Sheffield is well known for not only focusing on academia, but for providing students with a high-quality experience in all aspects of university life

Why did you choose to study in Sheffield?

"Sheffield is unlike any city I have visited, and seems to strike the perfect balance between the excitement, unpredictability and convenience of city life and the benefits, both mental and physical, of living in a rural environment. It is for this reason that I thought Sheffield would remain of interest to me no matter how much my tastes and interests changed over the course of my degree, and provide me with a healthy living environment."

What made the University of Sheffield stand out for you?

"Besides the University of Sheffield’s reputation as one of the UK’s best-performing universities, the University of Sheffield was also well known for not only focusing on academia, but also for providing a high quality experience for students in all aspects of university life. I didn’t want to go to a University whose only appeal was academia, and whilst it was clear that the University of Sheffield provided its students with an impressive learning environment, I liked the fact that a high quality of education wasn’t all it had to offer."

What do you particularly enjoy about Philosophy?

"I particularly enjoy studying a subject which has been influencing human civilisation since the very beginning, and which continues to shape attitudes to this day. Philosophy is invariably intellectually stimulating and often challenges those conceptions of reality which you take for granted, whether these conceptions concern the structure and layout of society, or the state of human existence. Philosophy grapples with a wide range of problems, ranging from the more grounded issues raised by (for example) political philosophy, to more perennial issues associated with the human condition, and whether life is worth living. Philosophy is concerned primarily with thought in all its variety, no matter how trivial or how incomprehensible; this is one of the reasons why I find the subject so intriguing."

How did the Department of Philosophy help support you through the whole process from application to settling in?

"The application process was very simple, and the department was good at explaining the structure of the degree, what was expected of us and the various functions of the virtual learning environment. The department also provided us with advice on how to successfully adjust to University life and make the most out of our time at Sheffield."

What are your top tips for any students thinking about studying Philosophy in Sheffield?

"Attend lectures and engage with the department.
Try to keep up to date with the reading.
Value tutorials: use them as an opportunity to flesh out your ideas and gain understanding."

Tell us about being a student in the department.

"The department offers a wide range of engaging activities, from social gatherings to musical performances, in addition to talks from various speakers. The staff are very friendly and approachable, and the department has an active postgraduate community who are always willing to provide you with advice on how to succeed academically, socially or otherwise."

What is your highlight of studying and/or living in Sheffield so far?

"I appreciate the city a lot more than when I first arrived; whilst I have always thought fondly of Sheffield, the more time you spend living here, the more you begin to enjoy the atmosphere."

What are your plans after your study?

"I am considering continuing my education in Philosophy; failing that, I would most likely try to pursue a career in Psychoanalysis."