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Course review
Review by: Wendy T
University: Swansea University
Course: Screen
Year of study: 2nd
Level of Study: Undergraduate
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The course in general
How many contact hours do you have in the average week?
8
Ideally, what 3/4 subjects would you recommend doing in order to be in the best position for your course?
Media Studies, English language, and History
Why did you decide to study your degree programme?
It gives me a good balance between theory and practical work. I prefer theory and this course has 75% theory.
Explain the things you wish you'd known about your degree before you applied:
That the first year wasn't going to be devoted to your chosen degree. In my first year the whole department was mixed together and I was taking modules from the communication degree, journalism degree and Public Relations degree
Describing your average day
Explain how your day is made up. For example, do you have labs/seminars/tutorials/lectures?
An average day would include 2 hours of lectures and a 1 hour seminar; that is either group work in a class room or in a computer room.
How much extra work/reading are you required to do out of lectures?
Every lecture has a compulsory reading attached to it, usually between 2 and 3 chapters in a book.
Is there anything else you think is relevant or that you would like to add in respect of your course?
Until the 2nd year it doesn't really feel like you're undertaking the degree you signed up to.
The best and worst parts of the course
What do you like best about your degree programme?
The lectures are interesting, the majority of the lecturers don't just stand at the front and talk at you, they use the internet, films and PowerPoint to engage us.
What do you like least about your degree programme?
The lecturers who stand and talk at you with no enthusiasm about what they're talking about.
Academics and course content
What do you think of your university's academics and facilities?
They're great, a lot of the academics have worked in the media industry so provide useful information.
The facilities are really good, the library is huge with lots of computers and working areas available.
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.
In year 1 we looked at different theories in to understanding media communication, how audiences read television programmes. We had an entire module focusing on how to write essays, avoiding plagiarism, writing bibliographies, creating PowerPoint's. There was a journalism module, which introduced students to writing news stories. We also had a module that introduced us to public relations and how it is used around the world.
Teaching methods included, PowerPoint presentations, computer based seminars, group work seminars.
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University review
Review by: Wendy T
University: Swansea University
Course: Screen
Year of study: 2nd
Level of Study: Undergraduate
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Describing your university
Sum up your university in one paragraph:
Swansea University is a great place to be if you like to feel like you're part of one big family. The campus feel is brilliant, and the location couldn't be better, right on the seafront. All the amenities you could need are at the university and the city centre is only a short bus ride away or walk along the seafront if it's a nice day! The social scene is brilliant, with something happening almost every night of the week! The Student Union put on excellent events and always keep you updated on what's happening either through Facebook or posters all over the uni!
What is the academic life like at your university?
Depending on the course, it varies. For some students their course at Swansea is one of the best in the country where as for others it really isn't. There are lots of hard working students though and even during non exam time the library is always packed out.
Describe your Freshers' Week - was it as you expected, better or worse? Why?
Freshers week was brilliant,just what I expected and even more. So much effort went in to organising it and the Student Union pulled all the stops out to make sure nothing went wrong, even when it was torrential rain the night of the Freshers Ball.
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?
Be prepared for the late nights. The first year is full of nights out with friends, nights justchatting, nights on the beach with bbqs and bonfires etc!
What is the best and worst thing about your university?
Swansea Uni is right on the seafront, near the city centre, great bus service and has a great campus atmosphere.
The only bad thing is that the library has no air conditioning and gets really hot!
Sport and extra curricular
What are the sport and other activities on offer like at your university?
There's a wide range of sports on offer, with the most emphasis on Rugby. The dance society is the biggest society in the university and there are lots of other activities that aren't sport based like the drama society and media society.
The social scene
What is the social scene (and/or nightlife) like at your university? Is it particularly alcohol orientated?
I'd say it is very alcohol orientated, all social nights out are at Oceania night club or another night club in town. Having said that, Oceania is a great venue, the biggest night club in the country and Swansea Uni broke a Guinness world record there for the most smurfs in one place!
What do you think of the city your university is based in or near (as a city)?
It's great. There is a wide variety of shops and a big shopping centre. A huge Tescos right in the centre of the city, with a Sainsburys, Iceland, Marks and Spencers near by.
Lots of fancy dress shops for when you're going out and a big Primark which is always handy.
Accommodation
Do you live in a halls of residence or a student house (or college)? What would you suggest is best in your opinion?
I lived in halls of residence in my first year and I would say this is the best option.
It gives you a great opportunity to get to know lots of people and the Union put on a night at Oceania in freshers week where everyone from each building wears the same colour tshirt so that when you're out you can get chatting to people who live near you.
The facilities are great in halls of residence and you have cleaners, which is nice because most people are busy socialising and would forget about cleaning!
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?
Different halls have different systems, some are part catered, others self. I prefer self catered, you have more freedom and the kitchen facilities are great. Although you have to provide all of your crockery.
Approximately, what is the average cost of accommodation per week in your first year for catered and non-catered halls/colleges?
About £87 a week for self catering.
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