Caroline Sanborn

Why I chose postgraduate studies at Loughborough University London

During my undergraduate course, I got the opportunity to come to London and visit various sport businesses and universities. On this trip, we took a tour around Loughborough University London. I was able to meet with academics and faculty and listen to a lecture on research around the impact of the London 2012 games. At the time, I was particularly interested in the impact of mega-sporting events on urban development, so the lecture felt like it was for me. I had never really considered getting a postgraduate degree up until that point, but the lecture piqued my interest in sport analytics and sport research, and I was immediately interested in the prospect of furthering my education through a master’s degree. Once my undergraduate degree was coming to an end, I knew that Loughborough London’s Sport Analytics and Technologies course would be the perfect fit for me.

My overall academic experience

My overall academic experience was great. While the courses could be challenging at times, they helped me grow and develop the skills necessary for my future career.

The most useful part of my course was the various collaborations with industry partners that the classes offered. Working with my classmates on real-world projects for partners such as Sports Interactive, Surrey County Cricket Club, and Williams F1, offered a taste of what employment in the industry would be like, allowing me to develop analysis, presentation, and teamwork skills.

How Loughborough University London prepared me for my current career

During my time at Loughborough University London, I had access to numerous events organised by the Future Space team, which brought industry partners and representatives to campus to talk about their roles and experiences. These events provided valuable insights into the potential career opportunities available after my degree, and they also helped me start building my professional network.

Additionally, I was recommended for an internship with a sports technology company where I had the chance to apply the data analytics skills I was learning in class. This internship eventually led to a full-time position with the company following graduation, which I held for two years, before returning to Loughborough University London to pursue my PhD. During my MSc, I also had the opportunity to work as a research assistant for some of my professors, gaining hands-on experience with the research process. This combination of industry experience and research exposure has formed the foundation for my work as a PhD student.

From traditional to focused: My Loughborough London experience

Coming from a traditional university campus with on-campus housing and students of all levels in my undergraduate degree, starting at Loughborough London was a bit of a change. However, as a postgraduate student, I came to appreciate the unique environment it offers. The smaller, more focused campus allows for a more personal and immersive academic experience  

I’ve enjoyed getting to know students from across the campus and exploring all that London, and even beyond, had to offer. In addition to spending time around campus, my friends and I travelled to places like Bath, and even to Italy when we had breaks in our courses.