Skip to content
Felicity Taylor-Peck

Felicity
Taylor-Peck

United Kingdom
The teachers are all extremely friendly and they do a brilliant job at making sure we are on the right track; they also offer advice and support for making decisions about the future.

More about Felicity

Felicity Taylor-Peck

Why did you choose to study your course at Brackenhurst?

Considering my options after GCSE’S was a daunting task to think about. The idea of doing A-levels was not very appealing to me as it was predominantly theory-based learning and exam based. I was very relieved to see that a BTEC was available for me which would provide me with an equivalent qualification but a far more hands-on style of learning - which really appealed to me. I explored a variety of places that offered BTEC but was most satisfied with Brackenhurst. I loved the fact that Brackenhurst was part of NTU since this would then allow me to make a smooth transition into the university in the future once I had completed my college course.

Tell us more about your course. What do you enjoy studying the most?

My course offers a wide variety of hands-on experiences with animals ranging from goats to leopard geckos! Our animal technicians work hard to provide us with plenty of fascinating information on how to handle, catch and restrain all the different species provided at the animal unit. They will also help to increase our confidence with animals that you may be a little frightened of and will go at your pace to help you overcome any fears or anxieties. As much as I love working with the animals, doing practicals, and taking part in the student rep meetings - I also find the classroom lessons just as exciting. The lecturers will provide many different methods of teaching such as visual, auditory, kinaesthetic, and observational learning.

What do you think about the facilities available on your course and what do you use the most?

I was blown away when I attended the open day and even now – more than halfway through my course, I am still discovering new places that I did not realise were there. I spend most of my time in the cat room at the animal unit since I can sit on the sofa with my friends, petting cats and talking about life in general. Although I have never really been a massive fan of libraries, I must express how much I love the library at Brackenhurst, as it provides many different zones for you to work in. The green zone is the conversational area the amber is the quiet chat and the red is the silent zone (which comes in handy when you have deadlines to meet) laptops are available to rent from the library and many support sessions are available, all you need to do is ask.

What do you think about Brackenhurst Campus? What do you get up to in your spare time?

When I’m not handling animals and spending time with the cats, you’ll find me at the cafe on campus or on the hockey pitch. I love to play sports and one of my major concerns was not being able to play sports at a high level after school however this is not the case! The university has lots of sports clubs which you can try out for as long as you’re 18. When I have turned 18, I am planning on trying out for NTU women’s hockey team and NTU women’s football team (which will be a new challenge for me). If sports are not your thing, then there are plenty more activities that you can get involved with.

Have you had any support from other departments? How was your experience accessing these/ was the service helpful?

It's always nerve-wracking going into new environments however the support at Brackenhurst is outstanding. I have a hearing disability and I still get 25% extra time as I had at school, and I get regular check-ups to make sure that I am happy with the support I am receiving.

What is your top tip for someone considering studying at Brackenhurst Campus?

My top tip for someone considering studying at Brackenhurst is to make sure that you have fun and enjoy yourself. Although studies are very important, and assignments should be done to the best of your abilities having fun and making memories are just as important. The year goes by so quickly so be sure to throw yourself into everything, try new things, and make friends. If you are someone that struggles to make friends then that is not a problem, the college has pastoral days every term. This is where you will have the chance to try lots of different activities run by the lecturers. You will also be put into groups with students on different courses which is the perfect time to speak to people and learn about the campus.

Have you been involved in any placements, work experience or volunteering as part of your course? If so, what did you do and what did you achieve?

As part of my course, I had to complete 75 hours of work experience which I did at RSPCA Radcliffe Animal Centre. I learned many different things such as how the shelter is run, what the animals need in captivity, and what legislation the business must follow. This knowledge that I have now is definitely something that I can take with me into the workplace. My end goal at the start was just to complete my 75 hours however as I went on, I enjoyed working with new people and gained an understanding of how much hard work goes into animals. My favourite part was seeing the animals go to a good home.

Why would you recommend your course to someone considering studying it?

I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is considering studying it since the campus provides many opportunities for all students. The teachers are all extremely friendly and they do a brilliant job at making sure we are on the right track; they also offer advice and support for making decisions about the future. As well as learning about the modules on your course you will also get a tutorial lesson which is there to teach you about everyday problems such as finances, road safety, how to cope with stress, and mental health.

What are your plans for after the course and how do you feel your course has/ will help you to achieve that goal?

Once I have completed the Level 2 course, I hope to move on to the Level 3 Animal Management course which would then allow me to go to university to study Zoology. I may take a gap year after university to travel and learn about the environment and all the different kind of species that need protecting but that is a decision that I will make when the date is closer.

Final thoughts?

There is so much more that I could write about to paint a picture of how outstanding Brackenhurst campus is however the best way to grasp a good understanding is by attending an open day which is very easy to book online. You will not regret it! And be sure to check out the cat room and costa, my go-to drink is the gingerbread latte.

Still need help?

+44 (0)115 941 8418
Related student profiles
  • Profile icon

    STUDENT PROFILE

    Amelia Wright

    Agriculture

    United Kingdom

    https://www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-courses/courses/our-students-stories/animal-rural-environmental-sciences/amelia-wright

  • Profile icon

    STUDENT PROFILE

    Harriet Wallbank

    Agriculture

    United Kingdom

    https://www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-courses/courses/our-students-stories/animal-rural-environmental-sciences/harriet-wallbank

  • Profile icon

    STUDENT PROFILE

    Jenna Froggatt

    Agriculture

    United Kingdom

    https://www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-courses/courses/our-students-stories/animal-rural-environmental-sciences/jenna-froggatt