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Course review
Review by: Lauren W
University: University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol
Course: Criminology
Year of study: 3rd
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?
Psychology, Statistics, Sociology, Philosophy.
Why did you decide to study your degree programme?
I've always been interested in criminals, and why they commit crime. I studied psychology at A level, and saw Criminology as a chance to focus more on the aspects I enjoyed in psychology relating to Crime.
Explain the things you wish you'd known about your degree before you applied:
I wish I'd known how important statistics would have been, I might have taken an extra A level in it if I'd have known.
Describing your average day
Explain how your day is made up. For example, do you have labs/seminars/tutorials/lectures?
I was only timetabled for 2 days of the week on my last timetable, so I had a Workshop on one of the mornings, then a gap I used to research in the library, then two lectures 1 hour each 1 after the other. The other day I went in I had a lecture in the morning and 2 seminars in the afternoon.
How much extra work/reading are you required to do out of lectures?
Yes, a fair amount, on average I read a book chapter and at least two journal article for each module per week.
The best and worst parts of the course
What do you like best about your degree programme?
It is always interesting, the topics are always relevant.
What do you like least about your degree programme?
It involves a lot of solo in seminar presentations and I don't particularly enjoy them, that being said however they are not as bad as you originally think.
Academics and course content
What do you think of your university's academics and facilities?
I think that UWE offers great facilities, on its main campus (Frenchay) you literally have everything you need, a cafeteria, a shop which stocks pretty much everything, Blackwells book shop (for those millions of text books) and a Natwest bank.
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.
Criminology is an interesting subject, you can expect lectures which are actually interesting, quite a few guest lecturers to give you a better view of crime and the criminal justice system. Each module usually has 2 pieces of written coursework (or 1 and a presentation) and a Formal Exam, sometimes written, occasionally an oral viva. But lecturers and seminar tutors prepare you for all well in advance.
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Other reviews for Criminology
Abigail C, 1st Year doing Law and Criminology at The University of Sheffield
Emma B, 1st Year doing Criminology and Sociology at University of Brighton Hannah M, 2nd Year doing Psychology and Criminology at University of Lincoln Sarah L, 3rd Year doing Law and Criminology at University of Manchester Charlotte D, 2nd Year doing Law and Criminology at Nottingham Trent University Bryony H, 2nd Year doing Psychology and Criminology at The Manchester Metropolitan University
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University review
Review by: Lauren W
University: University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol
Course: Criminology
Year of study: 3rd
Level of Study: Undergraduate
Visit the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol forum and see what people are discussing right now!
Click here to go back
Describing your university
Sum up your university in one paragraph:
UWE I think is a community - if you study here, you'll have friends on campus. It's a nice place to study, and it's easy to study on campus in the library. UWE and Bristol was the right choice for me, it's become a home from home.
What is the academic life like at your university?
The first word that came into my head was mature, I think for the reason that you can tell that everybody around you (in your lectures and seminars) want to learn, and want to be there.
Describe your Freshers' Week - was it as you expected, better or worse? Why?
Fresher's week was better than I expected, it gave me a great opportunity to engage with other people at the uni and especially helped me bond with my new housemates from my halls.
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?
Coming to university will be the experience of your life, I would recommend anybody to do it.
What is the best and worst thing about your university?
I think the best thing about UWE is the facilities offered on campus, the worst I think is the UWE Ulink bus service, it's not very reliable and although they keep promising more services per hour, it doesn't seem to happen.
Sport and extra curricular
What are the sport and other activities on offer like at your university?
UWE has a brand new fitness centre, including a gym, tennis and badminton courts, and has new plans for a swimming pool.
The social scene
What is the social scene (and/or nightlife) like at your university? Is it particularly alcohol orientated?
UWE offer many clubs and societies which regularly have nights out, there is also a regular Friday 'club' night on the main campus.
What do you think of the city your university is based in or near (as a city)?
I love Bristol, plain and simple, the opportunity to do something new everyday, the varied cultures, the music and club scene.
Accommodation
Do you live in a halls of residence or a student house (or college)? What would you suggest is best in your opinion?
In my first year I lived in halls, and had the best year of my life, I met amazing people and did all new things. It's beneficial to live with others in the same boat, if you have the choice I wouldn't pass it up. Now I live in private accommodation and although it's expensive to rent in Bristol, you can find bargains. If you want a student-y party feel move to Gloucester Road/Filton Avenue if not a place like Fishponds is very nice, with a village feel to it and the setting of St Matts campus.
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?
I was self-catering in my halls, which I think is better, it gives you the chance to learn to look after yourself, also cooking with your housemates gives you more of a chance to bond with them. And trust me, they'll become your surrogate family in that first year.
Approximately, what is the average cost of accommodation per week in your first year for catered and non-catered halls/colleges?
About £80-85pw average prices for a room (with no ensuite but with all bills and electricity included).Ensuite rooms can be £100 + ...It is cheaper to live off campus, with more places being £60-80 per week, but you have to pay all your own bills, that's: Water rates, electricity, gas, internet, tv and phone etc.
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