Name:  Trang Pham

Course:  BA Film & TV Production

Study Level: Undergraduate

University: University of Westminster

Country of origin: Vietnam

Q. Why did you enroll on your course and how did you choose your university?

For most people, film is just another of those amenities of those they take for granted. But for me, film is my passion and producing films is what I want to do above all else.

My older sister was a financial & management student in Harrow campus. I just happened to visit her during my A-level time and got a chance to look around the uni. I was stunned by the facilities here - two big studios, one for film and one for television. Not to mention the bay where we build the sets and the equipments. From that moment, I know the University of Westminster is the right university for me.

Q. Why did you choose the UK as a study destination?

British education has always been well-respected for its long history of successful teaching and qualifications and that is the reason why I came here. But above all else, what attracted me is the media industry in this countries, a combination between art cinema and commercial cinema.

- search for Media Studies courses in the UK on HC Abroad

Q. How would you describe the structure of your course?

I like the structure of my course. In year 1, most practice work is done in groups and requires collaborative teamwork; film theory is introduced to balance between theory and practice work. While in year 2, students get to specialise in separate areas to enable us to work in larger crews. In my opinion, this helps us – students - a lot to adapt to the way how the industry really works : starting with small projects and develop to bigger crews. In the final year, we are mainly focused on, in practical film and television work and in critical and theoretical, writing dissertation.

Q. How does the English teaching style differ from that in your home country?

It's a completely different style. In England, you do self-study most of the time while in my country, we do not do that. The teachers in my country tend to feed their students their opinions about the subjects and the students just follow without doing much research themselves.

Q. How did you fund your studies?

My parents pay for my tuition fees.

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Q. What were the biggest challenges that you faced in your first year?

I was the only one in my year did not live in the campus hall. I felt like I did not connect with the rest of the class. It took me a while to actually be friends with anyone. Moreover, everyone in my course had lots of experience in the field. I felt left out sometimes when they talked about things that I didn't know but it's never a harm to ask. I asked and I caught up with them.

Q. What are the best things about your course?

The equipments you may use.

The teaching quality you may have.

The experience you may earn.

The opportunity you may come across.

Q. What are you planning to do after graduation?

I want to study a MA course in Producing and Screenwriting, to prepare for my final goal of being a producer-writer.

- find out more about postgraduate education

Q. What advice would you give to other new international students?

Have good English skills, abilities to adapt to new environment, strong wills and be independent!