Opportunities open up when you have a Master's degree from the UK

As a professional in Electronic Engineering in Mexico with five years of experience working in various jobs and engineering fields, I realized that simply having a university degree was not enough to get the job I wanted or to start my own business, as I aspire to do. I lacked the knowledge or adequate experience provided by the companies that had hired me, so I decided to pursue a Master's in Renewable Energy.

Studying in Mexico was no longer an option for my growth and the path I wanted to take, so I chose to study in the United Kingdom because of the opportunities that open up when you have a Master's degree from the UK, as these are international opportunities. For example, even before finishing the program, I have already received job offers via LinkedIn for positions in the UK and even from other European countries like Poland or Germany.

I chose the UK because of the language, as English is an internationally required language. Personally, I have been learning English since I was very young, so it was easy for me to adapt, but even if you're not perfectly fluent, living here helps you acquire the ability to communicate with everyone. You should also consider that in the UK, there are people from all over the world, and everyone has different native languages, so you don't have to speak it perfectly to communicate well.
 

What Student Life is Like at City University of London and My Program: MSc. Renewable Energy and Power Systems Management

This university is located in the north of London, in a very accessible area close to major tourist and social attractions. In general, it’s a school that provides support in all the areas you need. The only thing I would recommend is to frequently ask questions and visit your program director, as they may sometimes forget about you or your situation if a problem arises. When you have a concern, insist on asking about all your doubts, and they will gladly respond within approximately 24 hours, as long as you insist.

The program I chose, MSc. Renewable Energy and Power Systems Management, focuses on the correct management of generation and demand, along with the electrical system, technical and financial aspects, and the regulations of the electricity market in the UK and Europe. This provides you with international opportunities. The program mainly covers areas such as Power Electronics, the Electricity Market, Smart Grid, Electrical Distribution, Wind Energy Generation, Solar Energy, Demand Optimization, among others.

The course is divided into eight modules, for which you have to take an exam that accounts for 50% of the grade and a written/practical project that accounts for the other 50%. After finishing and passing all the modules, you choose a project for your thesis, on which you will work for three months.
 

Accommodation

Staying in London is a bit more expensive compared to other cities in England. I considered living in London in the school’s student accommodations, but I also looked for options in the counties near London where there is direct access to the city. I found a room in a city 25 minutes by train from London on the UK website ‘SpareRoom,’ where you can interact directly with the people who are renting. You can search for options there and do video calls with potential landlords to find rooms that meet your needs.
 

The City Where I Live

I currently live in St. Albans City, a town 25 minutes by train from London. It’s a very beautiful, well-preserved, and quiet city that makes you feel at home. I can visit London whenever I want without having to live directly there, as it has a direct connection to King Cross in North London. It’s a peaceful city where you can find pubs, cafes, shops, supermarkets, etc., without needing to live in London, and the rent is more affordable.
 

Study Organization

For each module’s projects, I recommend working on them early, as soon as you know what you need to do. They may seem easy, but they are not, as each project requires research time. In the UK, they usually encourage you to research the topic on your own, and this can take time, so a well-organized agenda will always help you succeed. Social life happens naturally when you’re at ease, knowing that you have your tasks well organized. I don't recommend starting everything the last week, as you won’t have enough time to complete it.
 

Social Life

My classmates are mainly from Asian countries. You spend most of your time with them, so they inevitably become your friends. If you want to meet different people or those aligned with your interests, it’s recommended to make friends through social media groups or events that you wish to attend based on your interests. That’s mainly where you can find people with whom you have things in common, and from different nationalities.
 

Important Aspects Before Coming

Financial:

It is very important to consider the costs and have an initial balance for essentials like food, rent, and transportation. Transportation is usually expensive, so if you plan to live far from the university, you must consider this significant expense. Stick to your budget as much as possible if it’s tight.

Transportation:

In the UK, transportation is quite expensive, and there are many train service strikes, so it’s crucial to consider this expense and the time it will take you to travel from your accommodation to the university if you plan to live far from it. This is a very important aspect because your mobility to classes or important events depends on it.

Grades:

In UK schools, grading scales are different. The minimum passing grade is 50/100, but lecturers grade more strictly than in Mexico, so a very good grade is 70. Don’t be alarmed if you pass a subject with 50-60, as this is average in the UK. For the modules, each has credits that you need to accumulate to obtain the degree; these credits are earned by passing the module, so the scale of the grade itself is not that important.
 

The Process with Across the Pond

Across The Pond helped me a lot with the selection and application to the university. For the initial documents required to apply, they provide advice on how to improve your Personal Statement so that the university approves it. They also support you by sending available scholarships to help you as much as possible in achieving your personal goal.

They also assist by informing you about financial institutions that can support you, like FIDERH and FUNED. Without my advisor from Across the Pond, I wouldn’t have known about several opportunities available, like scholarships before starting the course. He also helped me with some doubts I had about the school even after the process.

- Stefanie