OVERALL UNIVERSITY RATING
Tell us about your overall university experience so far.
Generally my experience has been very pleasant. The university itself has offered me many opportunities and ways in which to develop personally, as well as academically and career-wise. Where there are shortcomings to my experience, I find that they usually stem from things like cultural differences or my individual problems. I appreciate the university as a social space as well, giving me a chance to establish friendships and connections with like-minded people from all over the world.
Job Prospects
How does your uni make efforts to increase your employability (careers department, work placements, transferable skills)?
In general, quite well. Helped me expand my interview skills, my graduate attributes and CV quality. Not sure if it prepared me for a job in my career field per se, though.
Course and Lecturers
What do you like most and least about the way your course(s) are taught?
Their availability and approachability. For the course, it's the flexibility and the fact that everyone can find their area of interest and then focus on it.
Students' Union
What do you think of your Students' Union in terms of student representation and facilities?
I used to get involved but no longer do - mainly because of lack of time and energy. I think they do a stellar job of providing the students with a range of different entertainment choices and activities.
Accommodation
What do you think about the safety, condition, location and cost of your accommodation?
Comfortable distance for uni, good value for the price, manageable bills and enough space, in my bedroom and the communal areas. Would prefer a smaller bathroom with a shower cubicle instead of the big one we have with a bath.
Uni Facilities
How good are your university's facilities?
Quite good. The library is large and organised, clean and available. The computer space can be lacking. There are many cafeterias and buffets on campus. Bathroom facilities are clean and high quality and so are parking spaces and bicycle stands.
Local life
Is your university in a good location in terms of distance to accommodation and local amenities?
Busy and enjoyable. There are many options to choose from every day, when it comes to entertainment, food or even services. The city offers some historical and cultural attractions and is full of opportunities for artists. The transport can be tricky and the bus system quite disorganised, and there are just a few subway stops so it sometimes gets unhelpful.
Societies and Sports
How would you rate the variety of societies/sports?
There is a large variety of them and all offer different levels of engagement, activities and ways of participating. The ones I got involved in were flexible and the membership was either free or very cheap. Some of the clubs focus on developing your skills while others are more socially-focused. Overall, everyone can probably find something that fits their preferences.
Student Support
How good is the support offered by the uni? Think both academic (tutors/feedback) and personal (counselling, etc).
Good on both counts. The professors are approachable and willing to give you commentary on your preparation and performance. They also make sure you get information relevant to your course in due time and try to give you guidance when it comes to your individual studies. Similarly, there are other services focused on helping you, whether it be with your studies or more personal problems like counselling or medical help. One thing I found quite unhelpful, though, was when I registered for a counselling appointment and got a response some two months later. In my case, the problem could wait and wasn't too severe, but unfortunately that may not always be the case and I find that the service should be a bit more prompt in their support.