Tag: master’s

A week in the life of a postgraduate student at Bristol

Posted on by Emily

Current postgraduate student, Meera, gives us an insight into the typical life of a postgraduate at Bristol.

 

 

I have classes from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. My programme – MSc Public Health – has opened my eyes to the vast potential and relevance of the subject and field. My professors come from a variety of schools within the University, ensuring what we learn is not guided by a linear perspective. The lectures are well-supplemented with practicals which give a well-rounded learning experience. Constant engagement with students coming from a range of academic, social and cultural backgrounds allows me to exchange knowledge, understand new ideas, build teamwork-related skills and practise cultural relativism.

It can be nerve-wracking to be in a new environment; however, my coursemates, other students and professors have always lent me a helping hand. The libraries felt comfortable and managed to incentivise study. I enjoy the vast collection of books and hope to find leisure-based reading when I find some extra time!

“Studies occupy a significant portion of my time, but I also undertake part-time work to learn new skills, engage with people and earn a little on the side!”

I work on assignments and revise taught coursework throughout the week to ensure I am on track. When in doubt, the professors are ready with solutions. Studies occupy a significant portion of my time, but I also undertake part-time work to learn new skills, engage with people and earn a little on the side! It feels encouraging to know I can contribute as a Postgraduate Student Ambassador, and I am able to learn and recognise my potential every day.

Having made some friends from my home country, I make it a point to meet with them once a week to balance the workload. Familiarity is comforting and reinstills motivation and confidence in me to get my work done. The course has helped me connect with individuals from various nationalities and cultures and recognise cultural similarities and differences.

“The course has helped me connect with individuals from various nationalities and cultures and recognise cultural similarities and differences.”

The Bristol International Student Centre has become my go-to place on days when cooking seems tiring and the BISC menu is delicious. I have managed to meet interesting people over their weekly Friday lunches, which makes University seem more fun. Bristol is a beautiful place to explore, and I purposefully make time to diversify my food palate, visit the famous tourist places and reconnect with nature!

The number of clubs and societies I had the opportunity to join was incredible. Considering my coursework, I managed to follow through with only three – the Indian society (which helped me remain rooted in my culture by being regularly involved in cultural festivals and other events), Bristol Sikh Society (whose weekly gurudwara/Sikh temple visits helped nourish in me a feeling of seva/working with compassion) and Krishna Consciousness Society (which helped me embrace the everlasting teachings of my holy scriptures). Bristol has truly proved to be a welcoming place for me and is lovable in all respects (excepting the cold weather)!

“Bristol has truly proved to be a welcoming place for me and is lovable in all respects (excepting the cold weather)!”

 

To hear more insights from current students like Meera, sign up for a virtual event and ask them your questions!

 

My favourite things about postgraduate study

Posted on by Emily

Current postgraduate student, Ffion, lists her five favourite things about studying her master’s at Bristol.

1. The programme

What I like most about my master’s programme (MA Law) is that it’s almost entirely seminar-led which leaves the sessions open to a lot of free discussion. As a group we talk about what we found most interesting or challenging in the reading and our tutors will point us in the right direction. This is not only a great way to learn but also keeps things interesting, as where the session goes is completely up to us.

“Our lecturers are open to our ideas and are very supportive and happy to listen if you have a different perspective on something.”

2. Independence

There’s an independence I’ve experienced at postgraduate study that isn’t matched at undergraduate, even within a taught course. Our lecturers are open to our ideas and are very supportive and happy to listen if you have a different perspective on something.

Overall, I’m enjoying postgraduate study more because I feel more independent from the University. While the staff and lecturers are there when you need them, studying at postgraduate level means you’ve made a choice to invest in your future, so the whole learning experience is really what you make of it.

“…studying at postgraduate level means you’ve made a choice to invest in your future, so the whole learning experience is really what you make of it.”

3. The people

For me, one of my favourite but least expected things that I’ve loved about postgraduate study is the people. I think making friends has been easier and more relaxed outside of the freshers-bubble that is often a source of pressure for people at undergraduate. I’ve really got to know people I’m working with very quickly. Although it may be something that people find daunting when starting postgraduate study – especially if you studied undergraduate elsewhere – it’s actually been a highlight.

I’ve also met people from vastly different backgrounds studying for very different reasons. People choose to study at postgraduate level for a number of reasons; some have already had jobs, others are fresh out of university or might have had a break for a year or two. The range of students and where people are in their lives makes meeting new people more interesting as you learn from each others’ experiences.

