Fulya Altintas - BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance (with Placement) (FT)
I was born and raised in Cyprus until the age of 12, when I moved to London and completed my secondary education. Coming from a strong background in maths, I naturally gravitated towards Accounting and Finance, it just made sense. I wanted to explore it further, and once I began studying, I quickly fell in love with the subject. It opened up a whole new way of thinking about money, business, and decision-making.
I chose to study at London South Bank University (LSBU) because it offered a strong Accounting and Finance course with practical learning at its core. I also appreciated its central location and diverse student community; it felt like the right place for me to grow both academically and personally.
One of the most defining experiences during my time at LSBU has been my placement year with the City of London Police. Initially, policing was nowhere on my radar. But when the opportunity to take a placement as a Financial Intelligence Officer came up, I thought, why not give it a go? That decision changed everything. I found myself working on complex, multimillion-pound money laundering investigations, and I loved it. I developed skills in analytical thinking, attention to detail, and real-world application of financial principles in ways I never imagined.
LSBU has played a huge part in preparing me for this journey. The course gave me a solid foundation in financial knowledge, but more importantly, the university encouraged me to take opportunities outside the classroom. That push to try new things, like the placement, is what truly set me on the path I’m on today.
To anyone considering a career in Accounting and Finance: keep an open mind. The field is vast and full of opportunities beyond the typical routes you might expect. Your skills are transferable across so many industries, including areas you might not even be aware of yet, like policing.
My favourite memory of LSBU so far has to be the sense of community. Whether it’s working on group projects, late-night study sessions, or just hanging out with coursemates between lectures, those connections have made my time here truly special.
Now, I’m looking forward to graduating soon and continuing my journey in financial intelligence. I plan to build on my experience at the City of London Police and pursue a long-term career in financial crime investigation, where I can use my academic background to make a real impact.