Visit Thailand and learn how ecological data is helping conserve tropical forest species.

Our Conservation Research in Tropical Forest module offers a 12-day overseas stay. You will:

• learn about specific pressures facing tropical forests
• explore data required to understand the status of vertebrates
• find out how data feeds into management of these species

Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve in Thailand provides the backdrop for your study. You will learn how to design a field investigation, gather field data and analyse and report them.

The emphasis is on study of population numbers and habitat use. The module features:

• presentations
• tutorial sessions
• fieldwork exercises, a range of which will be student-led

Your module option might be Conservation and Ecological Research in Human-modified Landscapes of Sub-Saharan Africa.

You undertake a 12-day trip to the Lajuma Research Centre in South Africa. We look at human-modified tropical landscapes in relation to the:

• basics of ecology
• conservation and management challenges

You gain research skills required for investigating and managing these landscapes. You draw on theory and practice from ecology, socio-ecology and conservation. We:

• outline the conservation challenges
• exploring data needs required to address challenges
• show how data can help manage landscapes for both biodiversity and ecosystem services

You take part in lectures, field work, data collection and analysis and presentations. A range of these will be student-led.

This project-based residential field course takes place in the second year. Current locations include Northumberland National Park, Millport and Crete. You can also take an optional mammal surveying skills module in the UK.

Our unique geographic location is close to a variety of natural habitats. These include:

• Northumberland National Park
• the stunning local coastline, including the Farne Islands

You can spend 7 days investigating the geology of the Sorbas Basin in Spain. The aim of the third-year module is to introduce you to international aspects of geology.

You will see the global significance of geological processes. This is with particular reference to cordillera formation.

You get to extract geological data from rock, sediments and landforms in the field.

The emphasis is on sedimentary basin development and associated sedimentary and tectonic phenomena.

The Hospederia del Desierto, Tabernas, Spain, is the base for the trip.

The module links to the:

• 1st-year field course in Borrowdale
• 2nd-year field course on Arran

It helps you to develop further skills in extracting information from rocks.

You can spend 8 days away in the beautiful UK countryside at the start of your third year. The residential field course presents the GIS data flowline in a single package.

Areas visited include the Lake District, Northumberland and the North Pennines. The course demonstrates the interconnectivity of the various modules studied so far.

You will:

• develop practical field based skills
• be introduced to a variety of new technologies and analytical techniques
• be able to plan and structure activities as a group

The course highlights practical problems and issues faced by practitioners. This relates to collecting, validating, analysing and presenting spatial information.

It will highlight real-world solutions and work-arounds. It gives a flavour of the reality of spatial data acquisition and management.

The aims of the module are to:-

• give you advanced first-hand experience of the GIS flowline
• build on your existing skills from year 2 in a practical environment
• allow you to develop links between theory and field-based reality
• introduce you to core themes and technologies for year 3 studies
• further enhance group-based working and core presentation skills

You get the chance to visit a field study centre in the southern Lake District of England during year 1.

The aim of this module is to introduce the students to a residential field course.

You examine rocks in the field and use those observations to describe and understand:

• their formation
• geological history

It is an internationally renowned geological location. You will observe important outcrops of rock.

You can then process GIS data using GIS Geoprocessing toolsets. You create a site plan for data captured and analysed in geological investigation.

The combination of these data sets provide an understanding of the locations mapped.

You will also:

• develop teamwork and interpersonal communication skills
• learn to appraise fieldwork using scientific report writing

Our Earth Science students enjoy 7 days away in Cumbria during year 2. This takes place if you study our Geological Field Mapping module.

You will producing a geological map of a 1km2 area of Geltsdale, near Brampton, Cumbria.

You work in groups of 3 and map the outcrops in the area. You identify:

• all the rock types observed
• map their location
• their relationship to other rock formations
• identify and map the presence of geological structures

We give you experience in field mapping of geological formations and structures. This module is a key aspect of the degree.

It provides you with the key field skills needed their future careers. You also learn to work successfully as a team.

You have the opportunity to explore new and diverse tropical habitats in Bermuda. These include:

coral reefs
mangrove forests
coastal sand dunes
inland caves
uninhabited islands

You will learn new survey techniques and have guided tours by local experts.

The eight-day residential field course at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences involves shore, in-water, laboratory and on-board vessel tasks.

 Lectures, workshops and practicals will provide grounding in the ecology of the region.

You have the opportunity to explore new and diverse tropical habitats in Mexico. These include:

• seagrass beds
• mangrove forests
• coastal salt marshes and lagoons
• Subterranean Cenotes

You will learn new survey techniques and have guided tours of facilities by local experts.

The seven day residential field course, in partnership with Ecoteknica, involves shore, in-water and on-site tasks.

Practicals and site visits will provide grounding in the ecology of the region, and insight into key marine activities in the local area.

You have the opportunity to explore new temperate habitats in Portugal, and gain an understanding of commercial marine activities. These include:

• exposed rocky shores
• estuaries
• aquaculture facilities
• fisheries activities
• cetacean watching

You will learn new survey techniques and have guided tours of facilities by local experts.

The seven day residential field course, in partnership with CERES Field Studies Centre involves shore, in-water and on-site tasks.

Practicals and site visits will provide grounding in the ecology of the region, and insight into key marine activities in the local area.

You take part in a seven day residential field course on the Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland. This is as part of the second year practical skills module.

You go to the Field Studies Council Station at Millport on the isle, off Scotland's west coast. This runs in the June between your first and second year.

It provides you with the opportunity to develop identification skills of marine plants and animals. Many of the species you will see differ to those you will see on the north-east coast of England.

During the week, you will take part in lectures and four practical activities. These include a sampling trip on the station’s research vessel.

Accommodation is on-site at the station, which is close to a range of excellent field sites.

Our unique geographic location is close to a variety of natural marine habitats which provide the backdrop for full and half day fieldwork on the stunning Northumberland Coastline.

Many of these field sites are designated Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), National Nature Reserves (NNR) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). These include:

• the Farne Islands
• Lindisfarne (Holy Island) salt marshes and mudflats
• Druridge Bay
• St. Mary’s Island
• Cullercoats

Excursion fieldwork and our designated ‘field-weeks’ teaching is supported by our costal research station, the Dove Marine Laboratory

My time in Strasbourg was an unforgettable experience.

Being in a lab all day every day for eight months at first seemed like a daunting prospect. But I soon became passionate about my project and enjoyed being in the lab.

In fact, the project became the favourite part of my time abroad. This was the first opportunity I’d had to carry out my own research. I could develop it and have a voice in directing where it went.

I have been fortunate enough to study both in Newcastle and Strasbourg. They are two cities that are friendly and welcoming.

Strasbourg is one of the prettiest cities I have visited. So as well as improving my Chemistry, I also enjoyed this beautiful city.

The key benefits of the year abroad process have been a massive improvement in my:

• lab abilities
• problem solving skills
• knowledge of French wine and cheese

Now, I have been able to return to Newcastle for my Masters in a much stronger position in Chemistry. I can apply all the skills learned to my Master’s research project and lectures.

The Study Abroad process has improved my job prospects. It stands me in good stead for the future as it shows that I can be:

• out of my comfort zone in a foreign country
• carry out a project gaining invaluable experience that stands me out from the crowd

Three top tips:

1. Go for it, immerse yourself in a different culture. This is a prime opportunity to do so.
2. Get a wider understanding of all the different cultures that the world has to offer.
3. Don’t worry, try everything.