Manjit Kaur

How did you hear about the School of Education and why did you choose to study here?

I first discovered the School of Education online while looking up top-tier educational programmes in the region. I ultimately chose to study here because it is a highly prestigious Russell Group institution with an exceptional academic reputation. On top of that, its location was perfect for me; living in Barnsley meant I could commute to campus daily without the expensive burden of relocating. The deciding factor was the university's scholarship, which made pursuing a world-class degree locally both affordable and an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

Tell us about your course – why did you choose it? What elements of the course inspired you to study here?

Completing my MA Education allowed me to deeply integrate my professional background as an Early Years Practitioner with leadership and management experience linking with advanced educational theory and practice. The elements that inspired me the most were the specialised modules, which provided a powerful lens on my field:

Theorizing Childhood and Youth: This module challenged me to view children as active social agents rather than just passive learners, completely transforming my approach to education and leadership.

Child Poverty: This gave me a critical, necessary understanding of the structural and economic inequalities that impact young learners globally.

Foundations of Educational Research: This equipped me with the quantitative and qualitative tools needed to look "under the hood" of new educational trends, rigorously analyze data, and evaluate school policies.

The ultimate milestone of my Master's journey was putting this entire theoretical and methodological toolkit into practice during my independent Dissertation, where I thoroughly enjoyed the rewarding process of gradually applying everything I had learned throughout the course to a major research project.

What was the best part of your studies – what did you enjoy the most?

The absolute best part for me was the primary school placement. Because I have always been in the classroom working as a teacher, being able to step back as an observer gave me a completely different lens. The "reflection in action and on action" was incredibly useful because it finally allowed me to see how educational theories play out in real-time. I thoroughly enjoyed the research process, as it was wonderful to see how every bit of knowledge I gained throughout my modules gradually came together step-by-step into a final project. Beyond the academics, I deeply enjoyed the welcoming and vibrant environment on campus, which made coming into university each day a truly positive and motivating experience.

What were your career aspirations? Do you think the experience and skills you’ve gained here have helped you in your career plans? In what way?

Leveraging my extensive background as an Early Years Practitioner and my experience in educational management, my primary aspiration is to step up into higher-level strategic roles within the wider education sector. I am keen to advance into fields such as educational research, and senior l leadership, utilizing my practical expertise to drive meaningful improvements across educational settings.

The experience at Leeds has been pivotal to these plans. The programme bridged the gap between my practical management background and high-level academic theory. It sharpened my analytical mindset, enabling me to use data-driven insights to evaluate school frameworks, research trends, and curriculum designs. Furthermore, engaging deeply with complex modules has built the professional confidence I need to comfortably transition into impactful, senior-level educational careers.

Do you have any noteworthy achievements from your study at the School of Education that you can tell us about?

By the end of the course, my greatest and most rewarding achievement was successfully completing my MA Education degree. Graduating from a prestigious Russell Group university as a commuter student was a huge personal milestone. The real achievement for me was walking away with a deep, specialized expertise in educational practices and the advanced research skills to confidently analyze data in the real world.

What was your experience of the facilities, the staff, your peers, the city of Leeds, and the Yorkshire region?

The university facilities were excellent. I spent a significant amount of time utilizing the 24-hour libraries, such as the Edward Boyle Library and the Brotherton Library, which made balancing my studies incredibly convenient and flexible. The study spaces were always spacious, peaceful, and perfectly equipped with modern computers. I particularly appreciated the designated floor for researchers, which provided an amazing, focused environment to work on my dissertation.

The academic staff were exceptional, highly knowledgeable, and deeply professional in their respective modules. I thoroughly enjoyed my classes, especially those led by Dr Delyth and Dr Shafiq, whose brilliant sense of humor and engaging teaching style made every lecture incredibly interesting and memorable.

My cohort brought together a wonderful, diverse mix of educators. This created a rich learning environment where every classroom discussion felt collaborative and full of fresh perspectives.

All in all, Leeds is a vibrant, compact, and bursting student city with an incredible culture and food scene. Plus, living in Yorkshire means having the beautiful countryside just a short distance away, providing a great balance between busy student life and the peaceful green space.

Are there any experiences outside of your studies that you have particularly enjoyed?

Since I commuted from Barnsley, I mostly focused on making the most of my time on campus and in the city center. I really loved sitting with a coffee in the university cafes to work on my assignments because the atmosphere was always great. Outside of studying, my favorite thing to do was roaming around the Leeds shopping malls like Trinity Leeds and Victoria. It is so convenient having all the shops together in one place, which made a quick shopping trip between classes really easy and enjoyable.

Would you recommend the School of Education to others who are considering studying here?

Absolutely. I truly enjoyed my learning experience here because the course was so thoughtfully planned and well-structured. For anyone coming from a practical background like mine, the School of Education is fantastic at connecting real-world experience with deep academic theory. Between the amazing 24-hour library facilities, the brilliant lecturers, and the genuine financial support through scholarships, it is an amazing place to grow your career.