Matthew has always been fascinated by games and their connected communities. After challenges that shifted the course of his studies, he found himself ready to rethink his path. When the opportunity to return to education came, he chose to follow his long‑standing passion for game design.
Why did you choose to study your course – what or who inspired you?
I have always been fascinated by games and their connected communities. However, growing up, I was constantly told and believed that a career in gaming was unsustainable, so I chose to pursue engineering instead. After several years studying engineering and robotics, I ended up leaving my first university without a degree and with little remaining student finance.
Sometime later, my grandfather sadly passed away, causing me to re-evaluate my life. This event pushed me to work harder and when I finally got another chance to return to education, I decided to choose something that I was passionate about: game design.
Why did you decide to join the University of Cumbria?
Before coming to the University of Cumbria, I was still uncertain of what course I wanted to take and still didn’t have enough student finance to complete the course. Despite this, when arriving at the open day, I became immediately engaged and even met some of my future classmates. After that I had made up my mind that this was the university I wanted to go to.
How has your experience at the University of Cumbria differed from what you expected?
During my first month at the university, I felt like a completely new person. I was confident, optimistic and excited. Of course, things got harder, but I truly enjoyed what I was doing. What I wasn’t expecting was how my time here would improve the other aspects of my life. I became far more independent, organised and my physical health improved substantially.
How would you describe your experience on the course?
I may have decided to specialise in 3D modelling, but I learned many other skills as well. I have learned a lot about the gaming industry, the process of making a game, and even the psychology of people buying and playing games.
I wrote my dissertation on how the game Dungeons & Dragons could be potentially used in a therapeutic setting. This endeavour pushed me to research the psychological aspects of gameplay, which absolutely fascinated me.
One module I remember fondly was when I was given a concept art position within the group. At the time, I still wasn’t confident in my drawing skills and wanted to improve, so this opportunity proved a useful exercise that challenged me. The module ended up being really fun; despite the time constraints, I found myself becoming more relaxed and enjoyed myself.
What has been your highlight at university so far?
There have been several moments I am proud of, most of which involve showcasing or sharing my work with others. After all the work I put into them, being able to share my results with others has been a fantastic experience. However, my highlight would have to be the graduation. I was finally able to look back at the accumulation of my efforts and be genuinely proud of myself.
How would you describe the University of Cumbria?
The University of Cumbria is filled with creative, ambitious students and memorable tutors. Most people I have had the privilege of meeting there have been kind and helpful. I have collaborated with students from other courses and received assistance from various technicians. This has enabled me to achieve a lot more than I ever could on my own. For this reason, I would describe the university as encouraging. I never felt dissuaded from coming to my tutors with my ideas and they have always offered me the advice and direction so that I can do the best I can.
What is your favourite thing about living in Carlisle?
My living situation changed each year I was at the university. Luckily, in my final year, I was able to live near the campus with a house share. This gave me the freedom to visit the campus whenever I needed, which helped with my studies.
The campus itself felt comfortable to me, I really enjoyed coming in on quiet days to work on my projects. Although it could be stressful with deadlines hanging over my head, I felt relaxed, able to work in peace. The receptionists and catering staff were always really kind, and my tutors were always eager to help when I struggled.
What support services have you found helpful, whether for academic, mental health, career guidance or any other support received?
I found the library staff to be very supportive and informative. While working on my dissertation, I sought guidance from several individuals, including those in the library. Their feedback was highly insightful and provided some much-needed direction for my research. This gave me ideas for new avenues to explore and allowed me to focus on what needed improvement.
What advice would you give to your first-week self or to students thinking about joining the university?
Your goal is not to pass; it is to do the best you possibly can. You should aim higher than you think you can achieve but not be discouraged or disappointed at falling short. As long as you are persistent, you will improve, and that ability to get better is far more important over time than where you started. Ask for help, admit what you don’t understand and ignore anything or anyone that makes you feel ashamed of it. You are here to learn, and you are doing yourself a disservice by letting opportunities pass by.
What are your plans after graduation, and how is the University of Cumbria helping you achieve those goals?
I have successfully secured a residency at the university and look forward to continuing to learn about 3D modelling. With the university’s help and resources, I will continue to practice and build up my experience while preparing for a job in the industry. My goal is to use the projects I work on to improve my portfolio and truly demonstrate my capabilities. This should also give me the ability to revisit or expand on ideas that I wasn’t able to explore before.
I am excited for what the future holds, but I will not soon forget all the people who helped me over the last few years. My time at the university has been an unforgettable experience that I will keep with me moving forward.
Learn more about our Creative & Media Arts courses at the University of Cumbria.