Msc's

[mariahdoll]

Hi all there fellow nature lovers,


I am asking for advice on what postgraduate course I should do between the following two universities : Reading or Bournemouth.

I am a graduate in Marine Biology (University of Portsmouth) having achieved a 2:2, not so far off a 2:1 with my project achieving a 67 (high 2:1) . I looked at both of the courses and found similar modules but with Reading offering more of an animal approach which I am interested in. The courses are:-

Wildlife Management and Conservation (Reading)
You need a 2:1 preferably but do consider applicants with a 2:2 degree. It looks more appealing to me in terms of course content but I have not achieved a high grade as they would have liked. I am going to do some volunteering over the summer in my local area to make myself more appealing to offer a place to. They also have exams in this course and I was wondering if anyone knows how intensive they are. I'm ok at exams but not the best as it is coursework I'm best at.
Biodiversity and Conservation (Bournemouth)
You only need a 2:2 to get on this course but I think it gives more of an overall view. Their assessment is predominantly coursework which I prefer as I mentioned before. They do however offer a career placement and have the option to do this part time which Reading doesn't do.


Is there anyone on this forum that has studied these courses at these two universities and can tell me their experiences at these universities?

Many thanks

mariahdoll x x x x x x <3

[petetimms]

Hi there!

I am actually on the MSc Biodiversity and Conservation course at Bournemouth. I'm just doing my dissertation now and will be finishing in September.

Sounds like I was in a similar position to you this time last year, I just missed out on a 2:1 in Zoology at Southampton and was deciding on Reading or Bournemouth for my MSc. I went for Bournemouth in the end, but that was only because they asked for a deposit on the course fees really early!

I'm glad I've done it as I've learnt so much and I feel much more prepared for a career in ecology/conservation. Most of the modules have been really useful and interesting, but the level of coursework has definitely been a step up from a BSc. Between about February and May it was relentless! Having no exams has been excellent though!

The professional placement was really good as well and looks good on the C.V.; I did mine in a six week block, but you can do it in other ways e.g. a couple of days a week over a few months.

The only bad thing I can think of was the GIS module. I was really looking forward to it, as a lot of jobs want you to know how to use it these days. The teaching was really bad on this though, the whole group were just left confused! Luckily we all managed to group together in our spare time and learn how to use it ourselves.

Hope this has helped a little bit, obviously I don't know what Reading is like, just thought I'd let you know some of my experiences at Bournemouth. If you've got any questions then I will be happy answer them.

Pete x

P.S. Apparently a lot of the modules are set to change for this year, but I don't know too much about this. Sean (one of the guys on the course) is doing it part-time for 2 years, so he might know more about what this year is going to be like, and I could give you his email if you want?