Shazliya Zuhri
"The professors and researchers at the University are exceptional in their respective fields and are always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that students are able to achieve their academic goals."
Course
Social Psychology MScEntry year
2022My course
I was drawn to the Social Psychology MSc at Surrey because of the variety of optional modules it offers. I was excited to have the opportunity to explore a range of topics beyond my core field of social psychology, such as health psychology, gender studies, communications, and environmental psychology. The comprehensive curriculum allowed me to expand my knowledge and delve deeper into other areas of psychology, which are useful for my personal and professional growth.
One of the things I love most about my course is the diverse range of assessment methods used in each module. Unlike my previous educational experiences, which relied heavily on memorisation and closed-book exams, the course at Surrey evaluates students through various kinds of assignments that allow for more creativity and expression of one's individual strengths. Additionally, I find the modules to be very well designed by incorporating current issues, research literature, and research skills that will be useful in my career.
"As a student at the School of Psychology, I was given access to a number of labs with state-of-the-art facilities"
Facilities and teaching
The School of Psychology has state-of-the-art facilities, including computer rooms equipped with the necessary data analysis software for our quantitative research modules. Additionally, I completed a research methods module where we got hands-on experience with research equipment such as eye-tracking devices, mouse tracking, HRV and much more. This approach to learning is more interactive and enjoyable, and helped me better understand the intricacies of research methods.
The professors and researchers at the University are exceptional in their respective fields and are always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that students are able to achieve their academic goals. I was super delighted to work with Dr Fabio Fasoli, my academic tutor and dissertation supervisor. He understood everything I wanted to do with my dissertation and helped me in refining my ideas and develop a more nuanced dissertation topic. I appreciated his supportive and approachable demeanour, which helped me feel more confident.
Student life at Surrey
As an international student, I had no idea what to expect when coming to Surrey. However, the University exceeded my expectations in many ways. Living on campus made me feel more connected to the University and enabled me to capture more of its essence. I have found Surrey to be really diverse and inclusive. While the University is large enough to offer a broad range of experiences, it is also small enough to create a sense of community, belonging and a home away from home.
I like the fact that everything in Guildford is nearby. Whether it's the GP, the train station, the cinema, or the town centre, almost everything you need is easily accessible within a 10-20 minute bus ride or a short walk. The campus is also situated in a notably peaceful and quiet place, which makes it easy to focus on your studies.
Upon completion of my studies at the University of Surrey, I'm considering working in a research-oriented field. I am also interested in pursuing a PhD program, provided that I get the opportunity!
