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Course review
Review by: Abigail C
University: The University of Sheffield
Course: Law and Criminology
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?
11
Ideally, what 3/4 subjects would you recommend doing in order to be in the best position for your course?
Law A level was very helpful. English also as it gives you good grammer and essay writing skills. Sociology would help with the criminiology or the course as it would give you a basic understanding. Another which could be useful would be Psychology.
Why did you decide to study your degree programme?
I found A-level law very enjoyable and rewarding and decided I wanted to learn more. I didn't want to do a degree I wouldn't like doing. I found I understood it quite well. It also had the bonus of leading me into a job in Law if I decided I wanted to. If not it was a reputable degree to have.
Explain the things you wish you'd known about your degree before you applied:
They emphasise how much independence you have when it comes to working but I don't feel it stresses it quite enough! When you begin, you feel you have been thrown in the deep end (especially after Alevels when learning is spoon fed to you).
Describing your average day
Explain how your day is made up. For example, do you have labs/seminars/tutorials/lectures?
Days were usually made up by 2 or 3 lectures a day (at the beginning of the week) I had my seminars (which were one/ two hours long) at the end of the week. We usually had one seminar every 2 weeks for each module.
How much extra work/reading are you required to do out of lectures?
Law does require extra reading in order to broaden your understanding and help you complete work for seminars. We were given a suggested text book for each module and it was hoped you would work your way through the book during that semester.
Is there anything else you think is relevant or that you would like to add in respect of your course?
I think its covered!
The best and worst parts of the course
What do you like best about your degree programme?
I enjoy the university as a whole, its a very friendly atmosphere to live and work in. The lectures are kept quite interesting and the lecturers are friendly and encourage us to ask questions.
What do you like least about your degree programme?
The extra reading! I can always seem to find something else I'd prefer to read than a law text book!
Academics and course content
What do you think of your university's academics and facilities?
The library (Information Commons) is very well equipped and is easily reached and a brilliant resource for when you need quiet time to read or study for exams.
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.
Most of the course centres around lectures which you are expected to attend (although not compulsory). These form the basics of your learning. You are then expected to read up the relevant chapters in text books relating to the topic covered in lectures.
Seminars are then (usually fortnightly) over-views of what has been learnt in the lectures and reading from that fortnight. Work is often set before hand and you must complete it and take it with you.
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Other reviews for Law and Criminology
Sarah L, 3rd Year doing Law and Criminology at University of Manchester Charlotte D, 2nd Year doing Law and Criminology at Nottingham Trent University
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University review
Review by: Abigail C
University: The University of Sheffield
Course: Law and Criminology
Year of study: 1st
Level of Study: Undergraduate
Visit the The University of Sheffield forum and see what people are discussing right now!
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Describing your university
Sum up your university in one paragraph:
Absolutely brilliant fun! The Students Union is THE best in the UK and the opportunities it gives everyone are great!
What is the academic life like at your university?
Academic life is the least enjoyable side of life at university but still not all gloom! Even with a large course like law, all your seminars are with the same people so its easy to make friends.It has a friendlier and more comfortable feel to it than courses at other unis where you have seminars with different people everytime and often don't make many friends on your course.
Describe your Freshers' Week - was it as you expected, better or worse? Why?
Fresher's week was pretty fun! I preferred the nights out that weren't at the Edge (on Endcliffe campus -where most first years will live). However it is as expected; everyone is a little bit awkward but getting drunk and talking to everyone! Even though in weeks to come you will never speak to them again apart from casual smiles when you pass and realised you met in Freshers!
What is the best and worst thing about your university?
Best is probably the student Union. Its brilliant for clubs and societies and a great place to go out! I enjoy all of the club nights (and there is also something for everyone! Not just people who enjoy dance music). Also great are the cafes and places for food, which also are good for a student budget. Most meals are £4 or less!
Worst about the university is probably the work! But we wouldn't be there without it!
Sport and extra curricular
What are the sport and other activities on offer like at your university?
I'm not the sportiest of people so I'm probably not the best to ask, however as far as i'm aware the university has pretty much any sport you'd like to play! From the regulars to less regular (like korfball - I know this as my flatmate plays for the team!) They also have football and netball (and other) teams.
The social scene
What is the social scene (and/or nightlife) like at your university? Is it particularly alcohol orientated?
The nightlife at the university is brilliant! There is a night held in the student union every day of the week and I enjoy all of them! They vary from dance music, to pop, to rnb to indie, to drum & bass even to rock and metal. So something for everyone! Alcohol plays quite a part in most nights but its not necessary. The uni holds other nights like comedy nights too, which are less alcohol orientated.
What do you think of the city your university is based in or near (as a city)?
Sheffield is brilliant! The nightlife is great (I come from a small city so wasn't used to so many clubs) yet it isn't too big to feel lost or intimidated by. There is quite a familiar feel to Sheffield. The shops in the main city centre aren't great as most big ones have moved to Meadowhall which is a shopping complex about 20 mins out of the centre (but easily accessible by tram from the centre).
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 for my first year. It was brilliant fun and great for making close friends which you'll undoubtedly stick by! I would definitely recommend staying in halls for your first year as you are all new together and its a lot easier to settle in.
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 stayed in self catered.The whole of Endcliffe village (where I stayed) you could be catered if you wanted by buying a 'eatwithus card' which was like a prepaid debit card, and going along to the Edge and paying for your food with that. You could also pay with cash I think! I found self catered easier as it meant there were no restrictions on when I wanted to eat!
Approximately, what is the average cost of accommodation per week in your first year for catered and non-catered halls/colleges?
About £100 pw self catered.I had an ensuite bathroom.
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