Ece
MRes Cancer Biology (Cancer Innovation)
At Imperial, there’s always another event, activity or society doing something, so university life doesn’t have to revolve entirely around studying.
Ece from Türkiye has been driven by a passion for cancer research since her undergraduate studies. Now studying a Master’s degree at Imperial with the support of the Dean’s Master’s Scholarship, she is making the most of every opportunity, both inside and outside the classroom. Read Ece’s story to discover what it's like to study as an international postgraduate student at Imperial, how she adapted to life in London and the experiences that have shaped her journey so far.
Why I chose Imperial for my Master's
I compared different options, but Imperial’s strength in medicine and cancer research, combined with the opportunity to spend a large part of the degree actually working on research, made it the best fit for what I was looking for.
When I was choosing a university for my Master’s, ranking was obviously something I considered, but I also looked closely at the research being carried out there. I wanted to be somewhere that was not only academically strong but also pioneering research in the areas I was interested in.
One of the main reasons I chose Imperial was its research environment. I compared different options, but Imperial’s strength in medicine and cancer research, combined with the opportunity to spend a large part of the degree actually working on research, made it the best fit for what I was looking for.
Additionally, my undergraduate supervisor was an Imperial alumnus, and he always spoke very highly of his time there. He had a big influence on me academically, so hearing about his experience made me even more interested in Imperial.
About the MRes Cancer Biology (Cancer Innovation) course
MRes Cancer Biology is a very research-focused course where the taught part is relatively short as you spend most of the year on a long research project. During the Master’s, you’ll probably experience experiments going wrong and learn how to troubleshoot issues, analyse your own results and make decisions about what to do next. Research doesn't always work the way you expect it to, so you also learn to take responsibility for your work, solve problems independently and adapt when something goes wrong.
When I compare myself now with when I first arrived, I feel that I approach problems differently – I’m now more analytical, more confident in making decisions and much more comfortable dealing with uncertainty.
During my Master’s, I had the chance to work in the Drug Transport & Tumour Metabolism Lab at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences and contribute to a project focusing on lysosomal drug accumulation and its role in cancer therapy response. Studying somewhere with such a strong research network gave me the opportunity to work in a real research environment for an extended period and experience what day-to-day scientific research is really like.
Looking back, I’ve become much more independent. When I compare myself now with when I first arrived, I feel that I approach problems differently – I’m now more analytical, more confident in making decisions and much more comfortable dealing with uncertainty.
Applying for a scholarship to study at Imperial
I received the Dean’s Master’s Scholarship, which made a significant difference for me financially as an incoming Master’s student. Beyond the financial support, being selected for this scholarship gave me the confidence that the work I had done before coming to Imperial was recognised, which was very motivating.
I discovered the scholarship through Imperial’s Scholarship Search tool. I’d strongly recommend using this online tool as it brings a range of funding opportunities together and explains the eligibility criteria and application process clearly.
Accommodation for postgraduate students at Imperial
I live in GradPad Wood Lane Studios on the White City Campus which has been very convenient for me as it’s within walking distance of both the White City and Hammersmith campuses where I’m based. Also, having a reception and staff available 24/7 in the building is really reassuring.
This is my first time living in the UK and I wasn’t familiar with the different areas or the renting process, so having the option to live in accommodation designed specifically for postgraduate students made the move and transition much easier for me.
The Imperial community
I met many people during Welcome Week through events, activities and the clubs and societies organised by the Students’ Union. These welcome activities are especially useful when you first arrive, because most people are new and actively trying to meet others.
One thing I particularly like about Imperial is how international it is – you meet people from lots of different countries and backgrounds. International students are a very visible part of the community, so you don’t feel out of place if you’re not from the UK.
Extracurricular activities at Imperial
One misconception people sometimes have about Imperial is that everyone only studies, but there are actually so many societies and events that students get involved with.
At Imperial, there’s always another event, activity or society doing something, so university life doesn’t have to revolve entirely around studying.
I’ve participated in activities alongside my studies through the hiking and music societies. One misconception people sometimes have about Imperial is that everyone only studies, but there are actually so many societies and events that students get involved with – for example, with the hiking society, they offer taster hikes and easier trips which you can join if you don’t have much experience, and lots of other societies do a similar thing so you can try new activities.
One experience that meant a lot to me was taking part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life through Move Imperial. As a cancer biology student, being able to join an event connected to the disease I’m studying made it especially meaningful.
My advice for new students is to follow the Students’ Union and the societies you’re interested in on social media. Events are constantly being announced, and it’s much easier to get involved if you’re regularly seeing what’s coming up.
Student life in London
London is a huge city that gives you access to almost everything you could be interested in: museums, events, food from all over the world and very different neighbourhoods to explore. Even after living here for a while, I find there are still lots of new places to discover!
One of my favourite things about living in London is the concerts. I love music, and I’ve probably been to over seven concerts since moving here. Almost every artist includes London on their tour, so there’s always something new to see.
After a long day of studying or working, I really enjoy smaller pubs where you can just sit and talk with friends, like The Pavilion near the White City Campus or The Crabtree near the Charing Cross Campus. If I want an actual night out, I’m a big fan of Camden because the atmosphere is livelier and more alternative, so it’s a nice change from the usual London setting.
What's life at Imperial really like?
Connect with current students and explore the vibrant community that makes life at Imperial so unique.
Future plans after graduating
My long-term goal after completing my Master’s is to do a PhD and continue in research. That has never changed, although the course has made me much more aware of how challenging that path can be. I’ve experienced research more realistically, including the difficult parts, and I still want to continue with it, which has confirmed that this is truly what I want to do.
My advice for future students would be to start planning your next step early, whether that be progressing onto a PhD or looking for your next role. A Master’s goes incredibly quickly, and applications for jobs, PhDs and funding can take much longer than you expect. Don’t wait until you’ve finished your dissertation to start thinking about what comes next.
Tips for applying to Imperial
Just go for it! Don’t reject yourself before Imperial has even had the opportunity to consider you. Start your application early, revise it multiple times and make sure it clearly shows why you’re interested in your subject and what you’ve done to prepare for succeeding in your chosen course.
Built with Shorthand