Shamiya, BA in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics.

I was never what you’d call academically gifted, and for a long time, university felt like an impossible dream. One of the biggest hurdles holding me back was not having my Maths GCSE — a requirement that always lingered in the back of my mind and kept me away from pursuing higher education altogether.

While working a full-time job in retail, I took a leap of faith and enrolled in night classes at my local college to earn my Level 2 Maths qualification (a GCSE equivalent). It wasn’t easy. After two failed attempts, I finally passed. That small piece of paper represented something so much bigger — proof that I could achieve something I once thought was beyond me.

I already knew what I wanted to study: Philosophy and Religion. I’d always been fascinated by life’s biggest questions, and ethics had been a personal interest of mine for as long as I could remember. After countless hours searching online, I found a university that not only offered both subjects but included ethics as a bonus. It felt like a sign.

I applied to three other universities but ultimately chose Roehampton. At the time, it was ranked number one in England for my course, and the idea of living on campus felt like the full university experience. I loved knowing I could get to lectures without long commutes — and maybe even sneak in a cheeky lie-in now and then.

Looking back, choosing Roehampton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The course modules were engaging and thought-provoking from day one through to my final year. I met incredible friends who’ve become like family to me, and playing Netball gave me a new sense of community and pride. (Go Roey!)

Roehampton gave me a newfound confidence and sense of purpose. I loved how easy it was to connect with the source material I was learning, and I appreciated how our lecturers always found ways to make each session unique ranging from structured debates to open intellectual discussions about the module content.

My university life at Roehampton offered me so much, both academically and socially. I joined the netball team and created some incredible memories. In my second year, I was persuaded to become the club manager. Initially, I was nervous to take on the role, but I truly appreciated the trust placed in me to lead the teams. That confidence translated into my academic journey as well, allowing me to end my second year feeling proud of my progress—both in the classroom and on the court.

Roehampton—like the greenery that surrounds the campus—is a place of growth and positive change. My attitude towards education improved significantly, and by the time I entered my third year, I was genuinely excited to begin working on my dissertation. The support I received throughout the process was invaluable, with regular check-ins and meetings that guided me through to completion. Thanks to this support, I graduated with a BA in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics, earning a 2:1.

After graduating, I faced a period of uncertainty and hardship while searching for full-time work. Once again, Roehampton stepped in. I received an email about their internal graduate internship scheme and immediately applied for two roles—the maximum allowed. After interviewing for both positions, I was thrilled to be offered both!

Since September, I’ve been working as an intern at my familiar stomping ground, and I am forever grateful to Roehampton for their continuous support, opportunities, and belief in my potential.