Childcare FdA foundation degrees

I am pursuing a one-year master's course at Sheffield Hallam University. My academic background is in commerce; I completed a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com). However, I have decided to transition my career into the IT industry. The IDP team assisted me in exploring various options, and I ultimately chose this program because it is specifically designed for non-computing students who aspire to build their careers in the field of computing. This course includes both theoretical classes and practical lab sessions, which are conducted one day a week. The combination of lectures and hands-on learning provides a balanced approach to understanding key computing concepts and applying them in real-world scenarios. The tutors are incredibly supportive and cooperative, always ready to clarify doubts and provide guidance. Best Experiences at Sheffield Hallam University: 1. Supportive Environment : The university offers excellent resources, such as access to advanced labs and a library with extensive digital and physical resources. 2. Practical Learning: The lab sessions are interactive and help reinforce theoretical knowledge. 3. Cultural Diversity: Interacting with students from different backgrounds has broadened my perspective. 4. Career Support: The career services team assists with CV preparation, interview techniques, and connecting with potential employers. Challenges/Worst Experiences: 1. Adapting to Computing Concepts: Coming from a commerce background, the initial weeks were challenging as I needed to familiarize myself with technical terms and concepts, also i think we need to do hard work in order to compete with existing students who already studied computing in previous studies 2. Weather: Adjusting to the cold and rainy climate in Sheffield was difficult initially. 3. Time Management: Balancing coursework and independent study requires good time management skills, especially with a one-year intensive program. Overall, the experience at Sheffield Hallam has been transformative, equipping me with the knowledge and skills to pursue a successful career in computing.

The course is taught by amazing lecturers, who are kind and always there to help, however the course is not managed by the best people, and this leads to a lot of poor choices done regarding the course such as the contest which is being taught (with actual lectures, having no say in it) or for example the number of students/ level of students that are in the class. Currently the head of business has decided to add a whole class (+30) of foundation students with year 1 students (level 4) at the start of January without any warning before . This has negatively impacted level 1 students, as the content being shared is not the best, neither are the paste of lectures as the foundation student take too long to complete simple activities that year 1 students complete in minutes. Although year 1 students have expressed their feelings about this to lecturers and the head of business, the head of business refuses to split the class in 2, with excuses that there are not enough free classrooms, which is not true. Further, sad to say this, but my amazing lecturers now seem worried to bring issues up to the heads of business as they could get in trouble or fired. Very unethical and unprofessional. Will be changing universities next year

I attended this university for my undergraduate degree over a decade ago, and I cherished my experience then just as much as I do now. Currently, I find myself in a different phase of life as a mature student with a young family. Nevertheless, I believe that the student experience and facilities continue to meet my needs, even as they differ from those I had during my undergraduate studies. Across all campuses, the staff are exceptionally friendly and welcoming. The environment is clean and well-maintained, fostering a strong sense of pride among both students and staff. Overall, the university feels safe and inclusive. I wouldn't say there is a worst aspect of my university experience, as I feel it meets my expectations at this stage in my career and life.

Facilities (5) - I truly believe that my degree is perfectly accommodated for just by looking at the facilities on offer. Not only that, but the actual hive bar is brilliant and there is lots of space for everyone. Location (3) - Although the building itself looks fabulous where it is, to get there you have to cross a very busy main road that sometimes can be dangerous and with it being outside of the AO arena, it makes it hard being there when a concert or show is on. With that being said however, the fact it is barely a 10 minute walk from Victoria station makes it very easy for me as a commuter. Student Support (4) - I believe that UCEN goes above and beyond when trying to support students, particularly with their schemes on offer to help those less financially stable. The only thing I’d say is maybe make it a bit more obvious where to access these support by putting posters up around the campus. Campus Look and Feel (5) - It is clear that there has been a lot of work gone into the campus itself which makes it a really beautiful and welcoming place to be. The campus actually featured on the latest season of Waterloo Road so I am pretty sure that this only goes to show how incredible it is. Student Life (4) - As far as I am aware, as a commuter student, the campus is brilliant for somebody like me as I can easily get there everyday providing the trains are running, but I do feel that with the location of the campus, students find it relatively difficult to find accommodation on offer around it, and therefore, this can make it difficult for students to really get to grips with student life when not being close to the campus or city centre. Students Union (5) - The students union is always thriving, there is always something going on that they have put together in the hive, and it is really a pleasure to get involved in these things and take a break from the degree for a moment. Whether that be painting or putting on a movie night, they really do go above and beyond. They also promote our concerts and events which is lovely to see.