The university provides so many opportunities to learn and develop your skills

Why did you decide to do a postgraduate degree?

I did my undergraduate in law and found that my interests were increasingly inclined towards international relations and politics. I joined a think tank where I worked for three years in domestic politics and policy analysis. There, I found a niche where I could utilise my legal background and bring it to policy making, analysis and advocacy. 

The logical next step forwards was to do a masters degree in politics, governance and policy. I looked at a few different universities but the modules that Sheffield offered suited my interests the best. 

Tell us about your experience of the course? Did you enjoy it?

The course was very different from what I expected. I did my undergraduate degree in India where the teaching sessions are quite intense, with 50-60 students in one class. Most of the course is taught through lectures. However, the masters degree at Sheffield was a lot more interactive.

The professors and academics were very open and accessible which I found extremely helpful throughout my learning journey. I found Sheffield a warm and friendly environment and every session was really informative.

Were there any modules you particularly enjoyed?

I really enjoyed learning about policy in the real world. I was in Michael Jacob’s class and he is a fantastic teacher. The way he delivers the course content through lectures and seminars was varied and interesting. I was thrilled to find out he had a podcast to help deliver the course material. As someone who listens to a lot of podcasts, this really helped me.

Michael also ran extra seminars specific for international students. These became a great place for me to interact with other students, share our experiences and learn what others discussed in their own seminar groups.

How did you find the dissertation?

I did my dissertation on how ethnic nationalism in multi-ethnic societies lead to conflict. Throughout the year I built a really strong rapport with my supervisor. He was very supportive and pushed me to do my best. We had regular meetings and he was easy to contact through email so I felt supported through every step. 

The guidance definitely paid off as I got a distinction for my dissertation!

What challenges did you face coming to study in the UK?

As an international student coming from Nepal, I struggled to find my way initially. I didn’t know anyone and I needed to find a house and a job. Everything felt difficult because it was a completely new place and I didn’t know how things worked around the city.

However, I managed to navigate my way through everything and I was able to secure a job after two months. 

How did you manage working part-time while studying for your degree?

I worked around 18 hours a week while studying for my postgraduate degree. I secured a job in retail which was very flexible around my study commitments. My rota was designed around my university schedule and took into account the work limitations put on international students.

It wasn’t always easy managing the balance, particularly while I was working on the dissertation. However, I was able to take a full month off work right before my dissertation started so I could focus my time and attention purely on my research topic.

Do you think your degree has helped you with your career plans?

The university provides so many opportunities to learn and develop your skills. I signed up for leadership training and I used the 301 study skills service to learn more about quantitative research skills. This was really helpful as these skills are vital if you want to go into research or think tanks.

I also enrolled in the Migration Summer School, held in Greece this year. I met people from all over the world who were studying across different universities and subjects. The programme lasted for eight days and focused on global displacement, human rights and unequal development. Not only did we attend lectures and workshops but we were able to hear from people working in public authorities and from those with lived experiences of migration.   

At the moment, I would like to go on to study for a PhD. Academia was never the plan for me but after finishing my masters and learning a lot more about research, I’d like to continue on that path. 

What advice would you give people starting the MA in Politics, Governance and Public Policy?

Do not keep to yourself. Talk to your teachers. They can and will help you out with any problems during your studies and are always happy to do so. Also, check your emails. There are so many opportunities available to us but many people miss them because they don’t check their emails. As a masters degree is only one year, it’s important to make the most of it, step out of your comfort zone and get involved.