SMI UG Student testimonials

Have you ever wondered what it's like being a student here at the Sheffield Methods Institute? Wonder no more as we've questioned two of our current student ambassadors, Narnie and Ismail. And remember, you can contact us if you have any questions about student life here at the SMI.

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BA Applied Social Science 

Portrait photograph of student ambassador Narnie Furlong

Why did you choose Sheffield Methods Institute and your course?  

It was the only course like it and it meant I could do a mixture of disciplines of social science because I was never sure on what I wanted to do.

What have you most enjoyed about your course so far?

I’ve enjoyed most about my course is the small size of it meaning that I’ve formed great friendships with my peers and good relationships with the lecturers, meaning that I don’t just feel like a number or a statistic.

What has been your favourite module and why?

SMI104 - Philosophy of Social Science, purely because of Ross the lecturer, even though it was probably the hardest module of the year, Ross was able to make it such a great course.

What has been the most surprising thing about your studies? Or your time at University?

What’s been a surprise is how much enjoy university life and how different my experience is to other people at the university because of the course. I never thought that at university I’d feel like a tutor or lecturer cared as much as I feel like they do within the SMI department which I think has effected how I perceive university and why I enjoy it so much.

What do you like most about the city and why? 

Sheffield’s a great city, and what I like about it is that it doesn’t even feel like a city at time which for me gives a real homely feel to it. It’s also very vibrant and there is so much to do.

Are you involved in any clubs or societies? How do they add to your overall university experience and what skills can you gain?

I’ve recently joined dance society and it’s such a good way to exercise and meet new people which you normally wouldn't as well as other years at the university.

What are your plans after graduation? 

I don’t have current set plans right now but I think that's alright life always throws different opportunities at you and I haven’t started delving into the placement module or looking for a placement in summer which I feel will give me some idea or direction of what path I want to pursue.

Do you have any advice for students thinking about studying your course?

To do it because it's definitely the best decision I’ve ever made especially if you are uncertain in what you want to do like I was it's helped me direct my focus and actually has allowed me to explore different options. Which I learnt so much from, so much so the subject I was thinking of doing at university originally I don't even take in my second year because it didn't suit me as well as I thought it would.

BA Quantitative Social Science

Portrait photograph of student ambassador Ismail Haider

Why did you choose Sheffield Methods Institute and your course?  

I chose this course because it allowed me a lot of choice in the modules I wanted to choose as I had so many optional credits I could fill.  I could also pick up coding.

What have you most enjoyed about your course so far?

What I’ve personally enjoyed so fair are the Lab practicals in the SMI105 Data Visualisation Course where we learn to make graphics and animations. Although, my favourite module is SMI106 – Introductory Quantitative Data Analysis for Social Scientists..

What has been your favourite module and why?

SMI106 – Introductory Quantitative Data Analysis for Social Scientists. This is my favourite module as we get straight into learning coding skills vigorously. Although it is difficult, intense, and even frustrating at times, the satisfaction you get in doing what you once thought was problematic is incredibly rewarding. It just requires patience and practice.

Was there anything you wish you had known before you started your degree?

How much reading there is. There is so much of it! I think there is so much reading to do because I’m spread out across so many different departments, but I chose the modules though, and the things I’m learning I’m actually finding interesting, I enjoy the things I’m learning! As I have also taken 2 language modules as well, I find that pretty fun also. As a first-year, I can’t complain though, it’s just the quantity that’s difficult to manage, not the intensity of (most) the content.

What has been the most surprising thing about your studies? Or your time at University?

What surprises the most about my studies is how intrigued I’ve been in most of the things I’m learning. I’ll be in my room doing the weeks’ assigned reading and be surprised at how well this reading fits into the direction the module going. The most surprising thing about my time at University is just all the amazing staff and students I meet, conversing with them and getting to know them, the things they’ve done and what they hope to do in the future. It’s pretty inspiring stuff!

What do you like most about the city and why?

I love how green this city is. For every person in the city, there are 3 trees. This is my favourite thing about the city has always been a fan of nature, and with Sheffield being one of the biggest cities in Britain whilst still being so green in so many ways, it’s very intriguing.

Are you involved in any clubs or societies? How do they add to your overall university experience and what skills can you gain?

I’m involved with the Islamic Society and Comic Book Society.  The Sports club I participate in is Muay Thai Boxing. They all add to my university experience because it enables me to be in the same space as other like-minded people who share common interests with me.

What are your plans after graduation?

My plan after graduation is to help people. Although, I really haven’t figured out the ‘how’ of that yet. I really hope I go on to do important work with the skills and the knowledge obtained from my degree that does, god willing, helps people. I’m just going to ‘go with the flow’ I guess, I have no idea what to expect. Other plans after graduation include becoming financially stable, living independently and travelling as much as I possibly can to learn about the world.

Do you have any advice for students thinking about studying your course?

Start working on the first day! Keep on top of all reading. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The staff at the SMI are extremely kind, as well as helpful. Work together with your course mates to bounce ideas off each other.

Is there any additional information you would like to add?

Education is a life-changing thing!

Image of Charlie SMI Alumus sat in his office

Mae & Charlie are here to tell you more about Applied Social Sciences

Applied Social Sciences student Mae and alumnus Charlie will tell you what they enjoy most about the course, what skills they have learned and how it has helped develop their career.

Four students laughing while sat at a bench, outside the Students' Union

International Merit Scholarships

We offer a generous package of financial support for international students including 75 undergraduate scholarships worth £10,000 towards the annual tuition fee and 125 postgraduate taught scholarships worth £5,000 towards the tuition fee. Applications are now open for existing offer holders.