Sofie Wimble

 Sofie is a Geography with Transport Studies BA student and is currently in her third year of studying. The course at Leeds has allowed her to focus on aspects of Geography she enjoys the most and she’s looking forward to a trip to Sicily as part of one of her modules later this year.

Focus on your interests

 Sofie believes the best thing about studying Geography at Leeds is that you can pick whether you want to focus on human or physical geography from the offset. “I have found the course very interesting and engaging”, she relates, “all of my modules are very different in terms of content and topics, but all interlink in some ways.

“I love how international the course content is too, we study places all over the globe – making me want to travel even more!”

I love how international the course content is too, we study places all over the globe – making me want to travel even more!

Why Leeds

 Aside from the course looking interesting from the website and prospectus, Sofie came to Leeds on a Geography taster day and liked the city and campus style of university. She says “While there, I could also imagine myself living in Leeds so this would be one of my biggest tips to do when researching universities!” Sofie was impressed by the sports facilities on offer and the numerous societies at the university. Leeds being a reputable Russell Group University was also a big draw for Sofie, plus its employability rate and successful alumni community - something that Sofie strives to be a part of one day! 

Friends for life

 The thought of making friends was initially daunting to Sofie. Home is a six-hour journey away for her and she only vaguely knew one other person when starting university. However, she says “Although I joined during the pandemic, when it was more difficult to make friends, I soon met new people and found my different friendship groups. Now in my final year, I have made friends for life.” Sofie recommends joining societies and getting involved with as many things as you can, and to remember, “Everyone is in the same boat as you -  you are not alone.”

Career skills for the future 

 Sofie is currently participating in the Circl leadership and coaching program/ qualification, which was advertised to her by the university. She relates that “I can see how this is helping me to devleop personal skills and will definitely help me in my career and further connections as I’m now partnered with a global executive in Veolia as part of this program.”

 She’s also part of the Geography mentoring scheme, run by the careers centre and School of Geography. “I’m currently paired with a successful alumni and am meeting with her to gain insight, advice and listen to her experience within the industry of NGOs and charity sectors. 
The careers service here frequently post information about careers and opportunities, and are always advertising things to get involved with.”

I’m currently paired with a successful alumni and am meeting with her to gain insight, advice and listen to her experience within the industry of NGOs and charity sectors

Outside of studies

 Sofie is Secretary for the Geography Society where her role is to manage all the compliance, risk assessment and codes of conduct in the society, and to help with the running and organising of it, plus support events.
“I play hockey for the university too. It’s very beneficial for my mental and physical wellbeing, and we travel all over Yorkshire to play matches!”

 Sofie is also part of the Right to Walk society, an inclusive community for women, promoting empowerment and safety, and is a student ambassador for the School of Geography and for the Department of Education Outreach at the university.

Post-study plans

 Sofie plans to travel during the summer following the completion of her Undergraduate degree, and then complete a Masters at the University of Leeds in Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding.

Advice for prospective students

 Sofie advises anyone thinking of studying her course at Leeds to “Go for it! I can’t recommend the course enough; the content is so varied and interesting. I study things from geopolitics and conflict, to contested cities and migration, to transport policies and psychology. The staff are also lovely - they are so interesting and have amazing experience to learn from, and the community within the university, my course and my societies is really strong.”

The staff are also lovely, they are so interesting and have amazing experience to learn from

Join us

To find out more about studying in the School of Geography, view our Undergraduate courses.