Samantha Rossiter

Course: Graduate Diploma in Computing
Graduated: 2025

Choosing to study Computing at The University of Buckingham was a really personal decision for me.

Whilst there were other universities that were just as local, Buckingham stood out because of its small cohort sizes and the level of individual support on offer. Living nearby also meant that I could stay close to family and save money, but what ultimately made the difference was knowing that I would be studying in a well-respected environment where my voice would be heard.

From the moment I started, it felt like my questions and ideas genuinely mattered, and the one-to-one support with my tutors made a huge difference to my confidence and learning.

Expansion on law degree

I came to Computing after completing my LLB degree at Buckingham. During my law degree, I realised that I wanted to take my studies further – through an LLM or PhD – and I knew that I wanted my dissertation to explore the intersection between law and technology. Computing wasn’t a change of direction for me, but a way to develop and formalise knowledge that I had already been building independently.

I had always been interested in tech, and I built computers in my spare time, and so wanted to combine this with my legal interests in a meaningful, academic way. The course gave me the perfect foundations, structure, and confidence to do exactly that.

Studying Computing also gave me the space to build my knowledge and confidence before moving onto the next stage of my academic and professional journey. I didn’t feel ready to rush straight into postgraduate study, and the Graduate Diploma in Computing allowed me to develop a new genuine love for computing as a discipline. The lecturers were friendly, approachable, and always willing to help. I received particularly strong support during my project work, where my mentor encouraged me to push my ideas further. A real turning point was being told I could continue developing my project even beyond the diploma.

I won’t lie – I certainly experienced some impostor syndrome. Coming from a completely different academic background, I felt like I was plunged into the deep end and worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up. But, from the very first lecture, I felt that I was supported throughout. Even when it came to things that I was already familiar with, it wasn’t repetitive and instead I was building on my existing knowledge.

What’s next?

Looking ahead, while my exact next step is taking shape, my long-term goal is to qualify as a solicitor and to make full use of my computing knowledge and skills I’ve gained. I was delighted to complete the Graduate Diploma with a Distinction, which felt like a real affirmation of how far I had come.

To anyone considering Buckingham, I would say that if you value close academic support, small class size, and an environment where your ideas are taken seriously, it’s a university that allows you to grow both academically and personally. I also loved that, despite being a smaller university, there are so many genuinely kind people, as well as plenty of clubs and socials – making it easy to meet students across different courses and build lasting friendships.