Community Studies foundation degrees

Overall, my uni experience has been really positive. It’s a pretty new university, which shows in the facilities, and there’s a lot of support available if you need it. The lectures are generally good and engaging, which makes a big difference. That said, there have been some frustrating moments, especially with miscommunication around things like timetables—it can get confusing and a bit stressful when information isn’t clear or changes last minute. The handling of the meningitis situation could also have been better, as we only got an email quite late after cases had already been reported, which didn’t feel very reassuring. Outside of uni, Canterbury is a nice place to live and has a great atmosphere, even if it can be a little boring at times.

It’s a great place to study because the academic environment is supportive, the teaching quality is strong, and there are plenty of opportunities to grow through projects, events, and collaboration with classmates. The campus community also makes it easy to feel included and motivated. It could be improved by streamlining administrative processes, offering clearer communication, and reducing unnecessary bureaucracy. More practical learning opportunities and better support during exam periods would also make a big difference.

As I study a degree at New College Durham I find that I get a lot of support and our tutors really care about our education and wellbeing, as opposed to other universities where there are a lot more students. I know how much support I have available to me and where I can find it if I need it. College could be improved by having larger classrooms for us all to fit into more comfortably.