Second year Geographers visit Sheffield

In early November our second year Geography, Human Geography, and Joint Honours students visited Sheffield for two days to complete fieldwork on Urban Geography. The trip was organised by Dr Catherine Waite.

Geography students - and Prof John Horton - enjoying the sunshine in Sheffield!

Through classroom-based sessions the students had learnt lots about urban geography theory and looked examples and case studies from countries including, France, India and the USA. The overnight trip to Sheffield was an opportunity to see some of the changes that are taking place in cities in the UK. 

Sheffield is a great example of a city with accessible public transport, a wide range of types of public space, as well as being a city that has undergone redevelopment and regeneration since the end of World War II.

The Peace Gardens

On the first day in the field the students had the chance to complete guided activities that helped them explore the city centre. On the second day, the students worked in groups to complete a mini research project that allowed them to focus on the issue that they were most interested in learning more about.

Park Hill Flats

Graduates visit campus to talk about life after uni

Recent graduates have been returning to Northampton to talk to current students about life after university.

We have recently welcomed back Amie, Katie and George, all of whom graduated this summer.

Amie has recently started a PGCE course and is training to be a secondary school Geography teacher.  She talked to current students who are thinking about a career in teaching about her experiences, answering their questions about what teacher training is actually like.

Amie and current students

Katie and George visited a third year class to talk about their contrasting experiences.  Katie is working for Jems Recruitment.  She explained about how the skills developed during her Physical Geography degree are appropriate to the role, and the benefits of working for a small organisation.

George is on the Stagecoach Bus Graduate Leadership Programme.  He spoke about what this graduate scheme involves, and the benefits of working for a large organisation.  George also explained about the recruitment processes used for many graduate schemes.

Katie and George

Alumni visits are an important way for our current students to find out about the career options for geographers, as well as learn about graduate recruitment processes.

First year Geography fieldtrips

Our new cohort of Geography students have been taking part in a number of field trips so far this term.

Students visited central London to develop a tourist trail.  Working in small groups, each took on a different theme for the focus of their trail.

Students in Covent Garden, London

The students have also visited Wren's Nest, Dudley, as part of a physical geography module. The students did some fossil-hunting, then learned to identify the fossils found.

The group fossil-hunting at Wren's Nest, Dudley

Learning to identify the fossils found.

Fieldwork is a great way for students to apply what they have learned in the classroom, as well as providing opportunities to develop geographical and transferable skills.