Despite not meeting the requirements for his initial choices in journalism, Niccolo found his place at QMU through Clearing, where his interest in social media and digital communications led him to the BA Public Relations & Marketing Communications course (now Digital Marketing and Public Relations). From the supportive Clearing process to the practical, career-focused learning environment, Niccolo is grateful to have ended up at 17³Ô¹ÏÍø. In this Student Story, he shares the highlights of his journey and the valuable opportunities he was presented with during his time with us.
What was your reason for applying through Clearing? Why did you choose QMU?
I reached a point where I didn’t fully meet the requirements of my conditional offers for journalism course at other Scottish universities. Since no more journalism courses were available through clearing, PR & Marketing seemed like a great alternative, offering a similar experience without taking a year out. I had always been interested in social media and the internet, so it felt like a good fit for me.
Despite fearing I would not get into university, the Clearing experience provided an excellent plan B. I also wanted to study in a bigger city, so the fact that the university was located in Edinburgh, made it an ideal destination.
What was the Clearing experience like? What kind of support did you get from QMU staff to secure your place at the university? 
The experience was really good. The staff were supportive and guided me through every step of the application process, both via phone and email, ensuring I understood everything.
What did you enjoy most about your course?
I enjoyed the small number of students in my course and its practical nature. Most modules were directly applicable to the workplace or valuable in job interviews. Having a small cohort made a significant difference.
Were there any course activities you found especially interesting?
The Campaigning and Practice module stood out. We created a PR strategy for a real client, met them, and ensured our work aligned with their needs.
How did your lecturers support your learning?
They truly cared. They wanted to know you personally and help as much as possible.
Did you take part in a placement as part of your course?
After finishing my course, I did a placement at Brand Scotland supporting the Senior Marketing Manager. I worked on a variety of projects, helping to shape strategies for attracting people to live, work, study, visit, do business, and create in Scotland. This role allowed me to both observe and actively participate in developing these strategies.
I contributed to the Industry Advisory Group for rUK Talent Attraction; I also helped shape a global campaign (Global Moments) promoting Scotland internationally. For this campaign, I participated in client meetings with collaborating agencies such as Carat and Leith.
"It was great that the university helped secure these opportunities. I gained valuable exposure to how a big organisation operates. "
Do you have any advice for students who might be interested in this course?
If you’re passionate about PR and communications, QMU offers a great variety of courses in this area! Go for it and have a chat with the Programme Leader or any lecturer to ensure the course matches your expectations.
Did you take part in any internships or scholarships that helped you develop skills and experience?
I got an internship at Content Creation Coach that I found out about through our Careers Service. I pursued this opportunity aiming to gain experience in the field even though it wasn't required for my course. Additionally, as part of the course, we were required to obtain a placement in fourth year. Our course leader Ann Turner provided us with a pool of clients, and I went through several interviews. Out of the offers I received, Brand Scotland was the most appealing to me and therefore the one I chose.
Both of these opportunities were very valuable, and they helped me understand which sector of marketing I wanted to delve into.
Which University services did you use to support you through your university journey and how did they help you?
I used most of these services, and they were incredibly helpful during and after university. I found the university’s free counselling to be great, and I still keep in touch with Juan and Marion, two amazing careers advisors. Effective Learning Service (ELS) was crucial when I first moved as I wasn’t familiar with the British educational system.
What’s your ‘top tip’ for making the most of being a student?
Get involved in any way you can—sports, societies, classes. It’s much more fun with people by your side.
During my second year, I became the head of the basketball society, taking on the responsibilities of organising and managing the group. I also joined the Marketing Society as a Fundraiser. I can confidently say that I might not have stayed in Scotland as long without QMU Basketball. It played a huge role in making me feel like I belonged and helped me form lasting connections. The dedication it taught me also boosted my university marks.
In hindsight, are you happy with the opportunity Clearing gave you and the course you ended up with?
"Absolutely. I’m much happier to have gone to QMU rather than my original conditional offer. QMU had a ‘family’ feeling that I doubt you get elsewhere."
The course was fascinating and led me to pursue an MSc after my BA, allowing me to maintain my relationship with the university after graduation.
Pursuing an MSc was always a goal of mine to enhance my employability. QMU made it easy to switch from the MCPA division to the Business School, and since QMU had always felt right for me, I didn't want to go anywhere else for my MSc. I chose the MSc International Management and Leadership degree to gain a deeper understanding of how companies operate, especially since I had started working for a business that May. The course was comprehensive, covering all aspects of a business. While switching fields felt daunting at first, it was ultimately rewarding.
Can you tell us about your life post-graduation?
"I worked in marketing from the end of my third year for a recruitment company throughout my MSc and after graduation. This job was initially meant to be my fourth-year placement, but I accepted it when I fast-tracked to my MSc. Â "
I had heard that with good enough grades during your undergrad, you could go straight into an MSc after your third year, finishing in four years with a BA (without Honours) and an MSc. I spoke to my PAT, who connected me with the PL of the course I wanted to pursue. They informed me of the grades I needed to achieve to progress to the MSc. I met those requirements and started my MSc in September, instead of completing the fourth year of my undergraduate program.
I stayed with the company until June, developed a passion for CRM and automations, and now work in this role for Knauf back in Italy. In my current role as a ONECRM intern, I assist my manager in achieving digitalisation excellence for Knauf, a German multinational corporation. Our goal is to unify all the countries we operate in under a single CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system. Essentially, I work to streamline the process for sales and commercial teams, helping them use the software to accurately input client data. This enables us to generate reports on efficiency, market data, and sales, which helps shape future strategies, even tracking deals that are due in the coming week. While the role began with a focus on marketing, it has evolved and may continue to do so in the future.
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