Shreya studied BSc Medical Genetics with us and stayed on to study Medicine. We spoke to her about how she found her course and what she enjoyed about studying at Queen Mary. She also told us about her different volunteering opportunities and what societies she has taken part in.
I chose to study Medical Genetics at Queen Mary because I really liked the module choices offered for this degree and felt that no other university offered this course with the subject choices that I wanted. I also loved the East London location of Queen Mary as it is affordable for students and very diverse, which has been one of my favourite parts of the university. I also loved the campus style of the university and the fact that everything is incredibly self-contained and like a little ‘student village’ which made moving away from home much less daunting!
I’m interested in both Medicine and Genetics and Medical Genetics offered me the perfect blend of these two subjects and I loved the module choices offered and the fact that we got to choose our own modules in year 2 and 3, allowing us to tailor the degree even more to our own interests.
All my advisors and lecturers have been incredibly approachable, engaging, and willing to help me with any questions that I have had. The lab and research facilities were excellent, and I felt really privileged to be able to learn from world-class academics and to complete a research project in my final year with a leading researcher at the Blizard Institute.
The careers team at Queen Mary, particularly Dr MJ Martin and my advisors throughout the 3 years were very supportive and helpful when I applied for Medicine in my second year, helping me with interview practice and providing my references. The learning facilities including the library, labs and lecture halls were excellent and aided my learning.
The Mile End campus has been my favourite at Queen Mary because it just has everything you need as a student and library square is my favourite spot because it is always bustling, busy and filled with cake stalls, food or even poster art stalls! Now that I am studying Medicine at Queen Mary, I have also gotten to enjoy the Whitechapel and Barbican campuses even more, Barbican in particular with the West Smithfield library is very idyllic.
I lived in Maurice Court during my first year of Medical Genetics and really loved it, it was great for meeting new people and making friends and I loved the big open-plan kitchen we had with a lovely window looking out onto the square below. I also loved living on campus because it was so close to my lectures and made the 9ams a lot easier! I am now living at Dawson Hall in my first year of Medicine and am really enjoying the central London experience with everything from Trafalgar Square to Oxford Street within walking distance. The facilities and staff at both halls have also been very friendly and welcoming on moving day and made things very easy.
I used the Careers and Enterprise service to assist me with my Medicine application in second and third year and they were very helpful, especially Dr MJ Martin, who helped me with my personal statement and interview prep!
I have loved the diversity of the student body the most, hearing different accents, languages, and dialects around me in library square is probably one of my favourite things. I also love the diversity of East London and getting to experience different cultures through living here. Everyone is also incredibly friendly, warm, and welcoming which is another one of my favourite things.
I loved getting to study everything from molecular biology to human genetic disorders, the range of topics I got taught was something I really loved. Another highlight was completing a dissertation and presentation for my third-year research project, even though it was very difficult, I am so glad I got to do it!
Go for it! The module choices are fantastic, lecturers supportive and the environment and feel of Queen Mary is super friendly and welcoming!
When I was studying Medical Genetics, I was part of the hockey team throughout my degree and captained the ladies’ 1st team in my second year. I was also a student ambassador for SBCS and UKSR in my final year and a course rep for 3 years. I also took part in some volunteering opportunities such as the ‘Breakfast Challenge’ which I loved and completed a micro-internship at the Wolfson Institute in my second year. I really enjoyed being able to take part in these non-academic activities and would really recommend societies and sports clubs to any future student as they are a great way to meet new people and relax! I am not continuing hockey with Barts and am also in craft society and Teddy Bear Hospital volunteering society.
I am now in my first year of Medicine at Barts. Doing Medical Genetics beforehand really helped me solidify my learning and revision methods and has allowed me to cope with the more intense schedule of a medical degree. I am also able to be much more independent having lived away from home for the previous 3 years.
I have really loved my time at Queen Mary and am looking forward to continuing my journey with the university as a medical student now. :)
Fun, friendly, exciting, motivating.