Evie Hill

What's it like to study at Northumbria? 

Studying at Northumbria has been a really positive experience. I've made great friends through my course and we've become close enough that we've even travelled to Canada together. The business and marketing modules have given me a good mix of theory and practical skills, such as SPSS data analysis, and the support from lecturers and the careers team led me to my placement year with Graduate Futures. 

Best thing about studying Business and Marketing 

The best thing about my course is the variety and the friends I have made. Business and Marketing lets me study everything from marketing strategy, consumer behaviour and content marketing to HRM, supply chain and project management, so I get a well-rounded view of how organisations work. I love that it's practical as well as theoretical. I've learnt skills like market research and SPSS data analysis that I can apply in real situations, and the course has opened up opportunities like my placement year with Graduate Futures. It's been really rewarding to study something I'm genuinely enthusiastic about. 

Favourite thing to do on campus / community 

My favourite thing to do on campus is meeting up with friends between lectures, studying in the library and grabbing food with my course mates. Being on campus is where I see my friends and feel most connected to university life. 

Yes, definitely. Even though I commute, I've never felt left out. The friends I've made on my course have become a close group, and we've even travelled to Canada together. Everyone, from my course mates to the Clearing team and my placement colleagues, has been welcoming, so I feel a real sense of belonging at Northumbria. 

Course & career goals / industry links 

Modules in marketing strategy, consumer behaviour, digital business, and communications and content marketing have taught me how organisations understand and reach their audiences. Market research and SPSS data analysis have given me skills in using data to support decisions, and project management and business analysis have helped me work in a more structured, professional way. 

Yes, the course offers the option of a placement year, which I've taken up with Northumbria's Graduate Futures team. It gives students real work experience before final year, and the university's careers support continues after graduation. The placement has helped me build professional skills and a network of contacts, and it should make me a stronger candidate for graduate roles. 

A time you realised you were capable of more 

I realised I was capable of more than I first thought when I secured my placement year with Graduate Futures. Finding a placement was a big challenge. I wrote tailored cover letters, sent speculative emails to marketing agencies and followed up with employers, and I wasn't sure it would pay off. Getting the role showed me that my persistence and the skills I'd built on my course were valuable to employers. It was a similar story with my grades. After switching from Biomedical Science to Business and Marketing, I wasn't sure how I'd settle in, but I've achieved a first in my second year so far. Both experiences have made me much more confident in my abilities and keen to take on new challenges. 

Support that boosted confidence / ambition 

The opportunity that has made the biggest difference to my confidence and ambitions is my placement year with Northumbria's Graduate Futures team, where I'm working in the Science and Environment hub. Applying for it meant writing tailored applications, contacting organisations and handling interviews, and securing it showed me what I'm capable of. Working in a professional team has helped me so much professionally. It has also made me more confident in my own abilities and clearer about the career I want. Alongside this, being part of Women in Business and Girls Who Run has given me a supportive network and helped me build confidence outside my studies. 

Advice for someone considering Northumbria 

My advice would be to go for it, and to be open-minded about what you want to study. Don't be afraid to change direction if you find a subject you're more passionate about. Make the most of the opportunities and resources Northumbria offers, especially the placement year, because it gives you real experience and builds your confidence. Start looking early and put effort into tailoring your applications. If you commute like I do, plan your journey and make an effort to meet people on campus. Finally, ask for help when you need it, because the staff and support teams are friendly and want you to do well.