I found Queen¡¯s through clearing - now I¡¯m studying my Master¡¯s here
Gabriella is a postgraduate student from London. She originally found Â鶹Íø through Clearing but enjoyed her time here so much that she decided to stay for a Master¡¯s degree.
In August 2017, I thought my world had stopped when I missed all my university offers.
I had my university path all planned out: I was going to go to my firm choice, an English Russell Group university. But because of a change in my personal life, I dropped a few grades and didn¡¯t make the grades for either my firm or insurance choice.
I wanted to be prepared for Clearing ¨C so I made a plan
Before Results Day, I made a plan in case I had to go through Clearing. Read my top tips for navigating Clearing.
I looked on the UCAS website to see which universities had places in Clearing. That was when I found Queen¡¯s University Belfast. I¡¯d never heard of it before, but after some research, I knew it was where I wanted to go. Queen¡¯s (and Belfast) looked really friendly and welcoming. And after living here for four years, I can confirm that it is!
After speaking to Queen¡¯s, I knew I was making the right decision
Clearing phone lines are busy - it took me 47 times to get through to someone! But when I called Queen¡¯s, the people I spoke to were so friendly. I knew right away I was making the correct decision. I was offered a place on Results Day, and I was delighted to accept.
I hadn¡¯t visited Queen¡¯s or Northern Ireland before so, two days later, I hopped on a flight to Belfast. The staff at Queen¡¯s were brilliant - they had arranged a last-minute, personalised campus tour. I even got to have a chat with one of my future lecturers!
On the flight back to London, my mum asked me if I was sure about Queen¡¯s. After seeing the university and Belfast in person, I had absolutely no doubt that it was the place for me.
I knew quickly that I¡¯d stay to study my Master¡¯s
I started my BA Criminology degree in September 2017. By the time I¡¯d reached my second year, I knew I wanted to stay at Queen¡¯s and study a Master¡¯s.
The course, campus and staff at Queen¡¯s were all incredible and I got all the help I needed from Queen¡¯s disability support services. I found a second home in Belfast and I feel safer here than I did in London. Belfast is a vibrant and cultural city - I love wandering around the city centre, listening to buskers.
I thoroughly enjoyed my undergraduate degree and I achieved things I never thought I could. While I didn¡¯t have an in-person graduation because of Covid-19 restrictions, Queen¡¯s organised a virtual ceremony. We even got to hear a speech given by the university¡¯s Chancellor, Hillary Clinton.
My Master¡¯s allows me to study what interests me most
I started studying for my MA Violence, Terrorism & Security course in September 2020. Even though most of the teaching was online, I¡¯ve found my degree to be really interesting.
The course is flexible, so I can study whatever cases and countries interest me the most. The lecturers have helped me develop my critical thinking skills and I¡¯ve debated many different topics, gaining different perspectives on complex situations.
I wouldn¡¯t change my time at Queen¡¯s for the world
I have brilliant memories of my courses, the people I¡¯ve met, the places I¡¯ve lived and the experiences I¡¯ve had. I absolutely wouldn¡¯t change my experience for anything.
If you have to apply through Clearing this year, it won¡¯t be the end of the world. You¡¯ll still have an incredible time at university - and Queen¡¯s should definitely be on your list of options!
Even though I came through clearing, I had a brilliant undergraduate experience and I¡¯ve loved my postgraduate too. I¡¯ll be sad to leave Belfast and Queen¡¯s, but I¡¯m excited to start my next chapter as a Detective Constable in the London Metropolitan Police.
