Fay Vincent had a pretty hectic time in the run up to her graduation earlier this month with a First-Class Honours BSc in Geoscience. While studying during her final semester, she purchased a new house and moved in with her long-term partner, whilst continuing to juggle life as a business owner and parent to her 10-year-old daughter. Here she tells us about her time at the University of Aberdeen and how the School of Geosciences Undergraduate Bursary supported her.
“I chose to study Geoscience at the University of Aberdeen, because it offered an excellent range of earth science subjects, as well as the University itself having a prestigious standing as an ancient university. The degree structure allowed me the flexibility to explore courses outwith the compulsory core subjects, adding on electives across biology, archaeology and ecology over my time as an undergraduate.
“Fieldwork has been a real highlight of my experience. The residential trips to Arran, Aviemore and Ullapool provided an opportunity to apply classroom learning to complex geological and geographical settings, while also building field skills that I will hopefully utilise going forward in my career. After completing my final research project, I was invited to attend the UK UNESCO Global Geopark meeting on Arran in June 2025. The University encouraged me and supported me so that I could attend, and I gave a talk on the virtual Geopark I designed for the north-east of Scotland. Another incredible opportunity that I will never forget!
“As a solo parent and mature student, flexibility was important to me and the Geoscience BSc honours projects in my final year gave me the ability to plan my own research topics around my work and parenting commitments – which was crucial. During my second year as an undergraduate, I had to deal with some difficult personal issues, and I found the University counselling service to be an excellent resource - eventually helping me to seek and confirm an ADHD diagnosis. This was a huge turning point in understanding some of the struggles I have dealt with in both my adolescent and adult life.
“Receiving the Geoscience scholarship made a substantial difference to my time studying at Aberdeen. It enabled me to balance academic commitments with work and family life; this then allowed me to engage fully in my studies without the constant strain of financial pressure. More importantly, it signalled recognition – that I was supported, and that my sponsor believed that I could achieve my degree.
“I have always struggled to find my ‘true north’, changing direction constantly and struggling to believe in myself to follow things through. Finishing university with a first-class honours degree, while also receiving the prize for the best 4th year lab project, has given me the confidence to really push through my fears and tackle the next stage head on, developing relationships I’ve formed during my research in the sectors I want to work in. I also intend to build upon my honours research and explore funding opportunities to take the project to the next stage.”
