The University has a very strong community feel across all the Union activities (Action (volunteering), RAG (fundraising), Societies, Sport, Welfare and Diversity Networks, Halls, Department Committees, Academic representatives and Peer Mentors) and the University (physics have a very supportive network of lecturers and the Student Services team at the university is very helpful). Whatever you're interested in there's somewhere in the Loughborough bubble for you - some people find it in year 1 some find it in year 3. Loughborough University is very supportive so it's easy to try new things and get to know different people all throughout the degree. The communications around assessment and feedback could be improved. The time it takes to receive feedback varies within a department and between departments so when you take modules from different departments there is some inconsistencies. It can be difficult knowing how to improve in time for the next assignment when assignment styles vary from assessment to assessment and it feels like the feedback isn't given back soon enough some times. That said, in Physics, they're very good at giving rubrics (a grid to describe how to get each grade) which helps for coursework but for exams you have to book an exam viewing and last year you had to sign up to the viewings before you even knew your exam results which was inconvenient.

Physics is fairly contact heavy compared to other degrees on the campus but you get to cover a lot of different areas of physics. The structure of the modules is well thought out and the core modules lead in to each other smoothly. Additionally, there are a wide range of optional modules in year 3 and 4 for the course which allow you to specialise more towards specific areas of physics or keep your learning a bit more open. The labs are fairly new so most the equipment is in good condition - there are the occasional wires on boards that need replacing but there are usually plenty of spares. The department operates on an open door policy so it's easy to find a staff member that can help you with your questions even if it's not necessarily the module leader. Personal tutors however are harder to find but the senior tutor is very good and can help direct you/get in contact with the right people if needed. The drawback of the contact hours is that it can be easy to accidentally overwork yourself whilst you adjust to the timetables but the hours free up as you progress through the degree. The contact hours do mean that you easily make friends with the people in your year and meet a load of new people.

The majority of students are sporty and from similar backgrounds so there could be more done fir diversity. A lot of cafes and places in town do recruit so finding work can be relatively easy and the campus also offers a lot of opportunities too. The area feels very safe but this is in comparison to Manchester and the public transport varies in reliability.

BillMo (William Morris) was a very fun and lively hall to live in. It's located near to the Union and was a reasonable distant from my lectures so was a very good location. I ended up on the hall committee and it was a very fun and inclusive experience. The hall had such a strong community feel to it even when I lived their as a returner in 2nd year. The drawback was that it is a bit expensive but I was in an ensuite. Additionally, when I lived there I had issues with the battery for the key card scanner on my door would run out too often and the response to get it changed wasn't always the fastest but the issue was solved.

Loughborough University has fantastic facilities, helping to ensure that I have managed to do three Summer placements and now have a grad job lined up. It boasts wonderful departments with lecturers happy to support us whenever we need it, as well as doing research in a wide field of study. The students union also is a great place, with a great range of facilities and an exciting night life.