20 Newcastle College University Centre reviews

Undeniably prepares aspiring dance artists academically, creatively and practically for the dance industry. The modules allow students to develop and explore new areas of dance, previously under taught at FE. The tutors are supportive and motivating, keeping the students best interests at heart. Overall a challenging experience, but well worth it.

Lectures are delivered more interactively than traditional university format. This allows the students to submerge themselves into the learning environment .

40

Within the dance department there are 3 professional dance-specific studios. However, there is 9 studios in the Performing Arts building that students can practice in. One studio theatre for intimate sharings and one large stage which is used for termly performances- all fully equipped with lighting and sound equipment.

Very good. I speak with experience from multiple support strategies. Pastoral tutorials are completed termly, this manages learning and any issues a student might have. Counselling service is available to all students Academic support is available to all students, delivered by 9 experience academic mentors, to help students achieve the grades they're fully capable of .

During Level 4, we had the opportunity to be become ambassadors for Newcastle Airport. I gained employment through this and currently work as a Passenger Services Assistant in the airport. This has helped me to gain the skills I need in order to work within this industry. Being an ambassador allowed us to experience real life situations, and how to cope with these problems to further help us develop new skills required for our future jobs in this industry.

The teaching on our course is very beneficial as I enjoy having discussions on certain topics and always get the help I need with my work which I find really helps my overall grade.

12

I enjoy the facilities around me in college especially the 10th floor in Parsons as I appreciate the free printing which I benefit from as I take full advantage of this.

I appreciate this as it is always done in the best way, feedback and grades are always on time.

During the first year of my degree i was given the opportunity to complete an ambassadors program at Newcastle airport on behalf of the college this was an opportunity to gain the necessary skills for employment in aviation. As well as this, we were given the chance to undertake tasks throughout the airport, analyzing the positives and negatives of various identified problems, we also had to devise various solutions that we were given the chance to voice via a power point presentation to various managers in the airport this was a chance to meet new people and get known. When looking at transferable skills, during level 5 we have to complete a portfolio which reflects our desired job role.

I like how prepped my teaching is and how much thought goes into the process of each lesson

12

The facilities at college are fairly good. We have our own classroom as well as computer room that is really beneficial as it is for us only. We are also given HE only space which makes us different from others on campus as well as free printing in a computer room elsewhere on campus just for HE. There is cafes in each building as well as vending machines everywhere.

The support offered is good, support from tutors is always there and available if we need it as well as plenty personal support that is always reminded to us

Professional Development module allows us to pick a career path and investigate the required skills and attributes needed.

Teaching is at a very high standard and is engaging and informative. Level of teaching challenges you to form your own ideas and opinions and carry out your own research to complement this. I have no negative views on the teaching

14

Facilities are very good. HE only areas allow for quiet study and reflection. Computer facilities are very good as are dining facilities

Tutors are outstanding and are happy to provide any assistance you may need both during college and outside college hours. No counselling has been needed during this degree

Our course involves a placement which runs linear to the programme. This gives us a fantastic insight into the real world of teaching and helps us to get involved in all parts of the work place, not just teaching.

The tutors keep the sessions interesting. We study on a Monday evening and it's difficult to keep motivated but the lessons are always interesting and packed with a variety of activities.

8

We have everything we need. Campus is large and so had a variety of study areas.

Tutors are great and on hand to answer any questions. Feedback is always really useful and it has helped me improve.

They have modules in every semester which help with empolyability and your transferable skills. There is also the opportunity for multiple jobs fares ect. Placement is manditory and it something all student enjoy.

Its a very in depth course although practicle sessions within the course a limited due to module types.

10

Brilliant although sometimes not used enough!

Couldnt get better staff!

Newcastle college and it's staff have given me continued support throughout my studies to help increase my employability. The staff have an extensive history of industry experience, they know first hand what an employer looks for in an applicant. As well as this, they often give scenarios where a certain lessons or skills would be applicable to the industry; making it more engaging. They often keep me up to date with new opportunities, from graduate schemes to trainee positions so I can start gaining industry experience.

What I like most is the engagement from the lecturers. They are always willing to help and with the open door policy they have, I can see them at anytime.

