Meghan Ramsden

Sunderland, UK

BSc (Hons) Sociology

PGCE Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET)

MSc Inequality and Society

Meghan Ramsden has studied three courses here at Sunderland, most recently the MSc Inequality and Society. She enjoys the real-world coverage of the course and is interested in research into domestic violence survivors. Her aim while studying was to teach at the University of Sunderland one day, and she has now realised her dream, becoming Programme Leader for the MSc Nursing.

I've studied three different courses at the University of Sunderland – the BSc (Hons) Sociology, the PGCE PCET, and now the MSc Inequality and Society. After I completed my undergraduate degree, I didn’t know where I would end up until I spoke to one of my lecturers and made the decision to study for the PGCE – she made me fall back in love with sociology and pushed me to be the best teacher I could be. At the time, I aspired to be a lecturer at Sunderland one day as the culture is wonderful and I wanted to be part of that.

The MSc Inequality and Society course has fulfilled my need to further my research into the lives of domestic violence survivors and the module choices and topics covered have really gripped my interest. The lecturers have given us real flexibility to focus on our specific area of study and have been very encouraging, while the assignments are appealing as they look at current issues and case studies which have had mass media coverage. The course really helps you see real-world inequalities and examine them from different theoretical perspectives – my eyes have been opened and it's so refreshing.

The support on the course was also fantastic – the Programme Leader is brilliant and pushed us all to meet our potential. I would advise prospective students to speak to current students about their overall experience and the staff teaching the course, as it will help you find out exactly what you need to know about the course and university life. Plus, look at all the modules offered to see which skills you, as an individual, would like attain and how Sunderland can help you do it.

I'm now in the process of completing my PhD which is around the topic of how women experience motherhood, Higher Education and paid employment concurrently. Alongside this, I've achieved my ambition of teaching here at the University, and have become Programme Leader for the MSc Nursing course.

Sunderland has a fantastic culture, brilliant staff, teaching excellence, and above all, it’s where I feel safe and at home.”

Published 4 February 2020