“I’ve really got to know people I’m working with very quickly. Although it may be something that people find daunting when starting postgraduate study – especially if you studied undergraduate elsewhere – it’s actually been a highlight.”

4. The city

Bristol is a city that I’ve always been excited by and wanted to move to. It’s a very progressive place with a lot of jobs in entrepreneurship, a growing technical industry, and (lucky for me) a large legal hub. One thing that I love about the city is their recycling scheme, it’s extremely efficient and you can recycle almost anything; what else would you expect from Britain’s greenest city, which also boasts top cycling numbers and smart city status in 2019?!

5. Beyond student life

What I’ve really enjoyed about moving to Bristol is that there’s a lot going on beyond the student hub, so it’s not just club nights and socials like in many university cities. The local community is very busy here. Whether it’s the Science Museum and Planetarium, Bristol’s first zero waste shop in Bedminster, or UPFEST (Europe’s largest street art festival); you’re able to take advantage of the city itself in addition to University events. As I’m hoping to live here after I graduate that’s been really valuable.

To get more insight from current postgraduate students, register for a virtual event and chat to students like Ffion!

 

My New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on by Emily

As we head into the New Year, many of us will be setting resolutions to make 2020 count. We’ve been talking to current student Harry, studying an MSc in Climate Change Science and Policy, about his resolutions and plans to make the most of his time left studying in Bristol.

 

 

Harry will be a guest at our postgraduate taught virtual event on 10 February. Register your place now for the chance to ask Harry your questions about postgraduate study.

I’m Harry, I’m studying an MSc in Climate Change Science and Policy and I’m having a great time at Bristol so far! Here are my five New Year’s Resolutions: 

1. Learn some new skills in the Magic Society 

Having been doing magic on and off for about five years now, this is the first time I’ve been around other magicians and I’ve loved it. So far, I’ve really enjoyed teaching some sleight of hand and card magic to newbie magicians and saw them doing the tricks I taught at our first show. But I want to try my hand at something different. A couple of the society members are really good at stage magic – bigger tricks with vanishes and changes – so I would love to learn from them how to do some routines that I could put towards a society stage show later in the year. 

“…next year I want to branch out more and use the libraries so I can work with friends and experience the aesthetic of the beautiful Wills Memorial Building” 

2. Use the libraries more

My lecturers are great at giving our reading material online, so lots of my work has been done at home, where I have my perfect desk set-up. But next year I want to branch out more and use the libraries so I can work with friends and experience the aesthetic of the beautiful Wills Memorial Building. The Wills also has all the dissertations from my course for the last few years so being able to go through them will be very useful for thinking about what to do for my own. 

3. Use the Careers Service

Now I’ve got my teeth into my degree and am comfortable with my workload I need to start thinking about the future. I’ve spoken to a few friends who have said the Careers Service have been a great help for them; thinking about what to apply for, how to write great applications, and even with just helping to get a good LinkedIn profile. I’ll also start checking the Careers Fair Plus app that the University uses to see if there are any events that I would like to go to. 

 “I’ve spoken to a few friends who have said the Careers Service have been a great help for them” 

4. Explore the city

Living quite close to campus in my accommodation has been great for getting into classes quickly, but I’m yet to have a wander around much, and judging from the view from Cabot Tower there’s plenty to see. The picturesque Clifton Village will definitely be on my to-do list. I would really like to go to the Bristol Zoo as well, the glass-floored gorilla house seems like a very strange yet fantastic experience.  

 “I’m yet to have a wander around much and judging from the view from Cabot Tower, there’s plenty to see” 

5. Get involved more with the University

I’ve had a great experience at the University so far, so I’m keen to help others experience it, too. That’s why I’m going to be doing this virtual event next term to talk about these great things and hope that others come to Bristol and experience them.  

Register your place on our postgraduate taught virtual event on 10 February to hear more from Harry and ask him your questions.

 

Why do a master’s?

Posted on by Tyesha

Perhaps for many people, studying abroad is to get a degree, however, for me, pursuing a master’s degree is the first step to achieve my ultimate dream of becoming a professor in Accounting and Finance. I believe that coming to University of Bristol is the best decision that I have ever made. 

“Soon, that curiosity turned into interest, and then into passion as my college years flew by. I fell in love with financial theories…”

In high school, I was originally a chemistry specialised student and had once yearned to become a doctor. I wanted to become a doctor not because it is my passion but because it is considered one of the most prestigious jobs in Vietnam. With such a career, I would be able to financially support my younger brother and my soon-to-be-retired parents, who were struggling to save up enough money for my college’s tuition. 

