Case Study

I love my hometown – I'm extremely proud of where I come from. I had always wanted to pursue Higher Education and knew I wanted to study something that interested me, but I only found my passion when I started college and chose Criminology as one of my options. I loved studying it so much that I decided to enrol onto the BSc (Hons) Criminology course here at Sunderland. Before I started university, I attended the Summer School, which really showed me how much fun learning could be and I knew I definitely wanted to study here. I am now studying for the MSc Inequality and Society, a course I heard about at my graduation ceremony.

The course is highly engaging – there hasn’t yet been a lecture I haven’t enjoyed and all of the students in my classes actively engage with the material. The jump from an undergraduate to a postgraduate degree was something I was initially concerned about and I struggled a little at the beginning, but the support from the lecturers is astounding and I have no fear about asking for help because I know they only want me to succeed. The Programme Leader is making huge efforts to ensure there are opportunities for us all to thrive, for example, there are dissertation workshops and a possible writing retreat is also in the works. I am focusing my dissertation research around Islamophobia online, looking at how hateful ideas are reproduced and what the effects are on the Muslim community.

While studying, I've been working closely with the Centre for Graduate Prospects; they've been amazing helping me find out what kind of work I want to pursue once I graduate and with volunteering. I've been lucky enough to be one of 27 students who are working with Northumbria Police on their first student volunteering scheme with the University, allowing me to get an insight into what it's like to work in the police force. Hopefully, this volunteering experience will lead to me finding a career path where I can use my skills gained from both of the courses I have studied at university.

I would highly recommend the University of Sunderland to other students; I have loved every part of my experience here. The staff are an absolute credit to the University as there is plentiful support and the resources are fantastic. I would advise prospective students to try to be the best kind of student – take advantage of the time you have learning here and really get involved with the opportunities around you. Most importantly, have fun doing it! There is nothing like walking across the stage at the Stadium of Light during graduation with your family and fellow students cheering you on when you get your degree – it really is an amazing feeling.

The experience I have had at Sunderland has been amazing and something I’ll cherish forever.”

Published 13 March 2020