Francesca

What do you like about your course and why?

I love my course for so many reasons. My course friends I've made along the way, having lecturers that are really passionate about their modules, I know it might be hard to believe, but doing assignments where I'm really interested in the subject matter, and so many more!! 

The course gives you a bit of everything a crime enthusiast would love. My favourite module so far was the forensics module in first year, where we learnt all about the inner workings of forensics at a crime scene. The best part was that we actually got to go around 'pre-made' crime scenes and document them in full PPE. 

What do you enjoy most about Surrey?

I really enjoy being on campus; there are endless opportunities to meet people. 

There's always a lot going on during the week, and there's the Manor Park Social, which I spent most of my evenings during my first year. During first year I was part of the tennis society, where I'd go along to their Sunday social sessions which were good fun too. 

What do you want to do when you graduate?

I'm still undecided what I want to do when I graduate, whether that's go into the police and go down the detective/forensics route, or become a prison therapist. I'm still yet to decide what my plan of action is; my priority was to focus on my degree and go with the flow, see what I'm drawn to.

What's your advice to new students?

Expect the unexpected! I've been thrown into some maths, coding, theories you name it! At first I was really struggling to get my head around it all. But you've just got to stick with it, power through, don't give up on the assignments even when you hit a wall; there is so much support available at the university, you've just got to stay positive and persevere. 

Criminology is filled with a variety of subject matter; I was so overwhelmed at first, but you end up finding a way that works best for you.