Social Geography degrees

As an international student, one of the most rewarding aspects of my university experience has been the supportive and student-friendly environment. Adjusting to a new country and education system can be challenging, but the university’s approachable faculty, student services, and peer support made the transition much smoother. The staff are always willing to help, and there are numerous resources available to assist with academic, personal, and cultural adaptation. The university’s inclusivity is another key strength. It celebrates diversity and provides a space where everyone feels respected and valued, regardless of their background or nationality. This inclusive atmosphere has helped me build meaningful connections and collaborate with people from all over the world, enriching my learning and broadening my perspective. Furthermore, the welcoming and accessible environment has made a huge difference. From orientation events to student societies, there are constant efforts to make international students feel at home. The campus facilities, online learning tools, and support services are highly accessible, ensuring that all students can participate fully in academic and social activities. If I can point out something that can be improved is Food. It’s funny how something as simple as food can make such a big difference in how “at home” you feel in a new country. Encouraging more international food options on campus or hosting cultural food events could make a meaningful (and delicious!) improvement to student life.

Generally, the facilities on offer are well designed and accessible. The distance of the university from London makes it fairly attractive, and the campus is among the more unique offerings across the UK. I found some sports societies to be a little on the expensive side, and having had to commute for part of my time as a student, the student life aspect hasn't always been the best or most exciting.

I attend UOG Francis Close Hall campus and it's so incredibly inspiring. It's a great oldy-worldy historical site and it was really the deal-breaker for me choosing UOG; although my course mates and I were severely let down when we were told we would have to move to Oxstalls campus in Gloucester... we managed to get the union involved but only managed to get it pushed back a year for us, all new students in September for social science will be in Oxstalls and won't get to experience the beauty of FCH. Such a shame. Despite this, the facilities are amazing, staff are equipped with great knowledge and are all incredibly friendly. All students are friendly and light-minded, it's a great environment to study in and socialise. I commute so I cannot speak on the social side of student accommodation and/or going out, but as a commuter it meets all my needs! I really recommend studying here, the lecturers know what they're talking about, and are amazing at illustrating theories and concepts in ways that make sense.

The Arts building is by far the best thing about this university and my chosen course. The studios and performance spaces are top notch. You can even have access to so many instruments. So many nice facilities but access to them could be improved by extending the accessible hours. The building closes way too early (9 PM). Especially on the weekends (4 PM). Central location. The uni food is pretty mid so I choose Tesco meal deals more often unfortunately but if you’re not picky you can eat for 2 pounds at the beckett kitchen. Again wish they stayed open longer. Can’t say much about the union other than there aren’t many societies to choose from compared to the other unis.

Best aspects would definitely be the people and the location. By the beach but with safe and lively night life, which in my opinion is important for most undergrad students, also the welsh are lovely and friendly. It depends on the area but overall the city feels extremely safe which was important for me. Some of the buildings on the old campus (singleton) look a bit run-down especially when the sun isn't out so it might be worth them revamping some buildings to make certain parts look less depressing. But again thats only a few, and the walk to campus is lovely especially as theres a massive park/green space right next to campus, with a 2 minute detour taking you right to the beach. Can't say too much on the students' union because it looks good but i havent really engaged with it. They always have some sort of event going on but honestly i havent been to many, so maybe the events could be more engaging so more people including myself would go.

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.