However, because my college entrance examination’s score was just half a point below the requirement for medical schools, my goal was shattered. Without much hope, I decided to apply for another major that I was curious about: accounting and finance. Soon, that curiosity turned into interest, and then into passion as my college years flew by. I fell in love with financial theories, with doing research with professors at school and with every moment I stood in front of students as a teaching assistant. I realised that this is the career path that I wanted. Becoming a professor in Accounting and Finance was what I needed to pursue. Therefore, I decided to go for graduate school to realise my dream, to continue to conduct research, to teach and inspire the next generations of students. 

“Here, I could also learn from many famous professors that I had long admired…”

I chose University of Bristol because it was a great place to start my journey and the master’s program in Accounting and Finance here is suitable for those who are passionate in doing research and pursuing a Doctoral degree in the future like me. In the first semester at University of Bristol, I was taught some of the most basic subjects in research, from understanding how many types of research or how to evaluate the quality of a research paper, to studying subjects related to statistics to be able to design a model before writing a full paper. Here, I could also learn from many famous professors that I had long admired such as Professor Chris Chapman, my Research Design and Qualitative Research Methods in Accounting and Finance teacher.  

Of course, the path to become a great researcher and professor is still very long. For now, I am proud that I dared to make every effort to walk slowly but steadily along the way to conquering that big dream. Graduate school is the first challenge and the first opportunity for me to turn that dream into reality. And of course, I believe I can do it. 

 Written by Lan, Accounting and Finance MSc

 

Why go to a Postgraduate open day at the University of Bristol? 

Posted on by Tyesha

Master’s student Lyndon shares his experience of a postgraduate open day

 

 

I feel it is important to attend an open day at the university of your choosing for postgraduate study.

Firstly, this is an important step in your academic career, are you ready for the exciting challenge that postgraduate study poses (whether your undergraduate studies have just finished or you are returning from a break in education)? 

Secondly, even if you know the university (I didn’t study at Bristol prior to enrolling on my MA) it is important to gauge the feel of the place, the campus, city, course or courses on offer to you and to have conversations with the staff that will teach or supervise your studies. 

“My own experience of the postgraduate open day at Bristol was positive… everyone was very friendly and keen to help”

There is considerable information available on university websites even down to unit details, staff biographies/research interests and also student reviews. Although they are a useful first step, I would argue that face-to-face discussions and visits give you a far better idea of what a place is like to study at and what you can expect from your time on a course. 

My own experience of the postgraduate open day at Bristol was positive, it was busier than I anticipated, however, there were plenty of volunteers on hand to guide and assist me to find the right people to talk to. More importantly, everyone was very friendly and keen to help, if they didn’t have the answer to a query, they would find the right person to ask and either give you the information or hand you over to that person. 

“…after talking to the course director and getting answers to my questions, I was able to decide the best route for my postgraduate degree”

Initially I was considering the MPhil route, as well as the taught MA, but after talking to the course director and getting answers to my questions, I was able to decide the best route for my postgraduate degree. I also needed to decide whether to study full or part time and what that looked like in terms of contact hours, timetabling and study load. I was able to ask questions about units that were likely to be available and what ideas were contained and discussed within the core (non–optional) unit. I chose a full time, taught course, as it suited my circumstances better. 

As well as this important, incredibly helpful and informative conversation, there are other benefits to visiting an open day, for example, I was also given guidance about what would be beneficial to include in my personal statement as I was unsure beforehand how to pitch this. 

Finally, I was able to get an idea of the geography of the university buildings, including the study facilities, refreshment areas and the libraries. Simply physically walking around the various parts of the campus and its environs, talking to current students and staff  gave me a flavour of what to expect should I choose postgraduate study at Bristol. 

Reader, despite all the hills, I am glad I chose Bristol for my postgraduate adventure! 

 

Written by Lyndon, History of Art MA

 

To find out more about postgraduate study attend our Open Day on 20 November

 

What it’s like to study for a master’s

Posted on by Tyesha

#WeareBristol #SPAIS, this is what l could see whenever l researched about International Development and the University of Bristol. Firstly my mentor and former professor Dr Gabriel Faimau is a SPAIS and Bristol alumni. When l spoke about taking up a postgraduate course he directed me to Bristol, because of their teaching style. In his words, ‘You will love Bristol!’ and twelve months later l am in Bristol and loving every second of my postgraduate study.

