The 2 year accelerated degree is fantastic if you want to get your head down and study while saving money and getting out a year early. The fact that it’s smaller than Russell group unis means all the lecturers know you so you feel confident enough to ask questions or ask for help when you need it and you’re not a number. The small tutorial group approach is one of Buckingham great assets as it’s allows you to work in small, comfortable sized groups for collaborative projects and really helps embed knowledge. The campus is going through some major refurbs so while it’s not the most up to date campus, this is changing. It’s a really friendly place with shared faculty spaces allowing students from different courses as well as type of degree (undergrad, masters & PhD) to meet and mix within the same building. Buckingham itself is a small, safe, country town in the middle of a bucolic part of the country which contrasts with the intimidating feel you can sometimes get from large university cities. If you feel the need to dance, Milton Keynes with all its nightlife, is only 25 minutes away and Oxford 40 minutes in the opposite direction. If you like to shop in your down time the bus to Bicester village leaves from the town centre and takes 25 minutes. It’s not for everyone especially if you’re looking for that ‘student experience’ with a hectic social life and a slower paced approach to lectures. The accelerated programme means you have to work hard from day one which doesn’t leave huge amounts of social time, much shorter holidays (you have lectures over the summer) and two exam diets a year. There are plenty of societies to choose from though, so you’ll always have something to do in the evenings if partying isn’t for you and the Student Union works really hard to put on parties and socials that cater for everyone. In summary, if you’re more of a studious type that is happy to study first, socialise second, in a small, non-intimidating camps space out in the country side with access to shopping and dancing when you feel the need, then this is the place for you. Plus, it works out cheaper in the end as you cut a whole year off your degree time.

The course is full on as it’s an accelerated degree programme but the lecturers are well aware of what is possible and are 100% supportive even when you think you’re failing miserably. They know you by name and are always accessible as is your personal tutor. It’s all in person but smaller groups do less intimidating.

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