BA (Hons) Business Psychology

Denise

When I started looking at universities and university courses, I decided that, as I had always been good at Business Studies at school, the logical thing would be to do a business-related course. I saw plenty of “Business Management” and “Human Resource Management” courses across a number of universities, until eventually I stumbled upon Business Psychology at the University of Greenwich; there are two main reasons that I chose this combination:

One: I was born and raised in South East London, and, having made several trips to all over the world (from Shropshire to America, Eastbourne to Russia, etc.), the idea of living anywhere else but London was unthinkable to me. Greenwich is perfect; close enough to home so my mum doesn’t worry too much, yet very close to central London and a multitude of transport links should I ever wish to escape for a while.

Two: Despite having never studied psychology, it is definitely a subject that always interested me; Business Psychology is comprised of 25% psychology and 75% business – the perfect balance of what I’ve always found interesting and what I’ve always been good at :)

So, now here I am, third year in and I feel the course has been well designed overall :) All of the courses within the programme link together logically, and the psychology we are taught gets applied to business situations so the relevance is always clear :)

At the risk of stating the obvious, I must say that third year is far more intense than the first two years; the workload hits you right from the first fortnight and you are never at a loose end looking for things to do to pass the time! However, by this stage you should be fully prepared and able to organise your time effectively (remember, you will have had two years’ experience by this point!), so whilst busy and, at times, a little stressed, you shouldn’t feel too overwhelmed.

One thing that I do find sad is the fact that as this course is so new (when I enrolled, it was the first year that the University of Greenwich was running the course and there were only eight of us in the class!), it doesn’t receive nearly half as much interest as the older, more established business degrees. This is unfortunate, as because Business Psychology is such a new degree, I believe it is likely to stand out more to potential employers.

This degree is stressful like all others, but if you have a passion for business, a love for psychology and a willingness to work hard, this degree is definitely for you :)

BA (Hons) Events Management

Cristy

I had never been someone who thought they would go to university and to be completely honest with you when I finished my GCSEs; I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I decided the best option would be to stay on at sixth form and do A-levels in order to keep my options open rather than a more specific college course which I had a place for. Whilst in sixth form I was given various talks and meetings with higher education advisers which really opened my mind to degree options I could choose, being the first in my family to go to university it was a learning curve for us all.  

Whilst looking through many prospectuses for many different universities I kept coming across the Events management course. After a few more enquiries about the course, and ruling out a few other courses, I decided this might be the course for me. So off I went to various different open days getting all the information I could so I would be able to make that important decision. I then visited University of Greenwich; I got the chance to have a really long chat with the head of the course about what they could offer me and instantly fell in love with the beautiful campus. I wanted to choose a London university for the vast opportunities I would be able to experience within the sector and knowing that the Olympic Games were coming to London when I would be studying. It was decided that Greenwich was where I wanted to study. All the hard work during my A-levels paid off and I got a place on the course!

Going straight from my A-levels into my degree seemed like a daunting thought, I had never lived away from home and the prospect of having to fend for myself seemed terrifying. But, the day came and I was going to be moving into student halls, my parents packed up the car and off we set. After getting all my things into the room and waving off my parents I went to meet all my new flatmates properly, and off we went for a night at the SU. Moving away, for me, was a really positive experience, although I miss my family and friends at home it has given me the opportunity to learn some vital life skills, most importantly how to cook, and be a much stronger independent person.

My first year of Events management was a real eye opener to the industry of events and the theories that are involved. We went through the basics of planning an event, the types of events, theories involved and had the option to choose one of are modules. On top of that we learnt important professional skills we would need. As well as help academically my tutors always encouraged us (and still do) to gain as much work experience as we can, and point us in the right direction for many opportunities available. With this help I was able to get experience at various different events including the World Skills London and the Bupa 10000. I learnt a lot in my first year which only made me keener for a career in the events industry.

My second year has been equally as rewarding, the work load did increase but we were able to further our knowledge and again choose one of our modules from the options list. We had some big projects in the second year which really pushed us and taught us how working life would be out of university. I have also been able to gain further work experience including work at the London Marathon, Nike run to the beat and an amazing opportunity to work at the London 2012 Olympic Games, which was an opportunity found through University. We worked closely with a hospitality provider of the games who came in and lectured us throughout the year. We were interviewed and attended training sessions with all of the games time staff from the company. My second year has really given me vital skills which will benefit me in the future and created some further opportunities in my next year of study.

So now I look to my third year, a mixture of excitement and nerves, I have already considered what my dissertation topic will be and I also get the option to choose one of my modules in the third year, so I have been looking at all my options carefully. As well as continuing with my work experience. I have really enjoyed my time so far studying Events management, and would recommend the course to anyone who is interested in Events. The course is diverse and gives you the knowledge to work in many different industries related to the field. For me, I haven’t quite made the decision on which area I will choose, but by doing different types of work experience I know I will find that area I most enjoy.

