It had a really good course reputation, I loved the campus, the open days were really good. There was a really good range of areas to study and it offered interesting modules that weren't available at other colleges.
Course Curriculum :
There is an extensive range of modules available that extend across all time periods, themes and all types of people. There is a real opportunity to explore beyond the standard areas of history and delve into new areas that you wouldn't previously have considered researching. However the downfall lies in the fact that you are told you can choose any topic, but this is inaccurate because of restrictions on module places. Therefore you can end up studying something that you don't have any interest in.
Exams :
To get into the university I took A level exams in history, English literature and sociology. I also took AS exams in these subjects alongside English language and theology.
Placement :
There are a lot of them but many are based on maths, finance, and economics. There is not a variety of humanities students. There is little emphasis on arts-based opportunities or media-based internships, something I would have greatly appreciated.
Internship :
It is only through choice that you can apply. It is not a part of the course You can use the careers website to search and find opportunities - the uni is useful in sending updates as to what is available and you can tailor the opportunities to your skillset.
Events :
LGBT month, trans awareness, black history month, international women\'s Day, gay pride are all nationwide events held. Celebration around these include marches, themed lunches, newspaper specials and appropriate film nights. There are also themed events at uni bars and clubs to commemorate. For those more academically commemorating the events, special lectures with guest speakers are often put on. For example, a stonewall lecture is put on in the LGBT month. Relevant links to the uni are also celebrated, for example, we are celebrating the influence of India currently which is linked to the university because we hold many of the Mountbatten papers from the partition era in our archives.
Fees :
Cost of £9000 per year for tuition. This can be paid through a student loan, which you start paying back after you earn over £22000 a year but with high-interest rates. Also, a maintenance grant that is calculated based on your parent's income alone.
Scholarship :
No, I only have maintenance loan that is granted to every student and has to be paid back with interest.
Examination Structure :
End of module exams is held at Christmas and at the end of the year. I think the end of year ones that draw on a year's worth of content are quite difficult, particularly when the lecturer changes for the second half of the course and there isn't the correct communication to ensure the right content is covered for the exams. I have always felt assessed essays are given fair deadlines so j have no complaints about that.
Faculty :
The facilities available are great, the library resources, in particular, are extensive and extremely useful for the history department. The faculty has issues in time management, particularly making itself available to students. I only have 4 timetable hours a week in my third year which is ridiculous considering what I am paying to be here. There could be a lot more contact time and an opportunity to study more with those who are experts in the field.
Hostel :
First-year halls was great for bonding and settling in. The communal kitchen space was great for socializing. In the second and third year j have lived in private rented accommodation with friends. This was really tough in the second year as we had a horrible landlord who treated us really badly and broke the contract numerous times. The uni does not have a satisfactory system to help students deal with this.
