'The reason why I chose Sheffield Hallam University is their good reputation in sport related courses. When you assess the education programmes in the UK, SHU's sports courses reach the top level.

'Sheffield is one of the biggest cities in England and is located in the centre of the country, so it is very convenient for travelling to other parts of the UK. Moveover, Sheffield is a great example of a once industrial city becoming much more modern. It's also a good place to study because it is very peaceful and quiet. At the same time, Sheffield will not let you down if you like colourful nightlife.

'England is a wonderful place to go if you choose to study abroad. It has a good reputation in education all over the world, so you can gain spectacular knowedge here. England's culture is also a big reason to come and study here. You can visit London, Edinburgh, Bath, Oxford and other cities to really experience the culture. You can meet people from all over the world and make great new friends that you will have lots of new experiences with.

'The staff at SHU are very friendly and are always ready to help you. The university has a brilliant International Student Support Team, who can help you with everything from your studies to your personal life. They hold various colourful activities for students from abroad, which I enjoyed very much. One of the activities is called "local friends" in which you can visit a local Sheffield family's house through the help of the International Student Support Team. I was invited to spend Christmas Day with a local family, which was a very precious experience for me.

'You can also join in activities outside the University. I go to church regularly, play football with my friends and have also attended a barn dance with friends from all over the world.'

SAMAWANSHA TENNAKOON MSc Biomedical Basis of Disease

It was very easy to apply for the International Achievers' Scholarship award. I applied online. I just had to email the complete scholarship application with attached proof of my achievements.

As a full-time science student I found it a bit difficult to maintain higher marks while doing a part-time job, especially during the project period. The £2,000 from this scholarship has helped a lot and means I did not have to take a part-time job. This gave me more time to concentrate on my studies, which was the reason I gained good marks with 80% for my MSc project.

While doing my BSc Genetics course I became very interested in studying biomedical sciences and molecular biology. Sheffield Hallam is a well-recognised university and one of the leading universities in UK. I found the course modules of the MSc in Biomedical Basis of Disease were well in line with my areas of interest. So this course was my first choice.

When I arrived in Sheffield I found everyone very friendly. Student ambassadors and the staff of the University reception desk were helpful in providing the information I needed. They made it easier for us to get familiar with the places around and the University procedures.

The course has expert lecturers, all from different academic and research backgrounds. It is well-structured with relevant modules. You can develop your knowledge in particular fields through your choice of option modules and dissertation. During your research project you learn advance laboratory techniques. These help you gain confidence in your skills and gives you an in-depth understanding about your study.

Today I'm thoroughly enjoying the course and confident I made the right choice. I've developed my knowledge and understanding of the theory and practical applications of cell and molecular biology, and pathology to biomedical science.

My research project was a great opportunity to demonstrate self-direction. I had to tackle and solve theoretical and practical problems through planning and professional experiments.

The other students on the course came from a wide range of countries and backgrounds. This added a great deal to the learning experience and we learned from each other's experiences. It's given me the chance to be around talented people and added value to my academic career.It has also greatly increased my career prospects.

I've thoroughly enjoyed my twelve months at Sheffield Hallam University, which is famous for its student friendly environment and it has been a once in a life time experience.

UK universities provide internationally recognised qualifications of the highest standard. As well as the standards, many postgraduate courses can be completed in one year in UK which saves time and gives value for money.