About the course
I did my undergraduate degree in languages, so I was a bit intimidated about transitioning to a science subject. I chose Kent because the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology is one of the best places to study wildlife conservation. The course takes a very interdisciplinary approach, blending social and natural sciences.
The degree is well structured. Scientific concepts are introduced in a way that means even those of us without a science background are on the same page as our peers. I was also attracted to Kent by the range of research that’s being done by the teaching staff in the department.
From undergraduate to postgraduate
So far I've found that a masters degree has been different to an undergraduate degree because there is a greater expectation of independent work. Although I started my masters right after my undergraduate degree, a lot of people on the course have come to the course after having worked for a while. It’s a really nice mix of people with a lot of different perspectives, and everyone is incredibly passionate about the subject and not afraid to discuss and share their thoughts.
Campus life
As I live on campus, I’ve spent a lot of time here, and it’s a beautiful place. There's a lot of green space around and it’s a lovely place to walk, especially great if you like nature watching! I’ve also been enjoying using the Sports Centre, and getting involved with the ‘All Active’ sessions that are run to provide sports activities for everyone. My advice for prospective postgraduate students is to look into the variety of postgraduate courses available. Look for a degree you want and that interests you; you don't necessarily have to do the same thing you did at undergraduate level.
Support for your future
Postgraduate study is a great opportunity to build on existing skills, but also to branch out and gain new knowledge in a different field. Kent is a very supportive place, and there's a lot of help available. I’ve found the employability and careers service particularly helpful. When I started the course, I wasn't really sure what sort of jobs I was going to be able to get, but the careers advice has helped give me some structure to my job search, and helped me work out what my career goals are.
