Robert Chan Seem BSc Psychology, 2016

MSc Research Methods in Psychology at the University of Southampton

What I enjoyed about my course was how much you could specialise. I’m quite into eye-movements and visual cognition and I had the opportunity to do a third-year module on that, which was Eye Movements and Visual Cognition with Simon Liversedge. To be taught by some of the best lecturers and researchers in the UK, if not Europe, was amazing

What has your time at Southampton been like?

Southampton for me has been an incredibly interesting place, there are so many different things that you can do and it’s such a good university in general. Academically speaking, it’s in the top 100 of universities worldwide (QS World Ranking 2019) which is astonishing really when you think about it, so I’m just very glad to have come here more than anything.

What have you enjoyed about your course?

What I enjoyed about my course was how much you could specialise. You could choose your modules and go into the areas that you were interested in. I’m quite into eye-movements and visual cognition and I had the opportunity to do a third-year module on that, which was Eye Movements and Visual Cognition with Simon Liversedge. To be taught by some of the best lecturers and researchers in the UK, if not Europe, was amazing, I really enjoyed it. In terms of customization, you have two optional modules in your first year and in third year you choose all of your modules apart from you dissertation, and you have so much choice so you can do whatever interests you. I did modules ranging from Sexual Health to Eye Movement, which was great. With your dissertation in particular, you choose a supervisor who’s in an area that you’re interested in and you get to do a project in line with that.

Who was your dissertation supervisor?

My supervisor was Dr Hazel Blythe; she’s great, absolutely brilliant.

Did you take part in any extracurricular activities during your time here?

In terms of extracurricular activities I did peer support, which is a confidential student listening service, so I just looked out for other students who were having a hard time. It was brilliant, I got to meet a range of people, all sorts of characters and at the same time it’s really good for your CV as well, it was brilliant.

How have you found the careers support at the University?

I got a lot of encouragement in seeking out the different pathways to getting a postgraduate degree, in fact, I applied for a PhD because of one of my lecturers. They give you so much guidance and they’re willing to give you references and everything to help you do the best that you can, it was very smooth.

What are your plans following university?

I applied for a master’s and got onto that so I’ll be doing an MSc in Research Methods in Psychology at Southampton again. After I’ve finished my master’s, what I plan to do is try and apply for a PhD, what I really want to do more than anything is continue on and do my own research, I think that would be incredibly interesting and I’m really looking forward to it. I think this place gives you the right opportunities to get on that career path.

What has been your greatest memory from your time here?

My best memories from Southampton in general were meeting friends who I’ll have for the rest of my life. I’ve lived with amazing people for the last three years and I know that I’m going to continue being friends with them following university, so that’s been great.

What advice would you give to students about to start their degree at Southampton?

My advice to students beginning their degree at Southampton would be to buckle down and listen to your lecturers because they’ve got your best interests at heart. They want you to do as well possible and they’re going to give you the opportunity to do so if you take it, so just do the best that you can.