Why did you decide to pursue a Masters?
Pursuing a Masters was, in part, my way of exploring new horizons beyond Nigeria. But it was also a very natural next step academically. I excelled during my undergraduate degree and thought, why not do it again?
A Masters is really a means to an end for me. My ultimate goal is a PhD. I want to contribute to research that answers the truly unknown, the kind of work that can genuinely shift our understanding of food science. A Masters sets the foundation for that journey.
Why did you choose this particular course and institution?
It felt like the most natural course of action for where I am in my career. During my undergraduate studies, quality assurance was not a specialism we went into in great depth, and after spending almost a year working in the food industry as a quality professional, I fell in love with it.
There is something incredibly meaningful about that role. You are genuinely saving the public from food safety hazards like contamination or poisoning, while simultaneously protecting the company's reputation. It felt like a life-saving calling.
When I started researching where to study this further, the University of Reading stood out immediately as the best institution in the UK for this particular programme. The programme combines food technology with quality assurance, food safety, legislation, and quality management systems, which aligned perfectly with my career goals. I was particularly attracted to the practical and industry-focused approach of the course.
What inspired you to study in the UK?
Two things drew me to the UK. The first was personal - my family had moved here a couple of years before I applied, and studying here gave me the chance to be close to them.
The second was professional - the UK has exceptional career prospects in food science and quality assurance. When I narrowed down my university shortlist, the University of Reading was my clear top choice, not just because of its reputation, but because it consistently ranks as one of the best in the UK for my specific field.
What was the application process like?
I was pleasantly surprised by how straightforward the application process was. I started by visiting the university website and searching for courses related to my area of interest. Reading through the course descriptions carefully helped me narrow my choices, and when I still had questions, I simply messaged the programme's helpdesk, which I would highly recommend to anyone who is undecided.
Once I had made my decision, I created a profile on the application portal and uploaded my:
- academic transcripts
- CV
- degree certificate
- personal statement,
- referee contact details.
As an international applicant, you will also need to provide evidence of English language proficiency, though exceptions do exist for students from certain countries. I qualified for one of those exceptions, so check the website carefully before assuming you need to sit an English test.
After receiving my offer, I completed the necessary visa and enrolment requirements before beginning my studies.
One bonus I did not expect - there are no application fees for UK universities, which is a genuine relief compared to applying in some other countries.
Tell us a little bit about your course.
My programme is a one-year, full-time taught Masters degree. There is no placement year, but the dissertation, which runs over the summer period, is a substantial three-month project that allows me to undertake independent research in depth.
The modules are fascinating and, crucially, highly relevant to the current food industry landscape. They include:
- Food Control Management
- Foodomics and Risk Analysis
- Food Product Reformulation
- Microbes, Food Safety and Health
- Sustainable Food Manufacturing and Process Design.
What I really love about the course structure is how much emphasis is placed on practicals. We have done microbiology labs, analytical testing, sustainable manufacturing exercises, and more. The learning environment is designed to be inclusive, collaborative, and reflective, and that approach suits me really well.
What do you enjoy about your course?
The practicals, every single one of them. There is something so satisfying about taking what you have read in a textbook and actually doing it in a lab. The hands-on element makes everything click in a way that lectures alone simply cannot replicate. It also makes the knowledge stick, which I imagine will be invaluable when I step back into the professional world.
I also enjoy working with students from different countries and professional backgrounds, as this provides opportunities to learn from diverse perspectives and experiences.
What are the challenges?
The biggest challenge has been the pace. Because it is a one-year programme, everything is condensed. Assessments, practicals, and lectures all overlap, and you have to be extremely organised to keep on top of it all.
Time management was not something I had to master in the same way during my undergraduate degree, and stepping into this programme without being fully prepared for that intensity was a bit of a shock. But I am working on it, and I can already feel myself becoming much better at prioritising and planning. In a strange way, the challenge has been one of the most valuable parts of the experience.
How does postgraduate study differ from undergraduate?
The most obvious difference is the speed. An undergraduate degree stretches over three or four years, which means the pace is much more forgiving and you have time to ease into each topic. A Masters, particularly a one-year programme, is intensely focused from day one.
Postgraduate study is also much more specialised. Where undergraduate gives you breadth across a subject area, a Masters lets you go deep into a specific niche. There is also a stronger emphasis on research, academic writing, and applying knowledge to complex real-world situations.
Furthermore, the class sizes are considerably smaller, which creates a very different learning dynamic, one that feels more collaborative and at times almost like a community of specialists working together.
What's one thing you wish you'd know before starting your Masters degree?
If I could go back and give myself one piece of advice, it would be this - get your time management systems in place before you arrive.
Understanding just how packed a one-year programme would be, and having a real strategy for organising my time from week one, would have made the early weeks significantly less overwhelming. Do not underestimate how quickly the workload builds.
How are you funding your Masters?
I am incredibly fortunate to be a recipient of the Felix Scholarship, and I cannot express enough gratitude to the Felix Trustees and the University of Reading for making my studies possible. It has been life changing.
What study/careers support have you received as a Masters student?
The student support at the University of Reading has been exceptional. They have helped me revamp my CV and guided me through assessment and interview preparation, and they regularly send through job postings by email and via their dedicated online platform.
The careers fairs have been particularly valuable. I spoke to a company and actually landed a part-time job. That alone was worth showing up for. The networking opportunities are there if you are proactive about engaging with them.
My programme also organised a seminar that shifted my perspective. They brought in around eight past students (five of who were international), who are now working in the field, to talk about what they do and how they got there. At a time when the internet paints a pretty bleak picture of the UK job market for international students, sitting in a room with people who had actually made it work was incredibly reassuring.
What's your overall UK university experience been like so far?
One word - great. The campus is beautifully green and welcoming. The community is incredibly diverse. The teaching quality is outstanding. And the student support is something I genuinely did not expect to be as good as it is. I have had opportunities to engage with students from different cultures, participate in academic and extra-curricular activities (I am even taking a German language module), and develop both personally and professionally.
Not once have I felt out of place, which, when you consider that I have travelled thousands of miles from home, is remarkable. Everyone has been welcoming, supportive, and accommodating. It really does feel like a community.
What are your career plans after graduation?
My plan is to secure a role at a leading food company after graduating, to build real industry experience and apply what I have learned at the highest level. After spending some time in industry, I intend to pursue my PhD, which has always been the bigger goal.
Ultimately, I see myself working in regulatory affairs and food safety consulting roles where I can sit at the intersection of science, policy, and public health. I want to help shape the systems that keep people safe.
What would you like other international students to know before coming to study in the UK?
Do your research thoroughly. Your three most important areas to investigate before you arrive are:
- accommodation options
- funding pathways
- your course of study.
Getting clarity on all three before you travel will save you enormous stress.
I would also strongly recommend using Unibuddy to connect with current students before you officially arrive on campus. Making even a few friends before you start can make the transition into this new chapter of your life so much smoother. You do not have to walk in as a stranger.
What advice would you give to others considering studying a Masters?
If a Masters feels aligned with where you see yourself in the future, go for it. There is absolutely nothing to be scared of. The path has a way of working itself out when there is genuine will behind it.
Do your research on the course, the institution, the funding options, and the career outcomes. And then back yourself.
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