Non-Industrial Design postgraduate degrees in North East England

Leeds Arts Univerity is small in size, meaning there are few noteworthy Student Unions in comparison to UoL, but does feel welcoming and safe. The university's student support is freindly and helpful from what I experienced; LAU is a very inclusive organisation and does strive to support students with a variety of services available. The campus is a little dull looking, with few spaces looking vibrant in contrast to the many white/grey hallways. I was able to use the Film/Photography course's cameras as a Music student, however the university's facilities seem somewhat limited as a whole, with spaces and equipment scarce close to submission time.

Studying at Sheffield Hallam University offers a dynamic and varied experience shaped by academic opportunities, social life, and the realities of modern student living. Located in the heart of Sheffield, the university has built a reputation as a career-focused institution with strong links to industry, a diverse student population, and a commitment to widening participation. However, like any university, the experience is not without its challenges. This reflection explores both the best and worst aspects of studying at Sheffield Hallam, drawing on student experiences, institutional strengths, and broader contextual factors such as cost of living and academic delivery. It also includes practical “top tips” to help future students make the most of their time at the university.

Great aspect is the modern facilities and learning environment. The campus is well-equipped with up-to-date labs and software resources, which is especially valuable for engineering students. The university also provides good academic support services and career guidance, helping students improve employability. Meanwhile, for something to improve the best will be expanding networking opportunities with more industry professionals and increasing internship connections would further enhance our careers.

Best aspects: One of the best things about my experience at York St John has been the strong sense of community. The campus is a really welcoming environment, and because it’s a smaller university, it’s easy to build meaningful relationships with both lecturers and other students. My course has felt very supportive, with lecturers who are approachable and genuinely invested in student success. The location is also a huge positive — being so close to York city centre makes student life enjoyable while still having a calm, close-knit campus atmosphere that’s great for studying. Worst aspects / improvements: While the supportive environment is a real strength, one area that could be improved is communication around timetabling and assessment deadlines, which can sometimes feel a bit last-minute. Additionally, expanding study spaces during peak assessment periods would be helpful, as the library can get very busy. That said, the university is clearly responsive to student feedback, and I’ve seen positive changes being made over time.

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

It’s a great place to study as the campus is located in the city centre so it’s very accessible for shopping , eating out , parties etc and going from campus to campus is straightforward . However , the campus can get overcrowded sometimes

Best aspect: amazing facilities, highly professional tutors and staffs, everyone seems to have good heads on their shoulders. High teaching standard and it's nice meeting people from other cultural settlements. Worst aspect: more of a recommendation, extracurricular activities to establish a better inculcation, especially for foreign students. For instance, city tour for foreign students, debates, sports etc, this will facilitate better friendship between students