Think Big International Scholarship Recipient, Yi-Yu Yeh from Taiwan, Shares Her Journey to Pursue an MSc in Neuropsychology at the University of Bristol

My name is Yi-Yu Yeh, and I am from Taoyuan, Taiwan. I majored in Clinical Psychology during my undergraduate studies, where I developed a strong interest in various psychological theories. Among all courses, Anatomy and Abnormal Psychology were my favorites, sparking my desire to further pursue a degree in a related field. During the pandemic, I worked as a research assistant in the neuropsychology department of a hospital, where I gained valuable skills in conducting research and had the opportunity to meet patients with a wide variety of diagnoses, an experience that was truly precious to me. The following year, I decided to join the MSc Neuropsychology program at the University of Bristol.

Think Big International Scholarship Details

I started to prepare for my scholarship application right after I received my unconditional offer from the University of Bristol. The scholarship is called “Think Big International Scholarship”, which is funded and administered directly by the University of Bristol. During my study year (2022-2023), the scholarship is categorized into three awards: £5,000, £10,000, and £20,000. However, I was fortunate enough to be awarded a £10,000 scholarship. Moreover, I was honored to be part of the Think Big Development Program, which provided candidates multiple opportunities to learn from people with different backgrounds, academically and culturally.

Educational Background

I have a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology, which belongs to the College of Medicine at Fu Jen Catholic University. During my undergraduate studies, I took multiple psychology courses, including Social Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Developmental Psychology. In each course, I have gained a solid foundation of psychological concepts and even had a chance to run my own small-scale research. At the end, I have successfully graduated with a GPA 3.7/4.0 from my bachelor's, and the knowledge I’ve learnt has provided me with a certain advantage in further pursuing my Master’s degree.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Bristol?

I actually prepared my application in a top-down way. Firstly, I researched most universities in the UK and filtered my options based on factors such as location, tuition fees, and available courses. Then, I have narrowed the list down to several options and further dived into the requirement details. What is needed to be prepared is clearly shown on the website, including a personal CV, a transcript, and an IELTS minimum score. Finally, once the target is clear, all I did was make such an effort to meet the criteria.

Talk About How You Find Your Information, as well as Standardized Test scores. How did You Prepare for Those Exams?

I was lucky enough to prepare for IELTS as the only standardized test for my application. According to the uni website, Applied Neuropsychology at the University of Bristol requires IELTS 7.0 overall, and at least 6.5 in each category. To me, writing was the most challenging part of the exam, and I indeed invested a great deal of time in pursuing a better score. I practiced using past exam papers published by Cambridge University Press and Assessment. In addition, I asked an experienced tutor to review my writing and provide useful advice to improve my writing skills. Lastly, I often search online resources associated with how to interpret the question and create a strong structure in the first few minutes of the exam. It was really helpful in my practice.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Think Big International Scholarship?

Frankly, I could not provide a strong strategy for the scholarship application. On the contrary, I think showing my passion and my value in a particular profession is how I received the scholarship award. In my application, I mainly established all the ideas I was planning to do with professional skills that I was about to learn at this university. It is not about the practical feasibility, but rather about how big your ambitions are. As the scholarship's name suggests, think big is how you stand out from the crowd.

How Is (was) Your Experience at the University of Bristol? 

My experience at the University of Bristol was beyond amazing. I was fortunate enough to learn from many experts, both from NHS clinical practice and from academia. Additionally, during my journey in Bristol, I have realized the importance of critical thinking and further shaped my own perspective, which is precious and valuable. Lastly, UoB and the Think Big Scholarship program have provided sufficient resources for students to explore themselves, challenge themselves, and appreciate themselves. Overall, I did have my best time at UoB.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

In addition to academic performances, I also shared my experience as a medical volunteer in Tanzania. During the bittersweet journey, I became more flexible when facing different circumstances and more open to embracing people from diverse backgrounds. According to my experience, those stories that are special and meaningful should be mentioned on the application to further distinguish yourself.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Applying for a scholarship is like a bonus. All you need to do is share your ambitions with the knowledge and skills you would gain along the journey at the university. It is an opportunity I suggest everyone (especially international students) to take due to the possibility of getting support in many ways. More importantly, the award will remind you of the courage it took to pursue a better future, the networks you have built, and the financial support you earned through your own efforts.