Danny decided to change direction with the University of Birmingham in 2024. Through various professional and personal experiences, including his reporting with the National Farmers Union, Danny became more conscious of the growing threat of climate change. When the chance to pursue this new passion at UoB arose, he knew it was the right move for him.
Deciding to pursue a postgraduate degree in a completely different field from your undergraduate studies may seem daunting, but it can also be an incredibly rewarding experience. Personally, my journey saw me switch from my Journalism degree at Nottingham Trent University to studying Environment, International Development and Politics, here at the University of Birmingham. However, it wasn’t a path I had laid out for myself with careful precision. Through my experiences across multiple different workplaces, I found myself developing passions I never knew I had, and when the opportunity to study at UoB came up, I knew I had to seize it.
Having just left my undergraduate degree in 2023, it’s fair to say I was pretty aimless, the idea of doing a master’s did not immediately scream out to me, and a lot of my friends were working hospitality jobs with the end goal of travelling in a few months. This differed greatly from what I wanted, I felt like to justify travelling, I had to get my foot on some sort of ladder I would be happy to start climbing when I came back. Having not really thought about getting a job for the summer during my degree, I began to search, and found the field to be incredibly competitive, with opportunities coming little and often. My first job came with Write Angle Media, which I secured through a contact I’d met on work experience at my local paper, the job was low-pay, weekends only, and a lot of travel. Not ideal, but I knew I had to get experience somehow.
Then, through a random stroke of luck, having monitored job sites for several months, I secured an interview with the National Farmers’ Union. Through lots of preparation, I managed to secure the role, and was thrown into the cut and thrust of the world of political communications. Working at the NFU exposed me to the complexities of agricultural policy, sustainability, and climate action. I found myself increasingly drawn to discussions about land use, food security, and environmental legislation—topics that had profound implications for both the UK and the wider world. My role involved translating complex policy issues into engaging content for different audiences, but I quickly realised I wanted to go beyond communication. I wanted to be part of the decision-making process, influencing policy rather than just reporting on it. That realisation led me to consider a new academic direction.
The Environment, International Development and Politics MSc at the University of Birmingham stood out as the perfect programme to help me transition from journalism into the world of environmental policy and global development. With no prior background in environmental science or politics, I was initially concerned about whether I would be able to keep up. However, the programme is specifically designed for students from a variety of backgrounds, meaning there is no requirement for previous experience in the field. The supportive learning environment, alongside expert faculty members and diverse course modules, made it an ideal place to build my knowledge from the ground up.
For anyone considering a postgraduate degree in a new field, my biggest piece of advice is to embrace your transferable skills. Changing direction can be intimidating, but it can also lead to exciting new possibilities. University of Birmingham especially understand this, and will provide the resources, expertise, and support needed to help students succeed.
Looking to change direction? Discover our range of postgraduate taught courses on our website.