Facing an interview for postgraduate study can be daunting. But don’t fret, we’ve put together what we think are the top ten interview questions and how best to answer them. The interview could determine whether you’re accepted at your first choice university. This means giving great answers is vital! Whether it’s an interview to study for a Master’s degree or PhD funding, we think these are the ten most likely questions to crop up.

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1. Why this institution?

This is a popular question that universities ask you in entrance interviews. The key to answering it successfully is to match your answer with your application. Express your interest in the university based on your research. Explain how you’re impressed with the successes and achievements of the department or a particular academic that will be involved on your course. Demonstrate your enthusiasm to study at the university. Most importantly, explain how you trust it to be the best place to develop your experience and skills.

You can find out more about all of the institutions in the UK with our list of universities.

2. Why this course?

Second on the list of top interview questions, answering it involves similar skills to the previous question. Think hard about your reasons for applying for a particular course. Perhaps it’s a continuation of your undergraduate course or a development of your current career. Consider career aspirations and options at all times and ensure you give a clear idea of your reasons for applying. Prepare your answer for this question carefully as you can expect it to come up at every interview you attend.

3. Tell me about yourself?

This does not mean your personal life. The interviewers don’t want to know that you were born in Sheffield but grew up with your cat in Scarborough. Tell them why you are passionate about the subject you have chosen and of any professional experience you have. Keep the answer relevant and concise; facts and figures are helpful for doing this. Extracurricular and volunteering activities are great examples to include. Include your personal achievements whilst staying relevant to this question.

4. What are your greatest strengths?

This is your time to shine! If you’re asked this question, it gives you permission to go all out with listing your best skills. But be careful how many skills you list. Reeling off a list of skills with no evidence won’t impress the panel. Instead, focus on three or four skills that make you a great candidate and provide examples. You might be creative, a quick learner, flexible, hold great people and teamwork skills; whatever you’re good at, let them know (with examples)!

5. What are your greatest weaknesses?

This is a tricky question to answer, nobody is perfect after all. Instead, state something which is (or was) a weakness, but also explain the steps you have put in place to change this. You could provide weaknesses the interviewer already knows such as lacking a Postgraduate Qualification. Or state weaknesses that aren’t related to the course.

6. What are your career goals?

If asked this question, it’s important not to just state your career goals, you need to explain how you intend to succeed. Broad statements like ‘wanting to become a specialist’ are unmeasurable. Instead you should state that you want to become a leading expert in the field with several published works. The goals should be attainable within the next five years, although you may wish to elaborate further if appropriate.

7. What is your philosophy towards work?

There are many work philosophies that universities want to see. Motivation, focus, balancing, creativity and resourcefulness are often top of their lists though. Pick out two or three work ethics that you hold and give examples of when you’ve had to use them. For example, you may have had to balance work with university in your undergraduate years.

8. Are you applying for other courses?

Although it’s tempting to say, “No, of course not, this is the only University I’m interested in and I want to spend my dying days in its libraries”, everyone knows this probably isn’t true and as such, it won’t help you get on the course. Be honest, if you’re looking at a few other courses, tell them, but be sure to say why this course is the best of the bunch! It is advisable only to apply for related courses. Applying for an MA in Humanities and an MSc in Biosciences shows that you may not be passionate about a particular field of study.

If you haven’t decided which courses to apply for yet, start your search with Coursefindr.

9. What Would Be Your Dream Job?

Don’t give a specific job title or position, you’re asking for trouble if you do! Tell the university interview panel instead about a dream career, free from titles or companies. This makes it easier for the interviewer to understand what you want to do, as it allows them to create the job you want in their mind.

10. What skills do you have that will help you succeed on this course?

In order to answer this question correctly you need to make sure you know the course like the back of your hand. You need to know what is involved in the course, is it research based or are you required to complete practical work? When you know this you can match your skills to what is required. Don’t be shy in reminding the interview panel what is required of students on the course and explain how your skills (which you’ve probably mentioned already by this point) match up perfectly.

These are what we think are the top 10 questions asked by university interview panels in the UK. If you’ve attended a postgraduate interview, why not let others know what questions you were asked and perhaps even give your opinions on the best way to answer them!

Finding out how much a postgraduate degree will cost is an important step to take when researching the prospect of further study. Your postgraduate fees can seem expensive, but they cover your use of the library, IT equipment and other university study facilities, as well as any tuition and supervision included in your course. We take a look at the cost of studying a postgraduate course.

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How much does a Masters cost?

Tuition fees will be an important factor in deciding where you choose to study a masters. The cost can vary depending on the duration of the course, the subject area, the location of the course and the university ranking. Fees often vary depending on the subject you study, for example, a lab-based Masters will normally cost more than subjects which are predominantly classroom based, however some universities do average out the costs, so that all masters courses are roughly the same price. Some universities will group courses into varying price bands and a master’s degree can cost as little as £4,000 and up to £12,000. In some cases a university may charge per number of credits, and you will be required to complete a specified number of credits in order to achieve a master’s degree.

How much does a PhD cost?

PhD tuition fees are normally around £4,000 per year. Like masters, the cost of a PhD varies according to subject area, location and ranking of the university. Tuition fees are paid each year of study, so as most Doctoral courses run for three years, you’ll pay three times the quoted amount.

