I’m Ridwaan, and I’m a postgraduate student, currently studying MSc Economics at the University of York. Having completed my undergraduate studies in Economics at another university, my decision to pursue a Postgraduate degree, and to come over to the University of York for it, required a fair bit of reflection and thought. It would mean a commitment, in terms of relocating, finances, and time.
Having passed the halfway mark of my MSc programme here, though, I can confidently say that it has been absolutely worth it. The experiences that I’ve had here have enabled me to grow as a person. They have fundamentally shaped who I am.
The Department
My specific degree programme is just one of the many postgraduate economics programmes offered in the Department of Economics and Related Studies (DERS). Right from my first interactions with the administrative staff at DERS, I felt at home. I was really struck by just how approachable and helpful everyone was. This made reaching out to DERS, for anything at all, very easy and pleasant. I felt fully supported whenever things got a little tough.
I also felt a similar sense of ease once teaching started, as the approachability and friendliness of my lecturers and academic supervisors created a positive learning environment. We could ask questions and get insightful answers during lectures, and felt like our contributions were truly appreciated. If I felt like I needed to discuss things further, my lecturers and academic supervisor offered regular consultations. Being an active participant in lectures, and making use of consultations really added a different dynamic to my understanding of the coursework. I’d definitely recommend doing this.
The Programme
The actual material that I’ve been able to learn during my MSc has been nothing short of fantastic. The modules are rigorous and intellectually stimulating, and really took my knowledge to a new level. It’s also exposed me to unique ideas in economics, which has let me see things from a different perspective. My programme also incorporates (in addition to lectures) seminars, workshops, and computer practical sessions, as part of the teaching. This has enriched my learning further, and given me the chance to apply theory, solve problems, discuss with others, and develop my practical skillset.
The Cohort
The people I’ve met within the classroom have also been just superb. There are both UK and international students in all my classes, with people coming from a wide range of backgrounds. For instance, there are mature or older students, students coming back after some time out of uni, students from other academic disciplines, and so on. I’ve been able to learn from my classmates, and share my experiences with them, in return. In my personal opinion, most people are friendly, and equally open to starting up new friendships. So, although it might be daunting at first, if you’re open, friendly, and genuine, you will find people that you connect with. DERS also hosts casual social events, where you can pop in and meet people from all over DERS. I’ve personally found these events to be really refreshing, with a great vibe, and laid-back atmosphere.
Getting into University Life
In addition to feeling at home within DERS, getting involved in university student life has been a lot of fun. It has made me truly feel like part of the greater university community. Although it may seem like a bit of a cliché, and like the sort of advice you might have even received when you were starting your undergrad, to be honest! Getting involved in student societies is absolutely worth it, even as a postgrad. In my opinion, the sheer number and variety of societies really sets York apart. The fact that even the more niche societies host loads of events throughout the year makes getting involved in extra-curricular life that much more enjoyable.
I chose to join some cultural societies, faith-based societies, and other societies that I personally found interesting (for example, UNICEF On Campus). Through being an active member in these societies, I’ve been able to meet people from outside of my degree programme. I have attended all sorts of events (such as fundraisers and movie nights), and even play in a casual inter-society football league. I’d personally recommend joining different societies as a way to connect with people from other backgrounds. I believe that this makes you more comfortable with unfamiliar settings. Allowing you to more easily integrate and immerse yourself in other communities and cultures.
Put simply, my experience as a postgraduate economics student in DERS (and York, more broadly), has been wonderful. The people that I’ve met, the experiences that I’ve had, and the things that I’ve learned, really made my decision to do a Master’s at York absolutely worth it.
Read more student stories about studying Economics at York.
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