From Malaysia to Nottingham: What it's like to return for my master’s at NTU
By Jelyna Wong, April 2026
My first NTU experience and career after bachelor's degree
Hello to everyone reading this from around the world. I’m Jelyna, and I grew up in Malaysia – a tropical country where it’s 26 - 34°C all year. That might sound like heaven to my UK friends, but they are always surprised when I say I actually prefer a colder climate in the UK.
I completed my first degree, BA in Graphic Design at NTU in 2019. One of the biggest differences I noticed compared to my previous university in Malaysia was the teaching style and approach. Back home, feedback focused mainly on the final design outcome. Students were given feedback on how to improve layouts and composition. At NTU, the emphasis was on the story, the strategy, and the way of thinking behind the work to get you there. That shift helped me grow significantly - not just technically, but also in how I approach design problems.
I was fortunate enough to land my first job within two months of graduating, which I think was largely thanks to how much NTU prepared me during the final year, especially with the portfolio development. The transition into the working industry felt natural since the way the projects were structured was very similar to what I experienced in NTU.
I started as a junior graphic designer at a local snack company and was given the opportunity to work as a senior designer within a year. One thing that helped me at work was having some understanding of print processes, which the print team at NTU taught me a lot. We worked closely with printers for packaging designs, so being somewhat familiar with that made communication much smoother.
If I could give one piece of advice: embrace mistakes. University is the safest place to experiment, fail, and figure things out before going into the industry. It also helps a lot to make full use of the facilities available and get comfortable with it; you may not know skills you gain will help you in the future.
Finding Malaysian community abroad
During my bachelor’s, I joined a Malaysian student society based in London, which allowed me to connect with students beyond NTU. I worked on designing marketing materials like social media posts and had the opportunity to help manage an event for a large accounting firm based in London. It introduced me to students and working professionals in outside my field. It also gave me a community of Malaysian friends who made living far from home feel less overwhelming. Being able to share our struggles and successes made living far from home a little easier.
Why did I come back to NTU to study master's degree
With the rapid advancement of technology, I realised I was falling behind on newer tools, especially as fresh graduates were already equipped with skills in areas like generative AI or Kinect projection mapping. I looked for a space to update my knowledge and skills while having the freedom to explore my own creative interests.
My first thought was to return to NTU, especially after hearing about the new Design and Digital Arts Building and the fun new facilities it offers, like the virtual production and projection mapping rooms.
Beyond that, Nottingham has always been my favorite city in the UK. Even though it’s smaller compared to other cities, there’s never a dull moment. Goose Fair, Christmas Market, pop‑up fairs - there’s always something to do.
The postgraduate student lifestyle
One of my biggest challenges returning to Nottingham was missing Malaysian food at home. With a few Malay restaurants here, I noticed I could travel to other cities like Manchester or London to get a taste of something closer to my hometown. But living independently and cooking for myself became a meaningful way for me to reconnect with the dishes I love.
In terms of student life, the workload in my master’s felt quite similar to my bachelor’s, although the expectations were naturally higher at postgraduate level. The course is built around project briefs and workshops that helped us sharpen our graphic design skills. Having a few years of industry experience really helped. I could bring that knowledge into my projects, which made me approach my work with more clarity and confidence.
NTU also gave me a really supportive space to explore my own passion projects, with tutors who were always ready to guide me. Living alone pushed me out of my comfort zone too. It encouraged me to build friendships beyond my cohort, and that experience ended up strengthening my communication skills in ways I didn’t expect.
Returning to NTU, I’ve been genuinely impressed by how much the facilities have improved. I often find myself working in the Waverley building whenever I need a focused studio space. The print hub in the Bonington building has also become one of my favourite spots. I can easily spend hours experimenting with letterpress, risograph, book‑making, and so many other processes. Sometimes it feels like one year just isn’t enough to make full use of everything available.
Preparing for the UK design industry as an international student
Throughout my master’s, I have been preparing to apply for design jobs in the UK using my existing industry experience, but it hasn’t been easy. Luckily, NTU’s employability team is always on hand to answer my questions about the process. They also run workshops on creating CV's and portfolios. I attended Creative Futures, an event organised by NTU’s School of Art and Design, where industry professionals led insightful discussions and offered one-to-one portfolio reviews.
These experiences have helped me understand the UK design landscape as an international student and given me a clearer idea of what to expect after graduation.
Advice for future master’s students
It’s completely normal to feel unsure about taking the big step of pursuing a master’s degree - especially when it involves moving abroad to a country with cultural differences and language barriers.
Adjusting to new cultures, languages, and everyday life can be a challenge at the start. But once you take that first step, you’ll find so many undiscovered opportunities waiting on the other side.
I’d still recommend making sure you’re financially prepared for your studies and clear about your purpose for choosing a postgraduate degree in the UK. Having that clarity really helps shape the direction of your master’s. But beyond that, there are a few things I wish someone had told me before I started:
- Plan your budget realistically
Living abroad comes with hidden costs - transport, groceries, printing, rent, living expenses, and the occasional emergency. It helps to track your spending in the first month so you understand your actual lifestyle costs.
- Research scholarships and part‑time work early
You don’t realise how quickly deadlines pass until it’s gone. Even if you’re not sure you’ll apply, knowing your options gives you flexibility later.
- Think about what you want to get out of the course
Is it new technical skills? A career change? A stronger portfolio? Networking? Knowing your goals helps you choose the right modules, projects, and opportunities.
- Make use of the university’s support systems.
NTU has some of the best facilities and support I’ve experienced - from career services and technical workshops to mental‑health support and international student advisors. These resources can genuinely shape your experience if you use them early.
- Be intentional with the network you create
Talk to your tutors, join societies, attend events, and connect with people outside your course. These relationships often lead to collaborations, job opportunities, or simply a stronger sense of being part of society.
If I could tell my past self anything, it would be: be brave whenever opportunities appear.
As you go through your own education path, keep your purpose strong along the way. Whenever I reflect on the experiences I’ve had, I imagine that one day I’ll share these stories with someone younger to inspire them. But for now, I hope my blog inspired you.