How much does an MBA cost?

MBA fees are usually significantly more, varying between £10,000 and £33,000 a year. The average cost of an MBA is £15,600, although this is sometimes split up over the course.

Start your MBA Course Search

Postgraduate course fees were often based on the government recommended figures, but as undergraduates begin to pay higher tuition fees, it is thought that many universities will want to start charging postgraduates more too. In 2012, the average cost of postgraduate study fees was just under £6,200, but this autumn, universities are expected to start charging upwards of £8,000 on average.

These figures are averages and courses can be found for less than £4,000, likewise there are more specialist courses that charge in excess of £12,000. In addition to these postgraduate tuition fees you should also consider living costs which vary greatly up and down the country.

The cost of postgraduate study can be viewed as an investment and it is worth researching the net cost of a Masters, PhD or MBA, both in monetary and non-monetary terms including your own personal investment in time required, any unpaid leave you might need to take for classes and exams and the cost of textbooks, accommodation along with other living expenses. You could also research the net value of a postgraduate degree, helping you to weigh up the benefits in financial terms.

To find out the exact fees for a specific postgraduate course you can check the course listing on our website, just search for your course using our simple course search.

Read our guide to postgraduate funding

Located on the south coast, Bournemouth is easily one of the most pleasant places to spend three years of your life studying. With sunny beaches, friendly locals and the happening nightlife, Bournemouth has pretty much got it all if you don’t fancy studying in a busy city. Let’s take a closer look at the town that gave birth to John Lennon’s aunt! (Fancy that!)

Universities In Bournemouth

There are two universities in Bournemouth:

Bournemouth UniversityArts University Bournemouth

Bournemouth University

Despite its name, Bournemouth University is actually located in the borough of Poole. It currently sits 79th in the latest league table rankings. Graduate prospects are good, while teaching standards are high; the University was the first in the country to be awarded a so-called “commended” judgement from QAA for its high-level of student learning opportunities. The University is also able to boast that it has more students than any other on work placements.

Research standards are also good, and the Uni has managed to find its way into the top 10 percent of “new” universities for research environment. Employability is good, too, with over 90% of their students finding work just six months after graduation. Undergraduate courses are designed in collaboration with employers, with most of them accredited by some of the major players in various industries.

Media courses are Bournemouth University’s forte.

Arts University Bournemouth

Arts University Bournemouth gained full university status at the end of 2012. 125-years old, it is focused on offering students a solid teaching experience in art, design and media, and although technically located in Poole, it is also not too far from the centre of Bournemouth.

Entry standards are relatively high, though most students are accepted on the strength of their portfolio and interviews – as opposed to prior grades and educational background. Degree completion currently stands at 93%, while student satisfaction is good. Many artistic students are attracted to the University thanks to its close proximity to London, as well as the youthful environment of the surrounding towns.

Fee’s, Living Aspects & Student Finance

If you are looking for information on student loans then you should definitely check out our guide to student loans.

Anyone moving away from home for the first time to go and study at university will most likely have to take care of their own finances for the first time. Setting out a sensible budget will help you to spend within your means, and it will ensure that you’re never left short of money at the end of a month – let alone the end of the year! Many students go into university underestimating how far their money will go, and it can be really easy to overspend. For this reason, it’s super important that you work out how much you will need from month to month.

The average student in Bournemouth spends around:

• Accommodation – £373 per month
• Bills – £37 per month
• Food and drink – £110 per month
• Transport – £48 per month
• Socialising – £67 per month

There are other important things to take into consideration too, such as laundry and a TV license if you live in a shared house with a television.

When choosing where to live during your first year, you’re pretty much faced with two choices:

• University/Private halls of residence
• Private house share

Most first year students choose to live in a halls of residence because it’s part of the exciting experience of going to university. You get to meet new, like-minded people straight away, and 24/7 security is mostly always provided. The only real downside to living in halls of residence is that they are usually always more expensive than private house shares. At Bournemouth University first year students opt for the lively and popular halls of residences like Purbeck House and Lyme Regis House. These en-suite flats cost around £128.50 per week BUT this does include all bills and your bus pass; result!

For those students looking for accommodation at Arts University Bournemouth, the most popular halls of residence is Madeira Road with 374 en-suite rooms on offer at £140 per week. New for 2017, Hurn House is located in the popular Lansdowne area of Bournemouth. At the same price of £140 per week for an en-suite room a further 153 rooms will be available.

Some first year students choose to live in private halls of residence and below is a list of some of the best in Poole and Bournemouth:

• Mercury House – £190.00 per week
• Lulworth House – £127.00 per week
• Bracken House – £120.00 per week

General Info About Bournemouth

Bournemouth is situated on the south-west coast of England, around a hundred miles away from London. A busy harbour town, it’s home to a Premier League football club, stretches of golden beaches and lots of natural landscape. It has a total population of 183,000, 20,000 of which are students, and has excellent infrastructure, including fantastic road and rail links, with the railway station servicing more of the UK’s major cities.

