Studying Aquaculture & Fishery Management at University Centre Sparsholt
Sparsholt is an idyllic place to explore and spend time, with on-site practical facilities for dissertation research and skills development as well as on-site accommodation. Meeting like-minded peers also helped elevate my university experience.
The work placements help you to work out where you fit in the industry once you graduate and to develop a range of employable skills. They were a huge advantage to my integration into the industry, giving me the opportunity and time to complete placements at facilities in the UK and abroad.
Assignments helped to highlight further development needed, and I also found the course modules were heavily tailored to applicable skills and knowledge needed to excel within chosen sectors. The classes provided a nurturing environment to learn and discuss topics in detail.
Topics including fish health and nutrition and system design and maintenance provided myself and my peers with an understanding of core industry knowledge which I have now gone on to apply to my current role, working with differing systems.
Business management skills also prepared us for how to run a business, a key life skill in an industry full of small business owners. I’m currently working as a Broodstock Technician at Mowi Scotland, helping to provide and develop the company’s in-house ability to produce high quality salmon eggs for internal use. This involves various activities and tasks relating to the spawning and fertilisation of salmon (Salmo salar) eggs and the maintenance of RAS and flow through facilities.
Being a Sparsholt graduate gives you connections to a wealth of Sparsholt alumni, which can be helpful when first trying to enter into your chosen sector or finding work experience placements