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Diya has always had a strong academic record and this has helped her to secure a scholarship from the University of Bedfordshire to study a Master’s.
Her scholarship will go towards living costs while she studies for an MA in Art and Design at the University. She applied for the course after discussing her qualifications with a University representative at a Higher Education Fair in her home city, New Delhi.
The 22-year-old achieved a first class honours degree in Interior Design at Rai University in New Delhi, a new university which was founded in 2002.
She said: “Studying in the UK is something I have always wanted to do. In India a lot of emphasis is placed on a career in Law or Medicine. However, I have always wanted to work in set design, and there are a lot of opportunities to work in theatre or television in England, so I had no doubts about continuing my studies here.”
Before coming to England, Diya spent a year working for the creative studio Big Fish in New Delhi where she carried out market research and design work. She worked on several 2 and 3-dimensional projects for exhibitions and for individual clients.
When she arrived at the Luton campus, she was impressed with the excellent Student Medical Centre, particularly its proximity to the town centre. This was very important to her as she has diabetes and needs regular medical check ups.
Diya says she is enjoying her course and is looking forward to showcasing her final year work at the hat Factory Arts Centre where the University operates the gallery.
She said: “The course allowed me to focus on areas of study which interested me, and this flexibility allowed me to concentrate on set design. Taking part in an exhibition will be a great experience.
She’s also impressed with the facilities for Art and Design students, especially the Mac computer suite, and the media stores facility - a University-based lending service where students can hire digital cameras, video cameras and other media equipment for free.
“The facilities for students in the School of Media Art and Design are superb,” she said. “We have our own studio space for Master’s students and the stores department allowed me to hire a camera for a few days so I could film for my dissertation.”
And she thinks the lecturers have been very supportive. “I’ve dealt with several University lecturers as I have progressed through the different areas of study, and they have been very helpful at all times. Having the opportunity to work closely with the undergraduates was really useful and we provided support for one another.”
As well as studying hard for her Master’s, Diya is a keen basketball player and is a member of the University’s women’s basketball team. She has met many friends playing the sport, and has travelled around the region and London to play against other universities. She has also played at national level in India.
Looking to the future, Diya said: “I am confident my course will help me break into set design in the UK because I have learned so many key skills. The staff are very supportive and I would recommend the course to anyone wishing to specialise in this field.”
