four and a half year and then your receive your LL.M. directly without a prior LL.BAs a former IT-entrepreneur and IT-consultant, I spent almost ten years starting up new business and helping existing ones in the IT and Telecommunications industries. There were two primary reasons I chose Brunel: good ranking and closeness to London. Before applying, I asked friends and tried to collect information regarding the general thought of Brunel and of all the Universities I considered Brunel came out on top.

I enjoyed every minute of that year. I thought it was a good mix of lectures and seminars with a suitable level of teaching. The thing I most liked was the dedication and commitment of the teachers. That drive helped me to get started and stay focused, which I much needed as a foreign student. Another surprise was the wonderful students with whom I took the course. The ambience was relaxed and I felt all the time that I could ask for help if needed. Many of the fellow students are still my friends and we keep in touch. Now, I use the qualification and experience routinely in my work. About eighty five percent of the agreements I write or negotiate are in English and many with one of the parties being established England.

My plans for the future are to stay at the law firm Lindahl, which is one of the main law firms in Sweden, to become a partner and focus even more on IT law, especially outsourcing, cloud computing and software licensing.

Tom graduated in Broadcast Media (Design and Technology) in 2009.

The time I have spent at Brunel has been productive and thoroughly rewarding. My course taught a perfect mix of technological and design disciplines, which let us express ourselves freely through our work. This established a healthy and creative working atmosphere. The teaching staff were always at hand to impart invaluable advice.

The most valuable thing I feel I will take away from Brunel is an entirely new method of thinking; ideas are no longer an unattainable possibility but rather begin as a concept and progress through development to the final, and most importantly achievable, production.

I have many aspirations for the future and I feel that my degree will enable me to begin a career in a number of different areas of the broadcasting and media industries. After some time spent travelling I hope to begin working in the television or games industry with particular focus on audio production and 3D animation. 

Winston returned to the UK and Brunel in 2008 to complete his Social Work degree after a period living abroad.

“When I was first at Brunel, most of the intake comprised mature students like me with significant previous work experience, whereas now a significant proportion are younger, many straight from A-levels. Many of these students have much to offer a profession in need of more dedicated individuals, and my student colleagues represent a diverse and interesting group, not only in terms of their backgrounds and individual challenges, but also in relation to their insights from their own work and life experiences.
 
"This group are a credit to Brunel along with many staff members that encourage us to challenge our world views and unlock everyone’s potential as students and future practitioners. I look forward to graduating with them before going on to develop a career in social work management.”

Yaw is studying Business and Management and spent his work placement at Morgan Stanley

The main reason I chose a four-year sandwich course is that it provides a great opportunity to gain practical insight into the factors that make companies successful in the financial market. Brunel was a firm choice because of its multicultural diversity and high teaching standards.
 
The University’s placement officers offer guidance for those who choose to undertake a sandwich course, as well as running CV and interview workshops and careers fairs.
 
During my placement the opportunities were endless, whether it was gaining an overview of different team functions from sales trading to foreign exchange, or attending company training courses. A course on hedge funds and alternative assets was particularly interesting, and Morgan Stanley actively encouraged me to learn continuously whilst in my role.
 
Last year was one of the best times to be on a placement – at a time of radical change in the market, I was not only watching events unfold globally but also seeing firsthand what it takes to survive in a volatile environment. I would advise anybody who enjoys a hands-on approach to learning to apply for a sandwich course at Brunel.
 

Jaimini Dodia graduated with a 1st in International Business in 2011

I chose International Business at Brunel University because I thought it would give me a wider context of business in a global world which is what we are becoming and Brunel also provides the option of picking up a new language! I picked the sandwich course and wanted to land myself industrial experience in a large company after working in many small companies part time whilst studying so I was over the moon when I got the job at IBM. I learnt a lot in the year and not just on a laptop, but people skills and my confidence grew dramatically. My role was sales operations support, which meant that I had the responsibility of supporting sales reps and sales managers ensured data quality and produce reports and revenues files to do this. IBM also encouraged a great deal of career development as all industrial trainees were assigned a development manager as well as a task manager. Whatever pathway chosen I would thoroughly recommend doing a placement.

Roneal Fernando graduated with a 1st class honours degree in Business and Management in 2011

I looked at a number of other universities before deciding on Brunel for my degree course. I’d always seen going into business as the end game so business and management was the natural subject for me. I chose Brunel partly because I really liked the look of the campus: I liked the fact that it’s self-contained, attractively laid out and being close to Uxbridge makes it very convenient too. But I was also looking for a degree programme that was well established and Brunel’s BSc Business and Management is just that. 
I greatly enjoyed my time at Brunel and I got involved in lots of activities whilst I was here. In particular, I am delighted to have been able to join the University of London Officers Training Corp (ULOTC), part of the Territorial Army (an opportunity that’s open to all Brunel students), serve as a student ambassador for the Business School’s new Business Life initiative as well as lead teams in the IBM Business challenge over the last three years. This greatly helped my confidence and improved my presentation, team working and leadership skills. For my project in my final year, I looked at how businesses prepare to ensure continuity in the face of the continuing threat from terrorism and disruption. My research involved contacting a large number of organisations including store owners in Oxford Street and Regents Street. Ensuring continuity is an area of business that particularly interests me and I would like eventually to work for a consultancy specialising in this.

