Gautam Sanghmitra

What motivated you to study in the UK?

I’m an academically motivated person. The first thing that attracted me to the UK was the presence of more than 20 universities ranked under 100 in the QS World Rankings. Secondly, it’s the goodwill of Russell‑Group universities across continents. Thirdly, my cousin, who completed his LLM at the University of Oxford, inspired me through his academic journey, reinforcing my determination to pursue higher education in the UK.

Why did you choose the University of Birmingham?

The three primary factors that influence a prospective student’s choice of university are ranking, employability, and the availability of scholarships. After evaluating these criteria, the University of Birmingham emerged as my top choice. It is ranked 76th worldwide, recognised as a leading institution for graduate employability, and its scholarship offerings were a decisive factor. While reviewing the course modules, I was impressed by the breadth of options available; very few universities offer a module on nuclear weapons, which further strengthened my preference for Birmingham.

How has the scholarship supported your academic journey or overall student experience?

The scholarship helped me loosen the financial burden and focus more effectively on my academics. I no longer have to worry about doing part‑time work to sustain myself. instead, I use this time to be actively engaged with events, conferences, and activities across university.

What do you enjoy most about living and studying in Birmingham?

My active participation would be the first thing I enjoy the most. Since joining the University of Birmingham in September 2025, I’ve achieved a lot on a personal level - I am an elected committee member of two societies: Postgraduate Representative for the Politics Society and Outreach Officer for the Amnesty Society. I’m also an elected Representative for the School of Government and got recruited as a Graduation Usher for the December graduation ceremony in the Great Hall.

On the creative side, I write for the Redbrick newspaper and produce “day‑in‑my‑life” videos, which have been featured on the University of Birmingham’s official Instagram account. I have also collaborated with the School of Government and Student Living Instagram pages. Recently, I was invited to be a panel member for a Q&A with January‑intake students.

I attend almost every university event while remaining academically conscious - my grades have not been affected by these commitments.

What advice would you give to students from your home country considering studying in the UK? 

As I mentioned earlier, for prospective students considering the UK, the first step is to shortlist universities based on rankings and employability. Secondly, research the course and its modules, and thirdly, check the availability of scholarships. If you’re investing such a large sum of money, make it a worthwhile investment.

Next, sort out accommodation. There’s no harm in living off‑campus, but university housing offers many benefits such as - sense of security, social events, and occasional free gifts. Your flatmates will most likely be international, giving you exposure to diverse cultures.

Finally, research your professors beforehand. Knowing their research interests could open the door to a PhD opportunity under their supervision.