Fran Sharp

I feel that I left Leeds Trinity not just with a degree, but also with much more confidence in myself and a clearer understanding of what I am capable of achieving.

Why I chose Leeds Trinity University for my degree

I was quite nervous about returning to education as a mature student after a long break, so it was really important to me that the university that I chose felt like a welcoming and supportive environment. Having the opportunity to have a look around Leeds Trinity and meet some of the English faculty on an Open Day allowed me to see first-hand what a friendly environment this University is and made me feel confident that I would have the support that I needed to succeed.

The best things about my course

The thing that I loved most about my course was the variety of topics that were covered. I studied everything from Shakespeare right through to modern day authors and literary theory, and it felt as though the English department put a real emphasis on diversity and inclusion when putting together their reading lists for the modules – which is something that was really important to me.

Interesting and rewarding placements

Both of my placements were research based. In my first year I worked closely with one of my English lecturers on a research project for a Leeds-based charity, and in my second year I worked with Leeds Museums and Galleries, helping them to research and put together a collection for the new music exhibition at Abbey House Museum. Both placements were really interesting and rewarding and were projects that I would never have imagined that I would have the opportunity to get involved in prior to starting my degree.

The placements are great because they encourage you to think about how you might be able to apply the skills that you are learning at University in a real-world environment. They give you a chance to try out new things – giving you a taster of a particular job sector to see whether that is an area that you might want to go into after you graduate. Also, because the job market is so competitive, having work experience in a particular area could really be the thing that makes you stand out when applying for jobs – so it’s not just a great experience in the short term, but can really help you in the long run too!

My Study Abroad experience

I was lucky enough to take part in a study abroad programme at Shiga University in Japan with three other Leeds Trinity students in 2019, spending two weeks studying Japanese Culture and Society. The programme was amazing and gave us an opportunity to immerse ourselves into life in Japan in a way that we would not otherwise have been able to do. That trip is definitely something that I will never forget!

Leaving with more than a degree

For me, the support that I was given throughout my degree by the English faculty, the Learning Hub, and everybody I have met at Leeds Trinity has really helped to boost my self-confidence in a way that I hadn’t expected. I feel that I left Leeds Trinity not just with a degree, but also with much more confidence in myself and a clearer understanding of what I am capable of achieving.