George
Sensecall

Why did you choose to study your course at NTU?

My decision to study at NTU was a joint result of the serenity of the Brackenhurst Campus, coupled with the close links to industry & employability which sealed my decision.

What do you enjoy most about your course?

I enjoy the comprehensiveness of the course itself. As a non-generational farmer (I have no prior knowledge of the industry), everything I learnt was entirely new. In essence, it is both the accessible teaching and comprehensiveness of the course which have allowed me to enjoy it so much. Further, what I enjoy most about the course is how well it has educated me on all aspects of the Agricultural industry, allowing me to take on obscure placements in Agriculture where specialised & conventional courses would inherently lock me out of.

How do you find your modules and what have you most enjoyed studying?

I find my modules highly engaging. The lecturers regularly tailor classes to the composition of the students, ensuring the relevancy of the content but also means that as a student, we learn about crops which we never would have previously thought of (such as yams or rice).

However, it is the broad range of topics in which one can tackle their coursework which makes the course enjoyable. Such as my essays on mini-livestock or those on vertical farming & aquaponics. Lecturers have a wide range of knowledge and are ready to support students in their learning, no matter how obscure it may be.

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

The agriculture course at Brackenhurst has direct links with Brack farm. For dissertations, students are even able to work with the farm manager to design crop & livestock growth experiments. Personally though, my biggest use has been of the facilities has been to get my qualifications for PA1 & PA2 spraying, as well as my telehandler license.

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

It is more than just the campus which makes Brack as lovely as it is. I live at home and commute in each day. Due to the locality of it, my drive is always through the gorgeous countryside. Whether it is the early sunrise or the darkness of a winter evening, the journey to campus is just as serene as the campus itself.

In my spare time, I will grab my boots and wander the ground. Brack is stretched across 200 hectares of land, all of which is open to students and public. A typical walk sees you traversing through the woods, across small streams, around ponds and over fields. Sometimes by yourself, with others, or with the occasional company of a four-legged friend.

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

Generally? Get involved with everything. It can’t be stressed enough but university is what you make of it.

For those at Brack? Invest in a sturdy pair of walking boots, don’t wreck your trainers, and join the local leisure centre as soon as possible. Aside from being another thing to do, it is a great way to socialise with your coursemates.

Have you been involved in any placements, work experience or volunteering as part of your course? If so, what company did you do it for, what was your role/responsibilities and what did you achieve?

I recently completed a four-month placement with CLAAS Eastern under Mark Palmer, I was responsible for CEMIS GPS updates, RTK NET fixes, and UCM updates across all Eastern machinery (Middlesex to Peterborough), as well as providing training for both GPS & Telematics directly to customers. Further, I solely developed a programme for use by CLAAS Eastern, adding significant value to the work done and reducing the total man cost of digital solutions across the business.

If you completed a placement, would you recommend completing one and why?

I highly recommend a placement, even for students who have their post graduate step planned out. Especially those placements in unexpected areas that you may not normally consider, they will always provide you with a unique perspective as you learn a significant amount in a very short time frame.

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

I would recommend agriculture based on NTU itself. From the disability support to comprehensive society system, to the gorgeous campus and determined employability team, the entire university ecosystem is smooth and lends itself to offering many options for students.

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

My post-graduation plans are still uncertain, due to the broadness of the course, I am left with many different & unique opportunities, all equally appealing. However, between my course and placement, I can confidently say that I will be working somewhere industry adjacent. The quality of people in agriculture just cannot be beat.

Any additional comments?

The university language program (ULP) system at NTU is a vital opportunity which I recommend to anyone. These classes easily fit around my course, and the deposit is returned to students who pass the exams required. I personally take French & Spanish and have been amazed by the quality of teaching in both & the dense number of resources available.