Zoe Brown

Hi, I’m Zoe and I’m studying BSc Zoology at Hartpury University.

Campus is beautiful

I love having on-site lectures and making use of the beautiful campus whilst we can.

Personally, I love that our campus is in a rural location but so close to Gloucester city centre.

Over the years I’ve found some nice spots to visit with friends and enjoy the scenery, walking routes, or local food and drinks.

Before starting my undergraduate degree, I completed an Access to Higher Education (Animal) course at Hartpury, so I’m well versed with the campus and facilities.

I love having an on-site coffee shop, Red & Black, because it was very usual to relax and spend time in when we had breaks. In the first year, we used the university study lounge, next to Legends Bar, for revision.

The space is divided between ‘sheds’ with TVs, tables and chairs and booths, which helps us share our laptop screens for presentations and includes quiet spaces.

About my course

My lectures for year two have run across Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays. Some are early mornings and full days, but I prefer having my lecture days dedicated to that without any large breaks in between.

Currently I have two compulsory modules, Conservation Biology and Undergraduate Research Process.

I chose four optional modules to meet the credit requirements: Independent Report, Management of Domestic Animals, Animals in Education and Field Course. Some modules are in semester 1 or 2 only and some run across the whole year.

I’ve just finished my Management of Domestic Animals module assessments, and I’m working towards my assignment for Conservation Biology, which is looking to improve an area and enhancing it for wildlife, whilst also researching and revising for my other modules.

In June for my Field Course module, we’ll be going to Pembrokeshire, Wales to complete a range of field surveying techniques. I’m hoping to apply these in South Africa eventually, where it is one of my goals to study rhinos tracking and conservation in the wild.

The assessments aim to encourage us to use our theoretic knowledge and apply it practically, in person or on paper.

Across my time at Hartpury, I’ve participated in different practical sessions, handling and health checking, field surveying work, laboratory work and dissections.

The practical hands-on method works well for me and I love that Hartpury encourages us to engage in different opportunities and learning styles.

Lecturers nurture my passion for animals

I have two cats and a very spoiled hamster. I’m very enthusiastic about educating people on proper hamster care and how they have been overlooked as a pet for years.

My passions have been nurtured by Hartpury and my lecturers. I have a great passion for working with rhinos after completing work experience at Port Lympne reserve.

Currently I continue to volunteer with them, and am looking to complete a dissertation based on rhinos. In the future I would like to study and work with rhinos, either in zoos in the UK or hopefully in their natural habitats aboard.

Regular communication has been very useful during pandemic

During the current pandemic, I’ve found Hartpury’s informative and regular emails very useful, and due to the vocational nature of all courses we’re trying to use the site for practical sessions as much as possibly whilst being safe.

The mask zones, readily available hand sanitiser and one-way systems have worked well in keeping students safe, along with regular asymptomatic testing.

Future goals

After finishing my degree, I’m looking forward to spending the summer volunteering at the Port Lympne nature reserve in Kent.

Then I’ll travel to a reserve in South Africa for the UK’s winter, where I’ll put my degree skills to the test.

I hope to come back to another zoo-based vocation within the UK, to start my career.

Meet Zoe

Zoe dreams of working with Rhinos, either in zoos in the UK or their natural habitat abroad, in a future career in conversation. Her Zoology degree at Hartpury University is helping her to achieve her goals. Watch to find out more.