Why I chose postgraduate study

MA Visual Communications (Southampton Solent University)

Why I chose postgraduate study:

I decided to pursue post graduate study for several reasons. Firstly, I lost a year and a half of education to covid 19 which disrupted both my first and second year of studies in my Bachelors. My second most important reasoning was I wanted to be the first on both sides of my family to have a post graduate qualification. There were other factors such as I had made friends in Southampton who were younger than me and were still here as well as being able to get a discount on my post graduate studies with Solent due to being a Alumni which basically means previous student with the university. I got about £2 grand taken off of my tuition fee.

As much as I loved my Bachelors in photography, after I graduated, I felt very limited and wanted a wider range of career opportunities so decided the course was perfect for exploring those.

What I love most about my course:

All my lecturers are from industry and have a huge valuable insight, this course also feels a lot more tailored to building a career post-graduation which I feel is the most important result of university. I feel I have built my skills at an exponential rate and have a vast of career opportunities should I choose to change career paths or start my own business in the future.

I still get access to amazing facilities such as the print room, the hatch (where you rent camera equipment from), Adobe from home on my own laptop and industry slandered professionals. This is also a chance to learn more about what Solent has to offer such as using Solent futures and Solent creatives to aid in preparing myself even further for my career with career guidance counselling and mock interviews available.

The course also has a short-term placement module which teaches you how to access jobs in your chosen sector, collaborate and network which is important in the creative sector.

 Course mates are from a range of different background meaning collaboration is at its highest, I went further out of my comfort zone and learned lots from both my lecturers and course mates. When I started my MA I was just a professional photographer, I am now also a graphic designer and writer. My digital skills have also climbed from photoshop and lightroom to also now include InDesign, Illustrator, Audition and Premier pro. I have gained so much to add to my professional CV and feel far more prepared and positive about a successful future.