The department's reputation for research preceded it and I'm confident that no other university could offer the combination of expertise, world-class training and constant support that could match that of the Government & Public Policy academics and support staff.

I really enjoyed the opportunity to carve my own multidisciplinary path. My cohort were encouraged to pursue courses across history, law and politics and to discover our own areas of interest and speciality.

In terms of the quality of teaching at the university, it really is up there with the best. When speaking to different people along my journey, they always seem to recommend Strathclyde. I also had the opportunity to tailor the course to make it exactly what I wanted it to be, I like that about Strathclyde.

Coming from the education sector, I found the PGDE programme at Strathclyde offered a fantastic module in educational perspectives and policies (EPP). These not only stimulated my thinking but became the bulwark for understanding the context of education in Scotland.

The teaching staff have always been very supportive which is why I would encourage upcoming students to get in touch with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences if they have any issues or questions at all. Other than that the student union is there for any additional support.

I knew that completing the MSc in Advanced Residential Childcare would qualify me for registration. Also, the qualification had such a good reputation in the residential child care sector because of the curriculum content and the quality of teaching on the programme.

The students in my programme hail from countries across four continents and each brings a unique academic or practical background to the class discussions. Many of the virtual activities have promoted intercultural exchanges and collaboration, which are invaluable opportunities in a programme that has a distinct focus on international relations.

One of the biggest draws for me was that I could do my degree in under a year here whereas in Canada a post-graduate degree in education is two years in nearly every university. I didn't want to go back to school for another two years, I felt my career was already underway and so Strathclyde's single year program was the only one that felt right to me.

The professors are a great support system, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s hard to find highlights as I haven’t travelled to campus, but the professors have been an excellent and open resource to make the academic year feel as normal as possible.