So, questions...
What you studying and where to?
I studied Computing and Networks at Teesside
Enjoy it or not? Why?
On the whole I loved it. Both the acedemic and social side of things. We had a brand new networks lab, lots of a new machines and vmware to mess around with. On the whole i found the subjects very interesting which helped with my enthisiasm for the course.
Meet your expectations?
Yeah, I had excellent tutors the facilities were great.
What career you aiming for?
Eventually I'd like to probably get into IT infrastructure design and implementation. My course was 4 years long and involved a year in work placement in which i spent working in first and second line support, i really enjoyed it.
Now I work as a systems administrator for a small company (about 100 employees and 7 servers) so I'm pretty much in charge of the whole IT there. Employers are paying for me to take my MCSE and i'll probably get a CCNA on top of that too.
How you finding the financial side of things?
Well when I started tuition fees were only £1200 or so a year, but my parents paid for that. All my loans put together probably end up at about 11k. Teesside was very cheap to live in, so was pretty good.
Any regrets?
Not really, had some doubts to begin with, but probably normal.
Thanks
You're welcome
uni degree... enjoy it?
- Thread starter fonzee
- Start date
So, questions...
What you studying and where to?
I studied Comp Sci + Management at Warwick
Enjoy it or not? Why?
Loved it - some modules were boring, some damn-right annoying but others made it worthwhile - there were tough times and easy times but it's all part and parcel of going to uni! Made some brilliant friends and I am and will continue to reap the benefits of my time there!
Meet your expectations?
Yes - possibly exceeded them - I can't remember how many UCAS points I had (AAAB Alevels) but academically I found most of the courses challenging and the social life definitely exceeded my expectations - the first year was a year I'll never forget, being in halls, friends always there it was great.
What career you aiming for?
I graduated with a BSc from Warwick Summer 2007 and have been working in London ever since, just started my second job 6 weeks ago as a Front office developer in banking/trading.
How you finding the financial side of things?
The financial side of things were tough at times and you definitely had to hold off any big purchases - my parents we reasonable earners at the time so i got the minimum loan support and still managed fairly well! Be innovative and you can make your loan last far longer than it should
Any regrets?
None - just little social things I wished I had got into like the societies and clubs etc. Would have been great but I spent my time socialising with mates instead so I guess I can't really complain.
Nice town, social side really comes down to what you like doing.
There is loads of pubs about, so if your idea of a good night is going out with mates for a few beers, having a chat and a laugh maybe with a bit of kareoke its fine.
However if you want to go clubbing there isn't a huge amount going on. Zanzibar has shut down for refurbishment (it was by far the worst *club* I have ever gone in) there is a new place open but I'm yet to go there, not really my thing.
Stafford needs more live music and rock bands imo
If you would like to know more without filling this thread feel free to email me or add me on msn (the @live address)
Good question! There are several reasons.
I realised I wanted to be a lawyer in January of this year. Obviously, this was majorly bad timing. I had a week to apply for any GDL/CPE or apply for any vacation schemes. I missed the boat. Therefore I was going to take a year out.
However, this wouldn't have landed me in a good possition in terms of getting a training contract since they tend to be given out 2 years in advance - ideally I would have applied for schemes and experience in my last year of university. I felt I would be a bit vulnerable applying with no law experience to speak of and with a year of floundering.
I ended up enrolling in a two years masters instead, which has basically puts me in the same boat as being a second year law student. This allows me to get a better understanding of subjects than a traditional CPE would, but it doesn't help me in the fact that the MA is unknown of to some recruiters. However, people have gone into magic circle firms and have had all their fees paid back, as well as becoming successful barristers, from the MA.
Other reasons include:
I wanted to stay in Bristol regardless.
A masters may look better than a diploma if I were to go into another form of employment.
My sponsors (my parents - I do have to pay them back mind and I don't have a student loan. Long story) were not keen for me to attend UWE, despite me claiming rightly that it offers a very good CPE course.
I went down this route.
I had been working for 4/5 years and decided to go to uni at 22. I went down the 'independant student' self support route with my local council and now i get full loan, full grant (non repayable) and bursary (non repayable).
My yearly funding is as follows;
Standard Loan : £3446
Tuition Fee Loan : £3145
Standard Grant : £2835
Uni Bursary: £700
Total: £10126
Repayable = £6591
non repayable = £3535
I work also so i have been able to put my 'standard loan's' into a high interest ISA. This will be paid back as soon as i finish uni. (with a small profit for myself thanks to the interest).
When i finish i will have 12k debt. Which isn't that bad imo.
