Theatre and Dramatic Arts postgraduate degrees in Northern England

Obviously studying during the pandemic has been a challenge. The school does have a major issue with organisation and communication. However, I’ve met some great people through this course and had a lot of fun. We got to experience filmmaking modules as well as the acting modules which was a great opportunity.

Best aspects: The university provides a supportive learning environment with helpful lecturers and good academic resources. The campus is generally welcoming, and there are plenty of opportunities to develop skills both academically and personally. Worst aspects / Improvements: One issue that needs improvement is the heating and hot water system, as it does not always work properly. At times, students only have access to cold water, which can be uncomfortable and difficult, especially for students who are sensitive or have health issues related to cold temperatures. Ensuring reliable heating and hot water would greatly improve student comfort and wellbeing.

The best aspect of the uni experience would be the campus. There are many things to do here, as long as you actually head over to the Hope Park campus. I didn’t do this for the first two years but did in the final year and it was life changing!

The university itself is very modern and clean. The law building in particular is very well maintained and a nice place to study. The student support line is effective and most queries are responded to however some are forgotten/ responded to weeks later. The library is extreamly useful with a wide range of text books and other resources which makes finding sources very easy. There are also lots of other study areas outside of the library which means you can always find a quiet place to sit and work. The surrounding area of Newcastle City has just about anything you could want, with it being just a 5 minute walk from campus you have easy access to shops, transport and other facilities. The only issue with this is for home students which might be travelling by car. I live in the countryside and have no access to busses or metro stations. This means that driving is my only option. Car parking is very limited and expensive. Almost all of the public car parks fill up past 8am and a full day of parking can cost upwards of £14. The university car park requires a yearly pass which costs £700 up front. This is just not manageable as a student to pay up front. Other than that I have had no issues with the university. They are also very inclusive with disabled students. Having a disability myself, they have taken the correct steps to ensure I have no disadvantages compared to abled bodied students and are well aware of the steps which should be taken when I have an episode. Everybody, down to the woman working the cafe on campus, went above and beyond to help me when I did have an episode. The situation was very stressful but the actions of the staff were brilliant and did everything they could. I have a lot of praise for Northumbria University and would recommend it to all students looking to pick a University.

The best aspects are the student union and the facilities available. I think it could be improved if we had more books generally available at the library without requiring click and collect, since right now the library feels like a study space but not a real library.

This is an amazing place to study, support is out of this world!!! the student life is incredible, the uni bar is well priced and has many incredible activities during the week. I have never felt so supported with my education. the uni also offers great mental health support and ample living situations.

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.