Hello! My name is Hannah and I studied BSc Geography with International Study at the University of Manchester from 2020 to 2024. Before joining the programme I, like everyone else, was living in the Covid-19 pandemic. Until March, I had been working towards my
A-Levels in Geography, Psychology, and German and volunteering at my local Sea Scouts group. When all this was put on standby, I had lots of time to think about my options going forward. UoM Geography offered a flexible course structure (not restricted to human or
physical geography), a variety of modules, multiple language courses, and the opportunity to study abroad for a year. In the end it was a no-brainer!

Due to intermittent lockdowns and online teaching, my first year was largely shaped by my time at Woolton Hall on Fallowfield Campus (we still had lots of fun). Despite online teaching, the Geography department ensured that our entire UoM experience was fulfilling: from enabling us to get on campus once in our first year against all odds, to creating incredible fieldtrip experiences despite restrictions, to always making time for personable chats, to even creating a mental health peer mentoring scheme that I was happy to volunteer
with. As a student ambassador, I made sure to always share these positive experiences with prospective students at offer-holder days – another unique experience that UoM Geography provides before people even begin their undergraduate studies! As a member of the
Manchester University Geographical Society (MUGS), I was also able to be part of an informal netball league, and even acted as the team’s social secretary for one year. When the academics became more intense in my final year, the upgraded SEED library at Humanities Bridgeford Street was a perfect study spot that was extremely well-equipped for individual or group work. Moreover, the UoM summer internship scheme enabled me to gain invaluable experience in report writing and presenting at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.

Beyond my time in Manchester, my third year at the National University of Singapore was extremely memorable. I was able to pursue interests outside of Geography and even conduct fieldwork on Singapore’s urban otter population for my dissertation! This was my first time living abroad, but with the support of UoM and the financial aid of the Turing Scheme it was infinitely easier than it would have been otherwise. This experience, both academically and personally, fed my ambition to complete a Master’s degree abroad. Hence, I am now in Germany studying an MA in the Environmental Humanities at the Rachel Carson Centre, LMU Munich. The interdisciplinary skills and theoretical knowledge I acquired during my time at UoM, combined with my previous experience navigating a foreign bureaucratic
system, ensured a smooth transition. A particular highlight was when a visiting Architecture professor from UoM, Dr. Kim Förster, led our second semester module on Environmental Justice, as it felt like a bit of my undergraduate experience had followed me overseas!

Throughout my Master’s, the expertise of UoM Geography academics in the field of political ecology has remained with me, informing my upcoming Master’s thesis and search for PhD positions. For future applicants to Geography at UoM, my main advice would be to go for it! The wide-ranging expertise of the department means you will be sure to find your interest(s), and the supportive atmosphere ensures an extremely fulfilling student experience. On top of this, UoM in its entirety offers many opportunities that I haven’t even been able to explain here. Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in academia, industry, the public sector, or otherwise, UoM is sure to open many doors. As a big university located in the heart of the UK’s third-largest city, it is extremely well-equipped to support whatever you want to get out of your time there. I wish you the best of luck with your application

Written by Hannah Senior.

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