University rating
Tell us about your overall university experience so far.
I study Digital Media at Woodlane, which is a course that is being cut after we graduate. Its a sad moment because the course is so innovative and we're created some awesome work. I'd say that night life could be a little better, but its what you make of it. There are 2 clubs in town, along with Spoons for pre-drinks. There are so many reseraunts and cafes which is cool - most which offer student discount. Although it takes a while to get to the bottom of cornwall there are decent shops here and the views are unbeatable. The beaches and walking routes are amazing and the campus is with the tropics of so much greenery we may as well be in a jungle. Its such a good university for the arts - but for the Exeter courses like English and Renewable Energy too. The stannary bar holds some of the best parties ive ever been to - sigma headlined freshers this year - and Dawn French has become chancellor - which is epic! Glasney accommodation is basic and fufils our needs, although the kitchens could do with some re-vamping. The rooms & ensuites are massive - but at $123.20 a week for single occupancy, id 100% look into shared for half the price if I could start again! Wi-fi across campus is good, ethernet even better. Subsidised buses at £1 to get anywhere from campus to Fal, or £2 to Truro is such a life saver and they run until 2am. Train stations are a walk away along with a massive ASDA, B&Q etc.
Facilities
How good are your university's facilities?
Gym isnt very big, but does enough for what it is. FXU also subsidize it, so its not too expensive. The stannary is open for food at breakfast and lunch - serving pretty good food for really cheap. Their fry up is top notch. Performance centre can be hired for free to do any projects for falmouth students ( not yet able to do so as an exeter student, so you'll have to make friends with one of us Falmouth students!). The media stores has so much equiptment for hire (again, Fal, students only). Canon 7D's, GoPros, P2s, H4n - anything you could think of, they have 8! Our course has 12 macbook pros that only we can take out.
Student support
How good is the support offered by the uni? Think both academic (tutors/feedback) and personal (counselling, etc).
Great support system. For finance, general problems, health - whatever, theres a whole department waiting. The finance sector has been really helpful in money management, but the onsite doctor has his hands full! The st Johns team are so friendly and extremely good at what they do. I've had a paramedic before and they really are a great team. The mentor scheme also helps a lot of students - so general questions or if people dont want to talk to staff, theres lots of mentors and ambassadors that are here to help!
Students' union
What do you think of your Students' Union in terms of student representation and facilities?
The stannary has provided some mega parties so far this year, with Sigma at freshers, Hannah Wants, and regular themed parties every few weeks - notibly the Snowall, 90's, WooHoo and the Pirate party. Really cheap drinks and good nights out!
Local life
Is your university in a good location in terms of distance to accommodation and local amenities?
Probably the weakest thing for Fal. 2 clubs + spoons. Granted, ive had some of the best nights out there - but the actually clubs arent much to shout about! Its more about the people that you go with that makes it good. The town itself is decent, and has good shops like newlook, sessions(surf), superdrug, EE, Trago Mills (particually good at art materials) and a big Argos. They also have dominos that deliver for free back to campus!
Societies and Sports
How would you rate the variety of societies/sports?
Good range of clubs etc, we always get the funding we need from the FXU. I only do one of the choirs, but theres so much to choose from. Sports clubs include - Lacrosse, American Football, Netball, Squash, Badminton, Dance, Surfing & Kayaking and even Quiddich! Societies include - The Chorus, Viva Voce (Chamber), Ukulele, Wild Doc Soc, Zombies, CSM, Renewable Energy & Sustainability, LGBTQ+ and many more. They're a good way to take your mind off of your course and do something a little different. I'd advise you to sign up to at least 1!!
Lecturers and teaching quality
What do you like most and least about the way your course(s) are taught?
My course is being cancelled, so i cant give it 5, but the quality of my course has always been good. We get decent lecture times and days arent always too long. I know a lot of Exeter students have lectures between 9am - 6pm with a few hours break in between, but they dont complain. At the end of the day, contact time is dependent on the course - for the arts etc, there tends to be more workshop & independent studies that there are lectures, and visa versa for subjects like Geology.
Career prospects
How does your uni make efforts to increase your employability (careers department, work placements, transferable skills)?
I'm a student ambassador @7.65 an hour, which is such a good pay when you do 10 hour open days! The uni has boards everywhere with jobs on, and encourage us to find something part time in Falmouth. The Careers Hub have helped me a lot with sorting what i can do over summer for a smaller price. We get regularly emailed if there are extra opportunities to work aswell. Obviously being at the bottom of Cornwall can be difficult for people like me that go to events to work, so travel costs are more & take longer, but with a railcard its not too bad.
University halls
What do you think about the safety, condition, location and cost of your accommodation?
Some a little outdated, but the Glasney Help always repair things if anything happens to go wrong. Bedrooms are really big with lots of desk space. 3 really big draws and 3 shelves. A big pin board lets us put our pictures and letters from home etc up and make the room more personal. I have fairy lights around the headboard and lots of decorations (not on the walls due to the policy). The wardrobes aren't the biggest, but have a shelf at the top and a bottom with a clothes rack, so i put t-shirts in a tub under my bed. The en-suite is very nice - you think the shower is so small until you get in it and realize its a pretty good size for student accom. The heads are powered, so you shower like a queen. Toilet & Basin very modern with 2 mirrors and a cabinet and a shelf for all your stuff. It even comes with your own toilet brush!