Computer science student — Duha Kasim

After not getting the grades she hoped for on A-level results day, Duha went through the Clearing process and managed to secure a place on the BSc Computer Science at Middlesex University

How did you feel on A-level results day?

When I got my results, I wasn't really expecting to get what I did. I didn't fail, but didn't get the grades required for my desired universities.

I felt very disappointed in myself and didn't have any hope that I would go to university. I did actually apply to do an apprenticeship instead but couldn't get into this either.

I felt like I had lost hope.

What steps did you take to end up with the course you finally settled on?

When I got home, I put my feeling asides and focused on the future and what I wanted to do. I did have the option of going through Clearing and applied for five universities through this process. I managed to get accepted for all of them.

What support did you receive in making this decision?

I had to do my research and was talking to another university as well as Middlesex. When I called Middlesex the day before Clearing, and said I was looking at different options, their admissions team invited me to come to the university to give me a tour of the campus.

This brought my hopes back up again and made me want to choose Middlesex because of the tonnes of advantages they have. Currently, I'm a student ambassador and working at the university on their Instagram page, so it has really worked out for me.

Why did you choose to study at this institution?

I had looked at another university but changed my mind at the last minute. Looking at the statistics, Middlesex was one of the best for computer science. Travel was also a big factor as it is 15 minutes to Middlesex from my home compared to an hour and a half for the other university. I had already been doing this with three trains and two buses a day and didn't want to do it again. I also knew that the percentage of students who get jobs after graduating from computer science at Middlesex is 95%, which I thought was really high.

The university turned out to be great for me. When I started, I was surprised by the amount of teaching and the level of student support around me. It turned out to be the perfect fit even though I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do initially.

How is the course structured and assessed?

It's 90% coursework, which works out great for me. You do have the 10%, which is for exams, but I feel like I perform better with coursework because I'm more of a hands-on person rather than memorising things and writing them down. Also, when you have so many projects on the go, you're developing the skills that employers are looking for after you graduate - showing them that you can work on a range of different tasks and have a portfolio of work to fall back on.

What's your university experience been like?

It's been great so far. I've made so many wonderful friends. The campus is lovely, it's green and fresh. It has everything I need as well, including such things as CV support sessions where they help you write out your CV.

How has Clearing impacted your career direction and what are your plans now?

Clearing has 100% impacted my career and given me a clear direction of what I want to do after graduating. If I didn't attend Middlesex, my career path would have been very different.

So, after I graduate I want to go into software development. I know there is fierce competition when it comes to computer science in London - you have to be the best of the best and have the contacts. And Middlesex helps to give you both - they hold lots of events where they bring people in from different companies and they also give you the knowledge and experience you're looking for.

Clearing really impacted my career in that way, because if I had gone to another university, I wouldn't have got the advantages I have had at Middlesex.

What advice would you give to other students thinking of using the Clearing process?

• Don't look down on Clearing - I thought that Clearing was something that is not favoured.
• Don't be disheartened and disappointed, move on with your life and look forward. There are so many universities available through Clearing and with Middlesex I got the exact support I needed to make that decision.
• And finally, research your options very clearly.

Find out more

• Consider going through the university Clearing process.
• Discover what you can do with a computer science degree.
• Read about the BSc Computer Science at Middlesex University.