Acting HND/HNC degrees

Great university located in a beautiful coastal town. The staff are kind and supportive, and there to help students in times of need. The SU organises events which support students, like the free pantry on Mondays, where those of us who are struggling due to cost of living can take food for free . Additionally, there are many facilities, like the printing room and the MAC suite, which students can use to help them with their course work material. Overall a lovely place filled with amazing people, but awful prices. The campus art shop, while handy, has high prices and the canteen food is extremely pricey too. They also do not accept any cash, which can be a hassle.

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.

University of Essex, is within the heart of colchester with easy access to train stations to into London and bus stops to get into town. Its a small campus that has lot of greenery and has multiple places to study, eat and socialise. The lecture theatre give you enough space to work in and there are plenty of lab spaces that you can use in lessons and when doing your own studies.

Chi offers fantastic student support, from the feedback from lectures to the careers advisors. I always felt guided and supportive in my years at the university. There are multiple canteens offering a great selection of food to the students and staff. The library is very simple to work around and there is always a great amount of space to work either on your own or with a group of friends.

The best aspect is the location, smallish campus and town makes for a great sense of community. Close proximity to London and great town centre with safe nightlife. The worst aspect is the campus aesthetic, not pretty as most of it seems to have been built at once in a brutalist style. This being said, the greenspace by the lake is lovely and the rest of campus is easily navigable.