Preston Van Der Vos
Meet Preston! He moved from the USA to study Information Security MSc. Passionate about cryptocurrencies and blockchain, find out which companies he's been able to connect with since joining UCL.
Tell us a bit about you
I completed my undergraduate degree in the US, studying Business and Computer Science. After that, I worked as a trader at a bank before transitioning into my true passion of crypto. I did various data roles at three crypto companies prior to starting the Information Security MSc at UCL.
What attracted you to the Information Security MSc at UCL?
When looking for a university, I was drawn to the depth of blockchain activity at UCL. I chose it over programs in Hong Kong and Singapore because the blockchain ecosystem here is stronger, and the department’s research aligns closely with my interests.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your course so far?
Doing the MSc has opened up a wealth of opportunities. Being in an academic setting has allowed me to hear from incredible speakers, participate in industry challenges, and develop my skills. It’s even more rewarding to experience all of this alongside peers who are just as curious and driven.
What’s been your favourite module?
Privacy Enhancing Technologies. The module explores how to improve privacy across different domains like communication, analytics, and computation. It’s taught by a professor who developed the Tor browser - how cool is that?!
What are some of the opportunities you’ve had at UCL Computer Science that you weren’t expecting?
Various crypto companies run early developer experiences that cater to students. Through those, along with hackathons and other industry events, I’ve connected with Sui, Base, Avalanche, Polkadot, and others. These connections will be helpful as I transition after completing the MSc.
How did you find moving to London as an international student?
Moving to London as an international student has been a blast - there’s no shortage of pools and climbing gyms to keep my hobbies going strong. Weekend hikes are just a train ride away, which is perfect when I need a break from the city. And the food scene here is incredible. There’s amazing cuisine from all over the world on every corner.
Is the teaching style different from the US?
At UCL, only a few assignments count toward your final grade. That’s quite different from the US, where classes often have weekly assignments. It shifts the responsibility onto the student to ensure they are keeping up with the material.
Has UCL Computer Science been helpful in terms of professional development?
The programme has strengthened my professional development by introducing me to academic research. I’ve gained useful experience reading papers, analysing methodologies, and thinking critically about complex problems. This foundation will help me bring a more informed perspective to my future work.
What are you planning to do when you graduate?
That’s still to be determined, but one thing’s for sure - I’ll be staying in crypto. I’ve really enjoyed the exposure to academic crypto and may pursue that further or return to industry. If I do go back into industry, I’d like to work on research or development at the protocol level.
The information on this page reflects the alumnus' status at the time of publication (May 2025).
