Computer Science - BSc (Hons)

University Academy 92 (UA92)

Attending this university (especially accelerated) is one of the best choices I've made and can't believe I'm leaving so soon! The support staff at this university are second to none - everyone knows you by name and are always happy to chat when they see you on campus. There's such a family and friendly feel about the place. Most lecturers are really easy to chat to and the class sizes are really great as it gives me so much more confidence to ask questions. The Old Trafford Location is well connected (2 mins from the tram stop) but also in a calmer and quieter area of town. I am slightly jealous of the Business School though and like to go there to study if I'm in town! Being in for the same 4 hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday means classes never take up to much of your day, giving loads of chance to study ,work meet up with friends etc. I've enjoyed the block style of study as I find it so much easier to focus on one topic at a time to give it my maximum effort and really understand it. The only reason I've put 4 for facilities is there's no pitches of our own for sports, however the sports labs and gym are excellent, especially with the gym only being £99 a year, and there were issues with the mac minis last year but they have been fixed now. There currently is no students union but there's still loads of clubs and activities including the women's football team and girl's night in which is great to connect with other people from other courses and there are loads of external events too. There's so many extra curricular opportunities too like becoming a content creator, ambassador or a student rep, and we often have guest speakers or lecturers from partners like KPMG and Microsoft, and there's and industry insight week coming up that I'm also really looking forward to. Overall, it's been a really great experience and I highly recommend for people who may not enjoy the traditional uni experience, it's really a unique institution.

Reflecting on my journey over the last three years, it's impressive to see the progression from completing a Certificate of Higher Education in software development to achieving a Bachelor of Science with Honours in computer science. My time at UA92 has been a testament to my hard work and commitment to learning and growing within the realm of software development and computer science. Transitioning to a BSc Honours in computer science further expanded my knowledge and skill set. This advanced program challenged me with more complex concepts, such as algorithms, data structures, artificial intelligence, and possibly even specialized areas like cybersecurity or machine learning. As I move forward from this significant milestone, I will carry forward the lessons learned, the friendships made, and the experiences gained during my time at UA92. My education is a stepping stone to a bright future filled with opportunities to innovate, create, and make a positive impact in the world of technology.

I chose UA92 because I was intrigued by the lack of exams and the fixed timetables and I'm so glad I did. The support I've received from staff has been amazing and it's really easy to get to know your lecturers and classmates due to the small class sizes. There are loads of opportunities available to students for example I'm a student representive for my class and an ambassador for the university and I've learnt so much about communication and leadership through these roles. There are also many external events to places such as go karting, Alton Towers and trampoline parks which are a great way to meet other students and are always at a discounted price. As UA92 is still a new university there are some parts that could be improved but they are very open to receiving feedback.

UA92 is a really vibrant and modern place to study, with plenty of sports teams to choose from and it's in a really nice part of Manchester. It's not too big or overwhelming either for someone who finds busy spaces uncomfortable. The class sizes are quite small which means more contact time with tutors and much easier to ask questions. My only main criticisms are that there's no library on campus but you do have access to the other uni libraries in Manchester but it is just more difficult to access resources. The other thing is other than sports there aren't particularly that many clubs and there's no actual student's union which can make socialising a bit more difficult. But overall have enjoyed the small community feel

Despite the uni and the campus being relatively new and requiring a few improvements in general, it is brilliant. The support staff are always there when needed and can help with anything. You can even ask to set up a club or events night and they will help you do so. Definitely recommend students to come here and the uni can only get better.