Alumna Janca Smit completed her BMus studies in 2023 and just started the academic year at the University of Liverpool, pursuing a master’s degree in music and audiovisual media. We asked her a few questions about her experiences so far:
What is your aim with this postgraduate study?
I would like to become a skilled composer. I am especially interested in film music composition and will be able to hone my audiovisual compositional skills during my studies. I know studying as an international student holds its challenges, but it can also broaden one’s horizons and be a wonderful, life-changing experience — which, I’m hoping, will be the case for me. However, after being in Liverpool for almost a month now, I can say that I know it will be!
Why did you decide on Liverpool?
When I discovered that the University of Liverpool offers this master’s degree, I immediately added it to my list of possibilities. I am honoured to have received offers from several UK universities and I did not know which university would be the right one for me. Then the University of Liverpool offered me a scholarship and the choice was perfectly clear. Also, my parents had been rooting for Liverpool from the start!
What does the course entail?
The Master of Arts in Music and Audiovisual Media involves learning to compose for visual media, whether it be composing for films, games, advertisements, virtual reality, etc.
Tell us a little bit about the city and campus.
Liverpool is amazing! This city is about 817 years old, has over 2,500 listed buildings, and is the hometown of The Beatles (see photo above). The buildings are spectacular, the people are friendly, and there’s music everywhere. I am very happy with my university accommodation, since the facilities are modern and well-maintained, and the staff is extremely helpful. The music department building is housed in three connected Victorian buildings — I get lost a lot … — but luckily the staff and students are kind enough to help me get to the right places. I like the campus and enjoy taking walks from my residence to the gardens of the beautiful Abercromby Square.
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- On the campus of the University of Liverpool.
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- Janca (right side of the table) with other international students..
What special experiences have you had already?
I was lucky enough to have travelled to Liverpool with my parents. They stayed for two weeks to help me settle in before the academic year started. Together, we explored parts of Liverpool and experienced its vibrancy. We took a bus tour around the city and saw many of Liverpool’s beautiful buildings, we took a ferry on the River Mersey, and we attended a Candlelight Special Edition: The Best of The Beatles performance by the Rondino Strings string quartet. I am very excited to explore Liverpool further in the rest of my time here.
