Marjon is a small university which feels person centred and ethical. The staff are friendly and available. It is on the outskirts of Plymouth but has buses into town. There is some student accommodation on site and some in town. There is on site parking but you have to pay for it and there is not always space available when everyone is in. I haven't been stuck yet but it is always a possibility. If you are studying medical subjects there are on sight clinics and it is close to the main hospital in the region where you may have placements. There are lots of sports facilities. I am an older student so live off site, the provision of on site food and drink is not fantastic but is there if needed . There are a couple of large supermarkets within about 30 minutes walk or a short bus ride away. There are also welcoming spaces in the university where you can use the Microwave or toaster and make hot drinks if needed. I put a small donation in the chaplaincy box for this as it feels like the right thing to do. There are rooms with lovely sea and country side views . You will be a short distance from the seaside and the Devon countryside. I suspect the cost of living is cheaper in Plymouth than many parts of the UK. Plymouth is bidding to be the City of Culture and there are lots of things happening but you may have to look hard to find them, Plymouth has a laid back quality of life which some people really like. It is also an area of deprivation so it is somewhere a student can make a positive difference if they wish to.

The course is mainly face to face although the tutor has some fabulous contacts further afield who will give on line talks, activities and lectures. The MA AHW is fun and enlightening while also encompassing academic rigour and encouraging wide reading and research. The course is 6 hours face to face per year in the first year and 3 hours face to face in the second year per week. So fulltime it is nine hours a week. It is quite a rich course so I have done it part time so that i can have time to read think and try things so that I get as much as possible from it. I am not sure what my career prospects are but it has added to my knowledge and skills as a nurse , I could set up a CIC or Social Enterprise from it. I think in the future Governments and powerful bodies will come to understand that keeping people well, happy and educate will save them money and therefore realise that spending in this sector brings wider economic returns and other benefits to society.

Loving the practical parts of the course

Last term tutor support wasn’t good but now is better