Victoria McCormick

I had been working in the fitness industry for eight years, specifically as a fitness manager in a commercial gym. It had been over ten years since I had been in any formal education.

I knew I didn't want to go to a big university because it had been such a long time since I had studied, and I wanted to ensure I could get support if I needed it.

My BSc was really interesting. There was a great mixture of different assignments, field trips, practical work, guest lectures, and fantastic lecturers who regularly taught the modules.

I was based at Northop Campus because that's where all the animal-related courses are taught. What was great about this was that everyone shared similar interests. Even though students were on different courses, such as veterinary nursing or canine behaviour, we all shared a passion for animals. Since it was a small campus, we got to know students from other courses, saw them regularly, and had events together.

I loved being based at Northop Campus because of the beautiful scenery, including wildflower meadows and ancient woodland. Having the opportunity to complete wildlife surveys there was incredibly helpful. Going out on placement was also invaluable for the real-world experience we gained, preparing us for employment. The placement opportunities were vast, allowing us to choose something specific to our own interests.

The support I received while studying at Wrexham University was amazing. As a mature student, I initially struggled, especially with referencing, but the study skills teams were incredibly helpful. Not only were they fantastic at their job, but I was also fortunate to have supportive lecturers and personal tutors who took the time to help me whenever I asked. There is so much help available if you reach out for it.

I have grown so much as a person, and my confidence has skyrocketed. When I first started, I was terrified to stand up and present in front of ten people. By the time I finished my course, I was delivering educational talks to around 250 people.

I would 100% recommend studying at Wrexham University. The support I received was second to none. I enjoyed my time there so much that I even stayed on to complete my teacher training!