Ross, is a recent graduate from the MSc Diplomacy & International Security programme within Strathclyde's Department of Humanities
Tell us a little bit about your background...
After leaving secondary school, I moved onto my undergraduate degree at Strathclyde. This university was my top choice moving into higher education and I was delighted to be offered a place on one of its courses. Here, I could fulfil my desire to study history and politics, both of which I had grown interested in during my final years at school. I spent four years completing my studies at Strathclyde, graduating in 2022 with a first-class degree in History and Politics & International Relations.
What inspired you to study the MSc in Diplomacy & International Security?
Having completed my undergraduate degree in History and Politics at Strathclyde, I was unsure of what to do after I had graduated. I began researching postgraduate opportunities at various universities but the MSc Diplomacy & International Security course caught my eye the most. Reading the information about the course, it seemed to focus on my academic interests from my undergraduate degree as well as other fascinating aspects, such as diplomacy, which I had not been able to study in undergraduate. I recognised some of the lecturers on the available classes and read testimonials from students before me. From this, I knew I would get a quality educational experience in this course.
What were the most enjoyable parts of your course?
Two things stand out to me. The extracurricular opportunities were frequent and always interesting. We were all notified of talks we could attend while the course leader organised special events to broaden our experiences and perspectives. For example, we were able to go inside Glasgow City Chambers for a presentation on how the city exercises its own diplomacy and its plans for the future. Following this, we received a tour of the City Chambers, learning its history along the way. Secondly, the engagement between tutors and students stood out to me. We were always encouraged to critically engage with the course material that made every lesson thoroughly enjoyable and memorable.
What specialist knowledge/professional skills have you developed whilst studying the course?
The course has been crucial in developing key skills that are commonly used in the workplace. Organisation, independent research, communication and teamwork are common in employer's expectations and it is through the Diplomacy and International Security course that I have been able to develop them. Using examples from this course that demonstrate my aptitude in the desired skills to employers has been central to my success in securing employment after I graduate.
What do you think of the support available?
The support available on this course is extensive and exceptional. Tutors are easily contactable within office open hours and email to receive assistance whenever it is required. The one-to-one supervisor sessions for the dissertation also provided unparalleled support for me for the single largest and most important aspect of the course.
What would be your advice for prospective students considering applying for this course next year?
Don't worry if you haven't studied subjects similar to this one, there is plenty of help available from both peers and staff to help you settle in. Take every opportunity that comes your way, make the most of it! The time will fly by and before you know it, you'll be looking at graduating. Making new friends and connections from across the world has been one of the most gratifying parts of studying this course for me.
What are your ambitions for the future and how do you think your time at Strathclyde will help you achieve your goals?
I am looking at working in the civil service. In fact, at the time of writing this, I have already been successful in securing myself a position there. My experience at Strathclyde has undoubtedly been key to this, the university has had a profound impact upon developing my skillset, making me one of the chosen candidates in the civil service recruitment process. The Strathclyde Careers Service was one such provision which helped me understand the civil service processes, running us through what to expect and how best to approach applying for jobs within it.