Progress to Postgrad: Sophie

Posted on: 2 August 2026 by Richard Finch in Class of 2025

BA Geography with Year Abroad graduate Sophie Jones continued their journey at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, studying Demography and Health and building on the strong foundations of their University of Liverpool degree.

What motivated you to pursue postgraduate study, and when did you realise it was the right path for you? 

I realised i wanted to pursue further studies when i was conducting my dissertation research. i realised how much more there is to learn and how geography isn't just one discipline, it can be used everywhere and taking a spatial inequalities class made me want to understand further health inequalities and public health. My interest in public health came from my study abroad at Kansas state university, where i took nutriiton and public health intro classes. learning about public health within the states was very interesting given the political and social environment and it made me think further than just the food or environment but more the social determinants and socioeconomic variables that influence. 

What were the biggest challenges you faced during the transition from undergraduate to postgraduate study, and how did you overcome them? 

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine brings in people from all different backgrounds, including a large majority from the medical field. it is also a postgraduate school with a strong research environment and whilst incredibly inspiring, i struggled with the imposter syndrome...being around experienced medical professionals but myself coming straight out of undergraduate geography- i wasnt sure how i would fit into the instituition or the degree itself. its alot smaller so you are noticed alot whereas at liverpool, it is so massive it is easier to be on your own journey. 

i overcame them by continuing to put effort and speak to other people. instead of feeling like the most immature, i asked more experienced people questions about their career and life and how they got to end up at LSHTM. 

Is there anything you are doing outside of your studies that has supported you development whilst studying? 

I work part-time to full-time at a coffee shop and am part of a running track group. having these breaks and routines definitely helped me provide structure to my year masters 

If you could give future grads one piece of advice, what would it be? 

Just do what you enjoy - I always knew I loved health, medicine and people and public health brings that all together 

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