All Alumni News

Read a message on student mental health and the University

Read a message from the Vice-Chancellor, on sexual misconduct and the University

You will have lots of support available to you, great facilities around you and the opportunity to make life-long friends.

The Study UK team is running the free Preparing for Work  MOOC again, beginning on 19 October.

The course is designed for current international students at UK universities who are about to graduate from undergraduate or postgraduate courses, as well as recent graduates and international alumni who already have some work experience.

The variety of challenges offered by the Data Science BSc have definitely been my favourite aspect of studying at Warwick.

Earlier this year, Warwick hosted the UK’s first ever Women in Economics Student Workshop which brought the students’ perspective into the debate on female under-representation in the discipline. Following the event, Warwick students were inspired to establish a new Women in Economics student society.  They are now looking for any Economics alumnae who might be willing to speak at a future event (albeit virtually for now) about their career journey since graduating, and to offer any tips or advice from their own experiences.

The Student Opportunity team are looking for volunteer mentors to support students from a widening participation background.

The programme aims to provide students with an opportunity to grow their confidence, learn how they may develop professional skills and gain an insight into professional life or different industries to support their career journey.

Warwick Summer School is a three week programme open to undergraduates, postgraduates and professionals and recommended by 97% of our Alumni.

The Summer School also offers a fully-inclusive 10 night programme for 16-18 year olds.

I think it is a very, very interesting course that I did and a very, very exciting environment, which gives the students the opportunity to actually try.

The Warwick campus is to become an Athletes Village during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

As a Warwick graduate, you are an integral part of our University community, and we would like to share how our community is handling the COVID-19 pandemic, including the academic researchers informing global efforts to contain the virus.

Our brand new creative Graduate Accelerator & Incubator will help graduate businesses become part of the UK’s largest creative cluster outside Greater London. Creative Futures provides an exciting opportunity for business teams to develop their entrepreneurial skills, test, launch and pitch their business ideas and get 6 months of free space and support to develop their creative enterprises in Leamington Spa.

Applications open on 3 August, but you can register your interest now.

Join us for the Ingenuity Impact 2020 Feeder Events throughout July and August. You'll be able to compete for the £20,000 prize fund, which will be awarded to the most innovative ideas, funded by Santander Universities. Hear from national experts, and collaborate with others from your region. Places are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment.

More info: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/enterprise/ingenuity2020

Interview with Thierry Cambray written by Melissa Chan-Cheape

"I never thought that I would be graduating at home along with my Mum and Dad. I never thought that my celebrations would consist of a family meal with polite conversation and a glass of wine. Nor did I ever think that I would be entering the job market during such a hard, uncertain time period as a global pandemic".

Centre for Education Studies alumna Anita Chagar offers advice to our new graduates.

"Don’t consider ‘The Class of 2020/The COVID-19 Cohort’ as a label for uncertainty, adversity or loss, but as a label for determination, resilience and a new way of achieving success."

WBS alumna Valerie Patrick offers advice to our new graduates.

"This is a time to evaluate what you have accomplished, think strategically and ask yourself what you could do to make the world a better place."

Philosophy alumnus Peter Blackman offers advice to our new graduates.

"Be Proud – you are Warwick graduates; persevere and be broad minded about the sort of future you seek."

WBS alumnus Stuart Humphreys offers advice to our new graduates.

"It may seem a little trite for me to say I feel fortunate to have graduated during one major economic downturn and to have subsequently graduated again during another."

WBS alumna Hannah Brockbank offers advice to our new graduates.

"You're just at the starting line with many more years to go!"

Centre for Lifelong Learning alumna Alison Duncanson is a Chartered Psychologist and has worked for most of her career with people, from graduates to senior business leaders, consulting on change projects, designing assessment centres and developing leaders.

Today she shares her advice to new graduates.

 The London Professional Network is hosting on Friday afternoon at 17:30 featuring Lord Karan Bilimoria, Founder and Chairman of Cobra Beer Partnership, President of the Confederation of British Industry.

Want to know more about the Productivity and the Futures of Work GRP?

Hear from alumnus, Alex Toft, Head of Minerva, on the growth of Minerva Business Angels based on Warwick Science Park and their upcoming webinar series for those interested in finding out about being an angel investor.

The University of Warwick is working in partnership with Engage Britain, a new organisation that aims to identify the biggest challenges facing the UK today. Further information about the project and how you can get involved can be found here.

Warwick is easing the path to postgraduate study that could prove invaluable for Warwick Alumni during these exceptional times by introducing the Alumni Discount Scheme and Warwick Graduate Award Scheme 2020.

Mark Bailey is a consultant in charge of the infectious diseases isolation ward at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital. He shares a reflection on the current pandemic.

"New challenges, such as COVID-19, can tell us a lot about ourselves, others, and the organisations we work for and we all have a lot to learn from being involved in the current crisis."

