Mehnaz Sawkar

I have always been fascinated by the ability of oral and maxillofacial surgeons to work within a small space with utmost dexterity and patience. The thrill of constantly learning new skills and my sincere passion and craving to explore more in this field led me to pursue a full time Master’s degree in Oral Surgery. I had looked into quite a few Universities before I decided to peruse my masters at Leeds Dental School, as I was self-funded and wanted to make the most of both my time and money. I was quite intrigued by the well designed and variety of modules and the clinical exposure the course had to offer that made it so unique. The masters degree helped me to acquire advanced theoretical knowledge, invaluable clinical skills and exposed me to various surgical procedures. The research module taught me to critically analyse research papers and introduced me to various research methodology. My research project was an integral part of the masters programme and I was also encouraged by my mentor to publish it which I hope to do soon. During my masters I acquired various multi tasking and analytical abilities and also learnt how to carefully and attentively diagnose oral diseases and assess surgical risks. Above all, the teaching atmosphere has been very unique and an amazing experience for me personally. The course lead and all the tutors are very approachable and encouraging.

Acquiring a distinction in my masters along with all the experience and learning, has further compelled me to focus on a career that will make a difference. It has also helped me to develop a keen interest in clinical research and advanced surgical training. My journey at Leeds University has been quite a roller coaster ride especially as I graduated during the pandemic. Despite all the commotion of the pandemic, my experience at Leeds University has been amazing and it will always have a special place in my heart. I am very grateful to all the staff, my teachers and colleagues who have been very helpful and supportive.

Leeds as a city is very welcoming and vibrant where you meet people from various walks of life belonging to various ethnicities. The University of Leeds is well known especially for it’s invaluable contribution to research and is one of the finest educational hubs in the country. It’s a great place to live, socialise and network. The campus is enchanting and the food is fabulous. Leeds Dental School particularly has top notch advanced dental laboratories and clinical facilities.