Education Studies
“Throughout my degree, I’ve become actively involved – voluntary and employed – in local charities and national youth organisations, including local authorities, Student Hubs, ArtsWork and Adviza. I was also a participant in Camp America, which was invaluable experience to support my degree and my career aspirations”
Prior to starting at Brookes I was at Sixth Form at a secondary school in Reading, completing my A Levels in English, German and Sociology. I also spent a lot of my time volunteering for local and national youth projects, organisations and charities; including the UK Youth Parliament and Connexions, as well as local government.
When I first started at Brookes I was studying Politics and Sociology, though shortly after starting I realised that my heart was in the study of Education and Sociology and so I requested to move.
Sociology and Education Studies together is a great combination. The modular system gave me a lot of flexibility to study areas that interested me, and the areas covered in both fields is vast and I’ve had great opportunities to dip in and out of different topics, issues and debates, acquiring a broad overview of the disciplines as well as the opportunity to explore some areas in depth.
Lectures are well-planned, with opportunities for us to get to grips with the concepts the lecturer introduces to us. In second and third year, classes are far smaller, which for me made the learning experience far more enriching. I particularly like Harcourt Hill campus, which boasts a quiet but well-equipped library and a picturesque environment to study in!
Staff at Brookes are supportive, challenging (in the good way!) and genuinely interested in what I think during discussions. Three members of staff jump out as being particularly outstanding lecturers I’ve had: Abbey Halcli (Sociology), Barry Gransden (Education) and Nick Swarbrick (Education). All three have provided me with excellent support, advice and guidance with my studies; which inspire me to work as hard as I can.
Experience beyond the lecture theatre and seminar room have always been important to me. Throughout my degree, I’ve become actively involved – voluntary and employed – in local charities and national youth organisations, including local authorities, Student Hubs, ArtsWork and Adviza. I was also a participant in Camp America, which was invaluable experience to support my degree and my career aspirations.
After leaving Brookes, I want to go on and complete a master’s in Education; with the ultimate ambition to work for a youth organisation or charity that supports young people to become active citizens in their communities through informal and creative education.