Best things about my school (University of Brighton) • Supportive staff and guidance The people I’ve interacted with have generally been helpful and responsive. When I had questions or felt unsure, I could usually find someone who explained things clearly and helped me move forward. • Strong placement support (clear and structured) The placement side feels well-organised overall. There’s clear guidance, and when issues come up, the support around placements is reliable, which makes a big difference for a clinical course. • Good student services and campus resources Student support, careers support, and campus services have been genuinely useful. I’ve also found university life quite welcoming, with opportunities to get involved (events, societies, ambassador work, etc.). Worst things about my school • Some admin steps can be slow at the beginning Early on, there were a few small delays or “waiting” moments with administrative processes (like placement-related paperwork or allocation). It did get resolved, but it can be frustrating when you’re trying to plan ahead. • Mandatory online training can feel annoying There are required training modules (like conduct and safety-related ones) that are straightforward, but they can feel like box-ticking, especially when you already have a busy schedule. • Finance processes can be unclear sometimes A few money-related steps (such as timing of discounts/scholarships or payment/refund processes) don’t always feel transparent, so you may need to chase or double-check.

Best things about my course • It’s career-focused and leads to a clear professional pathway I like that the course is tightly linked to real podiatry practice and builds towards registration. It feels purposeful rather than abstract. • Strong clinical learning and practical skill development The mix of taught content, skills training and placements helps you develop confidence step by step. You’re not just reading theory—you’re constantly connecting it to real cases. • Placements are a major strength Clinical placements are one of the best parts. They push you to improve fast and give you a realistic picture of the job, communication, and decision-making. • You genuinely improve as a clinician I can feel my clinical reasoning improving—things like history taking, risk assessment, and understanding how to plan treatment safely. Worst things about my course • The workload can be intense and constant It can feel like there’s always something—prep, clinical tasks, reflections, assessments—so you need strong time management to avoid burnout. • Pressure around placement logistics and scheduling Even when the placements themselves are good, the schedule can be demanding and sometimes hard to plan around (travel time, changing requirements, deadlines). • Communication + confidence can be challenging at first (especially as an international student) In clinical settings you have to react quickly, and accents/fast conversations can be stressful early on. It improves over time, but the first stage can be tough.

Best things about my accommodation (halls) • Convenient for studying and placements Living in halls makes it easier to stay close to campus life and keep a stable routine, especially when the course is busy. • Independent and practical setup Having your own space helps you focus and manage your day well. It’s a straightforward place to live while you’re adjusting to the UK. • Good for meeting people (if you want that) Halls can feel like a friendly student environment, and it’s easier to connect with other students compared with renting privately. Worst things about my accommodation • Tenancy dates can be inconvenient The contract dates don’t always match real-life plans (summer travel, moving dates), so you can end up needing extra short-term solutions. • Storage and moving logistics are stressful If you travel during the summer, managing your belongings can be difficult—figuring out storage, moving things out, and planning around the end date adds pressure. • Costs add up Even when it’s convenient, the overall cost can feel high, especially alongside tuition and living expenses, so budgeting matters.

Brighton is a great city to be a student in due to its vibrancy, events, inclusivity, being on the coast and close to the countryside too. The University of Brighton itself is very supportive and has great facilities. Downsides are that due to its popularity, accommodation can be expensive. There are different campuses which are quite spread out. I am based at Falmer which I like as its a bit quieter than the other campuses but has great modern facilities.

As with any institution, there are great lecturers and not so great lecturers and I would say my course has been about a 50/50 split. There were quite a few changes to the course while I have been studying i.e. campus change, changes to study platform, lecturers leaving and not being replaced and so there have been challenges for the leaders of the course and lecturers that I felt have impacted the teaching. The placements are sometimes difficult to travel to and the competencies are unrealistic with most placement educators not really understanding them or able to provide opportunities to fulfill them. They do however provide good insight into working in podiatry. Overall though, the course is good but very challenging and you will need to really dedicate yourself to study. Learning some lower limb anatomy before starting the course would really help!