Laura Hemsley graduated with distinction from our Town Planning MSc and is now working as a Town Planner at Jacobs. We caught up with Laura and found out more about what drew her to postgraduate study on our Town Planning MSc and what she loved about the course.
What were you doing before your postgraduate studies at Brighton?
I had just graduated from the University of Leeds with a BSc Degree (1st Hons) in Geological Sciences.
What made you choose Town Planning at the University of Brighton?
It is RTPI and RICS Accredited – this significantly drew me to the course as it meant once I had finished the course, I could immediately apply for a Licentiate membership – which is for graduates who have completed a fully Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)I accredited qualification. Becoming a Licentiate member of the RTPI is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Town Planner via the Licentiate Assessment of Professional Competence (L-APC).
The University of Brighton offered the option module of ‘Environmental Placement’ which was the best module choice on offer as it allowed students (i.e. me) to work within either a local planning authority or the private planning sector for three months (i.e. I worked within the private planning sector). This was extremely valuable as I was able to understand planning framework and legalisation policy, planning applications in a real-life examples, which gave me the expertise and skills for a future job in planning.
Can you describe your experience of studying Town Planning at Brighton?
The course was extremely organised, the three lecturers, Georgia, Andrew and Helen, were extremely supportive and gave clear and accurate guidance throughout the lectures, coursework and assignments.
The course was exceeded my expectations. The lecturers go above and beyond with support and guidance where I had issues and was stuck on certain aspects.
What were the highlights of your course?
The Environmental Placement module.
The Minerals and Waste Lecture, with a trip to Shoreham Port to understand Mineral Planning.
And the various different trips on offer, to Ouse Valley, Hastings, Brighton, London,
I would recommend the Environmental Placement module – as it gives you the opportunity to either work for a local planning authority or private planning company and get hands on experience in the planning industry which significantly compliments the course, modules, and assignments.
What interested you about a career in town planning and what are you doing now you have graduated?
I am working as a Town Planner for Jacobs (Engineering) (private sector). Town Planning is very interesting and it is a subject matter that is constantly changing due to planning legalisation, law and policy which makes it different day all the time. I plan to keep working in the planning sector.
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