Simandeep Malhi graduated in 2011 with a first class honours degree in Business and Management (Marketing) as well as the prize for the best marketing dissertation and university medal for best overall project

Brunel provided me with the necessary foundation and guidance to build my future career. The experiences I have gained whilst living on campus for 4 years has taught me the meaning of community and support. I took an active role to be involved in Brunel BUSS Volunteering club, which helped me interact with different students in Brunel and allowed me to give-back to the local community.

My lecturers at Brunel were always available to help and were willing to share their personal career experiences in relation to our course material. This provided me with a clear understanding to the practicalities of the modules I chose. Thus, my sincere thanks goes to the all the lecturers for their encouragement and knowledge throughout my time at Brunel. Having the opportunity to do a placement in IBM provided me with an insightful perspective of working within a blue chip company. I worked with teams across the world, managing analytical sales forecasts. I provided specific operational support to identify strategic solutions and to provide an overlook of sales performance, coupled with the ability to think creatively. Working with international and national teams, led to a flexible attitude of working patterns. I was consistently disciplined and organised and maintained good relations with my colleagues and managers; even after my placement ended. Thus, I decided to base my dissertation on IBM and received the full support from my superiors.

My future aspiration is to gain a career which allows me to continually grow. I would like to take some time to travel, to learn and enhance my knowledge about different cultures. This would enable me to gain new experiences and skills that I would integrate into my future working career.

John Bridger graduated with a 1st class honours degree in Business and Management (Accounting) in 2011

As someone who grew up in Somerset, I was particularly attracted by the idea of studying in or near London. I was also keen to be able to continue to pursue my sporting interests which include running and swimming. It was therefore great being able to use the new Olympic-sized swimming pool in Uxbridge and Brunel's fantastic gym facilities. I started out studying for a BSc Business and Management but over the course of the first year I realised that I was a numbers person so I switched to the Accounting pathway – it’s really easy to switch at Brunel. As a subject, accounting is sometimes perceived as rather dry and uninteresting but this was not the case with the course. I particularly enjoyed the modules on strategic financial management as well as the one on corporate finance where we looked at how shares are valued. I chose to do my Final Year project on the issue of auditor independence, researching the extent to which the principle of auditor independence might be compromised should the same auditor also provide management consultancy services to the business. This proved an interesting topic. For my placement year, I was delighted to land an accounting role with IBM where I gained good experience of accounts in a large organisation. I also mentored secondary school students as part of IBM’s Giving Back to the Community scheme. When it came to looking for a job for after I graduated, the staff in the Careers & Placement Centre at Brunel were extremely helpful and I have now been appointed as a Foundation Technology Consultant in the Oracle Division of IBM working in a team of Consultants helping IBM clients with IT issues. I’m really excited about this.

Nadine completed the MA in Media and Communications

“I really enjoyed studying this course. I still have lots of good memories of that time and I can thoroughly recommend studying at Brunel! Directly after my studies I started to work as a lecturer at RWTH Aachen University in the Department of Sociology, and began teaching. I believe that my studies in Brunel opened the door to this job opportunity. I work as a sociologist and doctoral researcher in the research group Humic in the Human Technology Centre at RWTH Aachen”.

Anu studied Media and Communications

”I chose Brunel based on my positive prior experience (I undertook a BSc in Media and Communications within the same School). The staff were all very helpful and approachable which made learning enjoyable. The course provided me with an excellent critical understanding of media and communications theory, which was intellectually stimulating and complemented my practical knowledge. Additionally, the course met my personal needs because it allowed me the flexibility to work whilst studying, as the teaching is concentrated into two days each week.”

Sudarshan completed his Master’s at Brunel

”Studying at Brunel was a real highlight for me and it gave me a valuable opportunity to work alongside students from across the world in a multicultural setting. This course seemed to be tailor-made for my professional life in the media industry and development sector. After I left Brunel, I worked with different development agencies as well as the Nepalese Government. In my current position as Director of Information and Advocacy with Save the Children in Nepal, I often reflect back on my media audience and media onvergence classes and relate them to my everyday work.”

Tine completed his Master’s in Media and Communications

“Brunel’s campus is ideally placed, with easy access to central London and the town of Uxbridge within walking distance. It is a peaceful location and offers all the activities that a student wants from University. My master’s offered me a great extension to my previous Sociology studies in Slovenia, by combining learning the English language to advanced academic level with new insights into the study of social sciences. I decided to stay in the UK and I am currently working as head of information for the Slovenian Tourist Board in London."