During my undergraduate degree at Loughborough (BA English Literature), I experienced first-hand the quality of the teaching and resources and developed a good rapport with my lecturers. Put simply, I was really happy and comfortable here and wasn’t quite ready to leave!
The master’s in Contemporary Literature and Culture matched my research interests and career aspirations. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I was drawn to contemporary literature, specialising in gender and sexuality studies.
The diverse range of texts taught on the programme allowed me to pursue my interests. I was able to push my research further while exploring new authors, theories and areas of study. For example, I was introduced to health and care studies, a field that particularly appealed to me and one I hope to continue researching beyond my master's degree.
I was particularly drawn to the course’s Literary Festival module. The Department entrusted us with the organisation, management and evaluation of a series of literary events. This opportunity really benefitted my employability, especially in publishing and event management. And it was certainly a surreal and hands-on experience to end my time at Loughborough.
Throughout my studies, I’ve grown in confidence as a researcher, writer and critical thinker. The Resources for Advanced Research module’s hands-on Library workshops, for example, exploring physical and digital archives, really helped develop my research skills. I feel well prepared for future study and PhD research.
The diversity of assessment methods has been particularly useful in terms of transferable skills. As you might expect, during the course, I wrote lots of essays, but also recorded and edited a podcast, prepared material for and led seminars, and interviewed an author. These skills have benefitted my employability and have provided me with a greater awareness of how storytelling can be used across various disciplines.
My lecturers have been incredibly supportive and helpful throughout my studies. They encouraged me to push myself, giving useful feedback to refine and improve my work. During the dissertation process, I had multiple one-to-one supervisions to discuss my plans and initial drafts. This was very helpful and made the relatively daunting process an enjoyable one.
The campus facilities have been great. The Library team are always available to help with any queries. The inter-library loan service is especially useful for accessing a wide range of materials. The Library itself is a great place to study with plenty of silent zones as well as more social and relaxed spaces.
During my master’s, I gained a lot of professional experience, completing two content writing internships organised and sponsored by the University in collaboration with external companies.
These placements allowed me to apply my transferable skills in writing and research within a professional environment. Both internships were based in the health sector, complementing my research interests and employability.
The Careers team were incredibly helpful during my internship applications, looking through my CV and cover letters, as well as during the internships themselves, regularly checking up on my progress.
Outside of my course, throughout my undergraduate studies and into my master’s, I was actively involved with the Students’ Union and its societies. From Flix Cinema, the Feminist Society and even a Taylor Swift Society, there really is something for everyone and many opportunities to find your community.
Aside from societies, I enjoyed the odd occasion to let my hair down. The many pubs and clubs in Loughborough were a welcome distraction from all the books. And the campus itself is safe and secure, with plenty of green spaces to enjoy.
Following graduation, I plan to apply for PhD opportunities, specialising in health and care research. The skills I have acquired during my master’s have provided me with a strong foundation in research, writing and analysis that I hope to take forward into my PhD and a career in academia.
My advice to anyone considering this master’s is throw yourself into it! Push yourself beyond your comfort zone. Explore new research interests, read as widely as you can and ask lots of questions. I have found that keeping my mind open to new authors, theories and genres has broadened my understanding of literature.
Get to know your course-mates. I’m hugely grateful for the friends I’ve made. It’s made the year so much more enjoyable.
Outside the course, take advantage of all the volunteering opportunities on offer. Sign up to be a Course Representative or take a committee role in a society. These are great for your CV and employability, but also help you find like-minded people.