Ann Caine (Divisional Manager for Biomedical Sciences) tells us about what she and the team have been working on.

"I feel very proud of our admin team members who are supporting our staff and students to the best of their abilities, and our dedicated clinicians and talented scientists who have stepped up to help fight this unseen enemy."

Jordan (MB ChB) shares his experience as a Medical Student Clinical Support at University Hospital Coventry.

"As a former historian, I feel as though we are watching history unfurl before us – a turning point as real as the world wars, the nuclear age, the bubonic plague. As before, the solution is courage in the face of adversity."

Abbie (MB ChB) reflects on her experience as a medical student during the pandemic.

"Covid-19 has truly changed our lives, and we as medical students are no different."

Anj Kang (MB ChB Phase I Secretary) signed up to the NHS Volunteer Responder initiative and tells us what her role involves.

"Both the patients and the pharmacies have been extremely grateful for the help I and lots of others are providing for those who are unable to get out at the moment."

Roopak Khara (MB ChB, 2013) tells us about her role working as medical lead on a psychiatric inpatient Covid-19 ward.

"Overnight I went from working as a general adult psychiatry registrar on a PICU (psychiatric intensive care unit) to medical lead for the UK’s first psychiatric inpatient COVID-19 ward in West London."

Shirley Rigby (PG Award, 2004) tells us about her role working as a consultant on a Covid-19 ward.

"It was a rapid learning curve, learning how to diagnose and treat a new disease that none of us had seen before."

Jessica Nolan (MB ChB, 2019) reflects upon her experience as an F1 working on a Covid-19 ward.

"When starting work as an F1 this year, I never thought that I would be facing anything as challenging as the Covid-19 pandemic."

Ho Sheng Yi (BA PPE, 2014) shares his story about surviving COVID-19.

Please note: Some of the content may be upsetting for some readers.

Aakriti Ajay Goenka (BSc Economics, 2018) shares her success story from India.

Rosario Pascale was an exchange student at Warwick in 2013. Here he shares a bit of positivity during these difficult times:

"It's been a long time since I've walked down Warwick Road and through the Student Union square. I hope all of the students can come back soon to campus and enjoy the best university life there.

In the picture you can see my experience of lockdown in Milan. I made this pizza for the first time at Tocil, at the south-east of the University of Warwick, in 2013 exactly - it's also improved!

A big hug to every one of you. Wishing you all the best, and stay safe."

Muhammad Ali Randhawa (MA Public Policy, 2017) is currently working as the Home Secretary in Gilgit-Baltistan, a beautiful region of Pakistan. After the arrival of COVID-19, Ali has been the head of all the relief operations in his jurisdictional province.

"With dedicated team effort and continuous hard work, we have been able to achieve a 75% recovery rate of COVID-19 patients, the highest in Pakistan. I believe the quality of education that I got from the University of Warwick has helped me to frame the policies and implement them by using networking management style."

Further updates can be found on Twitter @RandhawaAli.

Councillor Phillip Howells (MBA, 1993) shares his account of recent events.

Over the last two months, brothers Faisal Ahmed (MSc Marketing and Strategy, 2016) and Suhail Ahmed have been supplying polycotton fabric to the NHS for making scrubs.

Peter Koyio (LLM Law, 2016) shares his own story about testing positive for COVID-19.

Please note: Some of the content may be upsetting for some readers.

Computer Science teacher, Jenny Andrews (PGCE, 2018) is in the process of making a new app to put vulnerable or self-isolating people in touch with volunteer shoppers. The app allows the user to sign up as a self-isolating individual or family to create a shopping list. Volunteer shoppers can review the shopping requests and if they are able to help, they will contact the user via messaging.

To find out more about how it works, click here.

French and European Literature alumna, Jane Bowell graduated from Warwick in 1975 and now resides in France. Although Jane retired from teaching a few years ago, she decided to switch on Skype and other web platforms to deliver English language and literature classes to various levels.

"Although the beaches are closed and we do not yet have a reopening date, for me, this has been one of the most rewarding parts of lockdown and has rapidly become a full-time occupation again!"

Kemal Onur Uz graduated from Warwick in 2014 after studying Creative and Media Enterprises, and now works as a freelance journalist and a musician. During his time at Warwick, he did a TEDx talk called 'What if we weren't afraid?'. He is currently creating a video about his experiences at Warwick, particularly aimed at international students - watch this space!

Roslyn Byfield (BA English, 1972) blogs about her experiences during lockdown.

Please note: The opinions expressed are those of the blogger.

John Willis (MPA, 2008) has set up free online seat-based exercise classes for older and disabled people during lockdown.

"The response has been so extraordinary we will try to keep them going beyond the 12-week program. So far over 32,000 people have cumulatively viewed the sessions with an average of over 2,000 per morning/beginner’s session! We must be doing something right!"

The videos can be found here on the Keep Active with Oaks Facebook page.