It was also a breeze to get a place at uni because of my age (mature student). They didn't even check my previous qualifications.
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What you studying and where to?
Chinese at Edinburgh University. Though, currently studying abroad in China for a year, so Dalian Ligong Daxue just now.
Enjoy it or not? Why?
Yup first year was probably the most fun I've ever had, met amazing people, got drunk and did silly things. I also fell in love with Edinburgh as a city, and can see myself hanging around there for a while. My course doesn't have a massive workload (see below; we should have been pushed more), so I've had a lot of time just to enjoy living in the city.
Meet your expectations?
The Edinburgh Chinese course is actually fairly poor, and my knowledge of the language is shocking considering I've studied it for 2 years. That said, the university experience is definitely everything I'd hoped for In a way, I wish I'd gone to a place with a better Chinese course, but at the same time, I don't in any way regret going to Edinburgh, I've had an amazing time.
What career you aiming for?
Not a clue. I'm doing it mostly out of interest, having always studied languages, I just want a job where I can travel about. I figure Chinese will come in useful for something, but I'll probably end up doing English teaching for a while first.
How you finding the financial side of things?
Varied. My parents have no income and no means to support me, so I get a decent amount off of the SLC. Still, I'm living off of my overdraft, but have resisted getting it extended beyond 1250. You can live cheaply, especially cooking for yourself rather than getting takeaways. I'm reliably informed (though obviously haven't been there to check) that Edinburgh now offers heavily discounted vegetables and the like for students, so that could be handy next year.
Studying over here in China is, to be honest, cheap as anything, and I actually get a bigger loan for studying abroad. Crazy system. My flat (2 bedrooms, nice shiny bathroom, big living room etc) costs me about 130 a month, and you can get support for flights home, so it's making up for the ridiculous living costs of Edinburgh.
Any regrets?
None whatsoever, I just wish I didn't have to enter the real world soon.
Chinese at Edinburgh University. Though, currently studying abroad in China for a year, so Dalian Ligong Daxue just now.
Enjoy it or not? Why?
Yup
first year was probably the most fun I've ever had, met amazing people, got drunk and did silly things. I also fell in love with Edinburgh as a city, and can see myself hanging around there for a while. My course doesn't have a massive workload (see below; we should have been pushed more), so I've had a lot of time just to enjoy living in the city. Meet your expectations?
The Edinburgh Chinese course is actually fairly poor, and my knowledge of the language is shocking considering I've studied it for 2 years. That said, the university experience is definitely everything I'd hoped for
In a way, I wish I'd gone to a place with a better Chinese course, but at the same time, I don't in any way regret going to Edinburgh, I've had an amazing time.What career you aiming for?
Not a clue. I'm doing it mostly out of interest, having always studied languages, I just want a job where I can travel about. I figure Chinese will come in useful for something, but I'll probably end up doing English teaching for a while first.
How you finding the financial side of things?
Varied. My parents have no income and no means to support me, so I get a decent amount off of the SLC. Still, I'm living off of my overdraft, but have resisted getting it extended beyond 1250. You can live cheaply, especially cooking for yourself rather than getting takeaways. I'm reliably informed (though obviously haven't been there to check) that Edinburgh now offers heavily discounted vegetables and the like for students, so that could be handy next year.
Studying over here in China is, to be honest, cheap as anything, and I actually get a bigger loan for studying abroad. Crazy system. My flat (2 bedrooms, nice shiny bathroom, big living room etc) costs me about 130 a month, and you can get support for flights home, so it's making up for the ridiculous living costs of Edinburgh.
Any regrets?
None whatsoever, I just wish I didn't have to enter the real world soon.
Soldato
- Joined
- 13 Aug 2004
- Posts
- 8,406
- Location
- England
What you studying and where to? TV Production at bournemoth university.
Enjoy it or not? Why? I love it, the theory is very interesting, and the practical side (camera and editing workshops, and in the high def studio) is very exciting.
Meet your expectations? Surpasses them completely.
What career you aiming for? Something in telelvision. I think either editing, or DoP, camera operator.
How you finding the financial side of things? Only been here for a month or so but it's been fine so far. Would like to work a bit more so that I can take driving lessons.
Any regrets? Taking 2 years out instead of one.
Thanks
Associate
- Joined
- 19 Dec 2007
- Posts
- 410
- Location
- US
What you studying and where to?
MAcc Accounting, BBA Information Systems
Enjoy it or not? Why?
I enjoy accounting and information systems but the core requirements suck.
Meet your expectations?
Much harder then i anticipated
What career you aiming for?
SAP Solutions Architect/ Corporate taxation.
How you finding the financial side of things?
