Sophia Mitchell

Before starting at Wrexham University, I took a year out after college and worked full-time in an administrative role. When I started my degree, I was fortunate enough to continue working there part-time alongside my studies.

I attended a couple of university open days before visiting Wrexham, but none of them quite felt right. A family friend who had previously studied at Wrexham University recommended I attend an Open Day, and it already ticked a lot of boxes before I had even visited. It was close to home and easy to travel to.

When I arrived on campus, it was even better than I had imagined. I remember walking through reception and immediately feeling like I was where I was supposed to be. Everyone was so welcoming and there was plenty of guidance about courses, applications and student life. I left that day excited to apply and hopeful that I could start my higher education journey at Wrexham.

I applied through Clearing in July 2019 and secured a place on the BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice course, starting that September. The course was fascinating and offered a great balance between compulsory modules, which gave me a broad understanding of the criminal justice system and the different processes within it, and optional modules that allowed me to explore the areas I was most interested in. I graduated with First Class Honours in 2022.

During my final year, I realised I wanted to continue my studies, so I spoke to my lecturers about completing a PhD. In September 2022, I began an MPhil/PhD in Criminal Justice, supported by an incredible supervisory team. In July 2026, I successfully passed my Viva Voce with minor corrections and will shortly submit my final thesis.

The atmosphere on campus is incredibly friendly and supportive. It feels like everyone is there to help, whether that's fellow students or members of staff. There are plenty of great spaces to study, work collaboratively or simply spend time between lectures.

My favourite place on campus is the B-Hive, where I spent many hours writing my PhD.

As an undergraduate student, my favourite part of the course was attending lectures. The lecturers were incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects, and many of the sessions have stayed with me years later. I regularly left lectures feeling like a different person from when I went in.

During my PhD, I particularly enjoyed carrying out my own research. Interviewing people with first-hand experience of the criminal justice system and knowing my research could contribute something meaningful to the field was a truly life-changing experience.

The support at Wrexham University has been outstanding throughout my entire journey. From the admissions process through to completing my PhD, there has always been someone available to offer guidance and answer any questions. 

My lecturers and supervisors were incredibly supportive and encouraged me every step of the way. Their expertise, encouragement and ongoing support gave me the confidence to continue my studies and achieve my goals.

Studying at Wrexham University has helped me develop academically, professionally and personally. It gave me the confidence to continue my education beyond my undergraduate degree and pursue a PhD, while also helping me build the knowledge and skills I now use every day in my career.

I can't recommend Wrexham University enough. From applying through to graduating, the experience has been outstanding. Staff across the University are always happy to help, making the admissions process straightforward. Once enrolled, academic staff provide invaluable support throughout your studies. They encourage you to grow in confidence, expand your knowledge and achieve your full potential.

My time at Wrexham University gave me the confidence, subject knowledge and research skills that I now use every day in my career. It also inspired me to pursue teaching after seeing the impact my own lecturers had on my learning and development. Those experiences gave me the confidence to begin my career in teaching while continuing to develop as a researcher.

Around three years into completing my PhD, I started my dream job as a Teacher of Criminology at King Edward VI College in the West Midlands. I love being able to teach the subject I've spent so many years studying and helping inspire the next generation of students, just as my lecturers at Wrexham inspired me. 

One of the biggest highlights of my career has been seeing students understand challenging concepts that completely change the way they view people, the criminal justice system and wider society. Knowing I've helped inspire that learning is incredibly rewarding.

Studying at Wrexham University gave me the confidence to challenge myself and achieve goals I never imagined when I first applied through Clearing. The knowledge, skills and support I received have shaped both my academic journey and my career, and I genuinely don't think I'd be where I am today without it.