I did not feel any change in the quality of the teaching

My year studying at the University of Sheffield has been very memorable. Before I started my postgraduate study life, I had imagined the facilities on campus being very modern, the Lecturers experienced and professional, and the staff friendly. These all came true, and I really felt it when I arrived in Sheffield.

I am studying in MSc Business Finance and Economics, this is a subject which combines theory with practice. Today, I have finished all modules and I am preparing my Dissertation. I have to say that studying in the Department of Economics is quite scientific. In the first semester, we studied Microeconomic Analysis, Macroeconomic Analysis, Econometric Methods and Modern Theory of Banking and Finance. These modules lay the groundwork for the next semester. By the end of the term, I acquired a deep knowledge of Economics and Finance.

In the year studying in Sheffield, I learnt advanced economics knowledge, and essential skills needed in commerce, such as a company's financial position and using Stata. The modules have improved my professional skills which are useful for me when seeking job opportunities.

Bingxin Shi

MSc Business, Finance and Economics 

Autumn semester 

The first term is full. However, Lecturers and Professors are kind and full of patience. Although there are plenty of students in each class, the quality of teaching is not influenced by large classes. Every Lecturer sets Consultation and Feedback (C&F) time to solve any problems that students have. If I have questions, I can go to the Lecturer’s office to seek help. They answer questions with lots of patience and conscientious. Meantime, module leaders will set group coursework to give us the chance to communicate with each other. Even though the coursework mark will not influence the final grades, this is an essential part of the course.

During the final exam period, students have the opportunity to meet the Lecturers in their C&F times. There were more than 200 people in the module of Econometrics, as long as someone went to meet the Lecturer, they would point out the questions and answers for each individual. I still remember what they said, “ I will never give you the model answer, you should try the questions and come to see me, only then I can help you to figure out your problems and give you unique feedback.”

Spring semester and Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Due to the COVID-19, the second term moved online after one month of the new semester, I have to admit the online system the University of Sheffield uses is good. All sources we may need have been put on the Blackboard, all the functions are useful, that can satisfy our requirements. The most obvious and important advantage for the online course is we can pause the recording anytime and review it again and again.

During the three months online study, I did not feel any change in the quality of the teaching. In order to improve the experience of students, lectures divided students into groups and students took live courses separately. When we had live lectures, teachers can take care of everyone. In the module Industrial Organization, module leader divided the 2-hour lectures into a 30-minute short video, with the aim to improve the module.

Studying at home has given me the opportunity to work on my self-promotion and learn how to arrange my daily life, when lecturers post the lectures and videos online, I start to plan my study schedule for the coming week.

Skills for employment and academic support

In the year studying in Sheffield, I learnt advanced economics knowledge, and essential skills needed in commerce, such as a company's financial position and using Stata. The modules have improved my professional skills which are useful for me when seeking job opportunities. In my country, entrepreneurs prefer to employ someone who has good knowledge and practice ability and the Department of Economics has provided me with these skills.

Apart from the academic support, the Department set up a WeChat group and set staff to answer any of our questions. As a member of the Student-Staff Forum, I know the Department is keen to address any problems students have. Furthermore, the department arranges Language sessions for us, which provide English writing skills and some professional academic direction.

This year has been a valuable and unforgettable time, I appreciate all the support from my University and miss all the experience of being there.