Choosing when to begin a postgraduate degree is a personal decision. At the University of Westminster, students start their master’s degrees in both September and January, and each option offers different advantages depending on your priorities, lifestyle and goals.
Two current students — Ester, studying Business and Organisational Psychology (Part-Time) MSc, and Vahnika, studying Investment and Financial Risk Management MSc, after joining in January — share what their journeys have been like so far. Their experiences show that there is no single “right” start date. Instead, Westminster provides flexibility, support and opportunity whenever you arrive.
For many students, September feels like the natural time to begin. The campus is buzzing with excitement, societies are recruiting, and the year begins with Welcome Week and Freshers’ activities. Ester appreciated this shared momentum, and starting in September meant entering alongside a large cohort, creating immediate opportunities to build a network. “I thrive on structure — it forces me into action rather than planning paralysis,” she explained. “Thanks to starting in September, I was able to take on freelance work without sacrificing my career. I also met people who could directly offer me internships and supervision in the long run, simply by meeting lecturers and leaders at the right time.”
Social events and societies also played a significant role in helping students settle into life at university. Ester reflected that clubs and societies were an excellent way to meet students from other courses and years, “You can’t just expect people to come to you — you have to be proactive and receptive! One of my good friends from a different degree is someone I met at a postgraduate social at The Hideaway, where we played Uno. I didn’t even know how to play — I just showed up and approached people.”
For Vahnika, an international student from India, moving to London was both a dream and a significant step. Beginning in January offered a more focused start, with lectures already running and students arriving with clear goals in mind. This rhythm suited her perfectly. Alongside her degree, she works part-time in finance at a real estate company, applying her accounting and finance knowledge to real transactions, reporting and decision-making. “These roles are not always easy to balance with lectures, assignments and revision,” she said. “However, working while studying in London has helped me grow faster and understand how theory meets practice. It is a significant aspect of what balancing study and work in London entails for me.”
Although their start dates were different, both students carefully considered how studying would fit into their lives. For Ester, a part-time format made sense, “I knew it made sense not just for work adaptations, but because it would allow me to integrate my learning without the pressure of competing priorities. My timetable reflects this: I have sessions three times a week, then nothing the next. This flexibility is ideal for extracurricular activities, reviewing notes, maintaining a social life, or taking on freelance work.”
Meanwhile, joining full-time in January meant a fast-paced immersion for Vahnika. She embraced leadership roles across campus — from School Representative to Student Ambassador — and later secured a summer internship at the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. The role first came to her when her course leader, Jason Cheng, shared an internship email with the class, which led to a valuable opportunity.
Both students highlighted Westminster’s academic support as a strong advantage. Ester benefited from the Academic English module and workshops, which she described as transformative, “The University provided me with a fully funded Academic English module, which helped me develop my own academic voice. Academic English bridges the gap between undergraduate writing and the tone expected at the master’s level. Without this programme, I wouldn’t have developed the academic voice that’s standard for postgraduate students.” Library skills workshops also “taught me everything I needed to learn and more”, providing practical guidance on writing effectively, evaluating sources and tackling postgraduate assignments.
For Vahnika, learning was closely tied to industry. Her modules are directly connected with her professional interests, ranging from learning MATLAB for Forecasting and Risk Modelling to building client portfolios using the Bloomberg terminal. These assignments mirrored real financial decision-making and helped her develop skills that support her long-term goals. Both students noted that staff were approachable, courses were engaging, and learning felt practical rather than purely theoretical.
Postgraduate study, however, comes with both challenges and highlights. Ester experienced a practical setback early on when her laptop broke, and she later discovered the laptop loan service. She found the Students’ Union approachable and proactive when navigating support options. For Vahnika, the challenge was balancing a demanding schedule and adapting to life in a new country. A mentor through Westminster’s mentorship programme helped her stay focused and confident during busy periods, offering guidance when everything felt overwhelming.
In both cases, support networks — lecturers, mentors, classmates and the community — made a meaningful difference. Their advice to future students was simple and practical. Vahnika encouraged students to “use your opportunities early, by applying for ambassador roles, competitions and internships as soon as you can. Ask for support — mentoring, careers advice and academic guidance are all available. You do not have to do everything alone.” Ester added, “Stay engaged, even when you feel pressured, anxious or confused. The moment you tell yourself it’s okay to disengage, you’ll enjoy the feeling of avoidance only to regret it later. Staying engaged gives you the opportunity to ask questions, learn about resources and understand your deadlines.”
Whether beginning in September with the energy of a shared start or in January with focus and clarity from day one, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Both routes offer valuable experiences, strong academic support and opportunities to grow personally and professionally. Choosing the start date that aligns with your lifestyle and ambitions is key — and at Westminster, whichever path you take, you will be welcomed into a diverse community in the heart of London, ready to make the most of every opportunity.
About University of Westminster
As one of the most diverse universities in the UK, we are a global university with London energy, with more than 19,000 students from 169 countries. To find out more about our Accounting and Finance courses and Business and Management courses, visit our website.
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