Why did you choose Bristol for your undergraduate degree?

I am an international student and after graduating high school I wanted to experience studying abroad. The University of Bristol seemed very appealing to me, not only because it is part of the Russel Group, but because of how the Biomedical Sciences BSc course is structured. Although I knew that I wanted to learn about health sciences I was very lost in terms of what specifically it was that I wanted to study. This program allowed me to study modules from three different schools during the first year, after which I could choose from a range of different units depending on what I enjoyed the most. The city of Bristol itself is also great. There are a lot of green spaces around the university and there is a big student community, so there is always something to do.    

How would you sum up your experience?

Studying Biomedical Sciences at the University of Bristol was amazing! Although it was challenging at times, it has allowed me to grow as a scientist, as I have adopted many valuable skills and have learned about the areas of health and disease that interest me the most. I have met people and lived experiences that I will never forget. 

What were the staff like?

All the staff were really nice and passionate about their work, which was very inspiring. Lecturers would do workshops regularly and discussion sessions before the exams to allow us to ask questions. They were also very approachable, you could email them whenever throughout the course if you were unsure of something or needed their advice. I also got really lucky with my personal tutor as I could ask her about anything at any time and she would always get back to me as soon as possible. She was also extremely supportive and always gave me good advice. 

How did your degree influence what you went on to do next?

Even though the pandemic hit pretty much at the start of my undergraduate degree, I still had the opportunity to spend quite a lot of time in the lab during practical sessions and as part of my final year project. This inspired me to continue pursuing a career in research, so I decided to apply for a Masters by Research, still at Bristol, in the school of CMM, which is what I am currently doing. I think this is the perfect way to explore whether you want to stay in academia or pursue a career elsewhere because, although you are still a student you really get a feel for what it is like to work in a lab group. 

What advice would you offer for students contemplating a place at Bristol?

I would definitely recommend applying for anyone who is contemplating it. Bristol is a really vibrant city with a lot of students, there are always things to do and you will meet a lot of friendly people with common interests to you. If you are still a bit unsure of what you want to study but still want to pursue a career in science the degree of Biomedical Sciences is a really good option because it allows you to learn about the different areas in the field of health sciences and encourages you to focus on what you are interested in the most as you progress through the degree.