Rachel A

What were the best things about your course?

The University of Surrey's Midwifery course was an incredibly challenging experience but also highly rewarding. The tutors all went above and beyond to support us both clinically and academically throughout the three years, creating space for open discussions and feedback regarding the topics we studied and the clinical experience we needed. The clinical simulation suite was a personal highlight for me as we were able to gain confidence in our practical skills ahead of our time working in hospitals, helping to develop our confidence and knowledge in areas such as venepuncture and cannulation. Overall, the facilities at Surrey were an essential part of obtaining my degree, including the large library containing a wide variety of health and sciences literature as well as computer suites and silent study areas which proved invaluable during exam season.

"I spoke to members of Parliament about the student midwife experience and how we can uplift students to both finish their studies and thrive in their career."

Being part of the School of Health Sciences also provided me with some incredible opportunities. In my final year, I applied for a spot on the Council of Deans of Health’s Student Leadership Programme and was able to represent Surrey at their conference in Manchester. The University was fully supportive in facilitating these experiences and ensuring they could make the time for them to happen alongside my studies. Being a part of this programme also led to me being selected to speak to members of Parliament about the student midwife experience and how we can uplift students to both finish their studies and thrive in their career. Following these experiences, the faculty encouraged me to hold presentations for the other year groups to discuss the importance of chasing opportunities, as well as demonstrating that even during our student training we can still make invaluable contributions to the National Health Service.

What do you do now? How did your degree from Surrey help you achieve this?

Since graduating I have secured a permanent contract as a midwife in a local hospital, rotating between the wards and my own community clinic. I have finished my preceptorship and am now a fully qualified Band 6 practitioner and am able to help new students working with us from the University of Surrey. My degree encouraged me to continue striving for excellence and making changes in healthcare. Since qualifying, I have been working alongside specialist teams to develop epidural information materials for patients with learning disabilities and additional learning needs. Without my degree, I don't know if I would have had the support to follow my passions within midwifery and think about the difference I could make, even as a student.

What’s your advice to current students?

Enjoy your time learning and really take advantage of all the incredible resources available to you. This is the time to soak in as much experience as you can from the experts around you, with the support of a dedicated faculty who are there to see you win.

Find out more about our Midwifery BSc