MA Politics and International Studies graduate, Intissar blogs about her experience of being stranded in Turkey due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest video diary from Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft

The latest video diary from Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft

The latest video diary from Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft

The latest video diary from Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft

The latest video diary from Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft

The latest video diary from Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft

Arriving at Warwick, I knew I was at the right place and that my desires would be met.

Here is a video message from the Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft to update our staff and students on the further planning the University has put in place to continue to protect our community welfare.

I studied physics at Warwick after enjoying the subject at GCSE and A-Level. I enjoyed the challenge of the subject and thought it could help me end up in a job where I got to answer real world questions and make a difference.

Warwick is a great university. I enjoyed my time over there. I have met so many inspiring people and good friends.

Despite the very specific sounding name, the course involves an interesting mix of statistics and computer science - two subjects that compliment each other very well

It was amazing. What I really liked about Warwick is that there's so much support given to you, everyone wants you to succeed

It expanded my network and I was given the chance to work with an industry partner.

When I chose to study Maths and Physics at Warwick, I never expected to end up where I have or taken the journey I did to get there, but it has all felt very natural.

I've got very fond memories of being at Warwick. I would 100 per cent you know, if I had to do it again, I'd do it again!

The knowledge in this course is essential and comprehensive for anyone dedicated to researching polymer science.

The Physics careers staff also helped me to prepare for interviews as I moved into the working world.

It was a very difficult program but at the same time it was very rewarding

The Warwick Physics degree gave me a good overall understanding of physics, as well as in-depth knowledge in specific subjects in order to support these clients and understand what they are trying to do.

All the employers know about MORSE and have a good idea of how prestigious it is.

When I realised that science communication, rather than research, was to be my future career, my work in Warwick’s excellent outreach programme was an ideal springboard into the sector.

If you are a student enjoying maths, statistics, economics or any financial related subjects but don't know exactly what to do after graduation, MORSE is definitely a great choice for you.

What I learnt from MORSE is a good preparation for my MSc course in Applied Statistics.

I chose MORSE over a maths degree due to the flexibility it offers me.

Knowing that I wanted to become an actuary, the MMORSE degree was ideal as it allowed me to tailor the course towards this end goal via the Actuarial and Finance stream.

Although very challenging in terms of quantity and difficulty of work, MORSE is a very rewarding course

I don't know any other courses with so much choice in the final year.

I will be forever grateful for the unforgettable experience and invaluable knowledge acquired over the years I studied at Warwick.

MMORSE is a wonderful combination of Mathematics, Optimisation, Statistics and Economics

If your experience was like mine, you will have a great time and learn a lot.

The course was very well structured with plenty of support, the staff and fellow students were friendly, and I enjoyed my time there.

I have no doubt that my physics degree has been an invaluable asset in contributing to success in my field of work.

Coming into my first year at Warwick, I had a completely different view on mathematics than I do now.

The best thing about the degree is the ability to pick the modules you're most interested in after first year.

Both university and Statistics department goes to great lengths to make sure all students get support for any issue they might have

Doing an inter-disciplinary course like MORSE is great for keeping your options open.

The optional modules, in particular the unusual ones, help make to most of your degree.

MORSE is a one of kind of degree that few universities have tried emulating with the same amount of success and reputation.

The course gave me the freedom to take modules from more than 5 academic departments and decide whether I want to acquire more theoretical or practical knowledge.

By studying a Physics degree at Warwick not only did I discover my enthusiasm for Astrophysics, but I also gained the problem solving, computational data analysis and leadership skills that are essential for pursuing a career in academic research.

MMORSE was flexible enough and provided me with sufficient mathematical and statistical background for other jobs I was interested in.

The MMORSE degree at Warwick was one of the best things that has happened to me.

Two of the most important skills that I developed doing MORSE are a strong problem solving ability and good analytical skills.

I have always been keen on working with numbers, and when I discovered MORSE I knew that this is the course I want to study further at University level.

I found that the mix of subjects offered by MMORSE made it the perfect degree for me.

It is the breadth and depth of the demanding MMORSE degree, that allows me to hold one of the most interesting jobs in the Ministry of Justice.

I chose MORSE because the variety and flexibility of the course appealed to me over a straight maths degree.

MORSE is not just a pure statistics course, but also an all-round programme

This challenging degree has enabled me to secure a role in the Finance department of an investment bank.

The broad range of modules and flexibility of the course gives you the opportunity to work out where your strengths and interests lie.

A degree in Statistics has given me exciting opportunities to look at in many fields

The most enjoyable part of MMORSE to me was that it provided me with a very broad coverage of basic knowledge in maths and stats and a wide variety application backgrounds of those knowledge.

There is no point hiding from the fact that MORSE is a tough degree course. Don't let this put you off though.

The friendship of my schoolmates and the dedicated support and guidance of my tutors made me feel like at home.

Doing a statistics degree at Warwick enabled me to 'try out' a huge variety of statistical areas until I found my favourite - medical statistics.