Studying in the UK has been a rewarding challenge

I’m currently pursuing my Master’s in Occupational Therapy at the University of Derby, and it’s been quite the journey so far. Derby is located in the East Midlands, which means it’s incredibly well-connected by train to many major cities, a huge plus for exploring the UK and getting to nearby airports for international travel. However, it’s also a relatively small city. While that makes it easy to navigate and settle in quickly, it can feel a bit quiet if you’re used to a more active student lifestyle. Looking back, I wish I had considered city size more carefully when choosing where to study, especially after coming from a larger program.

One thing that stood out to me when applying was that Derby was the first OT program certified by the NHS, which gave me a lot of confidence in the program’s quality. It’s also been backed by strong student experiences, and I’ve found the faculty to be supportive and approachable. I highly recommend reaching out to program leads before applying, they can give you practical details that may not be obvious on the course homepage, like term start and end dates, which is really helpful if you’re planning to travel home during breaks.

There are also multiple campuses at the University of Derby, so if you’re applying for accommodation, make sure to check where your classes will be held. That small step can save you a lot of commuting time!

Socially, being a postgraduate student means the age range among students is wider than I expected, which made making friends a little more challenging at first. But getting involved in societies made a big difference. I joined the hiking society, where I met some amazing people and had great experiences, I’ll even be serving as secretary next year. I’ve also joined the book club and plan to try the tennis society. The societies here are definitely one of the highlights of student life.

Overall, studying in the UK has been a rewarding challenge. I’ve grown so much both academically and personally. While there were unexpected moments along the way, I’ve found my rhythm. If you're considering studying abroad, I recommend researching not just the course but also the city size, student life, and support services, these factors really do matter.

And lastly, remember that it's okay to struggle sometimes. Even students who live close to home have a tough time adjusting, you’re making a huge leap by moving across the pond, and that takes courage. But it really is worth it in the end.

- Dana