Rehabilitation PgDip/MSc: What our students say

What made you choose the Rehabilitation MSc?
I am a physiotherapist back in India but wanted to broaden my horizons regarding different perspectives in healthcare services because India is a huge country where good healthcare practice is lacking, it's really, really, behind. I wanted to come to the UK and do a course because it has one of the best healthcare services in the world. I wanted to learn from this country because back in India healthcare is developing and we need a lot of new research to inform this. So I thought that this is the best country to come and start with.

What is it like studying as an international student?
It's a great feeling. Before coming here I was a bit scared, what it was going to be like? But once I stepped into the University it was amazing. I felt really, really, well supported -there was a lot of help because as an international student you think the culture is entirely different, you worry about your accommodation, eating, how are you going to survive in a different country but it was an amazing experience coming here. I have enjoyed it.

What were the challenges of studying at postgraduate level?
Back in India the study is entirely different to the UK, or any other developed country. This course is more evidence-based practice, you have to do a lot of research, and referencing and stuff like that and I haven't had to do things like that before. That was the biggest challenge I faced. Previously I was a bit scared of how I was going to do it, but there was a lot of help from my tutors and my peers so I have learned a lot.

Which were your favourite bits of the course?
The study method was different. There were focus groups and there were group discussions-you could express yourself. Back in India, studies are different. You are given your book and you have to just read and get on with it, but here you have your freedom of expression.

How has the course changed your practice?
It has changed my practice quite a lot. Now I know what evidence-based practice is, I should record things, and I should think why things are done. I have become more of a critical thinker now. Before I wasn't.

How will you apply your learning in your country?
I will try to give my 100 percent back in my country. I will try and apply all the strategies I have learned here and try to get to the level of UK healthcare; it can't be implemented in my country because of the huge population size and we don't have funded healthcare, but I can take bits of practice here and try to implement them back in my practice.

How has the course benefitted your career?
It has benefitted me in a big way because now I can think of managing teams. Before, I couldn't because before I was working as a sole person in my hospital. I now know what teamwork is and how to implement it for better practice and more efficient work.

Why did you choose this course in particular?
I wanted to learn how to manage teams because I was working in a setup where it was just me and the orthapaedician. We hardly ever interacted, so I never knew what it was like working in a team. I also wanted to learn why other countries have gained such high standards in their healthcare services and what is lacking in India. So I wanted to come and learn this.

Would you recommend this course and if so why?
I would say anyone who wants to broaden their horizons to come to this place and study at the Faculty. It is really really nice, everybody is really helpful. Believe me, once you are here you are going to love it. Besides it is the University of London so it has a good reputation.

Have you got any other comments about the course?
If you want to practice in the UK this course is definitely going to help you in a lot of ways, to get into policy making or into advanced healthcare services. It's going to make you a critical thinker. It is the best thing for making any practice efficient and improving the quality of life for patients.