Nearing the end of her third year, Edwina, from Hong Kong, explains how the BSc (Hons) Sociology, her professional placement and other activities have informed plans for the future, opening up new possibilities.

I knew I wanted to live in Bath one day

I first visited Bath when I was 15 on a summer camp trip to England. I fell in love with the city straight away and knew I would love to live in Bath one day.

When I saw the sociology course and its rankings, I knew I had to work hard to get in – it gave me a clear goal during A Levels and eventually I was accepted.

My family has a tradition of coming to the UK for education, and we’ve all enjoyed it! I went to a boarding school in the UK and that experience helped me get used to the language and culture, making the transition to university fairly smooth.

Apart from some surprise differences - like supermarkets shutting at 5pm on Sundays – I settled in quickly.

The placement year is career planning in action

I chose the 4-year course with a professional placement and that has been one of the best decisions I’ve made.

The placement is teaching me so many life skills and helping me figure out what kind of work suits me. I am just finishing my placement at Amazon, which is based in London – a city that feels more familiar to me with its buzz and pace. It was a bit daunting at first: new people, new systems, new expectations. Now, I am nine months in, I’ve found my rhythm and learned a lot.

I’m in a compliance role, which has involved some travelling opportunities – Madrid and Munich were highlights. I also took on a project to create onboarding materials for new joiners in my role, which ties in well with my growing interest in HR.

My day usually starts at 9am with emails and meetings, then slot in project work across the days. Although my role is not directly related to sociology, the writing and analytical skills I’ve gained from writing essays helps a lot with creating documents and procedures. It is definitely easier than writing a sociological essay!

I have also picked up technical skills such as using software like Excel and SQL, which are useful in all workplaces. I’ve been able to get involved with the Amazon volunteer community, which made work feel even more fulfilling. The volunteering channel is really active, and it's easy to fit in small acts of help around your meetings.

My placement has helped me realise I prefer people-focused roles over technical ones. That clarity has been invaluable, and my placements officer has been great in supporting that reflection. I’m hoping to do a summer internship in HR back in Hong Kong to gain more experience.

Getting up to speed

Bath is so peaceful compared to Hong Kong, making it a perfect place to study.

There’s a healthy balance between working hard and taking time out to care for your own wellbeing, which I really appreciate.

The course itself is fascinating. I have enjoyed the mix of classes, especially those that challenge us to think critically about areas we care about. For example, we had to represent countries and debate climate change and sustainability – it sparked a good discussion.

Having not studied sociology before, I did need some direction initially. I found the tutors were always approachable and helpful, especially with essay planning or research tools. The lecture recordings are very helpful if you need to revisit something.

Finding societies and life outside the classroom

Away from the classroom, there are so many societies to join, too. I joined the Burban Dance Society as it gives me a boost of energy for lectures!

I have been interested in climate change, so I signed up to become a Climate Champion. Our group ran upcycling and second-hand sales events – it’s all about sharing and reducing harmful impacts.

Living on campus in my first year made everything convenient - no commuting made it easy to try out societies and activities. In my second year, I moved into the city and have enjoyed using the Virgil Building to study – it’s right in the heart of the city.

I’ve loved exploring the city - Café au Lait is a favourite spot, and Solina does amazing pasta (though you can’t book, so there is always a queue - but that is a good sign!).

I'm excited for my final year because the dissertation will be a new challenge, and I will be writing about something that I'm passionate about. After my final year, I’d like to work for a few years and possibly return to do a master’s with a sustainability focus.

Final advice for new students

Don't be shy - contact your tutors about anything you are not sure about in the first year. I was hesitant at first and wish I hadn’t been!

Make the most of the Sports Training Village, which is open to everyone. I get pulled into badminton by my friends and it’s fun to have a run around and laugh.

Also, do an online supermarket order as a flat – it’s cheaper and saves you carrying heavy bags!