I enrolled in the MSc Global Gender History Online Distance Learning course in 2023–2024, primarily because I am interested in both history and sociology and it allowed me to study these subjects in a non-exam-based environment. The timed nature of the exams made it challenging to study for GCSEs and A-Levels in these subjects, but the longer time allotted for research paper completion relieved a lot of that stress.

In the September before I started the course I was diagnosed with diabetes, which would have made adapting to on-campus university life near impossible. Fortunately the Online Distance Learning course allowed me to attend classes from my home in a remote village in the Northeast of England, making it easier to manage my disability.

My MSc dissertation, entitled 'An Investigation of Vices and Virtues symbolised by Botanical Imagery of Renaissance Feminine Figures applying ideas found in Neo-Platonism and Italian Renaissance culture', allowed me to explore multiple areas of interest such as Floriography, Renaissance Society and even Greek Mythology in a large amount of detail, which I had been unable to do in previous education. For me the most difficult part of a dissertation, especially one that focuses on a time period such as the Italian Renaissance, was finding a good amount of primary sources that were accurately translated. Fortunately the university has a wide variety of resources available through their library, which are fully accessible online through the university website. Try to start early with research and place any sources you plan on using in a literature summary table since when deadlines are approaching you will appreciate the organisation.

The best advice that I can give to people starting this course is that you should not be afraid to contact any of the staff for advice and support as I can say that these have been some of the kindest and most supportive tutors I have had during my time in education. There were multiple times when something confused me, whether it was regarding the subject matter or the system used to reference sources, which was more complex than the one I had previously used and despite not being able to see any of them in person they were quick and helpful in their emails. Furthermore the disability staff were always available to email who provided me with all the support I could have needed in acquiring extra time to complete research papers, in the event of unforeseen circumstances with my disability such as last minute hospital appointments.

First published: 7 September 2025

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