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Course review
Review by: William R
University: The University of Nottingham
Course: American Studies
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?
12 hours
Ideally, what 3/4 subjects would you recommend doing in order to be in the best position for your course?
History, English Literature/English Language, Film Studies and Politics
Why did you decide to study your degree programme?
I got fed up and bored of studying the English literature, history and film. So i looked else where and liked the idea of a very diverse course with alot to offer in your own department. How tedious must it be studying similar novels in a degree just about literature, when you can do all your A levels in more depth again!
Explain the things you wish you'd known about your degree before you applied:
How much time off there was so I had time to find a job before term started in the city. The cost of books is extremely expensive!
Describing your average day
Explain how your day is made up. For example, do you have labs/seminars/tutorials/lectures?
A normal day would consist of two lectures and a seminar with your module tutor. All lectures are taken by qualified professors, no postgraduates. It is very important that you prepare for the seminar, otherwise there is no point in going. On the lecture side, again no point going unless you are going to write proper notes as the general information is on the intranet.
How much extra work/reading are you required to do out of lectures?
Depending on the module and the year of course. But apart from the the usual textbook for revising for exams. It is so important to do further reading for essays. People will guide you if you go to tutorials but it is important that you do alot of work out of lectures when it counts.
Is there anything else you think is relevant or that you would like to add in respect of your course?
I am very happy where I am 12 months on from choosing my course.
The best and worst parts of the course
What do you like best about your degree programme?
As my degree programme is very diverse and quite a new course, there is lots of flexibility in changing module types from one semester to the next. Also after my first year, my second year entails American thought and culture as well as alot of history and politics.
What do you like least about your degree programme?
The Literature side of the course.
Academics and course content
What do you think of your university's academics and facilities?
Very good facilities, beautiful building for the department and the lecture theatres are very sufficient.
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.
Expect a slow start with minimal work, except preparation for seminars. But when the essays come they come all together so you have to be organised.
ERASMUS scheme, study abroad and work placements
Have you studied on an ERASMUS or study abroad programme? Where did you go and what experience have you gained from your placement?
I decided not to go on one but there is a very good study abroad programme in many states in America. A whole year experience with a chance to travel around in the holidays.
Have you been on a work placement/year in industry? How has it benefited your study and career prospects:
I have not yet, but plan to do so next summer as I think it will create greater opportunities for myself when i have graduated.
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University review
Review by: William R
University: The University of Nottingham
Course: American Studies
Year of study: 1st
Level of Study: Undergraduate
Visit the The University of Nottingham forum and see what people are discussing right now!
Click here to go back
Describing your university
Sum up your university in one paragraph:
We have many strengths, which we have developed abroad, in particularly in China and Malaysia. It is also a financially secure campus based university, with the greenest campus in Europe. The university is committed on an international basis so the students can have a valuable and enjoyable experience that prepares them well for the rest of their professional and personal lives, whether it home or abroad.
What is the academic life like at your university?
Very respected university, no nonsense focused academic life to be honest.
Describe your Freshers' Week - was it as you expected, better or worse? Why?
It was how I expected it. There were so many people, it was like going on holiday for a week as you never see half those people again!
What is the best and worst thing about your university?
Best thing is the campus based university, as it is also 10 minutes bus ride from the city centre. When it is sunny in the summer, the campus is lovely to relax on, even with lots of amazing facilities. Worst thing is the close proximity with people in your halls, even though there are lots of halls on campus, they are small and you see some people far too often. Although I do recommend halls.
Sport and extra curricular
What are the sport and other activities on offer like at your university?
Sport teams are mostly in there top divisions, big sponsorship deals with U.K based accountancy and Law firms.
The social scene
What is the social scene (and/or nightlife) like at your university? Is it particularly alcohol orientated?
Mainly, but it does not have to be. There are so many societies and clubs to join outside the nightlife scene. Although there is a massive range of nightlife.
What do you think of the city your university is based in or near (as a city)?
Modern and metropolitan, very student friends on the west side and city centre of the city. No need to go to any other parts!
Accommodation
Do you live in a halls of residence or a student house (or college)? What would you suggest is best in your opinion?
Halls of residents. Very sociable in halls, also if you do not get on with your student flat mates then in halls there are plenty of there people to get to know, as everything is on your doorstep.
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 by far when in halls, although slightly more expensive, it is easier and you want square meals without having to worry about cooking for yourself when you are particularly tired.
Approximately, what is the average cost of accommodation per week in your first year for catered and non-catered halls/colleges?
£94 a week for catered halls with en suite bathroom. So everything is paid for up front.
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