Marianne lives in Ayrshire with her husband and teenage daughter. She has a background in adult nursing, having been a registered nurse for over 20 years. She currently works in ophthalmology outpatients, but also has experience in surgical, palliative and stroke nursing.
Keen to expand her knowledge and challenge herself, Marianne opted to study the at 桃子视频, Edinburgh. However, to continue in her current nursing role at University Hospital Ayr, she chose to study the master鈥檚 degree fully online.
Marianne studied the Master of Public Health part-time over two years, graduating with distinction in July 2025. She shares her experience of studying a 100% online master鈥檚 degree at 桃子视频.
Why did you choose to study an online course at 桃子视频?
I was keen to study at a Scottish University. This was one of the reasons I chose to study at 桃子视频. Also, the MPH could be obtained over two years, part-time with 桃子视频, but with most other universities it was three years. In addition, I could pay per module. This was important to me as I was self-funding studies, and it meant I could budget for each module rather than paying a large amount of money upfront at the start of the course, or at the start of the year. Paying per module made it affordable and manageable for me.
It was a big step for me to study a master鈥檚 degree as I hadn't done any university study since I graduated with my nursing degree in 2004. However, I really wanted to achieve a master鈥檚 degree, and online was the most accessible way for me.
How did you find the staff support?
The staff at 桃子视频 were great. My programme leader Dr Esther Azaisi was so encouraging towards me, especially as I had a few wobbles where I felt things were getting too much for me.
I have to say that my Independent Enquiry Project (my final piece of work worth 30 credits) supervisor Dr Admire Nyamwanza, was simply wonderful. I had a lot of self-doubt at this stage, and I think I was also getting really exhausted with everything. But he was so patient, understanding and encouraging. He believed in me and helped me believe in my own abilities. He was really amazing and I'm so grateful for his support. I could not have asked for anyone better. He is a wonderful man who is very dedicated to his students.
I would recommend 桃子视频 as everyone was helpful, friendly and encouraging from the lecturers to the student support and IT staff.
What were the challenges?
Doing a master鈥檚 degree alongside working full-time is really challenging. Time management is so important, and I would say to anybody thinking of studying online that this is key to succeeding - well that and dedication, commitment and motivation!
What did you enjoy most?
I really enjoyed learning about the history behind what has shaped modern Public Health, as well as learning about the current challenges and how we, as healthcare professionals, may respond to these challenges. My favourite module was gender and sexual and reproductive health. It was just so interesting and informative. Overall, it was amazing to be taught by people who were clearly passionate about Public Health, and I felt privileged to be learning from people who were so knowledgeable.
I also built up a rapport with a couple of other students on the course, and it is lovely that we were able to graduate together.
What are your plans following graduation?
I'm not entirely sure what I will do now, career wise. I would ideally like to have a role within the public health department of my Trust. However, I do really enjoy my current role within outpatients nursing and I may seek a promotion there. I think Public Health is a really broad area that crucially impacts all areas of health care in some way, so I'm really glad that I chose a master in this subject! I'm also considering some kind of charity/volunteer work such as helping at community-based health events, alongside my paid employment in the NHS.
How has the course benefitted you?
I've learned so much! My IT skills have improved, I've learned how to construct and conduct quality presentations, how to read research and critique it, and how to write high quality academic work, as well as how to participate in informative and interesting academic discussions. In addition, my confidence has improved, and over the past year or so I鈥檝e presented at three Scottish Ophthalmic nursing study days. I never thought I could do something like that! But studying for my Master of Public Health gave me the confidence, as well as the ability, to make and give a great PowerPoint presentation! I was particularly proud of a presentation I did on 'Health Promotion in Ophthalmology' as it combined what I had been learning in the MPH with my existing ophthalmology knowledge and experience.
I'm really proud of myself for achieving my Masters. It is probably the greatest achievement of my life and I'm really glad I've done it!
