George
Sensecall

How did you find the process of applying to NTU through Clearing?

Applying to NTU through Clearing was a simple process. It began by attending a campus tour on Brackenhurst Campus at the start of September. Because I attended a campus tour so late into the Clearing cycle, I was the only attendee for my slot meaning I was fortunate to have a direct 1 on 1 conversation with the ARES acting Dean at the time as well as a 1 on 1 guided tour of the entire campus which led to personal conversations with the various staff members I met throughout. This left such a positive impression on me that I found myself calling NTU's Clearing line the next day where I answered some simple questions, and a few hours later I would receive a digital offer of my place on the BSc (Hons) Agriculture course. I haven't looked back since.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of applying to NTU through Clearing?  

Clearing is an extremely simple process, don't overthink it. Continue attending open days and campus tours at NTU and find the course that's right for you. If you're unsure, use the Staff Directory and email course leaders, everyone is happy to help.

Why did you choose to study your course at NTU?

I chose to study at NTU because it offered a rare balance of academic challenge, industry connections, and an unmatched campus environment. Coming from a corporate background, those industry connections were what drew me to NTU, but it was the charm of the Brackenhurst campus which won me over.

For my course specifically, my prior experience as a groundskeeper meant I was familiar with basic horticulture so I chose agriculture to push me beyond my comfort zone.

Is there anything about your course that stood out to you?

What stood out for me about the course and Brackenhurst wasn’t just an academic feature, but the opportunity for a shift in the environment and culture around me. Coming from a distinctly corporate background, my initial visit to the campus left me thinking about its tranquillity for days afterwards; it was a snippet of peace that I hadn’t found before.

Having also worked as a groundskeeper prior to my corporate career, I was already familiar with amenity grasses, so Brackenhurst’s Agriculture course provided me with a genuine challenge that pushed me beyond the horticultural environment I already knew.

Yet above the course, it is the people who make Brackenhurst unmatched. The community is full of passion and honesty. Those refreshing, grounded personalities are what made Brackenhurst entirely unique for me – and have convinced me to go into the agricultural industry professionally.

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.

What would you describe as the real strengths of your course?

The agriculture course at Brackenhurst has direct links with Home farm. For dissertations, students are even able to work with the farm manager to design crop & livestock growth experiments. Further, there are plenty of chances for students not from a farming background to gain experience at Home farm, such as helping with the calving season.

Moreover, the locality of Brackenhurst is perfect for both new and familiar agricultural students to find part-time work on a farm, allowing them to develop and maintain farm hand skills, and build student confidence in their personal skills.

The course itself is structured to provide students with practical qualifications, such as PA1, PA2, and PA6 certifications, alongside licenses for farm machinery like telehandlers. Atop this, the course delivers several laboratory-based modules which provide students with key lab experience which become invaluable when students are completing their dissertation.

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?

Get involved with everything. It can’t be stressed enough but university is what you make of it. Also, Invest in a sturdy pair of walking boots and wellies – don’t wreck your trainers!

Join the local leisure centre, and get familiar with the bar’s themed nights, from Halloween’s 'Brack from the Dead' to the annual Brack Ball – you’ll make some of your core memories at these nights.

Yet above all, say hello to everyone you meet - Brack brings together people who are very similar; we’re all collectively passionate about Brackenhurst and about ARES.

Have you been involved in any placements, work experience or volunteering as part of your course?

I completed a 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 labour 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?

I will be pursuing a MSc in Agricultural Economics after my degree. The agricultural degree at Brackenhurst is global facing, meaning it teaches students to think beyond their local farming community and of the wider global economy too and how shocks at the global level can reverberate to the local community.

Most importantly, the flexibility in choosing the direction of your coursework and research has allowed me to explore a range of my career options in an academic context. This freedom was best demonstrated by my dissertation which used econometric analysis to link global shocks to local markets. Demonstrating that level of academic rigour recently helped me to secure the highly competitive NFU Mutual Scholarship. Earning that honour is a testament to my time at Brackenhurst and serves as the launchpad for both my future Masters and career.

What has been your greatest achievement as a Nottingham Trent University student?

At Brackenhurst, I have hosted conferences, created communities, presented awards, and produced reports on a whole range of topics. However, none of these constitute my greatest achievement. Rather, it is my work as the School Officer - and therefore the student voice of Brackenhurst - which I am proudest of.

Whether promoting the campus, spearheading projects, commissioning reports, or leading negotiations, my most important responsibility was always ensuring that Brackenhurst students were not just heard, but understood too. Through these responsibilities, I was able to enact real, tangible change which will leave tomorrow’s Brackenhurst students with an even more enriched and enjoyable time than my own deeply rewarding experience.

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.

Ultimately, Brackenhurst is defined by its people. From the lecturers and the estates team to the citizens of Southwell, it is a grounded, fiercely passionate community which turns an already beautiful campus into an unforgettable experience.

There is no place like Brack.