Riche lives in London and works in the area of clinical research for the NHS. In her current position she works within a multi-disciplinary team that conducts and delivers clinical trials and observational studies for research patients.
With a background in medical sciences, she joined one of the NHS Foundation Trusts in North West England, where she worked in the Surgical Assessment Unit. During her time there, she completed one of the NHS clinical development programmes and also began studying towards her Master of Public Health via an online route with Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.
After studying the course part-time over two years, she graduated at an impressive ceremony in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh with a Master of Public Health (MPH). Having achieved her academic dream of achieving a master’s degree, she’s now excited about using her new skills and knowledge to help improve her team’s performance and make a positive impact in her community.
Riche shares her experience of studying for master’s degree fully online.
Why did you choose to study for your degree online?
I am employed full time, and when I decided to pursue my master's degree, I had concerns about flexibility. So, I looked for a course that would align with both my personal and professional life. Maintaining a work-life balance is crucial for well-being, and a course that blended well with these commitments was important to me. The distance learning option at QMU proved to be highly effective, as it allowed me to schedule my studies around my personal and work obligations. Our lectures were systematically organised on the study application platform (Canvas) in advance, enabling me to log in at any time and study according to the login hours set by the University for online learning.
Tell us about the course.
The Master of Public Health offered me comprehensive knowledge and skills related to research, population and community health. It fostered a commitment to positive change by providing an in depth understanding of the various factors impacting health outcomes and how to address existing and future health challenges. I gained valuable knowledge in areas such as health systems, stakeholder engagement and policy development for improved health outcomes. I must say, the Master of Public Health is truly empowering - I have been able to consolidate my learning at each point in my studies. I appreciate the knowledge and insights from our module lecturers and the peer discussions with my fellow colleagues.
How did you find studying online?
I discovered it to be adaptable, which significantly aided my consistency throughout the master’s degree from the beginning to the end of the course. Engaging in online learning necessitates discipline, concentration, dedication, and effective time management. In reality, participating in online education demands ongoing motivation, particularly when balancing other life responsibilities, whether they involve work or family. One of the strategies I found beneficial was to organise my study timetable ahead of time; for instance, determining how much time I would allocate to independent reading, completing assignments, or conducting a research project. Being specific about the plans you have for your learning is crucial to assessing your progress.
What did you most enjoy about the course?
The educational materials accessible on the study platform included a substantial collection of books, journals, research papers, pre-recorded lectures, videos, and study links for us to utilise. The availability of these extensive study materials significantly aided in reinforcing my learning. Moreso, the lecturers were very supportive and consistently provided help and clarity when it was needed.
What were the challenges?
Engaging in online studies demands effective time management and careful planning. There were instances when I had tight working schedules while also nearing deadlines for my coursework. As a student who works full-time, it was imperative that I strived to ensure that work commitments are properly balanced with academic pursuits. This way I was able to mitigate these challenges. It is important that whilst online studies can require effective planning, students might have extenuating circumstances that can impact the flow of learning, in such cases, student should seek advice and support from the lecturers and student success team like we have at QMU. They are very supportive!
How did you connect with your classmates?
My classmates were lovely, and we formed good collaboration with our learning by exchanging ideas on subjects covered in our study forums and consolidating our learning as a team. We received supervision and guidance from our lecturers who fostered our critical thinking abilities. For instance, we participated in sessions where we were required to critically evaluate research papers/articles or perform peer reviews. It was wonderful to meet professionals from a range of health backgrounds. Our study group was diverse, comprising students from various locations both locally and internationally.
Did you find the academic staff supportive?
Absolutely ! The academic staff were brilliant. They were consistently eager to answer the questions we had about our modules - whether it was by clarifying our inquiries about a topic or by virtually meeting us in person or as a group to discuss progress - our lecturers were very supportive.
Did you utilise any additional support services?
Yes, I did. We had the QMU student success team, which is an excellent team that reaches out to students to check on their academic progress and wellbeing. It was reassuring to know that you could talk to them if you had any questions or concerns. I believe the success team enhances student wellbeing by offering support when needed.
What was the highlight of your time at QMU?
Every part of the learning experience was the highlight for me! It was worth all the effort in the end, and I am thrilled to have successfully completed my course and graduated in the summer of 2025. I would love to say a massive thank you to all the academic team members in my course department at QMU for their dedication, commitment and unwavering support in making our academic dream a reality!
Would you recommend online learning at QMU to prospective students?
Certainly! I would recommend QMU for its high-quality education and impressive learning outcomes. The lecturers are seasoned professionals with extensive expertise in their respective fields. The flexibility of the learning process is highly beneficial, allowing students to adjust their studies to accommodate personal commitments. It's commendable that QMU's online courses offer both minimum and maximum completion periods, enabling students to choose a timeline that suits them best. Students will have the opportunity to learn alongside peers from diverse backgrounds and various geographical locations.
What are your career plans following graduation?
I aim to apply the skills and knowledge gained from my master's degree to my current role in research. My goal is to enhance my team's performance in ways that yield the best possible results, whether through innovative methods or by contributing to policies that foster improved outcomes! Ultimately, I am excited about the prospect of making a positive impact in my community and advancing the set goals in my area of work.
Find out more about our online Master of Public Health course.
Published July 2025
