We are talking to Bàrbara Serra, a student on the UPF Open Degree, a pioneering initiative in the state university system which allows students to access the University without having previously chosen a specific degree. She was one of twenty-two students to have got a place this year and she tells us about feelings after completing the year. She has sat on the Monitoring Committee of the new degree as class delegate.

- What led you to choose the UPF Open Degree?

 I was very undecided, I was interested in more than one degree and did not know which one to go for. So when I discovered the Open Degree programme I did not hesitate to put it down as my first choice. I really liked the idea of ​​having the opportunity to make the choice after seeing, from the inside, what degree best fitted my interests.

- What disciplines have you touched on this year? 

I have touched mainly on subjects of the bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Administration and the bachelor’s degree in Political and Administration Sciences. What I would stress about the former is that you notice there is a really high level and you leave the University really well prepared to enter the labour market. While from the latter I would highlight that it deals with highly cross-cutting areas of knowledge that are highly relevant in the world today.

- Do you now know what you want to end up studying? 

Although I have already opted for one of the two degrees, I have chosen to extend the UPF Open Degree programme for a further term. Like that I will make sure that the degree I have chosen is one I really want to do, without forgoing the opportunity to change my mind and sign up for the other degree if I think it’s the right thing to do in the end.

- What new elements has the UPF Open Degree contributed to choosing the degree you will do?

It has given me the tools to make the decision far more reassuredly because I have actually seen what each degree consists of, what aspects are dealt with and what areas I am better at. In short, it has allowed me to see what degree is best suited to my expectations.

It allows you to see first-hand how your interests fit in, if the idea you had of the different degrees really fits with reality 

- After completing the first year, how would you value this pioneering experience?

I would give it a very positive assessment and truly believe it is a worthwhile opportunity that is open to an increasing number of students. Not just with a view to choosing which degree to take, but also to have the opportunity to adapt the academic curriculum to personal interests. What I mean is you can get a customized curriculum that is more cross-cutting and suited to the motivations of each individual.

- Would you recommend future students to choose this option?

Yes, I think that is an opportunity that can be very interesting for all those people who are interested in more than one degree, despite being in very different fields. It allows you to see first-hand how your interests fit in, if the idea you had of the different degrees really fits with reality. In short, to have more information available before choosing what to opt for definitively.

- You have participated as a student on the UPF Open Degree Monitoring Committee; what have you gained from this experience?

I think this committee has enabled students on the programme to contribute our personal vision of the main difficulties and problems we have encountered, and also the strengths of the programme, so that they can be taken into account for prospective students and improve the Open Degree programme.