Lilli Medlicott has just graduated with a first-class honour’s degree in BA (Hons) English and Media at Leeds Beckett University. Lilli knew she wanted to work in a creative business environment but was unsure how to get there. Leeds Beckett guided her in the right direction and opened doors such as marketing internships, professional advice and 1-1 guidance and information.

Course: BA (Hons) English and Media

Tell us a bit about yourself and what drew you to your course?

I had just left college with a triple distinction BTEC in photography. My college choice was unconventional as I did not do any A-Levels. At first, I wanted to become a photographer, but when I enrolled in college, I missed the less vocational side of English Literature. I wanted to find a course that would combine my passion to work creatively and academically. That is when I discovered that Leeds Beckett offered a course in both English and Media!

Having had a difficult time throughout high school, I was very scared to take on such a high level of education, but the course involved everything that I loved. It gave me a chance to write, be creative, and apply critical and evaluative thinking to not just text but television shows and cinema too! The course looked extremely modern, discussing issues I was also passionate about, such as gender, race and class and allowed room for a lot of critical debate and progressive thinking.

What made you choose Leeds Beckett?

I didn’t know what to expect when applying to university. All my options were so different. My family had never been to university before, so I did not know the procedure or what signs to look out for, which meant that all I could rely on was my gut instinct.

Out of all the open days I attended, I can safely say that Beckett was by far the most welcoming and caring. Staff were ready to answer any question, no matter how big or small. I was a very nervous and anxious 18-year-old, and all my worries about what university would be like were put to rest immediately. That, paired with the fact that their study abroad programme was one of the best by far, secured my decision then and there to join. 

What has been your favourite thing about your time studying at Leeds Beckett? 

The best part about studying at Leeds Beckett for me is the amount of confidence I grew. When I arrived, I was a shy, anxious 18-year-old girl who struggled even to order a coffee. I didn’t expect to make many friends and certainly didn’t expect to leave being the person I am now. It sounds cheesy, but I truly believe Beckett has helped me become a better and stronger person during the most formative years of my life. Moving away from home and everything that you know is terrifying. I am from a tiny, introverted beachy town by the coast, so moving to the city was a new culture shock. 

I ended up being in a friend group of seven! I attended classes every day with my best friends and we worked together to help each other out. The Lecturers treated you like adults yet still made the classes fun. The staff are incredibly attentive and supportive regarding any questions or queries you have. I cannot thank the staff enough for all their support – especially during the pandemic. 

What advice would you give someone thinking about studying this course?

The BA (Hons) English and Media at Leeds Beckett is one of the only courses I could find across the country that allowed me to engage with both creative and academic thinking. I would spend my English Literature classes analysing texts and plays or writing poetry, then my media classes analysing scenes, writing about celebrities, or conducting screenplay scripts. The media professionals’ workshop in particular, was amazing. It was still incredibly enjoyable as it gave us real-industry based tasks such as having to meet a different brief every week.

The modules give you room to cater to your own interests. Some of my best marks were from modules that allowed me to analyse or discuss music, scores, or songs. Allowing me to incorporate my passion for music within an English and Media module was simply amazing, and something I don’t think I would have been given the chance to do anywhere else. 

What are your plans after graduation?

I was incredibly fortunate to be offered a job as a Marketing Assistant within the travel industry, in a company called The Travel Village Group back at home near Blackpool. How amazing is that? I sadly could not go abroad with university due to COVID, but now, thanks to university I work within the travel industry where I don’t just get the opportunity to travel – but get paid for it! I absolutely love my job; in fact, it literally does not feel like work at all. Everyone always says that once you find something you love, it never feels like work, and I didn’t believe in that until now. I spend my day managing various social media accounts or undertaking copywriting tasks. Within my first month at my job, I wrote an official press release and got the privilege of managing more than one account! I would love to grow my career to incorporate art and photography. 

In my spare time I also manage a social media account for a local charity, ‘Tits Up’, which helps raise awareness and support for those affected by Triple Negative Breast Cancer. I would love to continue using my creativity and skillset gained from university to help others. 

It is with great thanks to Leeds Beckett that any of it has been possible.