Student Profiles

I am the Regional Editor for Newsquest Gloucestershire, overseeing the running of three newspapers – the Stroud News & Journal, Wilts & Glos Standard and Gazette Series. I am also an author and my debut novel, Silhouettes, was published in October 2016.

There was an excellent variety of subjects on the course, from literature to film to writing, and they were all presented in an interesting and engaging manner, which inspired me to want to analyse each text in detail and ultimately create my own work. The feedback on my writing was always incisive and productive and, as it came from highly-respected lecturers, I was motivated to take their criticism on board and edit my writing accordingly. Outside of academic life, Manchester was a fantastic place to be a student as the city is so rich in culture and buzzes with young people.

Writing economically: when I began the course, my prose was far too flowery and baroque; by the time I’d finished, my writing was more concise and engaging. Also, editing my own writing and the work of others. Both of these skills have been vital for my career in journalism.

Be disciplined! The nature of the subject meant that the course was fairly relaxed, so you had to manage your own time strictly to meet deadlines.

Stories that seep into your subconscious.

Learning from highly-respected lecturers in a city built for students.