Bournemouth University is split into two campuses, with the main campus (Talbot) located between Bournemouth and Poole, and the other campus (Lansdowne) located near to the heart of Bournemouth. The town is among the safest in the country and has lower crime rates than lots of our major cities that include Liverpool, Manchester and nearby Southampton, while its flagship beach has been praised as one of the cleanest in the country.

Events, Venues & Points Of Interest

Bournemouth is one of the UK’s sunniest tourist destinations. As such, there is plenty to do and see here during downtime for students.

The beach itself is where lots of students prefer to spend their time, especially when the weather is good! Always lively, it’s recognised as one of the cleanest in the UK and provides visitors with top-class facilities. It also stretches out for seven miles, so there’ll be plenty of room for and your squad to play frisbee and have a splash in the sea!

Another great place to chill out in Bournemouth is the public gardens and parks. There are many of them, and collectively they cover 2,000 acres. The best ones are to be found in the Lower Gardens, the Central Gardens and the Upper Gardens. Many of these parks and gardens are Listed Grade II and have managed to hold onto their fascinating Victorian heritage. Some of them are located adjacent to the seafront, others are more central, while others are on the quieter outer edges of the town.

Bournemouth is a great place to shop too, so if you still have some of your student loan left after fresher’s week, you might want to head into the heart of the heavily-pedestrianised town for some retail therapy (especially after exams). Brand name stores and high street names sit next to indie stores, while numerous coffee shops, bars and restaurants offer a unique culinary experience.

Bournemouth also has lots to offer you if you fancy walking around galleries and museums. The main attractions include a huge Oceanarium and Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, while there are three theatres in the area. For music lovers, the O2 Arena plays host to some of the biggest names in pop, though Canvas represents a cheaper alternative for students who fancy something a bit more underground. There is also an Odeon cinema located by the seafront.

Nightlife

One of the major things many students take into consideration when choosing their university is the nightlife. If a town is as quiet as church during a sermon, it’s probably not worth your time. Thankfully, the seaside town of Bournemouth is as lively and as bouncing as they come.

Although a lot of clubs have shut down in recent years, there are still two popular student clubs that continue to thrive. The Old Fire Station is – you guessed it – a converted fire station that always has something going on and caters to all kinds of music lovers. The venue regularly hosts live music sessions, while their regular club night includes Lollipop, which is the town’s longest running student party. It’s on every Friday and is only open to students.

The Student’s Union is an alternative option, while there is also a small cluster of other clubs as well as chain bars/clubs, including the always happening Walkabout which hosts club nights every weekend, and which will show all the sport you can handle.

Cameo is another nightclub that is popular with students and people known as locals, while Vinyl is your best bet if you and your mates want to get your groove onto some old classics, including S-Club 7 and Busted.

There is a hive of bars and pubs in and around the town centre, with some of the popular ones including Yates’ Wine Lodge, Inferno’s and the Irish pub O’Neill’s. Poole is only a short bus away, and here you will find a handful of cheerful and friendly bars and pubs.

So There It Is…

If you’re a beach lover, Bournemouth makes a lot of sense. The University of Bournemouth is one of the best uni’s in the country, while there is so much fun to be had in the town itself. If you’d like to find out a bit more, why not get in touch with us today to see what we can do for you?

Reading The Canterbury Tales at school was enough to put most off from even uttering the word “Canterbury” ever again. But Canterbury is one of the UK’s oldest and most beautiful cathedral cities that lies on the banks of the River Great Stour – and it’s also really popular with students.

Situated in the county of Kent, it’s perfectly positioned if studying near the city of London is important to you. Still lined by ancient Roman walls, it’s home to a coast, a bustling city centre and surrounding countryside that is waiting to be explored, as well as two top class universities. If you’re thinking of studying here for the next few years, let’s take a closer look at what it’s got to offer.

Universities In Canterbury

There are two universities in Canterbury. Both of their main campuses are located in a UNESCO World Heritage Site:

University of KentCanterbury Christ Church University

University of Kent

The University of Kent is ranked 23rd in latest league Guardian university rankings table. It scores highly for research quality (97% of their research is recognised as being of international standard) and student satisfaction, while 91% of students go onto complete their degree. Graduate prospects continue to be high.

The University of Kent is a hugely cosmopolitan uni with unrivalled international connections. Here, students can enjoy postgraduate programmes in Rome, Paris, Athens and Brussels. For anyone who wants to stay in the UK, the Canterbury campus is situated just 20 minutes from the city centre, and has good connections with London, while the European campuses are all close to the hearts of their respective cities.

Canterbury Christ Church University

Canterbury Christ Church University lies 109th in the latest Guardian league table rankings for 2017. 80% of students go onto complete their degree, while student satisfaction on the whole is good. The University is working hard to improve teaching standards, and is implementing more flexible learning environments that will parallel real workplace experiences.

University status was granted to Canterbury Christ Church in 2005, before which it existed as a college. It was later awarded the powers to add research degrees to its program in 2009.

There are three campuses; the main campus is located in the city centre of Canterbury, while other two are located in Medway and Broadstairs respectively, the latter being a quaint seaside resort.

There are hundreds of arts, humanities, social and applied sciences and educational courses on offer, while partnerships with local businesses ensures that professional placements will be guaranteed for some students.

