Farooq Arshad
Accounting and Finance BSc (Hons)
- International student from Bahrain
- Received the International Academic Excellence Fee Scholarship
- Chose Bradford because it was affordable and highly ranked
Meeting and being friends with such a wide variety of people from different cultures was one of the things I enjoyed the most - and the local food! Farooq Arshad
Why did you decide to study at the University of Bradford?
I chose the course because I had a passion for becoming a Chartered Accountant as I had done A-levels in Maths, Economics and Accounts.
During my research into universities I heard about how other students had a good experience at the University of Bradford and that scholarships were available. It was also highly ranked for Accounting and Finance, with an excellent accreditation.
It's a great place to spend your university life, especially if you're an international student!
How did you settle into life at Bradford?
City Campus is great because people from all courses are here and its really easy to meet people and make friends. In my first year I made friends with people in my lectures and seminars. I also took part in a university business challenge competing with students from other universities which also helped me meet new people.
I was also a student rep in my first year. I communicated with many different students from my course which helped me enhance my employability skills.
Have you completed any internships or placements on your course?
In the summer in between my second and third year I got an internship with PwC which involved working with clients such as Morrisons and other major companies. It was a good experience, I learnt so much about the business and I was never treated as an 'intern'.
I learnt so much about the business and auditing across the business. It also helped me develop my communication skills and boosted my confidence.
What are your plans after you graduate?
After graduation, I'm going on to start the graduate scheme at PwC in September in the Assurance department. The department deals with many multinational and top FTSE 100 companies in the UK and provides them with audit and non-audit services.
It's a three year programme in based at the Leeds office which will give me the opportunity to develop my career.
Tell us more about what your role will involve
The work is mostly site based at the client’s offices and sometimes in the PwC office as well. Audit Associates use different audit software to run tests on the financial figures in the financial statements and to assure that all the information provided is stated in a true and fair manner.
It is great to be a part of the Assurance team at PwC as they are one of the biggest four accounting firms in the world and the working atmosphere is great.
What advice would you give to students that are thinking of studying at Bradford?
People think that Accounting and Finance is just about numbers and calculations but it's so much more than that! My advice would be to research what Accounting and Finance is all about and make sure it's something you really want to do, if it is you will enjoy it.
I would highly recommend University of Bradford to any international student. It is a great place for them to join different societal groups, learn about different cultures and be a part of one of the top universities in the UK.
If I had to describe my time at Bradford it would be challenging but rewarding, I'm proud of what I have achieved over the last three years. Farooq Arshad