Water Engineering degrees

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.

I study on Loughry Campus, Cookstown. It is not located in a city and is a rural location, which I understand may put some people off. But the education programme here is second to none. Staff offer all the support you need and more, and as they are industry expects. The ability to network, liaise with industry professionals, gain experience and learn for working life via practical means allows for almost 100% of Loughry students to be employed by the time they finish final year. The rural position of the college isn’t something to see as negative, as the student council organise events, bus trips and lifts to all the bars, clubs, party nights happening all over the country. There is something to get involved in weekly. If you see something you’d like to attend, they are usually more than happy to organise a trip there! Everyone’s so friendly. In terms of facilities, Loughry has everything a food technology student needs, whether on a science lab front for food micro or chemical analysis to actual state of the art food production facilities. Loughry is a DAERA site also, so industry professionals are on campus regularly, trying out new recipe formulations where students and staff participate in taste panels to gauge the acceptability of new products to the market. If not trailing recipes, professions come to Loughry to seek advice on food production, new product development, packaging and marketing. Again, all the lecturers at Loughry are industry professionals so you feel like everything you learn is completely relevant, and again, it’s great for networking. I’ve loved my time at Loughry, and I may be biased but I can honestly say from my experience that I have been well and truly set up for a career in the food industry. I graduate in June 2022 and have already secured a full time job in the industry.

Best aspect: One positive aspect of university is the financial resources available to support students, such as scholarships, bursaries, grants, and access to part-time work on or near campus. These resources can reduce financial pressure and allow students to focus more on their studies. Universities also often provide access to subsidised facilities, learning resources, and student discounts, which can make higher education more affordable compared to managing these costs independently. Worst aspect / areas for improvement: Despite these resources, financial support is often limited, competitive, or not well advertised, leaving many students unaware of the help available to them. Living costs, accommodation fees, and international tuition fees continue to rise, which can cause significant financial stress. Universities could improve by expanding financial aid, offering clearer guidance on available funding, and providing more consistent support for students facing unexpected financial difficulties.