Grace Norman
MA International Development and Education.
About Grace
Nationality: British
Year graduated: 2017
Choosing Newcastle
Not only is Newcastle my home town (though I found myself in the north of Scotland when applying for the MA), but the MA combined two of my long term passions. I hadn’t even intended to do a Master’s degree, but this one was too good an opportunity to miss!
The course
Combining international development with education was ideal for me. As was the course format that saw the course leaders take us through a varied and interesting taught programme as well as arrange and support a research placement in Tanzania. It was very different from my undergraduate degree in languages, but with great support from module and programme leaders, as well as carefully chosen modules, I thoroughly enjoyed it. If only it lasted longer than a year!
Being a postgraduate
There is certainly a big difference between being an undergraduate and postgraduate, but the skills required to succeed are the same. Socially, the course provided a great opportunity to meet people with common interests, but different backgrounds. We were a really tight-knit group and I’m still in touch with most people now a few years on.
Postgraduate community
The School has a really close postgraduate community, inviting people from a range of backgrounds and courses into the same space to share ideas and interests.
Accommodation
I was lucky enough to be living back in my parent’s house for the duration of the course, but found my course colleagues were in a variety of accommodation across Newcastle.
Living in Newcastle
Newcastle really has gone from strength to strength as a city. Not only is it beautiful, but the opportunities to explore the wider area are easily accessible and the city centre is vibrant and full of culture. I can say with confidence that Newcastle is more than football and night life!