Maisy shares her journey from college to a Geography MSci at UoB - covering field trips, study spaces, city life, and career goals.
I'm a fourth year MSci Geography student here at the University of Birmingham. I studied Geography, Chemistry and Biology at Esher College, along with an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) too. I wasn't too sure what I wanted to do after school and my journey afterwards has take lots of turns but I have loved my time at university! I'd love to tell you more about it.
My time at Esher College was very fulfilling, despite the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time, I was torn between pursuing a career in Medicine or Geography. However, my EPQ on economic geography helped me realise how much I loved learning about modern day global issues.
I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do after university, so I chose Geography A-Level because of its versatility in developing analytical and essay-writing skills, both of which have been invaluable at university.
Alongside my studies, I worked at Boots, which helped build my leadership, communication and resilience skills that have been crucial in everything since, from university group assignments to my current part-time job as a student ambassador.After visiting several Open Days, I knew Birmingham was the right choice for me. The geography department offers a great balance of human and physical geography, as well as numerous fieldtrips, where I have been to Berlin and Crete.
Coming from a college where teachers knew me well, I was nervous about joining a large university (Birmingham has over 38,000 students!). However, I was quickly reassured by the support available. In first year, every student is assigned a personal tutor for any academic concerns or general guidance.
Despite its size, Birmingham has a fantastic sense of community. I made friends quickly, not just through my course but also in my accommodation and various societies. It’s amazing how many different people you meet here, and I’ve built friendships that will last a lifetime.
Moving away from home was something I was really looking forward to, especially gaining independence and learning to cook! I lived in Chamberlain at The Vale Village in first year, where I loved being surrounded by green space. Some of my favourite memories from first year were spending summer evenings by the lake with my friends and attending events, such as the outdoor cinema. Everyone’s in the same boat when they move in, so it’s easy to make friends and settle in.
There’s a great range of accommodation options across The Vale, Pritchatts Park and Selly Oak, so there’s something for everyone depending on your preferences and budget.
My favourite space to study on campus is the Main Library. With over 2.1 million books and 24/7 access, it’s perfect whether you need a quiet spot for solo study, a group study space, or even help from the Academic Skills Centre. There are so many great places to work around campus, so you’ll always find a spot that suits your study style.
Coming from Surrey, I was used to having easy access to London. What I love about Birmingham is that it gives you the best of both worlds; a beautiful green campus with its own train station (the only university in Great Britain to have one!) that gets you into the city centre in under 10 minutes.
I particularly love Birmingham city centre at Christmas for the festive markets and the wide array of shops in the Bullring shopping centre. I also enjoy attending concerts throughout the year at venues like the Utilita Arena and O2 Institute.
University isn’t just about studying, and Birmingham has so many ways to get involved beyond the lecture halls. I’m a member of the Geography Society (Kinvig), which hosts everything from Alton Towers trips to an end of year black tie ball. I also joined the Marketing Society, which has been amazing for networking and career development.
For sports lovers, I highly recommend the university’s Sports & Fitness Centre, which hosted the squash and hockey for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. I also play netball through Kinvig, which has been a great way to stay active and meet new people.
One of the things I love most about studying Geography is the huge range of career paths it opens. I had the opportunity to complete a placement with Birmingham City Council, where I worked on sustainability in planning frameworks. Through carrying out these opportunities for professional development, I’ve secured a place on a graduate scheme in marketing and commercial sales, where I’ll be applying insights from my diverse Geography modules to real-world business challenges.
Thank you for reading, and good luck with your studies!
Hi, I am Maisy, a 4th year geography student at the University of Birmingham, specialising in human geography. I'm also ...
