Connor MacDonald

Why did you choose Bristol for your undergraduate degree?
I chose the University of Bristol because of its reputation for research-led teaching and the sense that students are genuinely immersed in discovery from the very beginning.  As someone who wanted to be a researcher, what better way to spend my time than learning about the real work people are doing?  That being said, when I started, I didn’t know what type of research I wanted to do, and I loved that the first year offered a wide breadth of modules to experience, allowing me to make a better decision about what to study further.

How would you sum up your experience?
My experience studying Biomedical Sciences at the University of Bristol was genuinely formative, not just academically but personally.  It was a period of significant growth, learning how to manage independence, balance challenges, and step outside my comfort zone.  I can’t imagine a better institution and city to not only start my career in science but also begin my adult life.  There is so much culture and so many fun experiences in the city that I have had the pleasure of engaging in, and I will genuinely miss this beautiful place.

What were the staff like?
The staff were one of the defining features of my experience.  The lecturers were deeply knowledgeable but also genuinely invested in students’ development.  What stood out most was how approachable everyone was. In my third year, I felt comfortable walking up to a lecturer after a workshop and asking if I could work with him for a year because I found his research interesting.  Next thing I knew, I was in the lab the following September.  That said, I always felt comfortable asking for help and advice.

How did your degree influence what you went on to next?
My undergraduate degree directly shaped my academic path.  Through my final-year research experience and exposure to molecular pharmacology and cancer biology, I realised that I wanted to pursue research at a deeper level.  This led me to continue at the University of Bristol for my master’s, where I focused on more specialised research training. Here, I have learned a great deal about what it means to be a scientist and have conducted extensive research.  Looking back, the analytical skills, experimental understanding, and scientific confidence I developed during my undergraduate degree were foundational.  Without that grounding, I wouldn’t have felt prepared to take on independent research. The skills I gained during my time here have given me everything I need to pursue a PhD elsewhere.

What advice would you offer to students contemplating a place at Bristol?
If you’re considering Bristol, my advice would be to embrace the breadth of the degree early on.  You don’t need to have everything figured out in the first year.  Take the time to really get to know what you enjoy and go from there.  Also, take advantage of the opportunities available to you.  There is so much help available from day one, and you should make the most of it, whether that’s through the Royal Literary Fellows, who help you learn how to write scientifically, or demonstrators in your practicals who assist you in learning new techniques.  Taking advantage of the support available will set you up to do the best you can.