Fee’s, Living Aspects & Student Finance

Most full-time courses at universities in Canterbury cost £9,000 per year in tuition fees, which is the maximum amount a university can charge you. The good news is that you’re not expected to pay the money upfront yourself; instead you can pop over to Student Finance and apply for funding. Nice one.

There are two types of loans that most students are eligible for:

• Tuition Fee Loan
• Maintenance Loan

The tuition fee loan covers your tuition fee in its entirety, from first year to last, and because it’s paid directly from the student loans company to your university, you never have to worry about it.

The maintenance loan is obviously finite, and it will run out eventually. For this reason, it’s important that you manage your finances sensibly so that you don’t have to beg your parents in January for more cash, or take on 3 jobs just so you can still survive. Living away from home is often an expensive business at the best of the times, but the cost of living in Canterbury is not cheap, and students here find that they spend more than the average student living in most other UK cities.

In terms of living aspects, Canterbury is one of the UK’s prettiest cities. If you decide to move into a house share, you won’t be short of attractive property. However, most first year students choose to move into a halls of residence, whether one provided by their university or a private building. There are obvious benefits: You get to meet like-minded people from day one, you get the protection of 24/7 security, and most halls are located just minutes from the university.

For students looking for halls of residences at the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus, you will find that there are 12 student accommodations on offer with 8 self catered residences and 4 catered residences. The cheapest halls of residence, which also turns out to be the most popular, are the Park Wood Houses starting at £4,400 per year. Halls of residence are not cheap, but because the cost of living in Canterbury is higher than the UK average, they still represent a solid option.

Canterbury Christ Church students have 9 student halls of residence to choose from including the newest accommodation; Petros Court. All of the rooms in Petros Court are Superior Rooms featuring a large bedroom and en-suite facilities, available at £167 per week. If you’re looking for slightly cheaper student accommodation you can choose Parham Road Student Village or Pin Hill, which both offer standard single study bedrooms for £121 per week sharing a bathroom and kitchen with other students.

If you are looking to live in private halls of accommodation instead you could consider:

• Palamon Court – from £140.00 per week

General Info about Canterbury

Canterbury has a total population of 151,000, and a student population of 28,000. It’s a historical medieval city that combines ancient ruins with contemporary buildings, making for a quaint, buzzing city that is known for its charm, and friendly locals.

Most people choose to walk around the city centre or cycle thanks to the presence of lots of pathways, and the roads rarely feel as busy as those in larger cities such as Manchester. Buses are frequent and reasonably priced for students, while London can be reached in just an hour by train.

Despite its market-town vibe, there are plenty of well-known high street brands here in Canterbury. Whitefriars Shopping Centre is especially crammed with all the big names, while there are also lots of indie retailers and vintage shops.

Events, Venues And Points Of Interest

As usual with a quaint English city, walking tours are available each day and are highly recommended if you want to get to know the city early on. And once you’re nicely settled in, there are lots of things to do in this medieval city that is stuffed with cosy pubs, historic streets and quality restaurants.

If you’re a bit of a culture vulture, you’ll be pleased to know that, besides the ancient Roman walls that line the streets, there are plenty of museums in Canterbury. These include the Canterbury Heritage Museum, the Roman Museum found at Longmarket, while the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge doubles up as a museum, a gallery and a library.

If you like a bit of theatre, you’ve got a choice of two; The Marlowe Theatre, which recently moved into a new building, as well as the University of Kent’s Gulbenkian theatre. The Marlowe stages Shakespeare, but it also hosts offbeat stand-up comedy night, too.

Points of interest include the glorious Canterbury Castle, a ragged Norman Fortress that sits amidst tranquil gardens and the ancient St Augustine’s Abbey, a church that was built way back in the 6th century.

If you like your music, you’ll find that a lot of the best bands that visit Canterbury play at the versatile Marlowe Theatre, and you will also be able to catch musicals here too. Other gig venues in the city include the Playhouse Theatre and The Front Bar.

Canterbury is also not too far from the coast or countryside, so whenever you want to get out of the buzzing city centre and chill out, you can do so easily.

And if you simply must find out just what the heck The Canterbury Tales were really about, you could pop into the Canterbury Tales building, where you can also enjoy a recreation of old, medieval England.

Nightlife

One of the most common concerns students have when they’re considering studying in Canterbury is whether the nightlife is any good.

Naturally, Canterbury is no match for London or Manchester when it comes to its selection of pubs and clubs, but it’s still got a lot of good vibes to offer students and because the city centre is compact, most of the pubs and clubs are within walking distance of one another.

The Cuban is arguably the most popular bar/club in the city. Ideally located on High Street, it’s trendy, not too expensive and reserves Monday’s for student events. At the weekend, it gets busy with the locals and prices do go higher, but you can buy a £10 queue-jump card which will last you all year.

The Venue is located right next to the University of Kent campus and is the biggest club in Canterbury. Friday’s and Saturday’s get packed with all kinds of people. Student Republic – as Wednesday night is called – is a huge night that blasts out the best house and electro music around.

If you prefer to just chill out at pubs, The Old Brewery Tavern is always a safe bet. Weekends get busy and prices are a bit high, but it’s a smart pub that is always doing something to keep things lively. Thursday’s are Jaeger Rocks nights, which can only mean one thing – Jaeger bombs for just £2.

