Wherever you go and whatever you choose to study, starting university can often be nerve-racking, while at the same time incredibly exciting and rewarding. As we approach the end of the first term, we spoke to several first-year students who reflected on their time at UCFB so far.

Adele Hancock, a BA (Hons) Football Business & Marketing student, has immediately immersed herself in the world of football and sport, working as a Ticketing Executive at Championship club Fulham alongside her degree, a role she landed via UCFB’s JobTeaser portal.

Commenting on both the work and the degree, Adele said: “I love working in a football environment. The degree helps give you an understanding of the entire football business model. I’m understanding more elements of what’s happening around me at Fulham, not only at the Ticket Office.”

She added: “I'm also really enjoying living in Wembley Park; it only takes a few minutes to walk to lectures in the stadium. We have a Boxpark, plenty of restaurants and a shopping outlet all within walking distance. I love being able to walk just a short way to Wembley Stadium or Wembley Arena when there's an event on. With the area being so modern, it's always lit up and feels safe when walking around at daytime or night time.”

Likewise, Will Bewsey has wasted no time in throwing himself into his BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism programme, securing a placement at Woking FC as Match Reporter. With avid aspirations to become a sports journalist, his degree and the experience he’s gaining alongside it are helping build a network of contacts and an impressive CV.

Will said: “Being able to volunteer for Woking has helped me grow as a journalist, giving me experiences of the media environment by being in the press box on a matchday. It’s been a challenge throughout the pandemic, as I’ve gone from writing with fans, to behind closed doors, and even at one point to writing a report whilst watching a stream, but it’s been great overall.”

The personal highlight, for Adele, was fairly obvious: “Having lectures inside Wembley Stadium with a view of the pitch. To me, there is no place better to study a football degree.”

Will finished: “Wembley Park is a great area, and I’ve enjoyed spending time there socialising, I’d recommend UCFB to anyone!”