Cristy

P.S I did work at the Olympic Games and it was a fantastic experience!

LLB (Hons) Law

Mel

I can remember having a few universities in mind but when I visited the University of Greenwich I instantly knew it was where I wanted to pursue my Law degree.

Having looked around the university on an open day, and not being from London myself, I was instantly impressed. I was overwhelmed by the Maritime Campus, the impressive buildings and the fact it sat perfectly adjacent to the Thames. The feeling of being a student at the University of Greenwich motivated me to work even harder for my A levels so I could both live and study in such a historical and beautiful part of London.  Soon after I was welcomed by a diverse team of student volunteers, all of whom were so very enthusiastic about the University and the courses it had to offer, I knew I would learn far more than merely enhancing my legal and academic skills at Greenwich. 

Not long after receiving my A levels and my university confirmation, it was time to move from South East England to South East London.  I arrived at my Halls of Residence, slightly anxious, but I was soon warmly welcomed by the Resident Assistants and by my new flat mates.  A few hours later, a welcome meeting was held at the University and a BBQ was held at the Students’ Union. Lots of information was given to us about the university, freshers week and local amenities within the Greenwich area. I enjoyed exploring Greenwich and I made very good use of the nightlife it had to offer. I applied for a part time job at the Students’ Union bar and my first shift started on the first week of term. I felt happy, excited and ready for the academic year to begin.

After an eventful freshers week, it was time for the lectures to begin. A lecturer told us straight, ‘if you do not want to work hard, do not study Law’. Another lecturer told us ‘if you cannot be a good student, then be a smart student’. These words of wisdom I never forgot. Within a few weeks, our first assignment had been given to us which was based on the undermining principles of contract law. As this counted towards my first year, I revised intensely until the in class exam was sat and until the next assignment was due. In the meantime I would continue to do the seminar work and do the recommended reading.  I realised it was important not to fall into the trap of trying to scrape through with a bare pass at the end. By working hard and receiving good grades throughout the year, not only is a lot of pressure taken off during the exam period but it looks good on your academic profile for yourself, for your lecturers and to show your future employers. It is extremely reassuring that you are virtually guaranteed acceptance into the next year with no re-takes, therefore having a well-deserved long summer break.

In my second and third year, I lived in a private property with my university friends in Eltham situated very near to the Avery Hill Campus. I continued my studies at the University of Greenwich and worked part time at the Students’ Union Bar in both Greenwich (Bar Latitude) and Avery Hill (Sparrows). I went to Sparrows on a regular basis with my friends, and they were some of the best nights of my student life which I will always remember and some of which, I will never remember. I partied hard but I studied harder, after all I was here primarily for one thing, to graduate with a well-earned Law degree.

As a law graduate, I can say with confidence that the lecturers in the law department are dedicated to their students and will go beyond measures to help you succeed. Most of the lecturers are qualified barristers and solicitors who have expertise and knowledge in the fields they teach beyond what you will require for your undergraduate studies. The lecturers will spend time with you in their surgery hours to read through your work and to help you succeed. They are the people with experience to seek advice about law schools and the next step in your legal career. 

There is something unique about the University of Greenwich, somewhat difficult to explain unless you have undertaken your studies here. I have felt very comfortable and safe within my studies, where additional help is always available if required. The diversity of students the university attracts is rewarding within itself because academically, socially and culturally I have learnt many different things. I have thoroughly enjoyed my student life at the University of Greenwich and it is, by far, a university I would recommend.

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences

Keerthana

I have currently finished my first year of the three years Biomedical Sciences BSc Hons programme at the University of Greenwich. I initially applied through UCAS to study Medicine, however as I didn’t quite achieve the grades I had hoped for in my A levels, I opted to study Biomedical Sciences instead, hoping it would build a good foundation with which I could apply for Medicine as a graduate. Although, I was very disheartened at first that I was unable to study medicine, reflecting on the past year has made me realise that I do not regret studying Biomedical Science one bit! If anything, studying Biomedical Science has expanded my knowledge in the science field, given me the opportunity to work in a professional laboratory and has motivated me more to pursue my ambition.

