Iliana Moraitou
My undergraduate supervisor encouraged me to do a master’s degree back then, and now I can’t imagine anything better – it’s absolutely brilliant!
My studies
“Human-Centred Computing and Psychology” (M.Sc.) at the Faculty of Computer Science, University of Duisburg-Essen.
That’s what I did before I started university
A-levels
I do that alongside my studies
Research Assistant at the Chair of Business Psychology
Why did you choose ‘Human-Centred Computing and Psychology’?
The combination immediately caught my interest because both have a major impact on our lives. Although I had no prior knowledge of computer science, that wasn’t a problem – you learn everything from scratch. What’s more, the Master’s programme is much more practice-oriented than the Bachelor’s. We work on real-world projects, conduct research in teams and hardly have any traditional lectures or exams anymore. That makes the whole experience very dynamic and varied.
What were your biggest challenges?
To be honest? Basic programming techniques! The module was tough, but ultimately totally manageable. Many people are daunted by it, but if you get started early, it works out fine. I’ve learnt that you shouldn’t generally let a lack of knowledge put you off – you learn everything step by step. Otherwise, academic writing is a challenge. For that, I’d definitely recommend taking a relevant course – then that won’t be a problem either.
What helps you most with your studies?
Sessions with study partners via Zoom work really well. They’ve given me a lot of motivation and structure. What’s more, there’s very close contact with lecturers in projects and seminars. In large lectures, things are naturally a bit more distant, but even there you can always send an email and ask for help. Overall, I feel really well looked after.
(Picture: UDE/Fabian Strauch)
(Picture: UDE/Fabian Strauch)
(Picture: UDE/Fabian Strauch)
What does university life mean to you?
Coffee breaks between lectures! Chatting with other students in the cafés next door or on the lawn on campus – that’s just part of the university experience. There are also plenty of other activities on offer, like university sports or parties, but I’m more of a coffee drinker.
What are you looking forward to after completing your master’s degree?
I’d really like to do a PhD – ideally in business psychology. My undergraduate supervisor encouraged me to do a Master’s back then, and now I can’t imagine anything better – it’s incredibly enjoyable! The thought of one day being able to make a discovery, of being able to make a contribution, is what drives me!
(The interview was conducted by Janina Balzer in June 2025.)