I have over seven years’ work experience in the development sector. I have worked with international organisations such as ActionAid International based in Uganda and UNHCR in Botswana. Despite having all this experience, l felt l needed and wanted to do postgraduate study and this is why…

“I firmly believe that postgraduate study opens your eyes to various world views and perspectives and affords you an opportunity to interact and learn from your peers.”

I’ve been successful in my career, with an undergraduate degree in Criminology, however, I realised passion alone was not enough for further progression and development. I went on to take a diploma in Development Leadership and that is when l realised l needed a postgraduate degree. It is then that before completing my diploma. l sent in an application to the University of Bristol for a Master’s degree in International Development. I firmly believe that postgraduate study opens your eyes to various world views and perspectives and affords you an opportunity to interact and learn from your peers.

My course is structured into two teaching blocks and this term l am taking three core modules. One of my favourite things about these modules is that they are all seminars. SPAIS is big on peer learning – we spend hours discussing various topics and understanding the practical linked to theory. Theories of development has since opened my eyes to the routes of development. I am in a better position to understand development work and ensure that future projects l implement are not only inclusive, but are sustainable as well. There are numerous networking opportunities available to postgraduate students, not just seminars, but also events run by the PG network.

Bristol has a great Postgraduate Open Day where prospective students can enquire more about their courses and find out more about possible career paths. If you are unsure about a course the open day will give you all the information you need to know and help you make your decisions.

If you are looking to study for postgraduate, look no further because Bristol should definitely be your home. #WeareBristol

Written by Mpho Elizabeth, International Development MSc

 

To find out more about postgraduate study attend our Open Day on 20 November

 

Why choose a master’s?

Posted on by Tyesha

You’re about to complete your undergraduate studies and I bet you’re asking yourself what you should do next. That question goes through almost every undergrad’s head, so don’t worry about it. Almost no one has life after graduation figured out, some go straight into a job, others take a year off to travel, and some go on to complete postgraduate studies. If you are considering going on to complete a master’s, you are most likely asking yourself, “Is it worth it?” It is and I’ll explain why below. 

First of all, completing a master’s wasn’t always part of my plan. I decided to pursue an MSc in Public Health after taking a public health class at the university where I studied for my undergraduate degree. After working for a personal injury law firm that dealt with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), it confirmed that I wanted to go on to study a master’s. I wanted to learn more about how local and national governments go about handling outbreaks, whether it is STDs or other diseases. I scoured the internet for ways to get more experience in this field and made up my mind that completing a master’s in Public Health was the way to go. As an international student, I am able to gain different perspectives on major public health topics and see firsthand a majorly different health system to the one back home. Additionally, I am able to meet and network with people from all over the world, which opens doors for my future endeavours.

Secondly, the University of Bristol is an amazing university, with an outstanding research reputation. The MSc in Public Health programme, although fairly new, gives you the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully work in the public health sector. What initially drew me to this course was its diverse course catalogue. The modules range from Health Economics to Environmental Health. Additionally, our lecturers are incredibly clever and have an abundance of experience in this field. They are also the most helpful and friendliest lecturers I’ve ever had. I’m used to having classes in auditoriums where the professors don’t even know you exist. In this MSc programme, I am actually able to interact with the lecturers and get my questions answered. It’s an incredibly inclusive environment which makes it easy to ask questions without feeling judged. So please do not think that completing a master’s means that you are going to be completely on your own.  

Lastly, although the dissertation part of completing a master’s programme might be a bit daunting, I promise it’s not as bad as you think. I did have to write a similar paper during my undergraduate studies, so I came into this programme with previous experience writing a long research paper. Don’t worry if you don’t have that experience though, because you’re able to choose your own topic to write about, which makes it easier and more enjoyable. Additionally, this is a way to choose your “speciality” in a way, since you’re able to go into your chosen topic at great depth and you spend a whole semester just analysing data from that field. Writing twenty or more pages doesn’t seem so bad when you’re writing about something you enjoy and are actually really interested in.  

In Summary, completing a master’s broadens your knowledge on a specific topic, let’s you meet people from all over the world, therefore teaching you various ways to view problems in your topic area, and opens all types of career doors. It has been a great experience and I would highly recommend looking into completing a master’s, especially at the University of Bristol. You definitely won’t regret it. 

Written by Gabriela, Public Health MSc

 

To find out more about postgraduate study attend our Open Day on 20 November