Interview with Agatha Bingham

Interview with Agatha Bingham

OQ 2011 - 2018

how you want. I’m better at the mathematical side of Economics, so I chose econometrics courses. I also did a ‘synoptic’ course in my final year on whether the technological sector will continue to boom. I was able to take modules in marketing and entrepreneurship as well.

What do you think about your school experience now?

School seems very long ago but I feel like it changed me as a person. I grew up a lot and I felt I was gradually becoming an adult in sixth form and knew what to expect at university. Queen is a close knit school so if you had issues there was lots of help. I’m still in touch with people from Queen’s.

WRITTEN BY JOSIE BAKER

Aggie was one of the first students

I met when I arrived at Queen’s to teach Economics in 2017. I was thrilled to hear in June 2022 that she had received first class honours for her Economics degree.

What was your initial experience of university like? Was it affected much by Covid?

I arrived at Oxford Brookes a year and a half before Covid. It was interesting living away from home but intimidating to begin with. I didn’t get Halls so I had to rent a house, which was a learning curve. I can cook now. It’s taken four years! Once Covid arrived, I had to study from home.

My third year was a ‘sandwich year in industry’. My job was pharmaceutical analysis, which involved inputting future revenue figures for big pharma companies. My boss assigned me a budget and I got to choose three stocks to buy or sell, and he gave us our profit at the end. We had to write daily updates of clinical trials and write quarterly advice for clients worldwide on whether they should buy, sell, or retain stocks.

What was the course like and how did it compare to A-level?

In the first year you’re assigned modules and you have to stick with them, but after that you can make the course

“School seems very long ago but I feel like it changed me as a person”

What advice would you give current students about university?

Follow your heart, as cheesy as that sounds! Explore the course and make sure it’s suitable for your needs. When you get to university, they want you to do well, so speak to them if you’re struggling. I’ve had friends who’ve needed that help and they got it. They look out for you at Oxford Brookes.

What do you think you’ll do next?

I’m going travelling in Asia; I’ve already explored Europe. Then I’ll apply for jobs. There’s a few things on my radar job wise, such as the civil and corporate investigation sector. I’m seeing where my future takes me at this moment.

Queen’s students attend a wide range of universities: 77% Russell Group (of which, 8% Oxbridge), 13% other UK universities, 5% American universities, 5% The Arts.

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