Postgraduate study
Our students blog about their experiences
We've asked a selection of our new postgraduates to blog about their life and studies at the University of Exeter, to give you a flavour of what it's like to pursue a postgraduate course here. Our bloggers will be writing about all the key events of their time at Exeter, from essay deadlines to field trips to the differences between being an undergraduate and a postgraduate.
You can find out more about our bloggers and read what they have to say about life at the University of Exeter by scrolling down this page and clicking on their individual blogs. Then why not head over to the Students' Blog and read what a selection of all our bloggers, both postgraduate and undergraduate, have to say about university life.
I'm a recent graduate in Classics from Exeter and I couldn't get enough of Devon, so I've stuck around for a Masters in Ancient Roman Mythology, with a little bit of Arabic on the side. I grew up in Bath, but I pretty much live in Exeter full time now as I work at Timepiece, one of Exeter's infamous bars.
Music is one of my passions and I regularly write about it on A Pocket Full Of Seeds, as well as co-hosting a radio show on the Uni's Xpression FM. You may also catch me hiding around Exeter as part of Hide&SeekSoc which I set up with one of my housemates in 2nd Year.
Tom Oberst, MA Classics
I'm originally from Scotland. I'm a mature student, having already had a career in Banking and Finance before embarking on a new adventure in education.
I began teaching with a French evening class and never looked back... I have taught, coordinated and managed various courses in the following areas: primary school; adult leisure; post 16 BTEC; AS level and A2; NVQ; Foundation Degree; Foundation pathway for International students; diploma pathway for International students. My main subject is accountancy - but I have been involved in teaching across many disciplines.
I am about to start an MEd in Technology, Creativity and Thinking. I can't wait!
Karen Kenny, MEd Technology, Creativity and Thinking
I’m fascinated by wildernesses and National Parks across the globe, and keen to embrace the challenges and problem solving needed in protecting, studying and conserving the natural world.
My favourite areas of biodiversity include the west coasts of Scotland & Ireland, Yosemite National Park and the Peak District, and before coming to Cornwall to do my MSc I’ve recently undertaken volunteer work for London Wildlife Trust & Cramer Fish Sciences, California.
Luke Meadows, MSc Conservation and Biodiversity
Hi there! My name is Cheryl. I’m a native southern Californian since 1968. I’ve worked for Disney for the past 10 years after spending 5 years in the film industry. Sometime around July 9, 2003, my life changed. I saw a movie called “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”. From that simple, silly start began an ever-increasing interest in all matters maritime. Pirates, ships, merchant sailors, the Royal Navy, the US Navy… everything about the Age of Sail fascinates me. I’ve come as far as I can on my own with maritime history, so it’s time to see what the world of academia can impart. With that in mind, I’ll be attending University of Exeter in the 2012/13 academic year, so I can call myself a true maritime historian. And, with any luck, I’ll find work in my field. If not, there’s always Disney.
Cheryl Jones, MA History
My name is Hanna, I’m 29 years old and I’m from a small community of islands off the southwest coast of Finland. So I’m Finnish, but I’m part of the six percent minority of the population whose first language is Swedish.
I got my BA in Drama and Theatre in 2008 and since then I’ve been working at the Swedish Theatre in Helsinki. At the University of Exeter I’ll do the MA in Theatre Practice and hopefully have time to meet new friends, travel in the UK and see a lot of theatre.
Hanna Åkerfelt, MA Theatre Practice
My name’s Kate and I’m doing an MA in English and I did my BA here too. Five important things my friends know about me are that:
- I eat pasta almost every day
- I have two probably certifiably insane dogs
- I know most of P G Wodehouse, Blackadder, Hitchhikers Guide, Friends and Frasier by heart and am ALWAYS quoting something
- I keep an enormous scrapbook which takes up most of any suitcase and therefore I am always keen to keep receipts in restaurants or pick up some memento to stick in
- I am always listening to music - from Thomas Tallis to Tim Minchin, from Robbie to Adele, from Queen to Led Zeppelin - there’s nothing I won’t listen to
Oh. And one more thing. I have NO IDEA what I want to do with my life, but I’m trying to convince myself that this is ok!
Kate McBride, MA English
Moving from the home county of Kent to Falmouth to pursue my passions for nature, zoology and photography, having enrolled on the MSc in Conservation and Biodiversity.
I’m a Bristol University BSc Psychology and Zoology graduate (2006) who’s hoping I haven’t forgotten how to study! Sports enthusiast, hockey player and supporter of Harlequins RFC. Looking forward to embracing the life style on offer at Falmouth, despite my minor phobia of water sports!
Hannah Cole, MSc Conservation and Biodiversity
Born in Plymouth during April, I lived in Birmingham for a while where I never started a student band but did complete a degree in English Literature. My interests include: Withnail, Zimmerman, James Joyce, David Brent, Samuel Beckett, Zizek, Scorsese, Powell/Pressburger, shelving units, Dartmoor, Moz, The Beatles, Annie Hall, Poetics, Stewart Lee, Tony Soprano, Nick Cave, Rear Window, Alan Partridge, Dickens, Nabokov, Captain Beefheart, Percy Shelley, Sterling-Copper-Draper-Price, Iannucci and The Decline of British Sea Power. I am currently studying for an MA in English at Streatham Campus. After this I’d like to travel Europe and read a novel by Proust .
When not writing I can feel aching pangs of guilt; when writing I mainly think I should be reading.
George Bextor, MA English
