Student Life Information

Student Spotlight - Laura Pearson

Laura Pearson is a final year student studying for a BSc in Computer Science & Mathematics at the University of York.

Why did you decide to study at The University of York?

I wanted a course that offered the opportunity to take a sandwich year out in industry. I also liked the idea of going to a campus university.  When I came for interview the lecturers and students were really enthusiastic about the course.

Why did you decide to study Computer Science?

I could see that a Computer Science degree would be useful in a wide range of jobs. I wasn’t sure about by final choice of career so I didn’t want to limit my options.

There was a lot of variety in the modules you could take as part of the course – from “Security of Computer Systems” to “Artificial Intelligence for Games”. It wasn’t all about programming!

What have been the best aspects of the course so far?

The lecturers are genuinely interested in what they’re teaching.  They’re also really approachable when you’ve got questions.  Doing a year in industry was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

What did you do in your year out in industry?

I worked at BAE SYSTEMS in their Advanced Technology Centre.  It was a great opportunity to get some practical experience. The course was really good preparation for all the projects they threw at me. It gave me lots of experience of working in teams and really helped me to improve my communication skills.  At the end of the year out I had a much better idea of what I wanted from a job.

How have you found living in York?

Brilliant! It’s a really friendly city for students. Because the city centre is in walking distance you get the benefits of a campus university and the city.