MSc Environmental Policy and Management

I'm hoping to raise £6,500 to help pay for tuition fees and maintenance through academic year 2016/17 while helping me achieve my ambition to obtain a Master's degree in Environmental Policy and Management. This qualification will enable me to progress towards my goal of working to make the environment of our Earth a better place for future generations. Achieving a Master's level knowledge is also a requirement of becoming a Chartered Environmentalist which I am also working towards. 

I am Jon Hall

I am a 26 year old man living in Bristol (the European green capital for 2015) with a passion for the environment. I am the oldest of three children and the only person within my immediate family to go to university. I am a Wolverhampton Wanderers football club fan and have been since I was born having spent the first 6 years of my life in the city. Aside from football, I watch all manner of sports and I was a University rower for UWE during my first degree and I am currently training for an Ultra Marathon (44.5 miles). 

Why am I pursuing further study?

I first discovered a love for environment (specifically Geography) while undertaking my GCSEs and the passion has only increased year on year. Unlike many students studying at this level, unfortunately I didn't take A-Levels seriously and pretty much failed them all (including Geography!).

It took two years before I realised my mistake and started my mission to succeed and to achieve as much as possible. I applied to the University of the West of England in Bristol to study for a BSc in Geography and Environmental Management; to my surprise, I was accepted! After three years of hard work, including working part-time and being on the rowing squad I achieved my goal to graduate with First Class Honours. During this three years I learnt that I am capable of producing high quality work and that the A-level period was a simple mistake. Like many students I found finding work tough at first but managed to find a position very soon after graduating. I worked for around 18 months before realising that nothing was as satisfying as academic study, and so I decided to return to university. Over the 18 months, I always wondered if it was a mistake not studying for a master's immediately as I had achieved a top classification in my first degree.

I applied for the MSc in Environmental Policy and Management on a part-time basis as I had no other means of funding the tuition or maintenance. I recently completed the first year while working almost full time which was extremely stressful and not enjoyable. However, I have managed to maintain an overall average to keep me on course to achieve Distinction. I have come to the conclusion that in order to achieve my next goal of graduating with another top level classification, I must dramatically reduce my working hours, or even stop them completely. The problem with this is that my salary only just covers tuition and maintenance and I cannot afford to reduce my hours at work as I need the funds for university.

Your generosity can help me fulfill my goal!

Why £6,500?

• £6,500 is a modest figure and is also the cost of tuition fees for the course. I also have other commitments to take care of throughout the acadmeic year which I hope to be able to raise through working, these include: 
• Rent: £407.50/month
• Bills and food: £300/month
• Social activities: £?? (very low social life while working full time and studying part time)

Essentially, I cannot sustain myself financially throughout the year if I am to achieve my full potential and graduate with Distinction.

Rewards

For those kind enough to donate, I can guarantee that I will use my knowledge to protect and improve the natural environment throughout my career. Additionally, have a look at other ways I will send my thanks, whatever the amount, I intend to thank you in the best way possible.

Help me succeed!

You don't need to give money to help us succeed! Please share this project with anyone you think would support us – on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, by email, telephone, in a chat over the fence or on your blog. In fact, share it with everyone you know as we think it's a great idea.