Centre for Modern Studies
Harriet
After an undergraduate degree in English and Creative Writing, I decided I wanted more exposure to critical and theoretical study, so I decided to look for a course that combined a broad theoretical scope with opportunities to specialise through the optional modules. Culture and Thought After 1945 was exactly what I was looking for.
I am now nearing the end of my second year here, having chosen to take the MA part-time to allow more flexibility to balance other interests and paid work. Over the last two years, I have also had the chance to be involved in a range of other projects. I have helped organise a national conference, presented work at various forums and symposia, organised a film screening series and even administered a research network. None of this would have been possible without the open and vibrant Humanities Research Centre, where I’ve met collaborators for various academic projects, and friends who I will keep for life. The CModS staff have also been fantastic, not only in an academic sense, but for their genuine interest in their students and their desire to see, and to help, us succeed.
At lot of students use the MA as a platform for PhD study, and whilst I have considered this option, I don’t think I’m quite ready for another three years of intense academic work at the moment. However, uncertainty about an academic career path should definitely not put someone off doing an MA. The intellectual challenges, the people I’ve met and the other opportunities I’ve had have transformed me from a student into a professional, and I now feel well-equipped for whatever the future brings.