Architecture postgraduate degrees in North East England

The best part of my university experience is how helpful my lecturers/academic advisors are. I also like how friendly students are on my campus. I don't have anything to say for "worst" aspect of university since I enjoy my time here.

Great social life, good options for student societies, a lot of student support. A lot of professionals teaching on the course and it gave me exactly what I wanted for my career progression into genetics

i love the community - societies are great, i love how i’ve met so many people and get to do a course i love, the worst aspect is maybe how many days were in as it doesn’t see very worth it and facilities/resources for art students as we got £150 from an exhibition last year and they kept the money for “resources” however we’ve not seen any

Oxford Brookes University offers a supportive learning environment with passionate lecturers and modern facilities. The campus is vibrant, with plenty of opportunities to get involved in clubs and events. The city of Oxford adds to the appeal, providing a rich, historic backdrop and excellent career opportunities. Overall, it’s a great choice for those looking for a balance of academics and student life.

My university experience has been a beautifully chaotic mix of triumph, growth, accidental naps in public spaces, and one too many “Why did I think this degree was a good idea?” moments. If I had to sum it up, I’d say it was like a Netflix coming-of-age series—heartwarming, occasionally dramatic, full of plot twists, and somehow always involving coffee. The best parts of uni? First, the people. I met friends who have seen me at my best, my worst, and my “submitting an assignment at 11:59:59 while whisper-screaming” phase. These are the people who would quiz me on lecture notes, drag me out for fresh air when I hadn’t seen sunlight in 36 hours, and celebrate every academic victory like I’d just won an Olympic medal in Essay Writing. The sense of community made even the messiest days feel survivable. Then there were the opportunities—actual grown-up opportunities that made me feel like a functioning human in society. Internships, academic projects, workshops, and random events I only went to for free snacks but ended up loving. Uni showed me I could push myself further than I ever thought… mostly because deadlines pushed me first. I also grew in ways that aren’t on any transcript. I became more confident, more independent, and significantly better at pretending I understood what was happening in group projects (spoiler: I did not). I learned how to balance life, work, study, and sleep—which, yes, is a fancy way of saying sleep often lost, but the effort was there. And the worst parts? Oh, where to begin. Let’s start with the Academic Black Holes: those weeks where every possible assignment, exam, quiz, project, and presentation happened at the exact same time, like they were conspiring to test both my GPA and my will to live. My diet during those periods was 80% caffeine, 20% hope. Group projects also deserve an honorary award for emotionally preparing me for the real world. Nothing teaches conflict resolution like trying to diplomatically explain to a teammate that they cannot, in fact, submit a blank slide and call it “minimalist design.” Then there’s the financial struggle—because nothing screams adulthood like paying for textbooks that you use once and then become very expensive doorstops. My bank account and I have been through things together. And yes, I’d be lying if I said there weren’t moments of doubt. Times when I questioned my major, my abilities, my life choices, or the fact that I signed up for an 8 a.m. lecture even though I am biologically incompatible with mornings. But here’s the thing: Even the worst moments ended up shaping the best version of me. The stress taught me resilience. The failures taught me humility. The chaotic nights taught me time management (eventually). And the uncomfortable experiences pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. In the end, uni wasn’t perfect—but it was meaningful, hilarious, challenging, and unforgettable. It gave me memories I’ll laugh about for years, skills I’ll actually use, and friendships I’ll keep forever. And honestly? I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything… except maybe lower tuition.

At a PGR level, it is more autonomous, but it is still quite a cohesive experience if you choose to engage. The uni does well for the course, there is a direct connection to industry and affinity towards making it practical. The student support could be enhanced especially at a PGR level. It's less cohort and needs more attention at a more unit-level, which I imagine is difficult to engage. It is a halfway house between student and staff, so a bit more attention to either side (or preferably both) would really enhance the experience.

There are excellent lecturers and student support services (particularly academic skills). The campus has a good feel and has a lot of outdoor seating which will be nice when the weather is warm. Lecture rooms are good but the seats are very uncomfortable. There is little impact from the students' union, for example there was no 'refreshers fayre' for January intake students, which also impacts the student life score.

I really like my research lab and supervisor. They are very insightful, has very good intuition and research ideas. I'm also really grateful for the opportunity to work with leading researchers on very interesting projects exploring how deep learning can improve healthcare management. What I dislike is that very high rent of university-owned student accommodation. It's so counterintuitive and unexpected that private student accommodation in Sheffield is many times cheaper.