Looking back, Lily sees choosing to study BSc (Hons) Social Sciences at Bath as a key step in finding her direction, and a decision that has played a central role in shaping her career.

A professional placement at the National Literacy Trust during her degree gave her practical experience and helped build her confidence, while her studies developed the skills she would later draw on to set up and run her own social media agency.

Building towards starting my own business, without knowing it

I grew up in London, and moved back here after graduating from Bath in 2023 with a degree in Social Sciences.

The course itself blended academic variety with practical independence. While we had guidance, we were trusted to develop our ideas, lead projects, and work through challenges, think critically and keep going. That gave me confidence in my own judgement.

I didn't know it at the time, but those skills would be incredibly useful. I now run a social media marketing agency called Brightfeed, and so much of what I do — be it content writing, strategy, client communication or creative problem-solving — has its roots in the transferable skills I developed during my degree. Even statistical modules have helped, especially when interpreting performance metrics and campaign results.

A turning point for me came during my placement at the National Literacy Trust in London. It was a small charity, and because of that, I was trusted with a lot of responsibility early on. I managed their social media, wrote press releases, created and uploaded web content and ran a large portion of their digital communications. That experience made me realise I wanted a creative career and gave me the tools to pursue it.

The Social Sciences degree also taught me how to be resourceful. Bath encouraged us to pursue opportunities outside the classroom and gave me the confidence to believe in my abilities. I learned that your degree doesn’t define your future, it equips you for it.

One of the best pieces of advice I got came from someone who told me to treat every conversation like a chance to connect, with no expectation attached. Some of my most interesting client work has come through informal chats or unexpected introductions. You never know where a conversation might lead, and the course helped give me the confidence to put myself out there.

The right degree at the right time

What made the course so great was its breadth. Social Sciences gave me the flexibility to keep things open, which was so helpful because I was unsure what I wanted to do.

I studied modules across disciplines — from cognitive neuroscience and sport science right through to politics. In my final year, I even took a module on death and society, which ended up being one of my favourites.

The degree gave me the freedom to explore unexpected interests and tailor my degree to what I found engaging. Taking a Social Sciences degree was the best decision I could have made.

Bath’s attractive qualities

One thing that stood out at Bath was how much it valued more than just academic excellence. Other universities I visited seemed entirely focused on lectures and grades. Bath emphasised employability, community, and personal development. It felt like a university that was preparing me for life beyond the lecture theatre and not just the next exam.

That focus really helped. Bath’s careers support was clear from the start, and the structure of the course developed skills that went way beyond the content. The volume of essay-based work sharpened my analytical thinking and taught me how to make well-reasoned arguments backed by evidence. We also did a lot of group work, which built collaboration and leadership skills, things I now use daily in my career.

A city I love and university life

Bath itself was a big part of my experience. It’s a beautiful city, and campus life was vibrant but also peaceful when you needed a breather. I loved walking around Sham Castle or sitting by the lake in the sunshine with friends. By final year, I’d found my favourite cafés to study in and often worked out of the Virgil Building in the city centre, especially during dissertation season.

Outside of the course, joining the lacrosse team was a huge highlight. I’d never played before university, but I gave it a go and stuck with it for three years. It became one of the most rewarding parts of university life and reminded me that stepping into something new often pays off.

Graduation at the Bath Abbey was another memorable moment. It’s such an iconic part of the city, and walking across the stage surrounded by friends in a place we’d all grown to love was unforgettable. It felt like the perfect end to a genuinely transformative experience.

Not a soft subject!

Some people view social sciences as a softer subject, but I couldn’t disagree more. The transferable skills are so valuable; I’ve seen friends from the course go into finance, PR, healthcare, consulting, and start-ups. The degree gave each of us the room to find our own direction, and the tools to thrive once we did.

The course is for the open-minded and curious, those who aren’t yet sure where they want to land, but who want to build a strong, flexible foundation. It let me explore everything from human behaviour to public policy, and it equipped me with practical skills like data analysis and academic writing. It really prepared me to carve out my own path.