Why I chose Geography
Hello and let me introduce myself! My name is Lauren Knell, and I am a final year student, currently undertaking the research part of my dissertation, where my degree is BSc Geography. I am studying at Ulster University, which is located on the Coleraine campus, just outside Portstewart. The question is why did I decide to study my Geography degree at Ulster?
Geography in today’s world has never been so important. It has the biggest role to play that helps us to understand the biggest environmental threats that we are now facing quicker than before. On the course, there are a wide range of staff, which are experts about the changes within society and how they all affect us. We also have what is called an “open door policy,” which means that each member of the staff is available to talk if you have an issues that are going on and even to just talk about how your degree is going.
When I began my process of applying for university, I had in mind what course of subject I wanted to study. For me, I was also going to be Geography. When I heard about the geography course at Ulster, I knew that it was the place I wanted to call my choice of university. My time as a young teenager was spent on the weekends at our caravan, which is located in Portrush, admiring the beauty of the university. After an unsuccessful first try of being accepted into university, I worked extremely hard to reach my dream of getting to Ulster. This dream then finally came true in 2019.
I chose to study geography at Ulster because it has one of the best satisfaction rates in the whole of the UK. The course also is the number 1 course for Geography throughout Northern Ireland. The location of the course is also what drew me in especially. Located on the north coast just outside Coleraine, the idyllic views and the want to study here encouraged me to work harder as I knew I wanted to be here. The field trips that are conducted during the course are set in the perfect surroundings such as Magillligan or the beaches at Portrush.
Geography also has a wide range of job opportunities, which attracted me to the degree as well. One of these jobs was being a town planner, which also runs in my family. This job involves approving blue prints for buildings and establishments, which the public or private businesses may have. This was attractive to me because you are working within the councils in Northern Ireland and alongside the government.
My advice to students who are interested in studying the geography course at Ulster is that work extremely hard with you’re A Level choices and don’t stop believing in getting the dream of studying something that you love. Get involved with the societies at university, as it helped to encourage me to come out of my shell and more confident in myself and it will help you also!