UK University Guides

Geography Profiles at Aberystwyth

Julie MacLeavy, BA Geography, Bristol

Julie graduated from BA Geography with one of the highest marks in her year, and has won a prestigious award from the UK Economic and Social Research Council to study for a PhD. She enjoyed her course because of the flexibility offered by the degree scheme to study her favourite subjects, and benefited from two Geography Travel Awards which enabled her to spend time in Iceland and Brussels.

“Aberystwyth offered everything that I wanted from the university ‘experience’: the campus, the seaside setting, and the fact that everywhere in the town was within walking distance of everywhere else. Also the guarantee that all first years are offered a place in hall was immensely attractive as it assured me of not only a place to live but also a group of friends to get to know as soon as I arrived.

The Geography course is excellent because it allows you a flexibility to study the subjects and topic areas that interest you the most. Also, as I’m a keen traveller, the highlight of the course has to be the residential fieldtrip which takes place in the second year. It is really good fun and a wonderful opportunity to really get to know the rest of the geography students. I was fortunate enough to go on the trip to New York and had a fantastic week spent interspersing research assignments with city sightseeing and late night socialising!

Because of its size, Aberystwyth is probably one of the friendliest universities in the UK. After three years here, you have great difficulty walking down a street or from one lecture theatre to another without bumping into somebody that you know! There is a really good relationship between the university students and the local residents who often go out of their way to make you feel welcome and ‘at home’ in their town.”

 Natalie Glover, BA Geography,
Hemel Hempstead

Natalie has just completed her third year.

“When I came to see Aberystwyth I thought it was such a great place and such a change from what I was used to! It’s an absolutely stunning place! The students that I met who were already here also seemed really nice people and sang Aberystwyth’s praises!

In terms of the course I think the flexibility between modules is great! I did some non-geography modules in the first and second years which I feel were very beneficial to me. I’m not ‘exam minded’ so being able to select modules which are coursework/exam split was great. Some of the modules that are offered within Geography (BA) are so interesting. I think that the flexibility around dissertation topics is brilliant.

I have been involved with many non-academic sides to university. I was a captain with the university netball club and I have also been greatly involved with ‘dim prob’, an amazing opportunity to get involved with voluntary activities within the community which I would encourage everyone to join. I also worked throughout my time in Aberystwyth; for the first and second year in a jewellers and for the third year at the Mid-Wales Youth Offending Team.

The social life is excellent. It is a small sleepy town which comes alive at night. University work aside, it’s like being on one long holiday. Although don’t think that by that I mean that university work is a chore. There are times when we could all do without essay deadlines, but where better to read or write an essay than on the beach!