My bank account has $666 in it and it has to last me for food and all expenses until may 2009, luckily my parents pay rent.
however i have $19,000 in loans so far and im only in my second yead
Any regrets?
Not trying my best my first year.
MAcc Accounting, BBA Information Systems
Enjoy it or not? Why?
I enjoy accounting and information systems but the core requirements suck.
Meet your expectations?
Much harder then i anticipated
What career you aiming for?
SAP Solutions Architect/ Corporate taxation.
How you finding the financial side of things?
My bank account has $666 in it and it has to last me for food and all expenses until may 2009, luckily my parents pay rent.
however i have $19,000 in loans so far and im only in my second yead
Any regrets?
Not trying my best my first year.
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So, questions...
What you studying and where to?
Adult Nursing, Thames Valley Uni Brentford
Enjoy it or not? Why?
Yup, its great. Good mix of class work and practical, learning loads
Meet your expectations?
Mostly, didn't really know what to expect I guess.
What career you aiming for?
Nurse obviously, not sure which speciality.
How you finding the financial side of things?
Good, no fees and £6500 non repayable per year
Any regrets?
Not really, I started a couple of years late (at 21) but those couple of years working allowed me to get my head together and grow up plus I am one of the younger ones on my course anyway. I stayed at home so I could keep up with my other commitments (charity work and friends mainly) so I regret I am not going to get a proper university experience, but my course is somewhat different, less time off, when in hospital 40 hour weeks so it not exactly a typical uni experience anyway.
Good Luck
What you studying and where to?
Adult Nursing, Thames Valley Uni Brentford
Enjoy it or not? Why?
Yup, its great. Good mix of class work and practical, learning loads
Meet your expectations?
Mostly, didn't really know what to expect I guess.
What career you aiming for?
Nurse obviously, not sure which speciality.
How you finding the financial side of things?
Good, no fees and £6500 non repayable per year
Any regrets?
Not really, I started a couple of years late (at 21) but those couple of years working allowed me to get my head together and grow up plus I am one of the younger ones on my course anyway. I stayed at home so I could keep up with my other commitments (charity work and friends mainly) so I regret I am not going to get a proper university experience, but my course is somewhat different, less time off, when in hospital 40 hour weeks so it not exactly a typical uni experience anyway.
Good Luck
While i was at college i studied the IT Support Technician's level 2 + 3 courses and near to the end of the level 3 course i got offered a place at Uni studying HNC/HND i think it was or whatever its called but its basically also known as the Level 4 technician's course but i turned it down as i wanted to go straight into work & find a full time in job in IT, luckily i found the perfect job i wanted only a couple of months of finishing college and really i'm glad i did not go down the Uni route as from what friends say who are on the Level 4 / HNC course now they say the first year was completely boring and its nothing like what you would expect it to be for a technician's course and its basically deep Networking & Programming and they are on the second year there now and they think its ok so far. Another reason i did not go to uni in the end either was because i did not want to get into debt afterwards but at the time while i was still at college i thought it would affect my credit history for the future but it doesn't lol
Liam
Liam
Associate
- Joined
- 18 Dec 2005
- Posts
- 1,449
- Location
- Londontown
What you studying and where?
History at Royal Holloway, University of London, 2nd Year.
Enjoy it or not? Why?
Loved it last year and more so this year. Lecturers are all fantastic and passionate in their subject of study. Seminars are helpful too. Only do 8 hours a week, work load isn't too great but about right.
Meet your expectations?
Exceeded them as I just sort of applied where ever I could on my fairly dire A level results.
What career you aiming for?
Most likely a career in law, government or media (hah, pretty general, suppose that's why I did a history degree).
How you finding the financial side of things?
Not too bad, I receive all the government grants & bursaries etc. for being poor so actually it's a walk in the park. Though rent is pretty staggeringly high here compared to most my other friends. I will be coming out with £24,000 of debt though...
Any regrets?
Nope.
History at Royal Holloway, University of London, 2nd Year.
Enjoy it or not? Why?
Loved it last year and more so this year. Lecturers are all fantastic and passionate in their subject of study. Seminars are helpful too. Only do 8 hours a week, work load isn't too great but about right.
Meet your expectations?
Exceeded them as I just sort of applied where ever I could on my fairly dire A level results.
What career you aiming for?
Most likely a career in law, government or media (hah, pretty general, suppose that's why I did a history degree).
How you finding the financial side of things?
Not too bad, I receive all the government grants & bursaries etc. for being poor so actually it's a walk in the park. Though rent is pretty staggeringly high here compared to most my other friends. I will be coming out with £24,000 of debt though...
