Giselle
"The level of support I've received at Surrey has meant I’ve been able to continue developing as an elite athlete without compromising my academic performance."
Course
Health Psychology MScWhy did you choose to continue your postgraduate studies at Surrey, instead of another university?
I thoroughly enjoyed my undergraduate experience in BSc Psychology and I knew I wanted to continue to develop my research skills and experience in this field.
Surrey’s supportive academic environment, high-quality teaching, and excellent facilities gave me confidence that I would be able to continue developing at a high level during my masters. The Brain and Behaviour research group also strongly aligns with my interests and I was keen to explore this through my dissertation.
How did the University support you in your transition to becoming a postgraduate student?
The University helped me shift from being a student who learns content to someone who actively thinks like a researcher.
The staff are all so supportive. I felt really comfortable approaching lecturers and asking more in-depth questions about the module content, or about anything that helped with my individual learning and understanding of the topic. That made a big difference, especially as the masters requires much more independence and critical thinking. Surrey’s wider support services also helped me adjust to the increased workload and expectations of a masters degree.
What have been the biggest benefits so far of continuing your studies at Surrey?
The sense of individual growth academically, socially, and as a professional athlete.
Academically, I’ve been able to build on the foundation I developed during my undergraduate degree and deepen my research skills in a much more focused area of women's health that is a huge interest of mine. Being able to conduct research on brain and behaviour has also really strengthened my confidence in pursuing a professional research career.
Outside of my studies, staying at Surrey has meant I’ve been able to maintain and build relationships – both friendships and professional connections. Having an established network has really helped during my studies.
Sport at Surrey has continued to be a huge part of my experience. I’ve been a member of the University of Surrey Netball 1st team for the past four years, and balancing that alongside my studies has given me structure, discipline, and a really important outlet outside of academia.
Team Surrey has been incredibly supportive throughout my journey as an elite athlete with London Pulse, not only helping me manage the demands of high-performance sport alongside my degree, but also putting me forward for the English Universities team, which I was proud to be selected for.
This level of support has meant I’ve been able to continue developing as an elite athlete without compromising my academic performance. The flexibility around deadlines and understanding from staff during high-competition periods has made it possible for me to pursue both ambitions at a high level.
What advice would you give to a current Surrey undergraduate student who is thinking of staying for a masters?
If you’re passionate about your subject, or even if want to explore something new, I’d absolutely recommend staying at Surrey. One of the biggest advantages is that you already understand the academic expectations, the support systems, and the research culture, so instead of spending time adjusting to a new environment, you can focus on further developing your skills. Surrey offers a wide range of masters programmes so there are lots to choose from!
I’d definitely recommend speaking to lecturers early and connecting with students who’ve already made the move to postgraduate study. Those conversations give you a much bigger picture of the transition — not just the academic expectations, but the opportunities and benefits it provides.
If you’re committed to continuing in a society or sport, like I have with netball, I’d definitely encourage speaking to the leadership team in advance. They’ll outline how they can support you through your postgraduate studies and help you plan how to balance high performance in both areas. Having that clarity early makes the transition much smoother and reduces stress in the long run.
What do you plan to do after graduating and how has your masters degree supported that?
After graduating, I’m planning to do a PhD at Surrey, focusing on the topic of women’s health. I would like to continue building on the research foundation I’ve developed during my masters and produce meaningful research that can contribute to society.
Alongside my academic ambitions, I want to continue developing as an elite athlete. I’m currently competing at a high level and hope to progress into the Netball Super League. One of the things I value most is being able to pursue both high-performance sport and academia, and my masters has shown me that it’s possible to excel in both with the right structure and support.
Are you a student at Surrey?
We would love you to stay with us after your degree and study for a masters. And with a 20% discount on fees, how could you resist!
