BTEC Creative Media Practice student Andreea received offers from all five university choices including UCL and Warwick, as well as a scholarship from University of Reading: “I would recommend Kingston College for its industry-standard facilities, nurturing teachers and local partnerships. Outside of my course, I was also a Student Ambassador, a member of the Sustainability Club and the Student Council which gave me opportunities to speak with other organisations, lead projects and attend a Kingston Council resilience roundtable with the mayor. Kingston College made my experience truly memorable and inspired me as a creative person to believe in myself.”
Why did you choose your course and Kingston College?
I chose Creative Media because it focuses on different media forms, such as digital media, filmmaking and advertising briefs. The practical, hands-on approach to learning in the BTEC programme piqued my interest, and I preferred BTEC due to the coursework and project-based assignments.
I first studied Level 2 Creative Media to build my technical skills and knowledge within this field. Alongside the course, I also sat my GCSE Maths which gave me a further boost in obtaining my qualifications. I got to meet loads of passionate people and teachers who I grew closer to. They taught me valuable industry techniques in filming and media, including how to use professional-grade equipment. In my first year of Level 3, I also studied an AS Level in English Language and Literature as an extra, which was enjoyable and helped me develop strong analytical skills in writing.
Furthermore, I selected Kingston College because of the high-quality vocational education and the variety of subjects for me to explore and build a future career in. Additionally, the location of Kingston felt convenient for me to commute to and from, making it a practical choice for my studies. I recommend students who are interested in creative media, writing or film, like me, to seek courses at Kingston College for its industry-standard facilities, nurturing teachers, and local partnerships.
What have you enjoyed most about your course? Have you taken part in any work experience, trips or projects?
My favourite part of the course was working on group film projects and collaborating with other students. I enjoyed learning alongside peers who shared my passion for creative media, and exchanging ideas made the process even more engaging. The experiences and stories I created with my friends not only made the course memorable but also opened up new opportunities for what we could accomplish together as a team. We worked on film festival briefs, documentaries and interviewed professionals within the creative industries. Moreover, we got to go on trips to the BFI Southbank, talk to guest speakers from our industry and see the Tim Burton Exhibition at the Design Museum. All of these moments gave me even more enthusiasm and left me feeling freshly inspired.
What skills have you developed during your time here? How have your tutors supported you? What are you most proud of achieving?
All the teachers I have met supported me throughout my academic journey and gave me confidence with my work. I am thankful for their encouragement and for striving to help me succeed. At Kingston College, I have gained so many new friends who have supported me. College life helped me develop personally and academically. Outside of my course, I was also a Student Ambassador, a member of the Sustainability Club and the Student Council. I got to meet loads of wonderful people who cared about the environment and the college like me. The Student Council gave me opportunities to speak with other organisations, lead projects and attend a Kingston Council resilience roundtable with the Mayor. I am proud of the creative work, help and dedication I have put in during my time at college.
What would you say to someone thinking about studying your course?
My advice to those who are thinking of applying to my course is to collaborate with everyone, embrace opportunities for growth and don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone.