Any regrets?
Nope.
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Soldato
- Joined
- 12 Sep 2007
- Posts
- 3,090
Currently in my honours year at Paisley univeristy ( UWS - University of West of Scotland ). I persevered Paisley university and made it into my fourth year , and in hindsight I should've left after year one, the place is a joke.
So , make sure you do some research into where you fancy going.
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What you studying and where to?
Mechanical Engineer at The University of Liverpool
Enjoy it or not? Why?
Yes i enjoyed everything from meeting random people to doing my coursework and tests.
Meet your expectations?
Pretty much although i did have a lot more lectures than i thought i would.
What career you aiming for?
I currently work in the Oil&Gas industry which is where i was aiming for.
How you finding the financial side of things?
I found them relatively straight forward. Kept fixed outgoings in a separate account so i knew how much petty cash i had available.
Any regrets?
Going straight into work rather than traveling around a bit. Also i regret not doing the masters while i was there but at the time i had had enough of learning.
Mechanical Engineer at The University of Liverpool
Enjoy it or not? Why?
Yes i enjoyed everything from meeting random people to doing my coursework and tests.
Meet your expectations?
Pretty much although i did have a lot more lectures than i thought i would.
What career you aiming for?
I currently work in the Oil&Gas industry which is where i was aiming for.
How you finding the financial side of things?
I found them relatively straight forward. Kept fixed outgoings in a separate account so i knew how much petty cash i had available.
Any regrets?
Going straight into work rather than traveling around a bit. Also i regret not doing the masters while i was there but at the time i had had enough of learning.
Well as im a budding academic, I have been in the whole higher education system for a while now, don't know if its any use, but I can answer 2 times for 2 different degree types. I have done them already, but I don't think the PhD would be of interest to you (currently doing) as it's very different from the BSc and MSc experience.
1.
What you studying and where to?
BSc Computer Science, Staffordshire University with sandwhich year in industry
Enjoy it or not? Why?
Enjoyed the course though on average the lecturers didn't always seem clued up. Was at the stafford campus and while I made some great friends, the place itself sucks!
Meet your expectations?
Yes, though I was suprised by just how dull that part of the country is. Got a good 13 month placement at Hewlett Packard though, which I did not expect.
What career you aiming for?
Academia.
How you finding the financial side of things?
Found them very easy. Had pre-saved for the fee's (between me and my parents having the foresight to set up a trust fund) so my loan went on rent and general living.
Any regrets?
None at all. I messed up my A-Levels. Staffordshire university allowed me to re-gain confidence in my own abilities. I also came out of my shell and went from a lonely stay-in type to a not so lonely going-out type!
2.
What you studying and where to?
MSc Advanced Computer Science, The University of Manchester
Enjoy it or not? Why?
Enjoyed the whole experience. Was nice to be taught by people who are respected in their field. Makes a huge difference. I never felt like I knew more than anyone teaching me, which is more than can be said for Stafford. Went down the "taught" MSc route, so did 6 months modules and then 6 months of personal project. Made lots of new friends during the first 6 months. Manchester is an excellent city, tonnes of gigs and things going on, nowhere near as expensive as London and compact enough that you can walk from one side to the other without public transport (if you're feeling energetic).
Meet your expectations?
Yes. Everything was a step-up compared to Stafford Uni, but I felt able to handle it and indeed did. Workload was heavy, but a good challenge and i genuinely learnt new things.
What career you aiming for?
Academia.
How you finding the financial side of things?
I got lucky with this one. Due to getting a good degree level at Stafford, I was awarded a scholarship to Manchester so they paid all my fees. I lived with family in the area for the 12 months so had low rent and general maintenance amounts. I also made a bit of extra cash working in the uni.
Any regrets?
Again, none, this was just my next step up towards becoming an "academic", coming from an ex-poly background I was unsure if I could cut it in a bigger institution, this gave me 12 months to find out, and I got a degree out of it as well.
Sorry theres quite a lot there, hope some of it may be of use though.
1.
What you studying and where to?
BSc Computer Science, Staffordshire University with sandwhich year in industry
Enjoy it or not? Why?
Enjoyed the course though on average the lecturers didn't always seem clued up. Was at the stafford campus and while I made some great friends, the place itself sucks!
Meet your expectations?
Yes, though I was suprised by just how dull that part of the country is. Got a good 13 month placement at Hewlett Packard though, which I did not expect.
What career you aiming for?
Academia.
How you finding the financial side of things?
Found them very easy. Had pre-saved for the fee's (between me and my parents having the foresight to set up a trust fund) so my loan went on rent and general living.
Any regrets?
