Naz
BSc Medical Biosciences
Seeing all these novel ways of teaching made it clear to me that Medical Biosciences is a degree designed with love.
Imperial was always the perfect fit for Naz. She was inspired by others who were passionate about medical biosciences and the impact that they made which furthered her interest in medical research and teaching. Hear more from Naz as she shares how building connections and immersing herself in student life has shaped her journey so far.
Why did you choose to study at Imperial?
I came to the Global Summer School in the summer of 2022 and met some of the Teaching Fellows on the BSc Medical Biosciences (BMB) course while participating in some practical lab sessions. I was inspired by the Teaching Fellows I met who were all from different backgrounds and so passionate about what they were teaching.
When I reached the final years of high school, I took a closer look at the course information and modules – I was quite intrigued by the teaching methods Imperial used.
One of things that really attracted me to Imperial was seeing so many women with leading roles in the department, and I enjoyed their teaching, which was an important factor for me.
Another reason I chose Imperial was how the close the campus is to The Royal Institution, which hosts monthly discussions that you can attend in person or online. They have discussions about many different topics in science from the study of symmetry in maths and music to AI, or even why geologists like licking rocks! I found it a great way to learn about fields outside my scope of study and an excuse to socialise with my friends.
Applying to Imperial
Even though my family is Turkish, I’ve spent my childhood moving from one country to another – the UK is the sixth country I have lived in! Moving around a lot meant coming to the UK wouldn’t be too big of a challenge for me, and English is the language all my teaching was in, so the decision came quite naturally.
The idea of coming to London was initially a bit daunting since I was expecting it to be much busier than Stockholm, where I was living at the time, with a more complicated commute than I was used to.
Two years on, I’ve found my worries were unfounded and I've had the most amazing experience so far.
My visa application process had a very narrow window where it needed to be issued due to circumstances beyond my control. I contacted the International Student Support team around the time of my acceptance to get information about whether all my paperwork was in order and if my Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) would be issued in time for me to reach my window. They were very helpful and reassuring throughout the whole process.
About the Medical Biosciences course
Medical Biosciences lets you develop the key collaborative and technical skills needed for professional life and explore many different topics and research. We get to learn a lot about what’s currently cutting edge in medical science whether that’s how to use the modern gene-editing tool CRISPR from scratch, having one of the only undergraduate-level courses on the emerging field of microbiome in health and disease to having assignments where we get to investigate a part of cancer biology which interests us.
Practical lab work is a big part of the course. We do group research projects which run throughout the entire academic year in our first two years and in the third year we go on a 20-week placement. These projects have taught me many different techniques, some of which others don’t get to perform until their postgraduate studies. Being able to see such advanced techniques early on, in an environment where I could consult with other students and Teaching Fellows, gave me a lot of confidence.
This course is one where you’re given all the tools you need to succeed, but it’s up to you to take those in stride and make the effort to excel.
Applying for my final year project taught me about how we identify questions which need to be answered and the research proposal process. I proposed my own research idea to a researcher within Imperial and got his support to conduct it next year.
What's the Imperial community like?
The community here is great. Joining the Imperial College Choir has been an amazing experience. They celebrate the more niche traditions at Imperial and you get to hear stories of students before you and learn more about the university in general.
The Imperial College Choir is one of the most welcoming and friendly communities I have ever been part of.
We perform concerts each term, and although the music was often challenging, it was incredibly rewarding to see all our hard work come together in performance. One of the highlights of this year was performing Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem with the Imperial College Symphonic Orchestra. Being part of such a complex and impressive performance was a truly memorable experience.
Before coming to Imperial, I never expected to continue pursuing music at such a high level alongside my studies. I am very grateful for the opportunity and being part of the choir has been one of the most enjoyable parts of my time at Imperial.
What's it like living in London?
Living and studying in London has been a memorable and rewarding experience. Adapting to independent living has been a significant part of this journey, particularly when it comes to managing daily responsibilities such as cooking and meal planning, which require a greater level of organisation and foresight than I expected.
I enjoy what London has to offer.
The city is home to many beautiful parks, which provide the perfect place to relax and recharge after a busy week of studying. The area surrounding Imperial offers plenty of places to eat, socialise and spend time with friends. One of the more unique aspects of the area is that you have a nice place to hang out with your friends and experience the great restaurants and cafe's London has to offer.
Explore London on our virtual tour
Visit famous London landmarks close to Imperial, including the London Eye, Borough Market and Oxford Circus on our interactive virtual tour.
What are your future plans after graduating?
I am planning to pursue postgraduate studies, although I have not yet decided on a specific field. I particularly enjoy working in the laboratory and find teaching both interesting and rewarding. As a result, I hope to explore opportunities that will allow me to gain more experience in these areas and help me determine the direction I would like to take in the future.
Naz's top tips for applying to Imperial
Applying to university is a process which takes a lot of grit, determination and resilience. Things may seem tough, but passion for your topic and getting joy from your work is key. Make sure to keep up to date with what’s going on in your field while you’re planning your application.
Being at Imperial isn’t an easy experience, but it is extremely rewarding and great fun when you make the most of opportunities.
For example, don't try and lock yourself onto a specific path or field right out of the gate, take the time to get acquainted with the lab and the general fields of research. Keep exploring what kind of research is going on at Imperial and beyond to find what really sparks that flame of passion in you.
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