Social Work postgraduate degrees

Students receive a lot of support from the lecturers and other faculty members. Additionally there are different departments specialising in offering students support and guidance. There are many events organised to help students socialise and relax or be part of the activities that boost their CV and skills. If I had the chance to start my programme again, I will definitely do it as I feel sad it’s nearly the end of my uni life and I will be missing it a lot.

It might not be university specific, but the difficulties in commuting has a big impact. The university has been negotiating with the first bus, however, the busses are always full because of sudden cancellations. Since university is at the top of the hill, I would hope this to be improved significantly so I wouldn’t have to walk up or take an uber up which makes me too tiring to concentrate on lectures.

The lectures in my course are very helpful and always get back to you when you have questions. We have good weeks timetabling where we have online lessons and in person and we start at a nice time as well which gives people time to travel. Our lectures give us PowerPoints which we can also look at when at home for more revision. The university is big and is a couple bus stops from train stations which is helpful as well. There is lots of places to get food and they have a wide variety of things.

I'm an optometry student entering my third year in September 2024. The lecturers are very nice and supportive; however, the optometry students in Group C are extremely rude, disrespectful, and lack any sort of manners. Many of them speak poorly of you if you fall behind or are slow in your routine, and they refuse to collaborate despite knowing that practice is essential for skill improvement.

I was in the Bedford campus and the student life was limited. This was because many people travelled into uni from their homes. The student union was great at providing activities in the afternoons/ evenings. They also support students. all you have to do is email them or go to social events.

I am a mature distance learning student, completing my MA in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics. The online platform is easy to use and the digital library is expansive. All staff have been easy to contact when I need any support, including IT, Finance, Admin, my personal tutor and teaching staff. I have been assigned a mentor to help me stay connected with university life and the Philosophy department. The modules are contemporary, as are the course materials. The student cohort is diverse and we all connect to the course flexibly, from different time zones. I receive a weekly events newsletter which has plenty of options for attending online webinars and socials.

Everyone I have met has been friendly and helpful. There are plenty of societies to join and the student union bar is great for a bit of socialisation on the side. I wish there were more green spaces to sit and quiet areas like the library dotted around. Parking is a bit hit and miss but there's plenty of buses.

The best aspects of my university experience have been the sense of community and the opportunities for personal and academic growth. My course is taught by passionate lecturers who make the subject feel relevant and engaging, and I’ve appreciated how approachable most staff are when I need help. There are also plenty of extracurricular activities and societies, which made it easy to meet people with similar interests. The campus facilities—like the library, study spaces, and wellbeing services—have also been a big part of what makes it a great place to study. In terms of what could be improved, there are a few key areas. Communication between departments could sometimes be clearer, especially around deadlines and timetable changes. At busy times of the year, access to study spaces can become limited, and more quiet areas or longer opening hours would make a difference. It would also help if there were more practical, hands-on learning opportunities such as placements, workshops, or industry links, as these really enhance understanding and employability. Overall, the university offers a supportive and stimulating environment, but with better organisation and more resources during peak periods, the student experience could be even stronger.

As an international student, one of the most rewarding aspects of my university experience has been the supportive and student-friendly environment. Adjusting to a new country and education system can be challenging, but the university’s approachable faculty, student services, and peer support made the transition much smoother. The staff are always willing to help, and there are numerous resources available to assist with academic, personal, and cultural adaptation. The university’s inclusivity is another key strength. It celebrates diversity and provides a space where everyone feels respected and valued, regardless of their background or nationality. This inclusive atmosphere has helped me build meaningful connections and collaborate with people from all over the world, enriching my learning and broadening my perspective. Furthermore, the welcoming and accessible environment has made a huge difference. From orientation events to student societies, there are constant efforts to make international students feel at home. The campus facilities, online learning tools, and support services are highly accessible, ensuring that all students can participate fully in academic and social activities. If I can point out something that can be improved is Food. It’s funny how something as simple as food can make such a big difference in how “at home” you feel in a new country. Encouraging more international food options on campus or hosting cultural food events could make a meaningful (and delicious!) improvement to student life.