A conversation at a De Montfort University (DMU) Leicester careers fair helped Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science student Rebecca Puntorieri land a placement at one of the biggest cosmetic brands in the country, No7 Beauty.
We caught up with Rebecca to explore how her short placement has boosted both her confidence and career prospects, as well as the Clearing process and Block teaching.
Hi Rebecca, would you mind introducing yourself and sharing a little bit about your background?
So, I’m in my second year of university and I’m originally from Calabria in the south of Italy.
My family moved to Brighton when I was 10 and I always thought I’d study medicine back in Italy. However, I realised that while I loved chemistry, I didn’t really like biology.
I was always fascinated by how everyday health and beauty products were made but I didn’t realise that there was a course that explored that until I discovered Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science.
And you came to DMU through Clearing. How did you find the process?
When I decided I didn’t want to study medicine, I looked at UK universities. Only two universities offered the course through Clearing, and I approached both.
I had so many options to speak to DMU. I spoke to the admissions team over WhatsApp or over the phone, and they made the process really simple for me, whereas the other university didn’t get back to me.
I preferred DMU’s modules too, so it was an easy decision for me.
How did you find out about the No7 Beauty placement opportunity?
Each year, HLS [the Health and Life Sciences faculty] hosts the PAVE [Plan Ahead, Value Employability] Conference, and employers come to the university to talk about career paths and placement opportunities.
I knew right away I wanted to speak to No7 and they mentioned their three-day placement opportunities. I emailed the representative I spoke to and explained why I’d be a good fit for them.
When they got back to me and said yes, I couldn’t believe it. I had to read the email twice because I had faced some rejections. I started on 31 March in Nottingham, commuting each day from Leicester.
What were you able to do on your placement?
We got to do lots of things. There were five of us from across the country and we worked together as a group to make SPF [Sun Protection Factor] products. I was able to see a homogeniser machine, which mixes two liquids together that don’t mix naturally, for the first time. I’d known of it through the course, but it was exciting to put theory into practice
We were also given a brief to brainstorm product ideas, considering target consumers and how the finished product would function, which was really fun. It was nice to see what people had come up with and learn from one another.
How did you find the experience and has it helped you understand what you want to do with your career?
It definitely helped me gain more insight into the industry. They showed us the labs they used and the different job roles within the company.
From my experience so far, I’d love to work for No7. That said I still have another year to go and I’m willing to explore opportunities to expand my knowledge further in both cosmetics and pharmaceutics.
Moving on to your time at DMU, how have you found the university experience?
It’s been a very good experience. I enjoy Block teaching; it’s something that I’m used to because my sixth-form college in Brighton operated in a similar way.
The modules are released at the start of the block and I can study through them at my own pace and learn more about the subject in lectures or seminars.
Not familiar with Block Teaching? Here’s a handy guide to explain how your teaching is organised at DMU.
What else have you been up to during your time at DMU?
I do some Taekwondo from time to time but it’s been a busy year for me.
There was a great opportunity for me through the Frontrunners scheme, where I worked 10 hours a week on my Fluorescent Sensors internship. It helped me gain a lot of experience and confidence over six months by working in a university lab synthesising fluorescent compounds and analysing their properties.
I was even able to contribute my findings to a research paper.
Thanks, Rebecca, for your time.
DMU Clearing is open. You don’t have to wait until Results Day to get in touch with us. If there’s a course you’re interested in, you can contact us through email, phone, or WhatsApp.
Posted on Monday 6 July 2026