OVERALL UNIVERSITY RATING
Tell us about your overall university experience so far.
My overall experience has been very positive. I feel like I’ve contributed to a lot of change, which makes me feel good and confident...
University rating
Tell us about your overall university experience so far.
My overall experience has been very positive. I feel like I’ve contributed to a lot of change, which makes me feel good and confident in knowing that LCM will forever help me to rectify any problems I may face in the future. I am always enthusiastic about my instrumental lessons. I was given lots of performance opportunities of various different palettes of performing. Very pleased with my time here.
Facilities
How good are your university's facilities?
The building’s entrance and café have had a massive upgrade and makeover. We have lots of new gear coming to LCM as well including new guitars, basses, amps. There are still some improvements in regards to the equipment that need to be made, on the classical course mainly. String instruments need to be better maintained and looked after, with strings being replaced and damages seen to. Instrument accessories also need to be made available along with the instrument, LCM may provide a violin but often not along with a shoulder rest or a decent bow. Otherwise practice rooms are well equipped with a piano in every room. There’s always a space to practice and rehearse.
Student support
How good is the support offered by the uni? Think both academic (tutors/feedback) and personal (counselling, etc).
I work quite closely with student services so I know they are really passionate about making sure that the welfare of students is looked after. There is always someone available to speak to, staff in particular are very open to listening and are good listeners too.
Students' union
What do you think of your Students' Union in terms of student representation and facilities?
The SU are making really good progress this year, they are engaging more with students and expanding on the number and types of events over the year. This will impact positively on the future student unions that will follow.
Local life
Is your university in a good location in terms of distance to accommodation and local amenities?
Leeds is always vibrant and bustling, lots to do, lots of students. There is definitely a dense student culture because of the concentrated number of students in the city. Living is also very cheap, especially after exiting your degree.
Societies and Sports
How would you rate the variety of societies/sports?
I took part in many sports-related activities and was part of the “Real Folk and Ale” Society. It was all really good fun and there’s always time to join a few more.
Lecturers and teaching quality
What do you like most and least about the way your course(s) are taught?
I did the combined course which was great for me because I was really indecisive about what I wanted to do, I couldn’t decide between being a vocalist or a cellist, so coming to LCM enabled me to pursue both avenues in the way that I really wanted to. I aspired to be a frontwoman of a band which I achieved; I wanted to enhance my skills as a solo cellist which was possible again due to LCM. The individual tuition was excellent in that it was balanced and catered to me.
On the classical course in particular, we are really blessed with some reputable tutors. My cello teacher was taught by Rostropovich, who in turned played with Shostakovich, and it’s that kind of linkage that directly informs your playing. On the pop course, band and artist direction is really excellent, and that is true throughout the entire conservatoire.
Some problems I encountered were that there could be some changes halfway through the course in terms of marking and assessment criteria. I know LCM are trying to address this so it will be more consistent in the future.
Career prospects
How does your uni make efforts to increase your employability (careers department, work placements, transferable skills)?
My biggest part of work came from the musicians booking agency. I went on a UK tour with a singer-songwriter; I did 5 destinations in the summer and another 4 in the winter which paid really well. The agency also recommends my string quartet for events and functions. We played on Christmas day once which was nice but saddening at the same time!
University halls
What do you think about the safety, condition, location and cost of your accommodation?
Joseph Stones House accommodation has recently had a makeover. My stay there was really good fun, I would describe it like a greenhouse, you get to know everyone very quickly and easily. It was very overpriced though, student companies know 1st years will be staying there so they take advantage of that and charge obscene prices which is very unfair. I hope there will be a city-wide crackdown to clamp down on those issues.