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Course review
Review by: Lucy L
University: University of Manchester
Course: Chemistry
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?
30 hours
Ideally, what 3/4 subjects would you recommend doing in order to be in the best position for your course?
Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths
Why did you decide to study your degree programme?
Well respected University, interesting course.
Explain the things you wish you'd known about your degree before you applied:
That the MChem course I am on is in fact an undergraduate masters course. I presumed masters was a postgraduate masters after my four years.
Describing your average day
Explain how your day is made up. For example, do you have labs/seminars/tutorials/lectures?
Have lectures for each core subject (organic, physical, inorganic) plus subsidiaries and tutorials to assist with these lectures. A lot of contact time in the labs, mostly whole days required.
How much extra work/reading are you required to do out of lectures?
Yes, it is worth it in the end, you find it really helps. Especially as the text books I was given were free.
Is there anything else you think is relevant or that you would like to add in respect of your course?
Just keep on top on lab reports. Write them up as soon as you have done the experiment. It will save a lot of bother.
The best and worst parts of the course
What do you like best about your degree programme?
Any group work throughout the year, is mixed up into different groups so you end up meeting lots of new people.
What do you like least about your degree programme?
The subsidiary units.
Academics and course content
What do you think of your university's academics and facilities?
Very good, everything needed on site,has a good computer cluster to use during contact time.
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.
First year is just to pull everyone up to the same standard. Different lecturers use different methods, some expect you to make your own notes, some provide booklets for you to fill in blanks, some want you to just listen and get the notes from the university intranet later. All notes will eventually find their way onto the intranet.
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Other reviews for Chemistry
Ben M, 1st Year doing Chemistry at University of Bristol
Yale M, 1st Year doing Chemistry at University of Bristol Ricky P, 1st Year doing Chemistry at The University of Sheffield Stephen B, 1st Year doing Chemistry at University of Leicester
David Q, 1st Year doing Chemistry at University of Leeds George M, 3rd Year doing Chemistry at Imperial College London Matt P, 4th Year doing Law with Chemistry at University of Bristol
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University review
Review by: Lucy L
University: University of Manchester
Course: Chemistry
Year of study: 3rd
Level of Study: Undergraduate
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Describing your university
Sum up your university in one paragraph:
The first thing you are there for is to get a degree. This is a great place with great facilities to enhance your time with lots of student services on hand for any questions about your course etc.The ciy is great for all of the social side of things and the university organises a lot of events with the clubs around.
What is the academic life like at your university?
Very good library for nearly every subject, open 24 hours during revision times. As long as work is kept on top of it will be easy to balance academic with social life.
Describe your Freshers' Week - was it as you expected, better or worse? Why?
It was nothing like I had expected, it was worse. Nothing was really organised and the Fresher's ball was disappointing.
What is the best and worst thing about your university?
The best thing is everything being so close together. There isn't too much distance between the two campus sites with free bus travel.
The worst is the Student Union activites.
Sport and extra curricular
What are the sport and other activities on offer like at your university?
Awesome, all teams meet regularly and have lots of matches in season time. All are welcome to trial.
The social scene
What is the social scene (and/or nightlife) like at your university? Is it particularly alcohol orientated?
There are always promotions everywhere you look for drink but I wouldn't say it is anymore alcohol related than anywhere else. There are a lot of clubs and pubs suitable for every taste.
What do you think of the city your university is based in or near (as a city)?
I think the city is a huge attraction, very easy to get to for shopping and nights out as the bus route runs through the university campus every minute!
Accommodation
Do you live in a halls of residence or a student house (or college)? What would you suggest is best in your opinion?
A student house. Halls is definitly better for 1st year to make friends. I would recommend living in a house at some point but it is a lot cheaper to live in halls.
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?
First year, in my opinion is best, in either catered or self catered. Both ways allow to you bond and make new friendships either eating and sitting with someone or cooking with them in the kitchen.
Approximately, what is the average cost of accommodation per week in your first year for catered and non-catered halls/colleges?
About £70pw self-catered.
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