Health, Sport and Bioscience Graduate Profiles
Suchita - MSc Physiotherapy
I qualified as a physiotherapist in 1998 and after completing my junior rotations through various specialities I specialised in the field of trauma and orthopaedics and worked in this area for several years. While I was enjoying my job and gaining satisfaction from the treatment of patients and interaction with colleagues, I reached a point where I did not feel that I was progressing in my career as a physiotherapist and decided to pursue further studies. MSc courses offered at most London universities seemed to be quite specialised in certain fields such as Musculoskeletal or Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy or Neurological Rehabilitation, none of which I felt would be appropriate to my interest in the field of Orthopaedics. However the course offered at UEL seemed to be a Masters level course in Physiotherapy where you could choose which modules you preferred to complete. Furthermore the modules offered such as Gait and balance; Muscles, movement and exercise; Research Skills were relevant to any physiotherapy specialty. I attended the Postgraduate Open Day at the Stratford campus and was able to talk to a few of the postgraduate lecturers who were able to answer some of the queries I had. The physiotherapy staff were also quick to respond to my queries via email and telephone calls and I was able to complete the admission process quite smoothly.
On starting the course I was quite apprehensive as I was returning to studies after many years. However, the content and structure of the modules were clearly explained at the start and the lecturers were always available in the case of queries. Every module provided the opportunity for formative assessment and feedback before the summative assessment at the end of the module. The knowledge gained and developed during the MSc included both clinical and academic theory and practical skills. During the course I gained experience and confidence in a variety of skills including group work, presentations, literature searches and critical review of articles. In addition, I was able to make invaluable professional contacts and friendships during the course.
Completion of my MSc at UEL gave me the confidence to apply for a teaching position, and I am now lecturing at Kingston and St. George’s University of London in addition to clinical work. On commencing my teaching position I was required to undertake a one year Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education and I felt that I was able to complete this course successfully I feel due to the skills I developed during my MSc. As I was an ex-student of UEL, I was able to apply for a volunteer role in the London Olympics 2012, and I am proud to be a part of the Medical Team for the Games due to my association with the university.
Making the decision to undertake postgraduate studies at UEL I feel was the start of a new phase in my professional career – I am now able to integrate the academic and clinical aspects of physiotherapy and healthcare, and am hoping to commence my PhD in the near future!
