Sophie
Woollard

Why did you choose to study your course at NTU?

When looking through the various courses that suited my field at NTU, I chose Biodiversity Conservation specifically for a few reasons. First of all, I felt it would fill in the gaps and reinforce my knowledge within the subject area. For instance, this course so far has provided me with the skills needed to use GIS confidently, something that I could not do before. In addition to that, all the modules appealed to me having a range of surveying skills and research. Finally, the course is accredited by CIEEM (Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management) meaning that the course provides students with knowledge and practical skills that are valued by employers in the industry, and you get a free student membership during the degree.

What made your mind up about studying a PG course at Brackenhurst Campus?

I previously studied on Brackenhurst for my undergraduate course, and I loved it so much I came back immediately to do a Masters here. This was mostly due to the amazing lecturing staff that are here that made my undergrad experience special and continue to do so in my postgraduate degree.

What do you enjoy most about your course?

I am enjoying all the course content so much! Every week I reflect and realise just how much I have learnt, in addition to how much fun it was. This of course is mostly attributed to the way lecturers teach with such enthusiasm and clarity.

How do you find your modules and what have you most enjoyed studying/ researching? Please tell us about any research you have been involved with during your time as a postgraduate student.

I am only halfway through my modules, but they have all been great! There are so many things that have enjoyed studying during this time, but if I had to pick one it would probably be exploring the various conservation priotisation frameworks (e.g., Half-Earth) for my conservation priorities exam. I am also looking forward to the rest of my modules as they are more practical based, and I am excited to get out into the field. When it comes to research side of things, I have enjoyed delving into my final research project as it is a subject area I am very much interested in, and I have a great supervisor helping me.

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

There are so many facilities available ranging from the employability team, financial services, the animal unit, IT rooms and the library. I personally have used employability and the library a fair bit. Employability has helped me with applying for jobs (both CV and cover letter writing support) and setting up my LinkedIn, two things I was super unsure about before their help. Furthermore, the library on Brackenhurst is a great place to study and has a variety of books available. If you are not able to find a physical copy of a book or journal article, the library also provides so many online copies and even allows you to request copies they may not have at the moment.

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

The Brackenhurst Campus is (in my completely unbiased opinion!) the best looking NTU campus, due to the wonderful wildlife and beautiful scenery that surrounds it. This also makes it such a nice walking location and as an avid walker myself I have used the Brackenhurst walks leaflet many times to explore the estate. Whilst on campus between lectures, I like to hang out and study in the Main Hall, especially if I have just gotten my cheesy chips from The Refectory! Outside of lecture time, I am a part of several societies for both my personal (Gaming and E-Sports society) and course related (Conservation and Entomology societies) interests, something I recommend others to do too.

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

You certainly need to invest in a good pair of walking boots and waterproof coat for field work in the rainy Great British weather. Moreover, I would definitely suggest joining a society or sport even if it is for something you are vaguely interested in, as it is a great way to meet new people and get involved with various activities. Saying yes to as many opportunities as you can whilst at NTU is also a great way to meet people as well as building confidence in skills you might not have thought were useful. Finally, as a commuter student who uses the 26 bus frequently, getting a student bus pass is a great investment.

Have you been involved in any research events or conferences during your time as a postgraduate student? If so, what did you do and what did you achieve?

As of current I have not, but I am looking forward to the Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group (Notts BAG) conference this year (2025). I helped and attended last year; it was a great opportunity for networking and had lots of interesting talks.

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

The class size is fairly small, depending on the module, making it a more personalised experience and building a sense of community within the group. As stated before, the lecturing staff are amazing for the sheer enthusiasm they provide when teaching their subject area. Not only that, but the course is well thought through meaning all the content feels relevant and the assessments are fun to do. Additionally, in the second half of the year, when the weather is better, there are many practicals planned for both on and off campus. For example, I am looking forward to a wale vole practical we have set-up for later in the year! To top it all off, the Brackenhurst campus is a great place for this course to be, as it provides the opportunity for field work, has great facilities and is just beautiful to look at.

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

Due to this course providing applicable skills for many careers I feel I have many choices once I graduate. Furthermore, with the help of the employability team at NTU I can apply with confidence to these roles. One career path I am considering is becoming an ecological consultant. The surveying (both protected species and vegetation) and GIS skills the course provides as well as the environmental assessment module, which goes through the consultancy process, makes me prepared for this. Further in the future I do want to do a PhD as well, and I believe the research skills taught from this course will help me with that too.

Any additional comments:

In addition to everything else, there are several opportunities whilst studying at NTU that can help further your CV and skills alongside your course, including becoming a course representative (for both the student union and CIEEM) and Unitemps roles. I hope you consider studying at Brackenhurst, it truly is great!