Tanya Rohatgi is a doctor specialising in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She recently moved back to India to practice as a full-time reproductive medicine and IVF consultant, but two years ago decided to enrich her specialist training while working in UK by enlisting as a part-time student on the MSc in Reproduction and Development at the University of Bristol.

“Finding the programme in Bristol was very exciting for me,” explains Tanya. “The programme specialises in human reproduction, offering a wide range of fascinating clinical and practical lab-based topics. I felt it would improve my knowledge and ability, not only as a clinician, but as a researcher as well.”

This MSc is a distance-learning programme with a number of Bristol-based residential study periods throughout the course.

“The fact that this programme is delivered mainly on a distance-learning basis meant that I was able to continue my full-time role as a doctor back home in India, where working full time generally means working seven days a week! I’ve also got two young children.

Although it was hard work, I was able to balance my work and home life, and make time for studying,” she said. “However, I can’t say it was easy; you do need to be completely committed to succeed!”

As a part-time student, Tanya started the MSc with a two-week residential workshop in Bristol, comprising lectures, practical sessions and seminars. Coming together for the first time, students were able to contribute a wide range of experiences from different countries and contexts, leading to very rich discussions.

 “An important part of the course was the diversity of the students; clinicians and scientists from many different places, including Africa, the Middle East, India and the UK. We learned a lot just from our conversations with each other, and particularly those that explored the different experiences of practice and research,” said Tanya.

The programme is delivered through an innovative blended learning approach, combining periods of on-site face-to-face teaching and periods of distance-learning home study with round-the-clock access to a comprehensive e-learning environment and a very active discussion board via the Internet.

This includes all lectures, including transcripts and audiovisual material, which can be used time and time again. The teaching material also includes practical demonstrations and practice papers.

The course provides an appropriate mix of theory and practice, enhanced during the study periods by practical lab work. The teaching and administrative staff also provide a significant amount of support for each student.

“The teachers worked hard to help us to achieve our full potential, providing comments on draft essays and helping us with the structure and language, which was important for students for whom English was not their first language. We also had a pastoral tutor to help us deal with any problems we were having.”

In addition to taught modules, the students also had to submit a dissertation. Tanya focused on a novel lab-based study of endometriosis relating to microRNAs. She is hoping to publish the literature review from this as an academic paper. It might not come as a surprise to many to learn that Tanya received a distinction for her Masters!

“My journey on this programme has been a positive one” she said. “It’s up to each individual how much they get out of the MSc but I am hoping that my career will develop further as a result.”

“Professionally, I have learnt all aspects of the subject, not just the clinical side, and my understanding of scientific research is much better. Personally I feel enriched by the experience, more confident in my ability to take on new experiences, such as writing papers, but also more confident as a practitioner. I know that I will be very well regarded not only in India but the world over!”