Engineering and Physical Sciences Foundation Programme: Mathematics - BSc (Hons)

Aston University, Birmingham

Aston is the first university where I have felt truly included. It is clear that EDI here isn’t just a ‘box-ticking’ exercise; there is a genuine network of support for every student. The staff are deeply invested in our success and go above and beyond to ensure everyone feels they belong. While the email responses from the ICT support centre are 100% effective and impressively quick, the high volume of work from various departments can sometimes lead to delays in other areas. Increasing resources for the centre would help maintain their high standard of support across all service channels.

I really enjoyed my interaction with my mentors and teachers who have been supportive all throughout. In terms of academia I cant think of any improvements.

The campus is located in the city centre, close to many places to go for necessities and to explore as a student. However campus is not that exciting as the main building looks very dull from the outside. An attempt to make campus look better was adding colourful bright lights after dark. I want to be made to feel excited when coming to study and I am sure other students would agree with me.

Understanding lecturers that actually care about teaching - unlike others in bigger universities that see it as a chore. To improve, Aston University currently uses a notorious debt collection agency to manage gym membership fees, Harlands Group Limited. They have previously charged me on an incorrect date, when I hadn't moved money into the account yet, and charged twice the amount when I tried to remake the payment the next day due to 'admin fees of processing a late payment'. This a repeated story in online reviews about the company when searching on google. When I brought this to the attention of the uni - I was simply referred to links with tips for handling the cost of living, despite the fact that the company charged me on the wrong date.

I get the fact that it is a large institute holding many people of an educational background, however people would benefit from the experience a bit more if there was a bit more sense of community. Yes societies work, however it would be better if we have a lot more smaller communities that bring a lot of impact, more on the educational side of uni life. I say this because when students enter this new institution there is a chance that they can become lost in the shadows of the place and not fit in. This improvement would account for all students and able to build one big strong community together and that's what truly make a massive difference; like in secondary school, as it is much smaller and easier to build this community and that's what keeps people going through, succeeding their studies and having a great time overall. I For anybody, it's not great to miss out on the benefits of education as well as feeling groggy about it throughout how many years they study. And yes it may be their initial choice however to have something strong that helps them, that guides them through every moment is truly key to achieving what would be great for them and they know it. We all do. And that's the beauty of it all.