Chill is probably your best option if you’re out on a random night of the week and need somewhere to go. It’s always open and the drinks are always cheap. AlphaBeats is your midweek night for cheese and drink stains, while Tuesday night’s Glitterbomb event usually always means students are crawling on Wednesday’s.

Other pubs in the city that are student friendly include The Jolly Sailor, The Penny Theatre and The Lounge.

So, There It Is…

Canterbury might be a really old city, but it seamlessly weaves together history with a contemporary look and feel. If you’re still not sure whether this is the city for you, feel free to browse the rest of our website until you find what you’re looking for.

Located on the idyllic coast of South West Wales, Swansea cultivates a maritime atmosphere. Crammed with food, culture, pubs, bars and unique shopping opportunities, it’s also a great place to study. Home to two universities and a regenerated city centre, it’s relatively cheap, always cheerful and always beautiful. If you’re thinking of studying here, let’s take a look at what it’s all about!

Universities In Swansea

There are two universities in Swansea:

Swansea UniversityUniversity of Wales, Trinity Saint David

Swansea University

Perched on the coast, the Swansea University currently sits 52nd in the latest Guardian rankings. Research quality is exemplary, student satisfaction is high, while 90% of students go onto complete their degree. Graduate prospects, meanwhile, are among the best in the UK.

The University was first formed back in 1920 and can claim a bit of history for being the first campus-based university in the UK. The motto – Skill is nothing without Culture – hints at the University’s tradition of mixing science with academic, humanities and enterprise.

There are two campuses, both of which are nestled next to the coast. Starting from 2017, every programme will require a certain GCSE or A level requirement, and there is a wide range of joint honours available. Work placements are available to all students thanks to the Swansea Employability Academic.

There are 350 undergraduate courses on offer.

University of Wales, Trinity Saint David

The University of Wales, Trinity Saint David currently sits 117th in the latest Guardian rankings. It’s one of the youngest universities in the United Kingdom, and was formed only as recently as 2010 when a few colleges and universities merged together, including Swansea Metropolitan University and Coleg Ceredigion.

80% of all students go onto complete their degree. There are numerous campuses that are spread out across SW Wales, while there is also an international campus located in the city of London. One of the 3 main campuses is found here in Swansea, with the other two in Carmarthen and Lampeter respectively. Each campus offers its own character, with Swansea’s history going as far back as 1853!

There are a wide range of courses offered. Entry requirement for each one is to be found on the website. Learning options are flexible, while 47% of the research carried out by the university has been classed as world leading.

Fees, Living Aspects & Student Finance

If anything puts the dampers on applying for university, it’s the fees. We wish we could tell you that your course will cost absolutely nothing, but sadly we can’t!

If you’re a Welsh national looking to study in Swansea, you can hop on over to Student Finance Wales to apply for funding. If you want to commence your studies in September, the deadline for applications is May.

Universities in Swansea can charge up to £9,000 per year in tuition fees. If you can’t pay all of this yourself, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and a Fee Grant from Student Finance Wales.

The Tuition Fee Loan only covers £3,810 of your fees and you will be required to pay it back once you graduate and are earning more than £22,000 per year.

The Fee Grant covers £5,190 of your loan and is non-repayable.

Neither loan or grant is income-assessed, which means that you are automatically eligible as long as your course is.

Because the Tuition Fee Loan is repayable, some Welsh students choose to just apply for the Fee Grant and pay the remainder of the fees themselves.

If you are an English, Northern Irish or Scottish national looking to study in Wales, you will need to apply for funding from Student Finance England. Providing you are eligible, SF will offer to cover the entirety of your course with a Tuition Fee Loan which is repayable, while they will also make a contribution towards your costs of living with a Maintenance Loan. The exact amount you will be entitled to will be decided by your personal circumstances, but the most any student can receive is £5,750 per year.

If you want to know more about student finance read our handy guide here.

The good news is that the cost of living in Swansea is low compared to other cities in the UK. The average amount a student living in Swansea spends on various expenditures can be broken down like thus:

• Rent – £86.00 per week
• Travel – £12.00 per week
• Books – £7.60 per week
• Leisure – £25.00 per week
• Food – £40.00 per week
• Clothes – £10.00 per week

In terms of where you will live, most students arriving in Swansea for the first time choose to stay in student halls of residence. This gives them a chance to meet likeminded people straight away, and most halls of residences provide 24/7 security, while bills are conveniently included in the rent. However, a private house share is also an option, and these are usually a lot cheaper.

At Swansea University first year students have four halls of accommodation to choose from with the biggest being Bay Campus. Rooms at Bay Campus are mainly en-suite with average prices starting at £138 per week. The cheapest halls of residence at Swansea University is Hendrefoelan Student Village (HSV) with 1030 standard rooms available at £89 per week. These rooms are all provided with shared bathrooms and kitchens which drives the price down massively.

For those students looking to study at the University of Wales Trinity St David, depending on the campus you are studying at you have various halls of residences to choose from. If you’re studying at the Swansea campus you could live at Townhill Campus or Mount Pleasant Campus starting at £64 per week for a twin study bedroom. If you’re based at the Carmarthen Campus  you can choose Myrddin, Tower or Non with all halls of residences being catered which means you don’t even have to cook for yourself! Lastly, if you’re based at the Lampeter Campus you have the choice of self catered or catered accommodation.

