Graduated in BSc (Hons) Computer Science
Have you considered other options than doing the MSc at Lancaster University Leipzig?
First of all, I really wanted to do a Master’s degree related to Computer Science. Besides Lancaster University Leipzig, I also looked at other universities in Europe. But in the end I decided to stay here because it is a great advantage that the Master’s programme here takes only one year instead of two and a half years at other universities. I thought: What if I take the risk of leaving my comfortable flat in Leipzig and I don’t like it in the other city and at the other university? And then I would have to spend so much time there and not like it. So I talked to my parents and told them I really like it here and I want to stay here!
How is the workload and the day to day life compared to your Bachelor’s studies?
The workload is about the same between undergraduate and postgraduate. I think it’s just a different kind of workload: in the bachelor you have a lot of different subjects that are different from each other and you have to work on several at the same time. Here it’s more straightforward and you have to work in depth on one subject at a time. But you are always working on something and the workload is more or less the same.
Are the subjects more of a specialisation of the bachelor’s content or new areas of computer science?
There is a module called “Information Security Management”, which is sort of an advanced version of the module we had in the BSc, which was “Security and Risk”. But apart from that, all the other modules are completely new. For example, the first module we had was “Introduction to Law” – very interesting by the way – which is something we did not have in our Bachelor’s. And other modules are also completely new. But you are using the knowledge you have learned in computer science – just applying it to completely new challenges.
And how is the learning approach, still in small classes or more individual learning?
We do have group projects and some group presentations, but most of the learning is individual. Apart from the classes, you can do some reading and write individually on most of the projects. So everything is a bit more individualised than in the Bachelor’s programme. However, it still gives you skills like communicating with others.
Do you know some of the others classmates from your Bachelor’s?
Yes, some students have continued with their MSc at LU Leipzig and I also have a lot of friends who are doing their 2nd and 3rd year of their bachelor. So even though we don’t have the same classes, we still see each other every week on campus, which makes me feel very comfortable in Leipzig. That’s also a big advantage: I’m surrounded by the people I know and the city I know. In terms of lifestyle, it’s still the same comfortable one and I wouldn’t change that!
Are you already looking for jobs that will match your MSc Cyber Security soon?
I have an interview with DHL in 2 weeks. In this interview we will discuss my job opportunities in the company, which are much more than with a Bachelor’s degree. If I get this job, I could stay in Leipzig, because DHL has a big hub logistics centre here in the city. I have also been learning German since I started studying. I am now at B1 level and will soon be at B2. So I can put German as a language on my CV. This will make me very qualified for any job here.