The first year of Biomedical Science compromises of 7 modules, each with a different number of credits:  Fundamentals of Biochemistry (30 credits), Fundamental Biology and Physiology (30 credits), Practical and Professional Skills (30 credits), Basic Chemistry for Life Sciences (15 credits), Introduction to Medical Science (15 credits). A typical week for all first years on this degree programme usually consists of lectures 2 days a week and 1/ 2 lab sessions in between. What’s good about the lectures taught at our university is that all the lectures are very interactive. We have a PRS system whereby the lecturer can ask us random questions about the topic that is taught in the lecture, which we can answer using a digital handset- this not only benefits the students as we can get immediate feedback from it, it also allows the lecturers to track our progress and identify those of us who are not paying attention! All the courses taught involve lab-based work to varying extents and are assessed through standard written exams and coursework. Online tests/quizzes are also provided- I found these particularly useful, as though the words ‘Online Tests’ may sound frightening, they do actually help you identify specific areas you need to focus more on. What struck me most about the teaching at this university is that all the lecturers are very friendly and are very willing to help whenever we need it.

Biomedical Science is taught on the Medway campus in Kent. Although it is rather quiet, there are many facilities nearby. The university provides on campus accommodation, which all have shared kitchens and en suite shower facilities. There are various café’s on campus, Coopers (our student bar), Drill Hall Library (which is the longest library in Europe) and a gym/sports hall. Off campus, there is a cinema nearby and several shopping areas, such as those on Gillingham high street, Chatham and Dockside. The Bluewater shopping Centre is only a short 30 minute commute by train. The Chatham and Gillingham rail stations are a short 10 minute walk from the campus and there is an intercampus coach service available.

I really recommend anyone who is considering studying Biomedical Science to do so. Although it entails a lot of hard work and will always keep you on your toes, it will open your door to a wide range of opportunities in the future and is guaranteed to expand your knowledge in the science field.

BSc (Hons) Financial Mathematics

Laura

My Name is Laura Cook and I am about to go into my final year of the BSc Hons Financial Mathematics degree. Maths was always my strong point throughout my time at school but I never started taking it seriously until I began my GCSEs. After receiving A*’s in both my maths and statistics GCSEs I chose to study maths and further maths at A level. I gained a B in Maths and a D in Further Maths at A level. I then received an offer to study Financial Mathematics at the University of Greenwich. I was really excited to be a fresher at Uni and couldn't wait to see what it was all about. My best friend was also going to study Mathematics at the University of Greenwich too so we arrived for our first day together. We couldn't believe that one of the largest lecture theatres in the Greenwich campus was almost completely full with students.

Over the first week we were introduced to our lecturers, personal tutors and show around the campus. Our first Friday there we were put into group relating to our courses and given our first piece of coursework due in for the following Friday. It was nice to see who was taking my particular course as we had spent the first week as with all the new mathematics students. We had to build relationships quickly as we had to answers questions and put together a presentation ready for the following Friday. We were a lucky group as we got on rather well and managed to successfully present our findings. After the first initial week the real teaching began.

The first year was mostly dealing with the last year of A level Maths and A level Further Maths and if you had taken statistics modules as part of your A level, it was all of that too. As I had taken both I was really lucky and knew majority of the first year topics and had minimal new topics to learn. It was a great refresh for me as I was surprised how much can slip out of your head over the summer! After the first year I felt really comfortable at university and knew my way around (I still don’t know my way around dreadnought library though!)

My second year was a lot more independent learning and it took a little getting used to but learning in this style was a great way to test your knowledge and how much you can remember. Most of the lectures are structured where you are shown what to do and the explanation of it and then you can go and try it out for yourself and see if it works. This is where your tutorials kick in. You can give what you learnt a go in these and if you find yourself stuck or not quite grasping the concept of the topic, tutors are available for you to talk to and get some extra help. I found this extremely helpful as one of my topics included some computer programming and let’s just say it wasn’t my strong point!

The tutors were so helpful when it came to helping me a “beginner” in this particular topic. By the end of the year I can say I’ve definitely improved and it’s nowhere near as scary as I thought it was in the beginning! About two thirds of the way through our second year we were given a talk about our third year options. Your third year gives you the chance to pick areas of mathematics that you have enjoyed the most or found most interesting. Depending on your degree depends on how much freedom of choice you get. With a normal maths degree you get complete freedom of choice. With my degree I have to take two compulsory courses (one in each term), two courses in a particular area of mathematics and then I have free choice on another two courses. If you don’t want to be too restricted on choice you can change your course title to allow as much freedom as you want (providing the first two years of the courses are the same!). This was great help and the talk was really informative and gave me a good idea of what to expect this year…

…And here I am now! Waiting to begin my third year excited to get back, nervous that it’s all coming to an end (with a dissertation on the horizon!) but I couldn’t have got as far as I have without my tutors. They may seem scary but they are your friends! They have given me a lot of support over the two years and I will be sad to say goodbye at the end of it. I chose the University of Greenwich as I can tailor my degree to my individual needs. There were a number of courses or opportunities available to me to choose between. I could choose to take a year out after my second year and spend a year working within an industry that I would be interested in. If I didn't want to take a whole year out but still wanted to gain some experience, there is an opportunity in the final year to take a course known as the Mathematics in Industry course. This allows you to base your coursework on work experience gained by spending a minimum of 13 hours of work experience within an area of your interest. Also if you think that you would like to go into teaching, there is another course in your final year that allows you to spend time within a school (primary or secondary) assisting teachers and also teaching yourself. There are also great connections within the Mathematics and the Guidance and Employability Team that can help you with your CV's and help you get on the right track to find a graduate placement. The career options within a maths degree are endless. It can range from staying on for further study and gaining a Masters or a PhD, or going into the city, or taking a PGCE and training to become a teacher. With a degree in Mathematics, the opportunities really are endless.

