Francesca Iorio - BSc (Hons) Economics
Where are you from and what course did you choose to study?
My name is Francesca Iorio, and I am an international student from Italy. I have recently graduated in Economics with Finance from LSBU with 1st Class Honours. I moved to London in 2019 from Italy after completing my final year in high school. I've always been interested in London, particularly in its multicultural aspects, and I wanted to try living here to see what this city could offer me. During my gap year in London, I started looking at various universities and economics courses, since I've always had an interest in this subject, and London boosted this curiosity.
Why Economics at London South Bank University?
I chose to study Economics with Finance because I’ve always been interested in how economies operate and how financial systems influence economic outcomes. It’s a great combination for anyone looking to understand how financial markets, institutions and economic policies shape the world we live in. I chose London South Bank University because of its strong emphasis on employability and real-world experience. The university focuses not just on academic learning, but also on preparing students for the workplace.
How did your placement at LSBU contribute to your career development?
LSBU prepared me extremely well for my career by offering a course that was both academically challenging and focused on employability. The university provided access to careers workshops, networking events, and maintained strong links with employers, ensuring that learning extended beyond the classroom and into professional development.
During my time at LSBU, I completed a placement within the NHS, which gave me the opportunity to apply my financial and economic knowledge in a real working environment. LSBU actively promotes placement and internship opportunities and offers strong support throughout the entire process from application to completion.
Through this placement, I developed key skills including communication, time management, prioritisation, analytical thinking, as well as responsibility and budgetary control. After my placement ended, I was offered an interview for a more senior role within the NHS. I successfully secured the position and worked in that role during my final year at university. Following that, another opportunity came up and, after completing the recruitment process, I was offered the role. I am now working as a Finance Manager for the NHS.
What Was the Highlight of Your LSBU Experience?
The best thing about my experience at LSBU was meeting the valuable people I have shared my journey with, but also the lecturers and seminar tutors who provided me with the support I needed. During my second year at University, I learned about different placement opportunities in Finance. I applied for a placement opportunity with the NHS, and I was able to get a role in one of the Trusts. During the process, I had great support from the LSBU placement team regarding building my CV and practising for the interview.
What advice would you give to people thinking about studying at LSBU?
The advice I would give to people thinking of studying at LSBU would be to make use of all the resources available and take part in the events organised by LSBU. This will allow them to enrich their academic journey and make new connections. The academic support at LSBU has been outstanding. The lecturers are approachable, helpful, and genuinely want students to succeed. My advice would be to make the most of all the opportunities available. The course is well-structured and engaging, but it’s important to be proactive.