Saugat

Joining Goldsmiths as a mature student

After an early career in the Royal Air Force (RAF), I decided it was time to start a new chapter. I applied to study computer science at Goldsmiths through Clearing after considering university for a few years. As I had never studied the subject before I was offered a place on the Foundation Year in Computing before progressing onto the BSc Computer Science degree.

Starting university as a mature student, I think you take things a bit more seriously. I came with an open mind because I’d been away from education for a while. I took things as they came. I tried to not have too many preconceptions. 

A creative approach

Before coming to Goldsmiths, I hadn’t studied computing before so I had a lot to learn. I was unsure whether I wanted to complete a foundation year before my degree but I really enjoyed it. We were a small cohort and we were all really good friends.

During my foundation year, I developed the core skills I needed for my undergraduate degree. Since starting the BSc in Computer Science I’ve found it to be quite varied and we are always doing something different. I don’t know if it’s the same at other universities, but because Goldsmiths is a creative university, they try to make our modules and code work as creative as possible. 

I have just completed my second year and I am now considering a placement year. I’m currently looking for different opportunities with support from the department and the Careers Service.

Developing professional skills

Outside of my studies, I am a student ambassador, where I support the university with events such as Open Days and take on regular work in the IT department. When I started, I didn’t know what kind of opportunities it could offer. The role has helped me develop a range of new skills I didn’t expect. I’ve found I'm quite extroverted – I like going out to events or even hosting. Working as a student ambassador and developing these new skills has helped me expand my career options.

Finding new opportunities

After living in halls for my first two years, I now live in a shared house with some friends from the Students’ Union football team. I joined the society during my Foundation Year and have gone on to be the team captain.

Football has a great social aspect; it changed my whole university experience. I’ve found it really important to get involved with extracurricular activities and clubs. It’s opened up a lot of new opportunities that I wasn’t always aware of.

Without coming to Goldsmiths, I wouldn’t have met so many different groups of people. It opened me up to a lot more diversity, and at Goldsmiths, it just works. Everyone can be themselves.