Case Study

As I already had knowledge of the Programme Leader’s professional background for the BA (Hons) Applied Investigation course, I was confident that studying for this particular degree would be worthwhile. The course was supposed to be structured as three sets of teaching days at the University alongside distance learning, but due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, I only attended one set of teaching days. However, the distance learning material was excellent and I never felt at a disadvantage. I studied the course alongside my full-time job as a fraud investigator for the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

I attended a conference where some of the teaching staff from the course were speakers and I found them really interesting. The things they said made a lot of sense to me and they also talked a bit about the course itself. After reading about the course in more detail, it sounded like it would not only be enjoyable, but something that could benefit me in my work and as an individual.

The modules gave me the opportunity for some self-reflection around my personality; how I learn, how I act, how I feel, and why. Life often gets in the way of reflective practice in the workplace, so we sometimes continue to work in the way that we always have without understanding why or being open to change. Studying the course allowed me to understand myself better and equip me with the skills I needed to make the necessary changes – and even to like myself more!

Although I’m still working in my role at the council, the degree has opened up opportunities to progress or change my career path in the future if I decide to do so. My advice to anybody thinking of studying at the University of Sunderland would be to just do it – you will really enjoy it and get all the support you need. Having never attended university before, I was apprehensive at first, but if I can do it then anyone can! The whole experience has been enjoyable and enlightening.”

Published 27 May 2022