Mathew Owers

Your Journey at University Centre Leeds

What was your overall experience like during your studies?

I had a great experience at university studying Game Development, with the freedom to focus on a specific area or job role (VFX Artist), really motivated me and made it exciting to learn. Being away from home gave me the space to concentrate and fully express myself. I spent most of my time not only working on university modules but also developing new skills online to support and enhance my work. I'm proud that all the effort paid off, resulting in a first-class honours degree.

Were there any specific modules, projects, or experiences that particularly stood out or shaped you?

One personal experience which shaped me, was my time at university which played a big role to who I am today. I was nearly three hours from home, living in a city for the first time, surrounded by people I’d never met—in both my flat and my course. It was a completely new environment. But through that experience, I gained a lot of confidence and learned just to be myself. University pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to take on things I never thought I’d have the courage to do. 

A more academic experience that stood out was a module that involved creating a piece for my portfolio. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve always enjoyed learning — I’ve completed numerous online courses and constantly look for ways to update and improve my portfolio. So, being given a module that aligned with what I already love doing in my spare time gave me the perfect opportunity to showcase my full potential. 

Secondly, I found my dissertation to be a real challenge — not just in terms of testing my skills, but also in managing the workload it required. While I genuinely enjoyed the process of planning, testing, and producing the final piece, I felt confident about the practical side. However, it had been a while since I’d written an essay of that length, which made me nervous about the final grade, especially since I was aiming for first-class honours and was very close to achieving it. 

What support, if any, did you receive from University Centre Leeds that was particularly helpful?

I found the support from the tutors extremely helpful. Before starting my top-up year at university. I had completed an HND course, where the grading and overall approach to work were quite different from the university style. I remember struggling a bit with my first module, but after one of the early lessons, my main tutor took the time to talk me through everything. That conversation really helped me gain a clearer understanding and set me up for the rest of the course.

What advice would you give to your younger self, just starting out at University Centre Leeds?

The advice I'd give my younger self is to never doubt my abilities. Throughout school, I was never in the top sets and often felt like I wasn't good enough. I was even denied a place in Sixth Form and had to start with a Level 2 college course, while many of my friends moved straight into Sixth Form or Level 3 courses. That experience made me second-guess myself a lot - I was hesitant to speak up in class, worried I'd say the wrong thing or be laughed at. Looking back now, with the academic skills and confidence. I've gained, I rarely doubt myself. And even when I do, I see it as an opportunity to learn.

Post-Graduation Path and Achievements

What was your immediate path after leaving University Centre Leeds?

After university, I launched a small business. I began freelance 3D artwork- more specifically visual effects (VFX). I continue to do it as a part-time side hustle. Over the past size months alone, I've earned over £500 from this work, balancing it alongside my other commitments.

Could you describe your current role or what your are currently doing?

More recently, I decided to enrol in an online course called VFX Apprentice. While applying for jobs, I received valuable feedback on my portfolio and realised it wasn't quite at the level it needed to be. I considered doing a Master's degree, but financially, it wasn't a realistic option right after graduating. This course felt like more practical and affordable alternative, and it's closely aligned with the kind of work I want to pursue professionally.

What have been some of your proudest achievements or milestones since graduating?

As mentioned earlier, my proudest achievement is earning a first-class honours degree. I started university with the goal of achieving a 2:1, so surpassing that and graduating with a first was a personal milestone. Back in college, I was proud to earn one distinction, but academically, I had never reached this level of achievement before - making it more meaningful.

A personal and professional achievement I'm especially proud of is the progress I've made over the past two years. Before university, my VFX skills were quite basic, and i didn't have much of a portfolio. Through the support and training I received at university, along with what I've learned from the VFX Apprentice online course, I've developed significantly. When I look at my portfolio and CV now, I feel genuinely proud of how far I've come.

How do you feel your education at University Centre Leeds prepared you for your career or your current path?

I feel like university really helped prepare me for working in the games industry. I was encouraged to shape my projects around the kind of job roles I was aiming for, which gave me a better understanding of how the industry works. Compared to my HND, where I had to stick closely to specific guidelines, university gave me a lot more freedom to choose what I wanted to work on. That flexibility helped me learn more and focus on the areas I'm most passionate about.

Have there been any unexpected turns or significant learning experiences in your journey since graduating?

One unexpected part of my journey was not having a job lined up after graduation. I know it's common for graduates to take some time before landing a role, but I had really hoped that with my qualification and portfolio, I might have something secured. That said, I've used this time as an opportunity to keep learning, build new skills and improve my portfolio even further. So when I start applying again, I'll be even more prepared and confident in what I have to offer.

What are your future aspirations or goals?

My future goal is to land a job as a VFX Artist at a mobile games company. This has been my dream job since college.

Inspirational Message & Impact

What message or piece of advice would you most want to share with the current and prospective University Centre Leeds students to inspire them?

A piece of advice I would share to future students to inspire them, is while you're at University make sure you obviously enjoy your time by having fun but the main thing is to focus on your studies as in the end the feeling and reward you get is worth it. This not only being the grade you received but your skill sets as well-being your portfolio, CV or just overall skills you've achieved by working hard.

What do you believe is the most important quality or mindset for students to cultivate to succeed, both during their studies and beyond?

I believe the most important mindset to have is to focus on something you're genuinely passionate about within your course and give it your all. During your time at university, if you put in 100% effort - even if things don't turn out exactly as planned - you'll know you gave it everything. In my experience, when someone truly commit

Why do you think it's important for alumni to share their stories with current students?

I think it's really valuable for alumni to share their experiences so future students know they're not alone. It's reassuring to hear from someone who's already been through what you're about to face, and it can be a great source of motivation - showing students that success is possible and they can achieve their goals too.

Can you provide a short, impactful quote that encapsulates your journey or your key message for students?

"A lazy person thinks they're working too hard, whereas a hard working person thinks they're not working hard enough"