Student stories

I ultimately chose the University of Surrey due to its unique strengths and offerings that align seamlessly with the requirements of my research: specialised expertise, interdisciplinary environment, and PATS facilities make it the ideal institution.

I’m passionate about the Creative Music Technology course because it’s so unique. It has taught me to think outside the box and has challenged me to compose within genres of music I didn’t even know about three years ago".

What appealed to me most about Surrey was the tranquil environment on campus. I was born and bred in Hong Kong, where you can’t escape the hustle and bustle, and unstable political environment. The only thing I wanted to focus on were my passions - music, singing and always exploring. 

At Surrey, I love the flexibility and eclecticism of the modules - you can choose whether you want to take a more academic or practical path (or have an equal split). I’m also very grateful for the opportunities we’re offered (free concerts; performance opportunities; visiting lecturers; etc.) and the lovely friends I have made through the course". 

The University of Surrey and, specifically, its International Guitar Research Centre are internationally recognised as leading institutions for guitar research. Teachers and doctoral students together have created a lively community that consistently inspires and promotes research in the field of the guitar around the globe.

I spent my placement at Sky Production Services as a Trainee Dubbing Mixer. I did a lot of editing (dialogue, voiceover) as well as syncing and preparing projects for others in the department. The highlights were getting to mix two shows for Sky Kids and Sky Arts.

I was attracted to some of the most unusual parts of music where there were no strict Western Classical limits, and experimentation was celebrated. This is where Surrey stood out from other universities – the possibilities felt so limitless

For my professional training placement, I went to London to work with the National Youth Orchestra (NYO) and am now with Guildford Jazz working as a student ambassador.