Andrea Dcunha

A day in my life

A typical day in my life as an undergraduate psychology student starts with coffee and a review of pre-lecture notes prepared the previous night. After some yoga stretches, I get ready for University and enjoy a calming walk through the peaceful park – a positive start to the day.

Once on campus, I meet friends at the Spanish Steps, one of the campus's iconic places. Then, I attend classes where professors lead interactive and intriguing sessions. We discuss topics like ethical regulation in psychology and are encouraged to engage in healthy debates.

Later, as Vice-President of the Photography, Videography, and Editing (PVE) Studio, I spend time arranging events for the academic year. After these activities, I have a quick lunch at the Atrium food hall.

In the evening, I unwind with a stroll to my favourite tea spot, sipping chai and reading my favourite book. This helps me end the day well. Finally, I walk back to my accommodation and prepare notes for the next day.

Why Birmingham Dubai?

The University’s beautiful, modern, and sophisticated infrastructure creates a vibrant environment that enhances the learning experience. Upon visiting the University on one of its multiple Open Days, I was able to interact with student ambassadors who were very friendly. I also spoke with Psychology professors who answered my questions and gave me a clear picture of the course structure. That was the greatest green flag for my selection.

Being part of the prestigious Russell Group and accredited by the Ministry of Education (MOE) added to my confidence in choosing Birmingham Dubai. Additionally, I really appreciate that the University offers a healthy balance between academics and social life, which supports both personal and academic growth.

I had the privilege of attending an on-campus Open Day with my parents and a couple of online offer holder sessions towards the start of the academic year. These proved to be a reference point for the application process, scholarship availability, and answering various queries on a personal level. Comparing these experiences, the on-campus Open Days were more effective than the others as they gave us an opportunity to get a guided walking tour of the entire University, along with an introduction to the department of Psychology and a space to meet with the administrative staff. Not to mention the various accommodation representatives who were present on campus, who provided a solution to all housing queries.

Dubai is a very vibrant and soulful city, and yet it is very safe. I really enjoy living in Dubai as I can hang out with my friends in iconic yet vibrant places like Global Village or unwind and enjoy the calm breeze of air from various beaches. Dubai is a land of both its colourful and vibrant or calm and subtle places, making it a heaven for introverts like myself as well as extroverts.

Why I chose to study Psychology at Birmingham Dubai

One key reason I chose to study a BSc Psychology here at the University of Birmingham Dubai was mainly because of the emphasis on applied knowledge rather than solely testing on theoretical knowledge and aiding us in translating our soft skills into hard skills, which would become core as a psychologist in the near future. The classes are held interactively, making it fun and engaging.

My Birmingham Dubai experience

Being a Student Representative has been incredibly rewarding. I was able to bridge the gap between faculty and students, providing the faculty with feedback and acting as a voice for students.

During my first year of study, I had an incredible opportunity to volunteer at the TEDx show organised by the Speech and Debate Society. Furthermore, various other volunteering opportunities like Iftar Kit Distribution, 'AI innovation in Mental Health' helped me to become more confident and gave me incredible memories worth a lifetime.

The University helps cultivate your hobbies; there are several clubs/societies ranging from academics to clubs related to your specific hobby. When dealing with academics, the professors are helpful and make sure the classes are interactive and solve our queries without any hesitation. Additionally, the University offers seminars inviting professionals to lead discussions on topics relevant to their fields.

On a personal note, one of my favourite spots where I enjoy chilling with friends playing games is the Old Joe Pod.

Birmingham Dubai’s impact

The University's Careers Network has provided various workshops and thought-provoking seminars, helping students to understand the prevailing job market in the country. The University also organises career expos periodically, which helps students find internship opportunities along with the guidance from representatives of various well-known companies spanning across various fields which including psychology, business, accounting, computer science, etc.

On an academic note, the University has an Academic Skills Centre providing insightful seminars on critically evaluating journal articles, queries regarding assignments, tips and tricks for MCQ, etc. I was assigned to a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) who has supported me throughout the academic year. I have also received immense help from the professors to settle into the new curriculum, along with detailed feedback for assignments. Further, the academic skills centre has hosted multiple seminars to provide help in different aspects, such as the use of GenAI, exam preparation, and much more.

I was also honoured to receive the Chancellor's Academic Merit Scholarship due to my academic performance, which helped me financially.

Advice for students

One thing I would tell prospective students is to engage with the events hosted by the University, such as Global Day, which is an excellent opportunity to interact with students from diverse cultural backgrounds and learn about their traditions and values. I would recommend volunteering for these events, as it would help students develop necessary skills like communication, leadership, etc.

The next thing I would recommend is attending sessions hosted by the Academic Skills Centre, as it has helped me during my first year when I had many doubts regarding the assignments.

Finally, attend all lectures and seminars for modules; it really proves beneficial during the final exam period.