Fine Art and Creative Writing - BA (Hons)

Lancaster University

The best aspects is my degree, it was the best catered to what I wanted when trying to find a university. The campus itself is also good, the library especially. Being a campus uni is a benefit and is only a 20 minute bus ride from the city centre. A negative perhaps is the travel which could be more efficient but its the best that can done due to the increase of students in Lancaster. Linking on from that, the size of the city could put people off due to few clubs and places to go out. However, it is expanding and there are lots of new restaurants to dine in and has great views nearby for walks around the city. I've not been bothered by the size as I think it's less overwhelming than other cities and makes travel a lot quicker. Best aspects of uni has been joining societies. I joined a college netball team and have found great people there. It encourages me to get fit and also go out on socials which has helped in lonelier periods. A negative was the accommodation I chose a first year (Bowland Halls) as I only had two flatmates which restricted my options for meeting people, and resulted in me living with them second year which I was very unhappy with. However, I have grown more extroverted and met new people in my final year, and that is due to the set-up of seminars in my module. Creative writing seminars usually have a friendly atmosphere and do help with my work. Netball has also pushed me out of my comfort zone to make more friends.

The university is so welcoming and supportive. I'm an estranged, queer, disabled student and they've been so incredibly accommodating. Staff and faculty went out of their way to make me feel safe and welcome, as well as supporting my studies when they're troubled by my health issues. The main problem I have is the commute to campus as someone with mobility limitations. The uni could be better looking, but I'd rather they continue to deliver amazing quality than look amazing.

The best is the campus and its proximity to the town, I like how it’s not fully connected to the town but that it’s close enough to walk two. I also like how attentive the staff are at making sure all the students are fully fitting in and enjoying university. A bad thing about the uni experience is my flatmates, there all lovely but they can be very messy I’ve often had to wash my dishes in my room sink because the dishes are stacked high. They can also be a bit loud at night, one night they played music out in the hall from 11 pm to 12:30pm very loudly but other then that uni experience is good.

I love the campus and the space, there are lots of nice clean places to study and hang out. the staff and students are all nice and friendly. The university is very welcoming and considerate of background and are always ready to help if needed. There is always lots of support for everyone. Could be improved with maybe making it fair for everyone to be able to book a study space, because the library gets really busy and usually the same people are always occupying the space and sometimes others don't get the chance to book the space.

Lecturers are super nice and very quick replying to emails/concerns. The campus is quite easy to get around and there are lots of nature around it. The societies are fun to join and give a real sense of community.

Its such a calm, collected uni space. Not the ideal if you want a huge going-out club environment but overall it is what you make of it. Some of what makes it annoying currently is all the changes, the removal of certain degrees and lots of specialised/optional modules within the social sciences is really weakening what makes Lancaster so great - its variety and its choices,