There are so many opportunities available to undergraduate students, including opportunities in careers, sports and societies. These opportunities allow students to meet new people and build a community of like-minded individuals around them. Discover Ananya's journey at Warwick and what led them to apply for the BSc/BA Economics, Politics and International Studies.

How did you find out about Warwick?

I heard about Warwick at a university fair I attended in 11th grade.

Did you consider studying anywhere else? What made you choose Warwick?

The primary reason that I chose to apply to the University of Warwick is that it is one of only a few universities in the UK that offers a unique course combining Economics, Politics and International Studies. I have discovered interests and passions for all three of these subject areas, and narrower choices at other universities made it difficult for me to find a course without having to sacrifice at least one area of interest. Warwick's reputation for Economics was also a major factor for me. I was also very attracted to the campus setting, as I felt it would grant me a sense of community that can be difficult to find away from home. To be completely honest, and perhaps even a little clichéd, Warwick was the first university that felt like home to me.

How did you feel to be awarded a scholarship?

I felt extremely grateful and proud to be awarded the scholarship. Receiving the scholarship made it financially possible for me to attend Warwick. I've really enjoyed my time here so far, and I am extremely grateful to have been given this opportunity.

Who was the first person you told when you received the news about your scholarship and how did they react?

The first people I told about being awarded the scholarship were my parents. They were really happy and really proud of me.

How did you apply and did anyone help you with your application form and visa application?

I applied to Warwick through UCAS, and my school university counselor helped me understand how to apply. I applied for my visa through the UK government website. The process was all online, which made it really easy and streamlined.

What was your first impression of Warwick when you first walked around campus?

I loved the campus when I first walked around. The buildings are all very impressive and modern, and the piazza is always busy and full of students. Everyone I interacted with was also very friendly and welcoming. Overall, the environment at Warwick made it very easy to settle in.

What is the best thing about Warwick?

The best thing about Warwick is definitely the sense of community on campus. There are so many opportunities available to undergraduate students, including opportunities in careers, sports and societies. These opportunities allow students to meet new people and build a community of like-minded individuals around them. The support we receive as students has been great as well. The personal tutor system and the office hours that seminar tutors offer makes getting advice and feedback very accessible and easy.

What is the worst thing?

The line at Pret a Manger :)

How is your accommodation?

I'm living on-campus in Rootes accommodation this year. I've made some really amazing friends in my accommodation, and I love how central the accommodation is. Although Rootes was not one of my top accommodation choices, I'm really happy with the way things worked out.

Are you a member of any societies?

I am a Fresher Representative for Warwick Women in Economics. I have my first meeting with the Executive Team this week, after which I will officially take on responsibilities such as helping the Executive Team contact and recruit speakers for this year, and helping to organize socials and events. I really love the society, as it promotes a very supportive and friendly environment and organises really relevant and helpful events related to careers and gender inclusivity in the fields of Economics and Business.

What are your plans when you graduate?

I am currently applying to Spring Insight Programmes for 2022 to try to gain a better understanding of what kind of industry I would like to work in after I graduate. I enjoy being given opportunities to push and challenge myself, and therefore I can envision myself beginning my career in a corporate financial environment where there are possibilities for career progression and where I can apply my skills. I hope then, after a few years, to have acquired the ability and experience necessary to enter an organization like the United Nations or the European Commission at a high level position. My hope is that by entering a reputed and influential corporation or organization at a higher level, being well-trained in an analytical subject like Economics, I would be able to more immediately achieve my ultimate goal of enacting structural change by promoting preventative rather than reactive action with regards to the developmental challenges facing today’s world. Furthermore, my hope is that the focus on international studies in my University of Warwick course, as well as the language skills I have developed thus far, would prepare me for geographic mobility that comes with a career in a corporate or multi-governmental ecosystem. Additionally, I feel that working in a multidisciplinary environment like the United Nations with a diverse range of career opportunities reflects and complements the multidisciplinary nature of the Economics, Politics and International Studies course. I feel that my experiences in high school have shown me that I most enjoy creating and witnessing tangible change. My personal connection to my home country India is what drives this passion, and essentially, I hope that my time at Warwick will enable me to contribute to decreasing socio-economic inequalities in developing and emerging market countries like India globally.

What would you say to someone considering applying for an Undergraduate Global Excellence scholarship at Warwick, what would it be?

My advice would be to definitely apply and to not be intimidated by the application. When you're answering the application questions, it's easy to overthink your answers and try to say the right thing. It helped me to try to just be honest about why I wanted to go to Warwick and study my course, and to focus on talking about how my experiences shaped my decisions. It can be really stressful, but it's so worth it. Good luck!

What one thing makes you happy about Warwick?

One major thing that makes me happy about Warwick is the people I have been lucky enough to meet.