"Although I enjoyed my undergraduate experience, I felt there was a lot I had to learn before I could really consider myself a scientist. After looking at different options I decided the most exciting opportunities lay in academic science, so I started applying to PhD research programmes.
I chose to move to Nottingham from Liverpool after viewing the facilities here and speaking to potential supervisors. On my first visit and interview I was shown around the labs and was blown away by the quality of the equipment and the obvious time and money which had been invested into developing it. My supervisors seemed really enthusiastic and positive about the research project, as well as what I could gain from studying at Nottingham.
Aside from world-class facilities, the University provides fantastic training in the techniques I've needed to use. It has also held career seminars and given me the opportunity to network with people working in scientific fields. I've been given training in publishing, presenting and raising awareness for my research.
Luckily, like many other British and European students working in science, my project had funding attached to it that allows me to live comfortably while I undertake my studies here in Nottingham.
Postgraduates here are provided with their own careers service. Our Graduate Centres are both an excellent source of free tea and cake and a good place to go for advice during the darker days of PhD life. Several departments also run researchers forums, which give us a chance to unwind with several social events organised throughout the year.
When you first start postgraduate study, you might feel you are in over your head but you should dive in head first into whatever you are studying and in a few months you'll be glad you became an active member of a thriving research community."
"I'm keen to combine academic study with my clinical career in the field of neurosurgery and studying for a PhD seemed to be the best way to achieve this. I wanted to experience a scientific research environment and to learn more about the basic biology of brain tumours. I also hoped to enhance my CV, both by obtaining a PhD and by publishing scientific papers during the course of my study.
I didn't do my undergraduate degree in Nottingham but I chose to study here because of the specialist reputation of the Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, one of very few laboratories in the country specifically researching childhood brain cancer.
The University has a fully equipped molecular biology lab and computers adequate for my needs. I have also attended the postgraduate teaching programme, a generic programme of short courses available to all postgraduate students, through which I have learned many transferrable skills in IT, statistical analysis as well as presentation skills.
I have been applying for further grants and funding and the school has a peer review process in place to aid these applications. I am also currently employed on a National Institute of Health Research fellowship awarded by The University of Nottingham.
The University of Nottingham is a good place to study. It has a dynamic research environment where you can get involved with high impact projects to enhance your prospects further down your career path."
