Lucy Hall

Could you tell us a bit about yourself, your background, or anything you think is relevant? 

Ever since high school, I’ve been interested in information technology. I think the fields of digital communications and cyber security are areas which have always interested me, so getting the chance to study them here at Newcastle College University Centre has been a real godsend! Once I finish my degree course, I would like to progress onto a digital forensics course and from there develop a career in the digital forensics field, since the path can potentially provide the opportunity for me to help people on a much wider spectrum.  

Why did you choose to study a degree at Newcastle College University Centre? 

When I first started researching courses at Newcastle College University Centre, I realised the course here was a lot better than the alternatives I could have studied at a different university. Although I did have a look at another university before enrolling at the University Centre, for me, the facilities here are much better, especially for my course. There are also the much smaller class sizes at Newcastle College University Centre to consider, since they allow me to have regular and effective one-to-ones with my tutors, which is obviously a lot better!  

What was it about this course that made you want to study a degree at Newcastle College University Centre? 

When I looked at the Foundation Degree course and later the Bachelors (Top-Up) course, I saw that I could study modules in open source investigation, which is an area that really interests me because it can allow me to specialise in digital forensics in my Top-Up year. Digital forensics would mean I could participate in investigations surrounding different crimes, find out how the perpetrators have committed the crimes, and then analyse the information to hopefully prevent future crimes in a similar vein. Honestly, my fascination with this field was sparked by all the police procedural programmes I used to watch on TV, since I always found the work characters did in digital forensics to be really engaging, which inspired me to want to build a career in that field in future! 

What benefits do you think there are in studying at Newcastle College University Centre? 

Smaller class sizes, for definite – they really appealed to me when I first applied! With fewer people in your lectures, everyone gets more individualised support and it’s also a lot easier to talk to different people in your classes and find out more about each other. The academic support team for my subject are really helpful and easy to talk to, and my friends in other subjects agree that they receive a good level of support from their course tutors. Lastly, the facilities for Newcastle College University Centre students are also really good, such as the fully-stocked library, or the university students-only study zone on Parsons Tenth Floor, which is very beneficial since it’s a quiet space where we can study and complete projects easily.   

What are the facilities like at the University Centre for your course, and more broadly as a student? 

For my course, the library always has loads of books relevant to my course, as well as digital files and articles that have been very insightful for my studies or any research tasks. The computing suites on campus are also up-to-date with the latest software, which definitely enriches my learning experience! More broadly, all the facilities on campus are very spacious, so you never feel hemmed in by other students and everyone has the capacity to get on with whatever they need to do. 

What do you enjoy the most about your degree? 

I enjoy the networking side of it! All my modules on networking fundamentals and routing protocols are my favourites of those modules which I’ve studied so far because they’re both very technical modules and I love the intricacies and the problem-solving elements of my studies the most. Additionally, those modules let me practise my technical skills and critical thinking, which helps me to develop the skills I’ll need in my future dream career.  

What inspires you? 

For me, I’m inspired by the possibility of entering a career where I can help a wide range of people. The fact that I have such great support to reach that goal at Newcastle College University Centre, alongside the ease with which I progressed onto studying here from Level 3, really helped me! 

How do you think learning from industry-experienced tutors has benefitted you? 

My tutors are all able to put their own spin on the curriculum since they’ve covered it in their own working life, and they’re able to provide so many practical examples based on what they’ve had to do previously in their careers. When studying the modules for my degree, I know I’m learning from staff who’ve gained their knowledge from hands-on applications within industry, so I’m reassured that they know what they’re talking about and have a very good understanding of the knowledge, skills and experiences that industry employers need right now. 

How would you describe the staff at the University Centre? 

Friendly – very, very friendly! No matter their role, they’re all really easy to talk to and are there to help with any queries or issues. If I’ve ever had a problem, I knew I could always just message them and have a friendly discussion with them about whatever was bothering me, whether it be work-related or about any issues outside academics. Overall, Newcastle College University Centre just has a really friendly atmosphere! Obviously there’s a professional aspect to interactions you have here though, which is beneficial since you get to prepare for the kinds of behaviours expected of you moving forward in your professional life.  

What kinds of support have you received during your studies? 

The main support I’ve had during my studies has been lecture-based, with my lecturer or my course tutor as my main support network. They’ve been able to help me one-to-one, but I’ve also been able to go to them with any queries – I could just ask and get a bit of insight if I ever needed advice on what could come next on my course, or what they would recommend as my next steps.  

What has been the highlight of your time studying at Newcastle College University Centre? 

I suppose, many of the opportunities I’ve been able to experience here. While working on the Students’ Union I’ve been able to get to know a lot of the staff members here, as well as to help out on the Open Evenings and potentially help a lot of other students progress onto a Computing course of some kind, so I’ve felt positive being able to offer my own experience to potential students and give them an insight into what it’s like studying a degree at Newcastle College University Centre. 

What’s Newcastle like as a student city, in your experience? 

It’s quite good! Being so near to the Haymarket is helpful for transport, plus there are loads of student offers and discounts available that are applicable whether you study at Newcastle College or the University Centre, so if there’s anything that any student needs to get, it’s only ever about ten minutes away! There are loads of benefits to being so close to the city centre, really! 

In what ways do you think your degree at Newcastle College University Centre has prepared you for employment? 

Honestly, I feel like so far on my course, a bit more could be done regarding employment. That said, the insights I’ve gained so far from my course tutors about what can be done in the professional workplace have been very good, since we have the modules to prepare us for whatever skills we will need later on down the line. Within one of my modules in particular, I’ve been able to develop many of the soft skills and the transferable skills I’ll need in my future career, and many of those skills can link and complement each other really well, so I’ll be able to use them effectively when I enter the working world. 

What are your plans after you graduate? 

After I graduate, I’m hoping either to go straight into a potential career path or maybe find a Masters Degree Apprenticeship so I can continue to progress and gain more knowledge about the sector, so that I can develop the specialised skills I need to enter digital forensics in the future, or maybe networking. Frankly, either one of a career in digital forensics or networks sound appealing to me! 

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about studying a degree at Newcastle College University Centre? 

It’s hard to say for sure – there’s a lot of advice I could give, to be honest! Be prepared for the workload, absolutely, but also be ready for what might be included alongside your academic studies. There are moments during your course where there will be a lot of work, and while it might feel overwhelming for a while, in the end it is all very rewarding because eventually you’ll have a degree-level qualification, as well as a work placement or job in a field you really want to be in! Mainly, I’d just tell any prospective students to go for it and apply now, since studying at Newcastle College University Centre is a really great choice for your next steps, not just in terms of your knowledge and eventual qualifications, but also in terms of the support networks available here if and when you need it. 

Describe your student experience in three words. 

There’s so many! Insightful. Informative. Fun! 

What are your top tips for studying at Newcastle College? 

1. Ask for support if you need it – if you don’t ask, they won’t be able to give you the support you may need.

2. Make the most out of your experience while being on campus – it is a lot more relaxed here than other universities. 

3. Get involved in what the college offers!