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Course review
Review by: Kimberley B
University: Oxford University
Course: English
Year of study: 1st
Level of Study: Undergraduate
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The course in general
How many contact hours do you have in the average week?
3
Ideally, what 3/4 subjects would you recommend doing in order to be in the best position for your course?
English, History/History of Art, RE
Why did you decide to study your degree programme?
It's interesting (seriously) and probably one of the best places to do it. The library resources are world class and you will also generally be taught/be able to attend lectures by the leading academics in your field.
Explain the things you wish you'd known about your degree before you applied:
The lack of contact with other students from other colleges throughout the week. Due to not attending many lectures, the course is largely solitary in terms of studying and learning. This can be good in terms of the amount of control you have over when you work but at times it can make the days a little lonely, compared to a science-based subject for example.
Describing your average day
Explain how your day is made up. For example, do you have labs/seminars/tutorials/lectures?
Most of the day is spent in in the library reading, preparing the essay for the week.
How much extra work/reading are you required to do out of lectures?
Most of the course is based on the reading you do in your own time during the week
Is there anything else you think is relevant or that you would like to add in respect of your course?
This is probably one of the best places to study English but it is very intense. However the tutors are not as intimidating as they first seem and in the end although it is only a small amount of contact time it is, in most cases, invaluable in quality.
The best and worst parts of the course
What do you like best about your degree programme?
The ability to decide what you read and how much depending upon your interest in the topic of the week.
What do you like least about your degree programme?
The intensity, you have to get to grips with a lot of material very quickly and one often wishes there was more time to acquire depth.
Academics and course content
What do you think of your university's academics and facilities?
They are outstanding. The central library is a legal deposit library and therefore contains a copy of every book published since the 17th century. The tutors are usually leading academics in their field and most of them also have years of experience teaching.
Explain how you expected your course to be and how it compares to how it actually is. Give an outline of the content of the course.
Largely individual based reading preparing for a one on one or 2 to 1 tutorial at the end of the week. The end result of your week of study is an essay on a particular subject. You will usually read out your essay in the tutorial and then discuss the arguments raised. You do not necessarily have to agree with your tutor's line of argument, as long as you back up your own from your weeks reading, which is therefore essential. The tutorial will help you to cement this knowledge and correct areas where you may have gone astray but the vast majority of the course relies on the work you do in your own time.
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Other reviews for English
Peter J, 2nd Year doing English at University of Dundee
Jamie G, 1st Year doing English at Oxford University Mary L, 1st Year doing English at University of Exeter Tom R, 2nd Year doing English at Durham University
Martin W, 1st Year doing English and American Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London Claire P, 1st Year doing English at Goldsmiths, University of London Stephanie S, 2nd Year doing English at University of Manchester Tilly L, 2nd Year doing English and Drama at Brunel University Jim G, 2nd Year doing English and Education Studies at University of Wales Institute, Cardiff Susanna W, 2nd Year doing English and Creative Writing at University of Winchester Emma G, 2nd Year doing English at Durham University
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University review
Review by: Kimberley B
University: Oxford University
Course: English
Year of study: 1st
Level of Study: Undergraduate
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Describing your university
Sum up your university in one paragraph:
It's a great place to be at university but it is also very unique due to the pressure and pace. Most people are in the same boat intellectually but of course this is the place where the high flyers will come and it is easy to fall into a comparison trap. People do work harder here than at other universities but they also have a lot of fun, even if it is a bit manic.
What is the academic life like at your university?
It is very intense and challenging. However because it is a constant challenge you do get used to operating on a higher level. There is a lot of pressure though in terms of intellectual depth but usually you got through the interview process because you can handle this.
Describe your Freshers' Week - was it as you expected, better or worse? Why?
Great. The college system works really well here to make you feel like you are part of a community straight away. Most colleges have a 'parental system' in place where you are assigned two second years students to sort you out an answer any questions in the first couple of days. This works really well to integrate you into college life and gives you someone to talk to who is much less nervous than you are.
Are there any other notes you would like to add about life in general at university or anything else which would be relevant to a prospective student?
It's a great place to be at uni but certainly unique; if you don't mind speed, quite heavy amounts of work and the odd strain of pressure, then everything else tends to be really fun. However I would definitely recommend a gap year before coming here as it’s a good opportunity to let of a little steam and work on the usually lengthy reading list for the first year.
What is the best and worst thing about your university?
Best - the atmosphere. It's incredibly fast paced and there are a lot of interesting things going on, with a lot of interesting people around. Worst - the pace. It is at once both the best and the worst thing about Oxford. It does take some getting used to and at times you do feel like a weekend off/away. Most people however get used to it.
Sport and extra curricular
What are the sport and other activities on offer like at your university?
Varied and good. There are teams for most things and clubs for even more things. The problem is generally finding the time to fit them in; because of the academic work you can't focus solely on extra curricular, even in your first year. You can however get away with doing quite a lot usually in your first year eg. Max. 2 major sports + probably 2 other e.g. Charity, newspaper etc.
The social scene
What is the social scene (and/or nightlife) like at your university? Is it particularly alcohol orientated?
Social scene is also very fast paced but equally there are types of people here to suit everyone. Nightlife is good although the hard core may consider it lacking in depth. Some sporting clubs are quite alcohol orientated but again you can avoid this in most cases and just opt for the non-alcoholic option.
What do you think of the city your university is based in or near (as a city)?
Oxford is a lovely city. It's not too big so you can get most places by bicycle and it is also exceptionally beautiful (despite the sometimes irritating tourists).
Accommodation
Do you live in a halls of residence or a student house (or college)? What would you suggest is best in your opinion?
College (Lady Margaret Hall). This is probably the best option for your first year as it means you meet other people and become part of the college life.
If you are in a hall or college, is it catered or self catered? Which is better for the first year in your opinion and why?
Catered although there are some rather grimey kitchens on most floors that you can self-cater in. Most people eat their meals in hall to maximise social time and minimise the time cooking hen you could be doing other things.
Approximately, what is the average cost of accommodation per week in your first year for catered and non-catered halls/colleges?
About £115
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