Clearing stories: Toney

I took a gap year after college, and then I started having to figure things out to do.

I missed the main applicant window, so I started looking for places in Clearing and looking for courses that would allow me to do a degree that combines engineering with human-like empathy and design. And I chose Product Design at Middlesex.

The factors important to me were location and type of course. Most important thing for me was a course that had the technical aspects but also a focus on the end user, because web design without the end user, it's not really that useful.

When applying to Middlesex through Clearing it was actually very easy. I think it was so easy that I didn't even realise I had done everything. I went through the website, I filled in my details and was accepted. Then I got a letter from the post, saying congratulations. And that was it, I was off.

I wouldn’t change a thing. Everything has been great. From how supportive the lecturers are, all the facilities that I have access to, the amount of help I get, as well as, the student ambassadors scheme and everyone I've met along the way. Everything has been great and surprising in the best of ways.

Toney's top-tips

• Do research online, look at uni websites and their social media accounts, write down any questions that you have from researching all of the course and information pages
• Go and check out the facilities. For my degree it was really important they had great equipment
• Ask about what jobs they can help you get whilst studying, and what support they will give you to get them. I am part of the Student Ambassador scheme, and it has given me great opportunities to meet more people, get great experience and earn money whilst I am studying
• Take time to think about what you want. For me, location and the course itself were really important
• Don’t take anyone else’s opinion to make your decision - do your research, ask all your questions and go and check out the campus.