Jump to Course review
Jump to University review
Course review
Review by: Stephanie S
University: University of Manchester
Course: English
Year of study: 2nd
Level of Study: Undergraduate
Visit the English forum and see what people are discussing right now!
Click here to go back
The course in general
How many contact hours do you have in the average week?
6
Ideally, what 3/4 subjects would you recommend doing in order to be in the best position for your course?
English Literature
English Language
History
Why did you decide to study your degree programme?
I have a great passion for reading and realised that before embarking on a set degree programme with only one career path at the end of it, I wanted to study English. It is a brilliant degree with a great range of texts and time periods to study along with the knowledge that it can open doors into a variety of career paths.
Explain the things you wish you'd known about your degree before you applied:
I wish I'd known how expensive it can be to fund an english degree. Having your own copy of the majority of the texts on the course is a must and the cost can quickly mount especially when the university has a specific arrangement with a certain bookshop, meaning that if a particular version of a text is required it can only be purchased in one place.
Describing your average day
Explain how your day is made up. For example, do you have labs/seminars/tutorials/lectures?
The course is made up of lectures and seminars, both consisting of an hour each. Three lectures a week, normally on three seperate days which are timetabled in by the uni. Seminars are required for each module taken but times can be chosen based on a selection given to the student by the university.
How much extra work/reading are you required to do out of lectures?
As we only get 6 hours of contact time a week we are expected to spend alot of time not only reading the required text for each module in time for each lecture (this can be 3 novels a week, rather heavy going!), we are also expected to do some secondary reading and consult critical works so that we have a background knowledge of the reception of the texts within society.
Is there anything else you think is relevant or that you would like to add in respect of your course?
It is awesome!
The best and worst parts of the course
What do you like best about your degree programme?
I like the emphasis on self study as it encourages you to become more disciplined and understanding of the responsibility of taking on work in the real world once out of university.
What do you like least about your degree programme?
I do think that sometimes the lectures and seminars are a little too short to fit in all that needs to be discussed thoroughly in regards to the texts.
Academics and course content
What do you think of your university's academics and facilities?
The academics are wonderful. Each one specialises in a certain area of literature and they are all amazingly passionate about what they do.
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 lectures the students are expected to sit and listen to the information and points put forward by the lecturer in regards to the text. It is from this that the student will be encouraged to expand on themes, characters or criticism of the texts within seminars. The seminars are led by a postgrad yet really are just informal, unmarked group discussions. The content ranges widely depending on the modules each individual selects.
Looking for more information on English?
Other reviews for English
Peter J, 2nd Year doing English at University of Dundee
Kimberley B, 1st Year doing English at Oxford University 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 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
Looking for another course? Or university?
University review
Review by: Stephanie S
University: University of Manchester
Course: English
Year of study: 2nd
Level of Study: Undergraduate
Visit the University of Manchester forum and see what people are discussing right now!
Click here to go back
Describing your university
Sum up your university in one paragraph:
If Carlsberg made universities, they would definitely have been the ones behind Manchester University.
What is the academic life like at your university?
Academic life is definitely challenging, but in a good way. It prepares you for the responsibilities you will undertake in the real world once you have graduated and helps to build your character, making you a more well rounded person. It is interesting and rewarding.
Describe your Freshers' Week - was it as you expected, better or worse? Why?
Freshers week was better than I expected. There are plenty events for you to choose from, including those that are flat related and get you out and about with your new flatmates so that you can get to know each other from the off. The atmosphere around campus is electric and everyone gets involved together.
What is the best and worst thing about your university?
It's a massive university with a wide range of students making for a very sociable place to be. The uni offers a wide range of courses and the is academically challenging. Unfortunately the library can become full at exam and essay times making it difficult to revise and sometimes there is a lack of popular texts within the library too. However overall the university is indeed of a very high standard.
Sport and extra curricular
What are the sport and other activities on offer like at your university?
You name it we've got it. From football, rugby and hockey to cue sports, rowing and even ultimate frisbee, no sport is left unplayed at Manchester uni. There are a selection of other activities too ranging from singing and acting societies, to skateboarding and language groups. We even have our own christian union for those who like to share their faith on a regular basis.
The social scene
What is the social scene (and/or nightlife) like at your university? Is it particularly alcohol orientated?
The social scene, although quite heavily orientated around alcohol, it isn't necessarily the one aspect to it. There are many social aspects such as the societies which have their socials, normally going for a meal or doing an activity such as bowling before heading off to clubs. Equally the music and atmosphere within the clubs and pubs is so fantastic that you can appreciate them while fully sober if alcohol isn't really your thing.
What do you think of the city your university is based in or near (as a city)?
Manchester is an amazing city. It has great nightlife, fantastic shops and some wonderful cultural activities too. It is however quite big and those afraid of attending uni in a big city should be aware of this.
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 live in a student house now but in first year I lived in self catered hallsof residence. It was great as it enabled me to have a sense of freedom and responsibility for myself without making me feel too grown up. Moving into a stdent house is the next step which happens when you're just about ready to take on that little bit more responsibility.
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 went for self catered in my first year but there is no right or wrong answer. It simply depends on how you think you'll be able to cope. If you think you arent a very good cook and eating properly will be out of the question then by all means go catered. On the other hand if you feel that you are sufficiently capable of cooking and budgeting for yourself then self catering is the way forward. It provides experience for later on life.
Approximately, what is the average cost of accommodation per week in your first year for catered and non-catered halls/colleges?
It was about £90 a week for self catered ensuite accommodation, £68 for self catered, non-ensuite. Catered halls were £107 a week
Looking for more information on University of Manchester?