12

The college offers great facilities. Such a big range of up to date software really broadens the resources available to me.

The support the college offers is next level. It has developed me all round and with the feedback from assignments it is easy to see where Improvements need to be made.

The college offers multiple one to one and tutorial sessions aimed at supporting my future goals.

I like the personal approach of the teaching, they put a lot of themselves into delivering the sessions.

3

Excellent facilities with local access to the city centre.

Various support mechanisms exist, from vocational guidance to mentor support should I have personal issues.

The lecturers have contacts in the industry for students to volunteer at. These are both professional and amateur. Any opportunities and events that we may be interested in are always forwarded on to us.

I find the lecturers very approachable.

8

My course provides me with access to live briefs offered by local or national businesses where I can enhance my skills, understand what it means to work as part of a team and work to set deadlines. This offers me a chance to gain the necessary skills for jobs going forward and I can use my actual experience to talk about objectives and targets achieved in an interview when completing a live brief. Beyond the live briefs, there are a lot of opportunities to grow as an individual and so far I have started a really good website that shows my digital art, advertising and digital efforts. It's a portfolio that I am really proud of at the moment and it's something that previously, I wasn't very motivated to do on my own, but with the direction of my Foundation Degree Tutors, I have been slowly building it to a point where I would love to see what feedback I will get from potential employers in the future.

I do love the fact that I have participated in live briefs and even volunteered for the Northern Design Festival 2017 where I helped with the deinstallation of the venue in the end, but more than that, is how helpful the tutors has been in terms of inspiration/ideas/setting goals/understanding what needs to be done. I have had a lot of self directed study which I had to do, so while the basics are taught in the studio, the majority of work was down to me, researching and striving for personal goals I have set myself in terms of a career I would like or what I want to achieve with my digital designs and artwork. At first I struggled since coming from courses or from a school where you are taught everything and then have to sit down and complete examinations at the end of the term, this was a lot harder for me. Basic direction is provided with the teaching, but where I want to go as an indiviual or what I want to do in life is down to me and no one else, so the hours spent researching has physically exhausted me at times, but this is a lot more productive I reckon since I am sure on what I want to achieve. I won't recommend this if you are the type of person who just wants to get taught something and do an exam to pass. To even get high marks is almost not possible at times, because of the level of commitment required and tenacity. I started off really bad, was disappointed and then started improving with my marks. But not without tears and tons of personal research completed.

17

The college has a lot of vending machines with snacks, drinks readily available to purchase, and also has an on-site canteen in two different buildings which offer different foods and drinks. The food is really good and the few times I have purchased a full meal for under £4.00 which has been really good. My personal favourite is when they make the roast potatoes, beef, gravy and vegetables and it's a firm number one on my list. They offer burgers, chips, rice, sometimes wraps and tons more that I am not even aware of. The toilet facilities itself are kept to a decent standard and there are various areas specifically catering to Higher Education Students which are quieter and where you can sit with your laptop and work or just quietly listen to your iPod. As far as the computers go, there is a dedicated room where you can print off your work in black and white, or full colour (which requires a small payment of course) along with access to computers and good software on most computers. The Wifi itself is not super fast, but the Higher Education Students have access to better Wifi when you are in the studio. In terms of charging your laptop or phone, you do not need to worry as there are a ton of points where you can do so. Even in the studio where I sit, there is a point right next to me so its easy to plug in my phone when the battery starts to run low, especially since I use my phone's internet access on days when I don't work on a computer just to find out basic information I may need for my work.

Feedback has been an uphill struggle for me. Not in terms of receiving it, but understanding what needs to be done after getting the feedback in order to improve myself. I really had to ask a lot of questions to get the answers I need, but eventually I got to a point where I understand what is needed. However, I do feel the feedback can be more specific than vague at times and have had the opportunity to voice my concerns several times through feedback surveys about the course. As far as help and understanding goes with issues I may have or problems arising, I feel the tutors are really patient, listen and understand and try to help where they can. Makes me feel safe and secure in the knowledge that whatever the problem, they will offer the right kind of guidance I need.