How did your Cambridge courses help you choose your degree course at the University of Mumbai?
I enjoyed studying science at Cambridge IGCSE, and wanted to explore the subject in more depth before deciding on my university course. That’s why I chose to study Cambridge International AS & A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. I also chose Mathematics because it is important for any future career.
The Cambridge emphasis on 'real world' science proved very influential when considering my degree options. We learnt essential knowledge and concepts but also talked about the equipment and processes used in laboratories and industry. This sparked my interest in scientific research and gave me an insight into the techniques I would be using if I decided to study science at university. The broad subject curricula also allowed me to make an educated decision about my ideal degree. In Chemistry, for example, we learnt about drug design and novel drug delivery systems, and in Biology we discovered about the mechanism of action of penicillin. As a result of my fascination in topics such as these, I decided to study pharmacy at the University of Mumbai.
How did your Cambridge qualifications support your move to university?
Several of the topics covered at Cambridge International A Level were discussed in depth during my degree, so it was useful to start these discussions with some background knowledge. The practical science skills I learnt were also of great benefit. Cambridge qualifications emphasise the importance of precision and repetition in order to ensure reliable results, and also experimental design and data analysis – all essential for a science career. The work ethic, time management and study technique I developed during this time have also allowed me to succeed at university. Making concise revision notes, applying concepts to new situations, attention to detail – these are all skills which I used throughout my time at university.
Every student at school also had to take Cambridge International AS Level English Language - in fact I really enjoyed this subject and the skills I developed helped me feel much more comfortable when writing assignments at university.
What are you doing now?
I'm now a PhD student in the Department of Chemistry at Imperial College London. My work is in the area of chemical biology, and my project focuses on using proteomic platforms to study drug targets. After completing my PhD I'd like to continue a career in research within the chemical biology and drug discovery landscape.
Would you recommend Cambridge qualifications to other students?
I was a Cambridge student from Cambridge Checkpoint through to Cambridge International A Levels and I would definitely recommend this route. I was well prepared for the academic challenge of university, and the Cambridge programme also allowed me to discover my interests and assess my strengths, so I could make a well-informed decision about my future career path.