For students that want to avoid the hustle and bustle of university accommodation, you can choose to live in private halls of accommodation. Here are the two most popular private halls of residence in Swansea:

• St. Davids – £121.00 per week
• Gloucester Chambers – £80.00 per week

General Info About Swansea

Swansea is the second biggest city in Wales, and the 25th in the whole of the UK. Perched next to the sea, it’s well known for its vibrant seaside village environment and colourful mixture of students, friendly locals and tourists.

Not to mention its beach!

Getting out and about in the city centre is easy thanks to a reliable and busy bus network. Student bus passes help to lower your travel costs, while the train station links up with London Paddington on the main east-west line. Traffic-free cycle paths course through the city streets, ensuring a safe route from campus to the city centre – and back.

The current population stands at just over 450,000. Around 25,000 are students, with 13,500 studying at the University of Swansea. Labour are currently in charge of the Swansea Council, while the city is twinned with popular Irish city, Cork, as well as Mannheim in Germany.

Events, Venues And Points Of Interest

There are lots of thing to do and see in Swansea during downtime. The city is home to numerous sport and leisure centres, and can also offer tip top swimming and tennis facilities.

Continuing with the adventurous, keep-fit theme, you can also mend your way into the nearby countryside for some golfing, fishing, hiking or wind surfing, while you can also ride horses on the beach.

There are 52 green spaces dotted in and around Swansea, and these include a clutch of award-winning gardens and parks that make the city a pleasant place to be.

If you’re a culture vulture, the Taliesin Arts Centre remains popular with anyone who enjoys art, film, live performances, ballet dance and music. The Egypt Centre, meanwhile, is based on the Swansea University’s campus and is an accredited museum. There is also the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery to visit, as well as the Swansea Museum and the Dylan Thomas Centre.

Swansea can also boast a brand new £30,000,00 National Waterfront Museum that attracts some 250,000 visitors per year.

You won’t be stuck for places to shop, either. Here you will find all the big high street names, as well as few vintage and indie stores, while the main supermarkets – Tesco, Lidl and Sainsburys – are located in the city centre.

If you love live music, The Vault is an absolute must. Here you will find the best live music that will ever come to Swansea during your time here, and you’ll also be partaking in a bit of history; The Vault is an old wine cellar that was first built in the 1400’s and was featured in a Dylan Thomas poem. Food is also served here, along with good wine and good times.

Or, if you just want to chill all day and night, you and your mates can sit on the beach, drink a few shandies and muse on the meaning of life.

Nightlife

Legendary poet and heavy drinker Dylan Thomas was born in Swansea, which means that his birthplace simply has to have a few drinking dens to celebrate his spirit, right?

Right!

The city of Swansea is home to numerous bars, pubs and clubs, and is an attractive proposition to students who like to party.

Often described by past and present students as “incredible”, the Swansea nightlife can’t really be bettered elsewhere.

If you like to hit the clubs after a few sherbets at your mate’s house, Wind Street is your best bet. Lined with some of the best student-friendly clubs in town, everything is within easy reach of each other, with Fiction being the standout choice. On Monday night, Skint plays the chest in chart and cheese music, and entry is just a quid. Wednesday’s entry price is a fiver but Underground is easily the best student night in town.

Union nights are always a laugh on Thursday and Friday. Rarely classy but always lots of fun!

But the nightlife in Swansea isn’t just about the clubs. There are top quality pubs and bars here that offer amazing views of the sea. Some of the best on offer include The Bay View, Pump House, The Adelphi, Bar Reef and The Westbourne.

So There It Is…

If you like what you’ve read and think that Swansea might have everything you need, from seaside views to sticky club floors, good luck to you!

If, however, you’re still unsure, why not take a look around Coursefindr for alternative cities?

Located on the banks of the River Tay, Dundee is Scotland’s fourth biggest city. Beautiful and historic, anyone spending their student lives here gets to enjoy the best of both the city centre and the surrounding wistful countryside. With two excellent universities to choose from and a happening nightlife, Dundee represents an interesting alternative to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Let’s take a closer look at what the city has to offer.

Universities In Dundee

There are two universities to choose from in Dundee:

University of DundeeAbertay University

University of Dundee

The University of Dundee is one of Scotland’s oldest universities, and was founded back in 1881, becoming a College of St Andrews University six years later. It didn’t become a fully independent university until 1967 however, which means it will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary next year.

The main campus is situated right in the heart of Dundee, and is just a few minutes walk away from the major high street where all the shops are. The university is currently ranked 35th in the 2017 league table rankings. It scores highly for research quality, student satisfaction and graduate prospects, while 86% of students go on to complete their degrees.

Over 200 courses are offered by the university. Most are flexible, and students can even change their degree specialism as late as the second year. Art and design, engineering and the life sciences make up some of the courses on offer.

The student union here is well worth a mention; it’s been voted number 1 in Scotland for the last 4 years, and claimed fourth spot in the whole of the UK two years ago.

