Thomas Higginson
Country Of Origin: United Kingdom
Degree: BSc Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics (MORSE), 2023
Graduate Audit Data Analyst, Places for People
Why did you choose to study at LUMS?
LUMS was one of the only universities in the country to offer MORSE. The management school is also well renowned and has the gold teaching standard which gave me confidence that the teaching would be high quality.
What was the best thing about your course?
The best thing about my course was the wide range of modules you were able to choose from. I learnt 3 major subjects in my first and second year and then had the option to specialise in my third year. I also found that the placement year was incredibly useful for me to apply my learning and give me experience for when I was applying for jobs.
Did you do a project, placement or study abroad? What did this involve and what did you gain?
I did a placement as a Supply Chain Analyst at a Biopharma company in Cambridgeshire. There was a lot of learning involved in terms of how the world of work is and how I could apply my data knowledge to work. I was the lead of a major rebranding project, which involved communicating with many stakeholders in many different sections of the business. I gained a lot of experience along with a lot of soft skills such as confidence.
Describe your time at LUMS in three words.
Exciting, Opportunity, Progress.
What are your best memories of your time at Lancaster?
My best experiences at Lancaster came as part of the squash club. I played in the teams for all of my three years at university and loved being part of a welcoming society where I could meet lots of new people. Going on socials and trips to the Lake District as part of the society were so enjoyable.
What are the best things about living in the Lancaster area?
Everything in Lancaster is nearby so you can be anywhere within 20 minutes of walking. Being close to the Lake District is also a massive bonus, especially in summer.
Which parts of your Lancaster experience were the best preparation for your job?
The majority of coursework that I did was practical tasks rather than essays and these helped me learn much more effectively and meant I could apply the skills straight away in the job.