None at all. I messed up my A-Levels. Staffordshire university allowed me to re-gain confidence in my own abilities. I also came out of my shell and went from a lonely stay-in type to a not so lonely going-out type!
2.
What you studying and where to?
MSc Advanced Computer Science, The University of Manchester
Enjoy it or not? Why?
Enjoyed the whole experience. Was nice to be taught by people who are respected in their field. Makes a huge difference. I never felt like I knew more than anyone teaching me, which is more than can be said for Stafford. Went down the "taught" MSc route, so did 6 months modules and then 6 months of personal project. Made lots of new friends during the first 6 months. Manchester is an excellent city, tonnes of gigs and things going on, nowhere near as expensive as London and compact enough that you can walk from one side to the other without public transport (if you're feeling energetic).
Meet your expectations?
Yes. Everything was a step-up compared to Stafford Uni, but I felt able to handle it and indeed did. Workload was heavy, but a good challenge and i genuinely learnt new things.
What career you aiming for?
Academia.
How you finding the financial side of things?
I got lucky with this one. Due to getting a good degree level at Stafford, I was awarded a scholarship to Manchester so they paid all my fees. I lived with family in the area for the 12 months so had low rent and general maintenance amounts. I also made a bit of extra cash working in the uni.
Any regrets?
Again, none, this was just my next step up towards becoming an "academic", coming from an ex-poly background I was unsure if I could cut it in a bigger institution, this gave me 12 months to find out, and I got a degree out of it as well.
Sorry theres quite a lot there, hope some of it may be of use though.
What you studying and where to?
Sociology, Minor Criminology - Birmingham City Uni
Enjoy it or not? Why?
The course is awesome, extremely interesting aswell with all the different perspectives, like to think it opens my eyes somewhat to the world around me, and it shows examples and supporting evidence, no hearsay
Meet your expectations?
What career you aiming for?
Unsure, possibly social researcher or something to do in the CJ System.
How you finding the financial side of things?
Its ok so long as you get a part-time job!
Any regrets?
Not at all, its made me a better person in everyway!
Sociology, Minor Criminology - Birmingham City Uni
Enjoy it or not? Why?
The course is awesome, extremely interesting aswell with all the different perspectives, like to think it opens my eyes somewhat to the world around me, and it shows examples and supporting evidence, no hearsay
Meet your expectations?
What career you aiming for?
Unsure, possibly social researcher or something to do in the CJ System.
How you finding the financial side of things?
Its ok so long as you get a part-time job!
Any regrets?
Not at all, its made me a better person in everyway!
Soldato
- Joined
- 13 Aug 2004
- Posts
- 8,406
- Location
- England
So, questions...
What you studying and where to?
Tv production at bournemouth university
Enjoy it or not? Why?
I enjoy it a lot! There's great kit (HD 3 cam tv studio and some good off campus) a lot of the tutors are wicked
Meet your expectations?
So far yes, there's some expermenting going on this year which i'm skeptical about (they're moving the shoots for the studio into an area which means less lighting, standard def. cameras but a more interesting area where there will be a live background). Plus it's got the best rep. in the industry which has helped me get a cracking work placement this year for a celebrity tv chef's company.
What career you aiming for?
I'd like to work in camera or lighting and make my way up to DoP or director, though I don't mind editing.
How you finding the financial side of things?
Hard right now when my loan is still yet to arrive in my bank, i've had to borrow £100 from my dad which I am not proud of doing and have done as a last resort (inc. stretching out 2 overdrafts to pay rent, food, travel).
Any regrets?
Spending too much on going out with people who I rarely hang out with now in the first year.
Thanks
[/QUOTE]
What you studying and where to?
Tv production at bournemouth university
Enjoy it or not? Why?
I enjoy it a lot! There's great kit (HD 3 cam tv studio and some good off campus) a lot of the tutors are wicked
Meet your expectations?
So far yes, there's some expermenting going on this year which i'm skeptical about (they're moving the shoots for the studio into an area which means less lighting, standard def. cameras but a more interesting area where there will be a live background). Plus it's got the best rep. in the industry which has helped me get a cracking work placement this year for a celebrity tv chef's company.
What career you aiming for?
I'd like to work in camera or lighting and make my way up to DoP or director, though I don't mind editing.
How you finding the financial side of things?
Hard right now when my loan is still yet to arrive in my bank, i've had to borrow £100 from my dad which I am not proud of doing and have done as a last resort (inc. stretching out 2 overdrafts to pay rent, food, travel).
Any regrets?
Spending too much on going out with people who I rarely hang out with now in the first year.
Thanks
[/QUOTE]