Programming plays a large part in almost every industry in the modern world, so having these skills increases my employability.

Why did you choose to study at Sheffield?
From completing my undergraduate degree at the University of Sheffield, I am fully aware of how unique Sheffield is as a city. Although it is one of the biggest cities in the country, which comes with many opportunities, Sheffield feels more like a village with a strong sense of community. Also, two of my favourite hobbies are hiking and bouldering, and since Sheffield is on the edge of the Peak District, I can continue these whilst at university. These, combined with the fact that The University of Sheffield offered the course I was looking for, the decision was easy for me to spend another year of my life here.

Why did you choose to study your chosen degree?
I chose to study for an MSc in Data Analytics to deviate slightly from my background in mathematics and statistics and develop my knowledge of computer programming. Programming plays a large part in almost every industry in the modern world, so having these skills increases my employability and complements my mathematical background nicely. Specifically, Data Analytics offers the perfect intersection between statistics and computer science, focusing on machine learning and the analysis of big data sets. So, I could still apply my prior knowledge and not be out of my depth.

What do you enjoy most about your course?
The best part is how industry-relevant, and up to date, all the material is. The programming languages we are using are the most desirable and widely used in the industry.  It is undoubtedly a challenging and fast-paced course, but that allows me to learn so much in just a year it lasts for!

Do you have any plans for after you graduate?
The goal for me after I have graduated is to get a job as a data analyst. The plan was always to pursue this in London, but having lived in Sheffield for the last four years, I have fallen in love with the city, so I will look to get a job here first to gain some experience. The industries I am primarily interested in are finance and sport. However, I am pretty open to all options and will consider this further when choosing my dissertation topic.