What students and professionals say
“I have had the privilege of working with Dr Begum for the past eight years in supporting students applying to medical school. Her contribution has been invaluable, and her impact on our students cannot be overstated. Dr Begum brings a wealth of experience as both a qualified medical doctor and dentist, offering a unique perspective on two demanding and rewarding careers. This dual expertise allows her to provide students with insights that go far beyond what they might find in textbooks or online resources.
Through engaging presentations, Dr Begum has informed and inspired countless students, helping them to understand the realities of a career in medicine and dentistry. Her approachable and friendly manner immediately puts students at ease, creating an environment where they feel comfortable asking questions and exploring their aspirations. As an experienced medical school interviewer, she excels in conducting mock interviews, challenging students to think critically and consider questions they may not have anticipated. Her feedback is always constructive, delivered with positivity and encouragement, ensuring students leave feeling motivated and better prepared.”
-Mr Thomas Adams, Biology Dept. Epsom College
“ I have known Shahista through her work supporting students at careers fairs, where she has been actively involved in helping school pupils and sixth-formers understand the pathways into both Dentistry and Medicine.
Shahista’s background is truly unique, with her being qualified in Medicine, Dentistry and Law (healthcare). Through her role as a Senior Lecturer, she has extensive experience in examination, assessment and supervision of postgraduates. She is also a university interview panellist for medicine and dentistry, which gives her a true understanding of what universities are really looking for in applicants.
Beyond this, Shahista has consistently supported students through voluntary talks, school presentations, and one-to-one coaching, helping aspiring medical and dental applicants navigate the application process with clarity and confidence.
If you are an an aspiring medical or dental student and you are seeking a mentor, I genuinely cannot think of a better person to approach. Shahista is knowledgeable, approachable, and exceptionally enthusiastic about supporting the next generation of doctors and dentists.”
- Dr George Cheetham-Dentist
“My mock MMI with Dr Begum was really amazing. She guided me through my discussion regarding the GMC and provided valuable suggestions on ways to improve the structure of my response, making me feel more confidence about responding to similar questions in the future!”
- CK- Sixth Form,medical school applicant, Epsom College
“Working with Dr. Begum was a valuable learning experience. Her questions pushed me to think outside the box, and the sessions felt surprisingly natural, almost like speaking with a supportive friend, yet still rooted in clinical and medical reasoning. Her post-interview feedback was especially helpful, clearly highlighting key areas for improvement. I left each session feeling more confident and better prepared.”
-JE-Sixth Form,medical school applicant, Epsom College
“Dr. Begum was a very friendly and welcoming person. I appreciate her for not only providing feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of my answers, but also giving me valuable advice on how to utilise my body language and stay calm when faced with difficult questions.”
-TL-Sixth Form, medical school applicant, Epsom College
“As a parent in the UK, there is always a sense of anxiety when your child moves from one stage of their education to the next, and applying to dental school was no exception for us.
In 2024, we enrolled our daughter in the mentoring programme run by Dr Shahista Begum, and it quickly became one of the best decisions we made during this process. With Shahista’s guidance, our daughter learned how to prepare for dental school interviews with confidence, structure, and consistency.
She describes Shahista as a genuinely supportive and understanding mentor who truly appreciates the pressures young people face at what can be one of the most stressful times of their lives—applying to university for their chosen profession. As a parent, it was incredibly reassuring to see the sense of self-belief Shahista helped build in our daughter, something we feel is so important at this stage of her journey. She also learned how to prioritise her workload, stay focused, and work calmly through the demands of the UCAS application process. Most importantly, I saw her grow in confidence and maturity over the course of the programme.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Shahista to any parent seeking thoughtful, supportive, and genuinely informed guidance for their child.”
-Dr N.Acheampong, parent of Rosie-Bristol Dental School student
Dr Begum demonstrated exceptional guidance throughout my preparation for my medicine mock interview. She explained each interview question in detail and with remarkable clarity. She showed me what a strong interview should look and sound like. Her constructive feedback was very specific and encouraging. It truly helped me understand how I could improve.
-MC-Sixth Form, medical school applicant, Epsom College
I had the privilege to work under the guidance of Dr. Shahista Begum for my research dissertation during my MSc. studies at Ulster University. During this period, her input and advice throughout the process was invaluable and her guidance was exceptional. She was approachable, patient and deeply invested in my progress. Her attention to detail and critical thinking has helped me finesse my dissertation and build confidence in myself and my work in the process. I truly appreciate her dedication and is very grateful for her mentorship in my research and academic journey.
-Dr Juman Das-MSc student, Advanced GDP, College of Medicine and Dentistry, Ulster University 2025