BSc (Hons) Business Information Technology

Rifat

Hi there, my name is Rifat Ara Chowdhury and I’m a student of Business Information Technology at the University of Greenwich. I would like to share my experience as a student and why I have chosen to come here.

Before getting in to the university, I spent a lot of time researching on which universities have the best teaching standard and facilities on my preferred program of study, as I knew that not all universities have the same level of standard in all programs they offer. I found that University of Greenwich is one of the best universities for studying Business Information Technology. I went to the university web page and found that it has professional and up-to-date information about each module that I am going to study and gives an insight of what I will learn from that particular module. It also explains how I will be able to apply my knowledge in the industry. There’s also an option available for students to choose between a normal degree and sandwich degree (1 year of your degree that you will spend working in the industries). I personally find the sandwich degree very valuable and our teachers always encourage us to do it as this is where the university provides lots of support to the candidates starting from applying till the end of the placement.

There are few things that I found quite exceptionally exciting about my program like once we had to do a ‘Business Game’ where we were given practical problems what companies face in  real life and we had to find solutions to resolve those problems. The game went on for one week and on the last day we had to do a presentation on what we did, why we did it and what lessons we learned.

Another time we had to do a presentation where we were representing our own systems (a simulation) to our clients (Not real!) and had to answer their queries about it. It was really a fun thing to do and we all enjoyed doing it.

Although these were only ‘made-up’ situations I feel that these kind of activities really help students to understand what problems they might face in real life and helps to learn how to get over those challenges.

The other reasons why I like Greenwich is it’s fantastic view, transport links and the huge cultural diversity.  I am based on the main (Maritime Greenwich) campus and I love the campus and its surroundings.  My second year classes will start on 17^th September and I can’t wait to be there!!

BA (Hons) Physical Education and Sport

Alex

My name is Alex Woods and I am studying BA Hons Physical Education and sport.

After spending a year working in a local comprehensive school as a Teaching Assistant I was certain I wanted to complete a degree in Physical Education which would allow me to eventually become a P.E teacher.

I attended a few open days around the country and found the academics at Greenwich particularly helpful and passionate about the subject. They have an ability to transfer their own passion for the subject into the subject through lectures and practice sessions; this makes a huge difference in a student’s commitment to the course.  The Greenwich campus is full of historic buildings steeped in beautiful architecture and is next to the Greenwich Park which makes it a lovely place to study.  Initially I was rather upset at being based on the Avery Hill campus but after making use of the free shuttle bus to the Greenwich campus and Avery Hill Park I found it hard to complain. Also the campus has a community feel to it which makes you feel very secure.

My course is a particularly popular one and it’s nice to study with people who also share such an interest in sport, although daunting at being in a lecture theatre with 80 other people! Dance sessions quickly bring practical groups together and help you form friendships; even if it is through embarrassing yourself!

The lectures are taught in a professional manner but do not include the jargon you can expect in other subjects; the tutors also supply you with lots of discourse and opportunity to read around the subjects you are studying. I particularly enjoyed the Policy module this year, although I’m aware many others found it to be dense and perhaps even boring I enjoyed learning about how the curriculum is structured the way it is and what forces change. The way a political ideology can influence sporting success and participation is something I haven’t looked into before. Policy in sport changes all time and the coalition coupled with the effects of the buzzword ‘legacy’ (referring to the Olympic legacy) make policy an extremely interesting area to study. The second year brings more practical work and a more detailed look at theoretical aspect of Physical Education. Studying biomechanics and physiology can be very confusing but after apply yourself in the first year you should be able to cope by drawing on the knowledge you have already gained.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the first year of my course and am really looking forward to starting the second year. The tutor’s willingness to support you and the positive, friendly atmosphere the staff and other students create on course motivates me to achieve and reach my potential.  During the third year you are given the opportunity to pick modules of study and conduct an independent which means you get the opportunity to further study the most enjoyable parts of your course.

After graduating I hope to complete a PGCE and become a qualified teacher. I goal is to use the knowledge I have gain over 3 years and my qualified teacher status to travel the world whilst physical education in developing countries.