“Having taught music for several years, I became increasingly interested in curriculum design, bilingual education, and how music can support holistic student development,” she said.
As an international student, she was looking for a programme that valued both academic rigour and real-world teaching experience.
“Southampton offered an environment where theory, practice, and critical reflection are closely connected, which aligned perfectly with my professional goals,” she added.
This degree allowed her to strengthen her research skills, reflect critically on her teaching practice, and gain new perspectives that she can apply in both local and international educational contexts.
She added: “These skills will allow me to contribute more effectively to educational practice and policy in the future.”
Bridging theory and practice
Winnie chose Southampton due to its reputation in music education and emphasis on reflective and research-informed practice.
“Studying at Southampton has been both intellectually stimulating and supportive. The facilities are excellent and the lecturers are highly knowledgeable and genuinely encouraging. They create a learning environment where you feel comfortable sharing ideas and experiences from different cultural and educational backgrounds,” she said.
She says the modules have encouraged her to analyse her teaching strategies, learning environments and student engagement in a structured, yet flexible, way. This has encouraged her to reshape how she viewed her own teaching and refined her professional approach.
The city of Southampton itself, she says is welcoming and student-friendly, with a relaxed atmosphere, good transport links, and plenty of cultural activities, green spaces, and cafés.
Gaining a global, interdisciplinary perspective
Studying at Southampton allowed Winnie to experience the UK education system first-hand. Alongside her core modules, she also explored international music management. This gave her the opportunity to strengthen her understanding of marketing strategies and reflect on and compare music industry practices with those of her home country of Taiwan.
She recalls: “This interdisciplinary learning experience is a distinctive feature of studying at Southampton, as it uniquely integrated music education with music business and management perspectives.”
Support as an international student
Like many international students, Winnie faced the challenge of adapting to a new academic system. However, she says the support available at Southampton made a substantial impact.
She says: “The support has made a significant difference to my confidence and progress throughout my time at Southampton. The academic staff have been approachable and responsive, and the University has provided clear guidance, learning resources, and pastoral support when needed.
“In particular, the support provided for international students has been extremely helpful. I attended free academic writing workshops specifically designed for international students that allowed me to develop my academic writing skills.
“Overall, Southampton’s supportive environment has helped me manage the challenges of postgraduate study while maintaining a healthy balance between academic work and personal wellbeing.”
Looking ahead to a future career
As she prepares for the next stage of her career, Winnie sees her postgraduate degree as a foundation for developing her career in music education, particularly bilingual teaching and curriculum development.
“This degree has equipped me with critical research skills, international perspectives, and a deeper understanding of how music education can support inclusive and meaningful learning,” she says.