Our Postgraduate Student Experience

Ashwini Balagopal

Having graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2011, I am now enrolled on the MSc Child & Adolescent Mental Health course at UCL (University College London). Being the only international student to enter the second year of Psychology at Sheffield (as part of the 1+2 scheme with HELP University College in Malaysia) was rather daunting at first, as the syllabus differed greatly from my first year at my former university and I found some of the core modules challenging. I had to quickly catch up with the other students and adjust to my new life at the same time. However, the help and support I received from my tutors, especially Dr.Paul Norman, and lecturers made the transition easier. My dissertation supervisor, Dr Jane Herbert, whose forte lies in Developmental Psychology told me where I needed to improve and gave a lot of good advice and ideas. My interest in Child Psychology grew during the time I spent with her on my dissertation.

Sheffield became my home away from home. It is a safe, clean and laid back city with lovely little cafes and beautiful parks, topped with a fantastic library (the Information Commons) which is open 24 hours a day. The best part of being in Sheffield is the friends I have made from different countries who are like family to me now. Travelling soon became my favourite hobby, and I was lucky enough to explore some amazing countries, such as Italy and Spain, with my close friends.

I also joined a few societies, my favourite being the UOS Gospel Choir and had the oppurtunity to do a lot of volunteering work; oppurtunities I normally would not have had back in my country, such as working with dementia patients.

Any prospective student who intends to pursue a career in Psychology would be at a great advantage by the reputation of this university as well as the support offered to its students, past and present. The two years I spent in Sheffield have given me more than I can imagine and I will always treasure my time here. It was definitely the two best years of my life, so far.

Hwan Cui Koh

I studied Psychology as an undergraduate at the University of Sheffield from 2003 to 2006, and went on to do a Ph.D. investigating Visual Perception in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders from 2006 to 2009. I have returned to my home country - Singapore and am working as a Psychologist in a Developmental Disorders Clinic. Sheffield is a safe and friendly city to live in. Having spent six years there, Sheffield is like a second home to me.

Sheffield University opened many doors for me. I had the privilege to learn from a passionate and diligent researcher - my supervisor Dr Elizabeth Milne, who encouraged me to explore various opportunities to challenge myself. The University provided me with finances and resources to carry out my investigations, and to share my research with others, locally and overseas. I made many good friends in Sheffield, who were around not only when I needed someone to bounce research ideas off, but also to support me emotionally when things do not go my way. My experience in Sheffield has made me more confident about myself, and allowed me to pursue my career of choice.

Amir Amin Yazdi

"I graduated from Sheffield University in 2003. I was a Ph.D student who carried out research on culture and Theory of Mind reasoning in young children. I now teach and carry out research as an associate professor in the Department of Education at the University of Ferdowsi, Mashad, Iran. I had a great time studying in the Sheffield Department of Psychology. The academic setting was excellent: cooperative and creative for doing research. The staff were very friendly and supportive. When I think back and remember my time in Sheffield, I feel that had one of my best life experiences ever!"