Abertay University

Abertay was originally known as the Dundee Technical Institute when it was first founded in 1888. In 1902, the Scottish authorities claimed it to be one of the first “industrial universities” in the country.

The university is based right in the centre of Dundee, with all the buildings clustered together on a very compact campus. Buses are frequent, though it takes just a few minutes to get from uni to the shops.

Aberay university currently sits 86th in the latest league table rankings. Graduate prospects are high, while 77% of students go on to complete their degree.

Four-year degree programs are offered, but students have the option to take an accelerated degree which will allow them to complete their course in three years. The university is divided into 4 academic departments:

• School of Arts, Media and Computer Games
• Dundee Business School
• School of Science, Engineering and Tech
• School of Social and Health Sciences

Fee’s, Living Aspects & Student Finance

We’d love to be able to tell you that university is totally free, and guess what? We can!

Unlike in England, a Scottish university’s tuition fee is covered entirely by the Students Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) – provided you’re a Scottish national, that is.

This means that if you study in Dundee and are from Scotland, you won’t be asked to contribute a penny towards the cost of your course.

There has to be a catch, right? Maybe you have to repay everything once you graduate? Or maybe you’re expected to climb Ben Nevis as a contribution?!

Nope, no catch!

If, however, you are Welsh, English or Irish, you will have to pay for your tuition fees in Dundee yourself. You can apply for funding from Student Finance, who will pay your fee’s for you in the form of a tuition fee loan if you are eligible (and most students are). This loan is repayable once you graduate and are earning more than £21,000 per year.

You can also apply for a maintenance loan from SF that will help to cover the cost of living during your tenure. The exact amount you are paid will come down to personal circumstances, but the most any student can receive a year is £5,750.

Scottish students need to apply for a maintenance loan from the good people at SAAS. Maintenance loans may a significant contribution towards your living costs while you’re at university. To make sure you don’t spend it all within a few weeks, your loan is deposited into your account in three separate instalments:

• September (once you’ve registered)
• January
• April

Unlike UK-based students, Scottish students can receive as much as £8,200 per year from SAAS. It is all repayable, however.

However much you receive, and whether or not you choose to supplement your income with a part-time job, you will need to make sure that your money stretches as far as possible. Students need to spread their cost of living across food, study materials, socialising, transportation, rent, bills and so on.

The estimated cost of living for students in Dundee is around £7,000 per year, with a large chunk of this going on accommodation. Many students find that they overspend during the first week or two as they find their feet, but soon settle down. Students in Dundee typically spend around:

• Food – £120 per month
• Accommodation – £200 – £600 per month
• Socialising – £75 per month
• Phone – £25 per month
• Incidents – £20 per month

It should also be noted that the cost of living here is around 11% lower than the United Kingdom’s average, making it the 10th most cost effective student city in the UK. Read more about the most cost effective cities in the UK here.

In terms of where you live, most first year students choose to live in halls of residence, whether private ones or those provided by their university. Although student halls tend to be more expensive than house shares, it gives you a chance to straight away meet like-minded people, and generally helps you to get into the swing of things. If you’re hoping to study at the University of Dundee you’ll be able to choose from seven halls of residences, with the largest being Heathfield accommodating over 400 students every year. Healthfield costs £139 per week for a standard room sharing with 5 other students. If you’re looking for somewhere a tad cheaper to live you can pay £122 per week to live at West Park Flats which accommodates 140 students and is located between the Medical School and the City Campus.

Students that are planning on studying at Abertay University can pick from four halls of residence. The cheapest is the Economy Room at Lyon Street Halls with prices starting at £75.24 per week where you will live in a 2 bedroom flat with your own room, sharing a bathroom and a kitchen with your flatmate. However, if you’re looking for something with a bit of luxury you can apply to live in an en-suite room at Meadowside Halls for £108.31 per week.

Some first year students decided instead to live in a private halls of residence. Below is a list of the best private halls in Dundee:

• The Hub
• Campus Apartments
• Keiller Court

General Info

Dundee is the 51st most populous area in the UK, and it’s also wee Scotland’s 4th biggest city. It’s hugely proud of its history and heritage, but it’s also looking forward to the future; thanks to recent investment that has cleaned the place up, the city now looks fresh and contemporary, and can offer students top-notch culture, shopping centres, entertainment, quality cuisine – and, of course, pubs.

The city of Dundee is well-serviced by public transport. Getting around on foot is easy, too, thanks to a compact and heavily pedestrianised city centre. Railway links are good, and there are direct services to London, York and Newcastle. A train to Glasgow or Edinburgh, meanwhile, takes around 1-2 hours. For anyone who can afford it, Dundee airport provides regular flights to England’s capital city and has recently started flying to Amsterdam!

Both universities are situated in the heart of the city.

Events, Venues & Points Of Interest

Dundee is ideally situated on the banks of the Tay, while the stunning Highlands are a short drive away. As such, getting out and about and making the most of your down time is easy.

If you’re a culture vulture, the Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre regularly hosts plays and films, while you can take in some ballet and dance at the Whitehall Theatre. The Verdant Works, meanwhile, offers a unique take on history, while the McManus Galleries is your go-to place for historical art and the Dundee Contemporary Arts for modern art. Science buffs will also be interested in the Mills Observatory, the UK’s only full-time observatory available to the public.

