Guest blog by Aliya Navroz

I first saw Bournemouth University when I visited on an Open Day when deciding where to go. When I arrived, I instantly felt welcomed by the staff and students working hard to put the event together. I went on a tour of the campus and afterwards, I already felt like BU was the place I wanted to be. The campus felt relaxed and easy to navigate, especially because of the maps and signs around the campus to help. I then attended a talk about my Film course where the faculty staff elaborated on the course and clearly stated expectations, what we’ll learn, and how useful the course is.

When deciding where to apply for university, I had a few requirements I needed to be met: An appealing location, an accredited course, high-quality facilities and a genuine community.

The course stood out to me due to its amazing opportunities. Throughout the year, I can book out industry-standard equipment with no charge to pursue practical opportunities and collaborations with other students. The university also has a good reputation in the field, with alumni working for companies such as Disney and Sky. There are also many placement opportunities for a year out, working with many big companies such as Paramount, Universal, National Geographic and more. The course also has an amazing curriculum, with a perfect balance between theory and practice to ensure the student get the most out of their studies.

Bournemouth in general is an amazing place to live, especially as a student. The beach is within a single bus ride of most places, and a walk away from student accommodation. There are local, affordable shops within a ten-minute walk of each accommodation building, which makes living on a budget affordable for students. With a yearly bus pass (discounted for students) transport is simple and a walk through the gardens to clear your head is available from anywhere at any time.

I started my course with no prior experience. I was a STEM student in college and wanted to pursue film, and I was nervous about not having any media experience. I was worried that I would start the course and be behind my peers who did film studies prior to university. The moment I realised I wanted to come to BU was when one of my lecturers told me on the open day that experience doesn’t matter, it’s how much effort you’re willing to put in to catch up. That conversation stuck with me and made me confident that this university would support me in my studies and my future.

Today, I am extremely glad that I chose to come to BU. After nearly two years of being here, the initial comfort and friendliness of the university is still there. The faculty that once assured me now support me fully in my studies and beyond. Choosing BU has shaped who I am today, and I couldn’t imagine studying anywhere else.

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