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Course review
Review by: Bobby G
University: University of Bristol
Course: Civil Engineering
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?
25
Ideally, what 3/4 subjects would you recommend doing in order to be in the best position for your course?
Physics, Maths and Further Maths
Why did you decide to study your degree programme?
I did some work experience in engineering, and was really interested by it.
Explain the things you wish you'd known about your degree before you applied:
I wish I'd known how much maths there was going to be - I would definitely have reconsidered had I known.
Describing your average day
Explain how your day is made up. For example, do you have labs/seminars/tutorials/lectures?
I have lectures at 9 most mornings - this is earlier than most people! In an average day, I have four hours of lectures, an hour for lunch, and then a lab or computing work in the afternoon. Labs don't happen every week though, so roughly every other week we have that afternoon off.
How much extra work/reading are you required to do out of lectures?
Yes, loads! Although, it depends...if you're good at the course, then there is much less to do, but if you haven't got a clue what's going on, (like most people!) there you have to do as little or as much catching up as you want.
Is there anything else you think is relevant or that you would like to add in respect of your course?
It's definitely worth doing some work experience or some such before you choose this type of degree - it's certainly not for everyone, and alot of people have dropped out at the end of the first year.
The best and worst parts of the course
What do you like best about your degree programme?
Some of the lab work is quite interesting.
What do you like least about your degree programme?
All the maths! Loads and loads of maths, and it is very hard, especially since I didn't go Further Maths.
Academics and course content
What do you think of your university's academics and facilities?
Very very good - there's everything we could need or want.
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.
The course is very theory based (at this early stage) - far too much so in my opinion. Because of this, and the lack of handouts, it can be very difficult to follow, and keep up in classes.
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Other reviews for Civil Engineering
Tim G, 1st Year doing Civil Engineering at Loughborough University
Nicola R, 2nd Year doing Civil Engineering at Cardiff University Alice O, 3rd Year doing Civil Engineering at The University of Strathclyde
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University review
Review by: Bobby G
University: University of Bristol
Course: Civil Engineering
Year of study: 1st
Level of Study: Undergraduate
Visit the University of Bristol forum and see what people are discussing right now!
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Describing your university
Sum up your university in one paragraph:
Bristol is so vibrant, it's just fantastic. It's not too big, but there's plenty of people and everything is sufficiently compact.
What is the academic life like at your university?
Very impressive.
Describe your Freshers' Week - was it as you expected, better or worse? Why?
It was perfect - a good mix of everything you could want.
Sport and extra curricular
What are the sport and other activities on offer like at your university?
You can knit, act, canoe, play all the sports you'd expect and so much more!
The social scene
What is the social scene (and/or nightlife) like at your university? Is it particularly alcohol orientated?
Incredible - there are so many pubs, clubs, cinemas etc etc. You really can't complain, although alcohol is fairly expensive compared to most places in the UK.
What do you think of the city your university is based in or near (as a city)?
Bristol is an awesome city - it is such fun, and there is so much to do. There is always something going on which sounds a bit cliche, but it really is true with Bristol.
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 - by far the best for every reason, but especially meeting people.
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 is the way forward - you can spend time cooking for yourself for the rest of uni, and the rest of your life...
Approximately, what is the average cost of accommodation per week in your first year for catered and non-catered halls/colleges?
About £115 for catered.
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