Liliya Ivanova, MSc Intelligent Systems (2011-12)
Kseniya Malykh, MA Journalism and Media Studies (2011-2012)

Having successfully completed an International Foundation Year, followed by BA Film Studies, at Sussex, I had little doubt as to where I wanted to do my Masters degree! Being interested in research, I find Sussex to be a great university with a thriving and inspiring research culture in media theory and practice.
Sussex offers exceptional opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate study, as well as recognising talents and achievements. After graduating with First Class honours in my undergraduate Bachelor’s degree from Sussex, I was awarded a prestigious Chancellors International Scholarship award.
I chose MA Journalism & Media Studies because it offers a unique opportunity to combine practice and theory in one degree. And it is something you can get only in the UK, as Russian universities are more theoretical and abstract, and as such I feel my studies at Sussex have prepared me more fully for future employment opportunities.
Sussex is very flexible in allowing each student to follow their own path and choose subject that interest them the most. Each term we studied core courses and option courses that range from something very practical such as `Photography’, to more subjective courses such as the `Emotion, Representation and Culture’. As well as offering a wide range of subjects, Sussex also has an exceptional teaching team: practical journalism courses are taught by experienced journalists, and theoretical courses are taught by well-known academic staff.
I believe that exposure to both the academic and practical worlds is invaluable for such degree programmes of study. No matter where your life will take you, having the professional skills of preparing writing or copy for various audiences and mediums is vital. I believe that my Masters degree from Sussex has helped me to develop the professional skills I need to take me to a new level of career opportunities. I am now hoping to progress further in my studies by staying on at Sussex and pursuing a research PhD degree in Media and Communication Studies.
