Read some of our students' testimonials and also have a look at our YouTube channel which includes interviews with current students.

• Jennifer Green (UK)
• Cai Rong (China)
• Heather McCulloch (UK)
• Ellie Chapman (UK)
• Elissa Southward (USA)
• Kaye Burling (New Zealand)
• Flaminia Mussio (Italy)

Jennifer Green (UK)

I had started my career working as a clinical practitioner within Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services in the NHS, however, after a few years had realised that this was not going to become a long-term career for me. I wanted to build a career that had had real room for career progression but where I was still going to be helping people.

My passion in life has always been health and fitness, and so I decided upon an MSc in Public Health to help me transition across to a new career path doing something that I loved. Additionally, I was sure my NHS experience and clinical background would be an advantage in public health. I chose Bristol and the MSc Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health because I thought it looked so interesting and seemed to be tailored exactly to what I wanted to learn about!

Returning to study felt very different as a mature student and I did feel that I faced additional challenges compared to my course mates that had recently finished their undergraduate study, but the support from the course staff was there to help me catch up.

Giving up a permanent contract and an established career to study full time and build a new career for myself was one of the biggest decisions that I have ever made, but a year later I am so glad that I did.

Where are they now?

I have now found full time employment for a Local Authority Public Health department as a Project Officer. I work alongside commissioners to research, design, implement and evaluate public health interventions across our area.

My clinical experience is an advantage, so I was glad that the work I had put into my previous career was not wasted, but the content of the course has been invaluable. If you want to build a career in public health, I cannot recommend this course highly enough.

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Cai Rong (China)

The totally different teaching style and humour of teachers deeply impressed me and the content of this programme particularly attracted me. I rapidly improved my academic reading, writing and analysis skills through this programme. All the staff in the centre are very nice and helpful. The city itself is absolutely gorgeous... not a huge city, but lovely and big enough to have a great student life.

Where are they now?

I now work in Shanghai IEC (International Education and Communication) Centre for Population and Family Planning, China and I give lectures in English in the community for pregnant women, newborn to three-year-old babies and menopausal and post-menopausal women. Nutrition and exercise tips are welcomed... it's so practical, and the Bristol ENHS lecture style will be my style to impress the audience.

I also help to edit reproductive health brochures and boards for all populations covered, adolescence, newlywed, pregnant woman and the elderly. I feel so grateful that my studies in ENHS gave me the chance to find this nice job.

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Heather McCulloch (UK)

Having been a Physiotherapist in the NHS for over 20 years I wished to expand my knowledge further and study at a higher level. Returning to the academic world, working part time and running a family home was challenging but I am now reaping the rewards.

Where are they now?

My MSc enabled me to secure a more senior post where I have the responsibility for facilitating a physical programme for adults with severe and enduring mental illness across a county. My dissertation formed the basis of a paper and inspired future research for which a funding bid was submitted to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

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Ellie Chapman (UK)

Throughout my first degree in Psychology, I knew I wanted to work in health promotion...so I decided to undertake the MSc. Whilst studying I also worked part-time as a physical activity leader for Alive 'N' Kicking, a childhood obesity programme, delivering physical activity and nutrition workshops to overweight Islamic children.

I really enjoyed my experience at the University of Bristol and found the MSc to be challenging yet manageable alongside my part-time jobs. I particularly enjoyed the freedom of being able to design my own piece of research during my dissertation and received an incredible amount of support from the lecturers during this process.

Where are they now?

I am now a Health Service Programme Manager at Mytime Active, helping people across the UK access healthy lifestyles through affordable community health services.

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Elissa Southward (USA)

I chose Bristol mainly for the programme, as I was interested in getting a PhD and doing work in public health, specifically with obesity. I found a home here in Bristol. The city is a great cross between the nightlife of London and the beauty of the UK countryside. Everyone can find something to love about Bristol.

The University itself is great, I felt extremely well supported by the staff. The programme was tough but not unmanageable. When it was completed I felt I had a great store of knowledge in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health.

Where are they now?

After my MSc in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health, I pursued a PhD in the Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences.

I am now a Healthy Communities Manager at Rails-To-Trails Conservancy, a non-profit organisation in Washington, D.C., whose mission is to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people.

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Kaye Burling (New Zealand)

Having worked within the food industry for 15 years, I wanted to change the direction of my career. The course had particular appeal because I could complete it without having to give up my full-time job. Although it was sometimes tough, the staff were incredibly understanding.

Where are they now?

I've recently accepted a position with the Heart Foundation in New Zealand working to develop supportive environments for healthy eating, which would never have been possible without the knowledge gained by completing this course.

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Flaminia Mussio (Italy)

After a degree in nutrition and year's experience working in the food industry, I decided I wanted to further my studies in the field on public health. I chose the MSc at the University of Bristol because of the uniqueness of the course, comprehensively covering both the nutrition and the physical activity aspects of public health.

Not only did I thoroughly enjoy the course, but importantly, it has given me a solid understanding of the link between research, policy and practice.

Where are they now?

This aspect in particular allowed me to secure my current role, working in the Nutrition and Health team of the Public Health Policy Support Unit, within the European Commission's DG Joint Research Centre.

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