Student voices: Q&A with Vasudha, BSc Population Health Sciences

What motivated you to study BSc Population Health Sciences at UCL?

When I was deciding what to pick for my degree I struggled a lot because I liked all my A Level subjects and wanted to study something that contained all of them. I did Maths, Chemistry and Geography at A Level and when I came across Population Health it was perfect because it has human geography, statistics, and the science behind diseases. It’s also a very broad degree as it covers the sociological, economical, and political side of healthcare. 

What was your path to higher education, from school to getting into UCL?

I went to Watford Grammar School of Girls where I completed my A Levels, and during Covid-19 my school helped a lot with our personal statements and applying through UCAS. I was in lockdown during majority of my sixth form so it wasn’t quite the normal path. I got an offer from UCL and then I sat exams which my school had put in place as our official A-Levels. Revising for my A Levels was a lot more difficult as I wasn't physically taught a lot of the content, and I had to get a tutor to help me. We knew that our A Levels wouldn't be the best due to our circumstances, but our school did a lot to help. Results day was a very big day as no one knew what to expect, I was very nervous but after receiving my results it was all worth it. Over summer I just did a bit of research into what modules I'd be taking in first year, but more importantly I needed to learn how to live alone so I started cooking and being more independent. I didn't do too much because I wanted to learn as I went along and just learn from my mistakes.

What have you learned about yourself during your time studying the BSc Population Health Sciences at UCL?

I’ve learnt that I made the right choice by picking this degree as I thoroughly enjoy all my modules and want to pursue a career in the Public Health sector after. Along with this I’ve gained a lot of life experience from living out, especially in Central London, and realised that I like being independent and I enjoy socialising a lot. 

What are your ambitions for life after your degree?

I want to meet a lot of influential people in this sector and work to solve health inequalities. 

Who inspires you and why?

All my friends and my parents. My friends are all very successful and have achieved a lot in their university days. They all have great determination, are very capable and extremely supportive, which only inspires me to do better. I like to stay busy and have a lot on my plate, which is something I have got from my parents. They both handle their workload very well and still know how to have a good balance.

What has been your proudest moment while at UCL? 

As President of UCL Indian Society, some of my proudest moments have been when two of my biggest events sold out. The first one, Dhamaal, was a desi club night which had over 650 people attending, and it was claimed to be ‘the best society event of the year’. My other event, JASHN, sold out within a day. This event was an extravagant ball that had 550 people attending. It took around 3 months of planning and seeing it go ahead successfully was a proud moment. 

What advice do you have for those who want to pursue higher education?

Higher education opens a lot of doors. Even just being at university allows you to gain so many connections that will help you alongside your degree. There’s a lot of support that schools and universities provide and you should consider it. In addition to this, it’s a lot of fun. Meeting new people and discovering a whole new city is exciting and teaches you a lot about yourself.