Film Special Effects degrees

Best parts: access to loads of learning materials Worst parts: not much free activities, communication with student union isn’t great so I tend to miss out on activities which impacts my social life and mental health Also the school doesn’t provide support with finding a placement

The best aspects of my university experience have been the sense of community and the opportunities for personal and academic growth. My course is taught by passionate lecturers who make the subject feel relevant and engaging, and I’ve appreciated how approachable most staff are when I need help. There are also plenty of extracurricular activities and societies, which made it easy to meet people with similar interests. The campus facilities—like the library, study spaces, and wellbeing services—have also been a big part of what makes it a great place to study. In terms of what could be improved, there are a few key areas. Communication between departments could sometimes be clearer, especially around deadlines and timetable changes. At busy times of the year, access to study spaces can become limited, and more quiet areas or longer opening hours would make a difference. It would also help if there were more practical, hands-on learning opportunities such as placements, workshops, or industry links, as these really enhance understanding and employability. Overall, the university offers a supportive and stimulating environment, but with better organisation and more resources during peak periods, the student experience could be even stronger.

Pros: "The sense of community and the support from the Students' Union have been highlights of my time here. The campus facilities are modern, and there’s a great balance between academic rigour and social opportunities." Cons: "While the facilities are excellent, some of the older study spaces could benefit from more power outlets to accommodate students during peak exam seasons."

The actual university was fine. The new building has a lot of great facilities but some of them can only be used by people from that actual course. Sewing machines and work spaces can get really busy. Nice interior design and layout.

I love the scenery which is just by the River Thames. The accommodation is comfortable and peaceful. Worst experience is that students are made to search Placement opportunities themselves which can be quite exhausting.

The best aspect of my university experience has been the supportive learning environment and access to diverse academic and professional opportunities. The teaching staff are approachable and knowledgeable, and the university provides useful resources that help students develop both academically and professionally. Studying in a diverse community has also helped me grow in confidence and cultural awareness. The most challenging aspect has been balancing academic responsibilities with part-time work and managing living costs, especially as an international student. While support services are available, clearer guidance on financial support, employability opportunities, and tailored support for international students would further improve the overall experience. Overall, the university is a great place to study, and enhanced support in these areas would make the student experience even stronger.

UCLan is a great place to study because of its friendly staff, diverse student community, and excellent facilities like the library and sports centre. It provides strong academic and personal support. One area for improvement could be creating more study spaces during exam periods and adding more campus events to bring students together.

Overall, my uni experience has been really positive. It’s a pretty new university, which shows in the facilities, and there’s a lot of support available if you need it. The lectures are generally good and engaging, which makes a big difference. That said, there have been some frustrating moments, especially with miscommunication around things like timetables—it can get confusing and a bit stressful when information isn’t clear or changes last minute. The handling of the meningitis situation could also have been better, as we only got an email quite late after cases had already been reported, which didn’t feel very reassuring. Outside of uni, Canterbury is a nice place to live and has a great atmosphere, even if it can be a little boring at times.