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very small and friendly, but in debt

Posted By grad2010

University : University of Cumbria
Course title : 3 yr QTS teaching
Year of graduation : 2010


6 out of 10
Overall opinion

The ethos of the staff that work at the uni makes it a very friendly place to study.Ive always felt known , safe and supported. However the university debt is impacting students, with jobs and resources cuts. I hope the university sorts out its debt so that it can put its priorities back into the right place.



8 out of 10
Quality of course and lecturers

The course i did from lancaster was well structured. This is definately the university's strongest point. The majority of lecturers planned relevant and engaging lessons. You get to know tutors, particualry your specialism tutor, very well and most will do all they can to help. Ask for it, don't be shy to them, they become like friends. It is a very close campus where you and others (staff and students)know you by name. You are certainly more than a number. Staff have chased up friends who are struggling. Communication can be however poor, with lessons cancelled no notice. There are sometimes long gaps between assessments/lessons, than a large workload but i think this is typical of most universities. Overall, a good standard of teaching and very strong support,be willing to ask for it. Tutors will happily email you back about assignment queries within the day which greatly increase your grades-but you need to be proactive about asking for help first.



4 out of 10
University facilities

The facilites are appropriate considering the size of the campus. At the start of my course there was adqauate to go around but with the university adding more and more students they are a bit stretched. For example, the books are all there that are needed for the assignments-but not enough to go around. A good 24hr computer room, patrolled by security and the cat! Ive always felt very safe on campus. Facilities have suffered in the last year because of the university debt which has not been fair on students. Printing 47 page module booklets of for ourselves seemed ridicious. There is a well equipped sports hall and attached gym, which semmed good value for money. The university owns a bar on site which is used as a cafe in day and turns into a bar on the night. It is very well run by the staff there any they are very friendly and approachable having a laugh with you. Friends have gained jobs there too.



2 out of 10
Student union

To be honest it was an 'elite' group, where they all elected each other. They organised plenty of drinking nights but never anything alternative to drink and within the daytime, despite requests.



2 out of 10
University societies and clubs

A few sports societies but nothing else organised by the su. There is a thriving friendly independent cu which meets on fusehill for all carlisle campus



7 out of 10
University life

Ive really enjoyed university life. Carlisle is such a small friendly city. It is only 15mins walk into town for fusehil, where there is plenty of high street shops, pubs, student friendly clubs and a supermarket. The railway station is there too and on the main west coast line so no fusiing about needed. Carlisle is kinda the odd town odd in carlisle. It is a thriving urban city in the middle of no where so every one surronding it flocks to it. If you have a car you can easily access the lakes/scotland too.



6 out of 10
Accommodation

I stayed at fusehil on campus. They are fresh, modern halls with ensuite rooms. As they are few places you become a community reeally in halls. The halls are on campus but no parking on site you have to apparently use rugby club.



1 out of 10
Job prospects and careers service

The university of cumbria does not have a good name im afraid and there is no way you can stay in cumbria after for a job. Placements are gettin worse with the university taking too many students and forcing students on schools who do not want and are not or not willing to be adequately prpeared for a studnet. We did not really have enough jobs advice of the university.



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