Olly van Biervliet, MSc Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration

Meet Olly van Biervliet, a graduate from the MSc Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration.

The MSc provides the solid foundation required to understand aquatic systems, their physical, and chemical settings, but also their long-term history and development as illuminated by data from sediment cores. The course also gives excellent coverage of contemporary challenges faced by water managers whilst offering modules in core professional skills including hydrological modelling and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). In addition to lectures, held in small groups with renowned academic staff, there is good exposure to both field and lab work. There are also opportunities to meet water sector practitioners, especially in the wildlife conservation sector, which was great for helping me find career opportunities and the 'why' of the course.

In UCL Geography, a host of very friendly and highly enthusiastic staff do all they can to make students feel supported. There is a real community atmosphere with a revolving door of past and present students to attend guest lectures, aquatic-themed workshops and social occasions. Personally, the MSc gave me the background and contacts needed to make a smooth transition from working as a high school Biology teacher to getting involved in cutting-edge environmental water management projects. My dissertation supervisor helped me apply for jobs as a Visiting Lecturer and Project Officer at the Rivers Trust. I secured both of these things through a combination of references and the knowledge and skills I gained during the MSc.

Since then, it has been easy to find stimulating employment and move through the UK's expanding environmental water management and conservation sector. I also returned to UCL to carry out my PhD on the effects of beaver dams on natural flood risk management. The course helped me in so many ways which is why I've found it so enjoyable to get involved with some of the teaching on the MSc as a graduate.

Interested in following in Olly's footsteps? Visit our Study pages to find out more.