March 2020 – Postgraduate study blog

We’ve been asking current postgraduate, Lixuan, some questions about settling in to postgraduate life at Bristol.

At our upcoming undergraduate to postgraduate live chat, you can talk to postgraduate ambassadors like Lixuan so that you make an informed decision about undertaking postgraduate study. If you already know you’re coming to Bristol, chatting to our ambassadors can help you be prepared to start your postgraduate journey when you arrive.

What has the difference from undergraduate study to postgraduate study been like for you?

Coming from a chemistry background in undergraduate study, the course content in MSc Biomedical Sciences Research is a completely different discipline. I find it challenging but interesting as this is where my interests lie. The main thing that sparked my interest are the depth and breadth of my lecturers’ knowledge. They always speak about the topic with so much enthusiasm that us students cannot help but get involved in as well. I was also unprepared with how much self-directed studying we have, although help is always available from our personal tutor and programme director.

I find that you have to take a lot of initiative to be able to make the best out of your master’s programme. You can apply for internships or attachments, get career advice, and join workshops to prepare yourself for the future; but if and only if you take the initiative to follow through. I have the chance to have an attachment in the field I’m interested in, thanks to a lot of hustling! From my point of view, the opportunities for personal and career growth are never lacking in UoB.

“You can apply for internships or attachments, get career advice, and join workshops to prepare yourself for the future; but if and only if you take the initiative to follow through.”

How did you find settling in to the city of Bristol?

I find the experience of being in Bristol novel and thrilling, as this is my first time being away from my home country for longer than 6 months. Bristol is a truly amazing place to explore your passions, especially if you appreciate art and music. Travel-wise, it is the best base to go to London, Bath, Salisbury and other nearby places of interest. Bristol airport also has cheap flights to many other countries which makes it easy to catch the travel bug. For me personally, Bristol is busy enough to be fascinating but not too hectic that I feel drained living here. The accommodation I’m currently living in is tip-top as well and a stone’s throw away from the city centre.

“Bristol is a truly amazing place to explore your passions, especially if you appreciate art and music. Travel-wise, it is the best base to go to London, Bath, Salisbury and other nearby places of interest.”

How did you find the first few months of postgraduate life?

The first few months in postgraduate study flew by so fast. We had classes, assignments and exams to study for. Socially, there are University activities every week and hang-outs with friends, so there’s never a quiet weekend. I wish I knew how much work we had to do and how to schedule my time effectively before starting the course. However, this is a skill I’m learning on my own as the course continues. I would have warned myself to layer up more in winter, as the cold chill is not fun most of the time!

What is the role of a PG ambassador? Why is it helpful to talk to an ambassador before you arrive?

A PG ambassador aims to use his/her own personal experience to provide a reference for prospective students. It would have been great to have a graduate from my current programme to talk to prior to coming to the University. An ambassador could provide unique insights in not only the academic aspect but the after hours student life: where is the cheapest place for lunch, the hidden nook in libraries, best pub for live jazz etc., which for me makes the student experience worthwhile.

All in all, studying in UoB is a challenge, which is expected from a top 50 university. Academically, this is one of the best universities to be in. Socially, you will most definitely find your crowd in and out of the University.

We asked Professor Moin Saleem what he thinks is so important about research and his tips for pursuing a research focused career.

Professor Moin Saleem, FRCP, PhD

Research is crucial for all aspects of medicine, in order to move our knowledge forwards and to apply that knowledge in a scientifically sound way to patients for their benefit. Without active research at all levels, no aspect of medical care can develop further.

It is also important for us as scientists and clinicians on a personal level, to be able to make a difference to patients and public, the scientific community, and importantly to satisfy our own curiosity!

“…it is an incredibly exciting time to be a researcher, with many, many opportunities available”

Biological advances and techniques are advancing at an incredible pace, from understanding of the genome, to cell and gene therapies, to artificial intelligence approaches, it is an incredibly exciting time to be a researcher, with many, many opportunities available, and advances being actively translated to patient therapies. In kidney disease for example, we are currently developing gene therapy programmes for the first time ever in the kidney, which will move to clinical trials within the next 2-3 years. This has stemmed from basic laboratory research in Bristol, and in particular the work of PhD students in the lab.

In order to develop a career in research it is therefore important first of all to get some direct experience and find out if you think you are suited to it, and whether you enjoy it. This involves both reading around the topics and hands on work with experienced researchers, so that you can take ownership of your own piece of work. This is exactly what a summer studentship will provide.

“…get some direct experience and find out if you think you are suited to it, and whether you enjoy it… This is exactly what a summer studentship will provide.”

To further develop a research career, it is important to be aware of the steps you would need to take. This means finding a suitable research project, and most importantly in my view, a good supervisor and research group where there is enough critical mass for you to be learning the key basics of scientific methods.

You need to identify relatively early on what type of research suits you, for example basic laboratory science, or epidemiology and statistics, or perhaps bioinformatics and big data projects. Then you will need to work towards developing a project suitable for a PhD, for which you will need to apply for your individual funding, with the support of your supervisor.

A PhD is a training period, where you will develop the skills and mindset needed to establish your own independent research career. It will foster independent thinking and working, and allow you to learn all the basic skills needed to continue on an academic path.

Bristol is a great place to be involved in research. It has some world leading research groups, with excellent overall pastoral care, and the ability to immerse yourself in all areas of science. It is also a great city to live in, with many graduates and young professionals to mingle with.

Month: March 2020

Settling in to postgraduate life