There are two cinemas here; an Odeon and a Multiplex, both of which are home to fifteen screens that show the latest blockbusters, as well as a few films you may not have heard of.

Retail therapy, meanwhile, is provided by the Wellgate and Overgate centres.

There are plenty of great places to eat out when you’re feeling flush and not too hungover, with our top picks including:

• Agacan (packed with local art and excellent grub)
• Avery and Co (welcoming staff and fresh ingredients)
• Parlour Café (quirky little café, usually busy!)
• Tartan Coffee House (Scottish cuisine with your coffee?)

Edge of the city retreats include the historic Broughty Castle, Camperdown Country Park, and the University of Dundee’s very own Botanic Gardens.

Nightlife

Refreshingly, the University of Dundee offers a totally free night bus for students who want to head out after dark. This bus service is restricted to the city’s boundaries and is really useful and really popular. Use it if you can!

Once you do stumble out of your student digs for the night with your half-empty can of cider still in your hand, you’ll be pleased to know that all the best pubs are situated without spitting distance of your uni. Most of these are on the banks of the Tay, which affords them an excellent view on sunny spring evenings.

If you fancy a club (lol “if”), you’re not going to be spoiled for choice in Dundee, and you may find that once you and your squad take a liking to one, it’s probably going to be the same one you return to until you start your second year and disown it because you’re now all sophisticated.

Fat Sam’s is a constant student fav, with Wednesday’s being its most popular student night. It also doubles up as a gig venue and occasionally welcomes in some reality TV stars (usually on a Saturday night). Liquid is Dundee’s biggest mainstream club; it’s absolutely massive, comes with booths and intimidating doormen that refuse all riffraff. Underground, meanwhile, is a cool basement club that plays everything from rock to RnB.

So There It Is…

Dundee looks a lot better than it did a few years ago, and is nowadays a burgeoning student-friendly city.

Located in the beautiful county of Norfolk, Norwich is one of the UK’s most eastern cities. Close enough to the coast so as to offer easy-access to days out at the seaside, it’s also got a nice, compact city-centre feel to it. Vibrant, forward-thinking and densely populated, it’s also home to a pair of universities and a whole lot of attractions for students. Let’s take a closer look at what what this medieval city has got to offer.

Universities In Norwich

There are two universities in Norwich:

University of East Anglia (UEA)Norwich University of the Arts

University of East Anglia (UEA)

The University of East Anglia is one of the UK’s top performing universities, and currently sits 14th in the latest league table rankings. It scores very highly for research quality and student satisfaction, while 92% of students go on to complete their degree.

The campus, which is located just 15 minutes from the city centre, recently benefited from millions of pounds worth of investment, and now incorporates a range of award-winning buildings, state-of-the-art facilities and research hubs.

Although entry requirements differ from course to course, students need to have at least a C in GCSE English or Maths. Most modes of study are full-time, while a good number of courses offer the flexibility of study abroad, as well as a year in a relevant industry.

UEA ranks highly for teaching standards, while notable alumni includes Douglas Carswell MP and Tupou VI, the present King of Tonga.

Norwich University of the Arts

Norwich University of the Arts is a specialist university that focuses on art and design, media and architecture. It was officially given full uni status in 2012, though has existed as a school for higher education for 171 years.

The University is made up of seven buildings, all of which are located right in the centre of the city and is just a ten minute stroll from the main train station. The University offers three separate areas of accommodation for first year students.

Notable alumni includes Turner Prize nominee Glenn Brown and Bernard Meadows, a modernist sculptor.

Fees, Living Aspects And Student Finance

Is there anything that can kill the buzz of applying for university than working out how much it’s going to cost? Probably not (apart from your mum asking if you want her to visit you every other weekend to check you’ve been doing your washing).

Although most courses in Norwich nowadays cost £9,000 per year, the good news is that help with your funding is at hand. Student Finance is your place to go to apply for funding.

Read our student loan guide for everything you need to know about the student loans process.

However you cover your cost of living, managing your finances sensibly is possibly something you’ll be doing for the first time when you go to uni. Although lots of students set up a student bank account which includes a fairly generous overdraft, careful budgeting is a sensible idea if you’re to make your loan stretch as long as possible.

The cost of living for the average student in Norwich is as follows:

• Rent – £82 per week
• Food and drink – £23 per week
• Utilities – £14 per week
• Books and course materials – £5 per week
• Gym membership – £1 per week

In terms of where you’ll live during the first year, most students choose to move into a student halls of residence. There are lots of advantages if you go down this route: You’ll get to meet like minded people straight off the bat, pay your bills with your rent, and enjoy 24/7 security. Moreover, most student halls are located right in the heart of the city centre and are just a few minutes stroll from the universities.

However, there is also the option of moving into a private house share with fellow students, which is often cheaper and still gives you the chance to meet new people. Some students also choose to live in a private house share because they don’t want to live in the city centre.

General Info

Norwich was one of our most important cities in medieval times, and today continues to be at the forefront of change and progress, blending historical interest with contemporary sophistication.

The city has a total population of 133,000, with students accounting for 15,000. It’s one of the UK’s smallest cities, but still has a lot going on, from ancient attractions to modern pubs, bars and restaurants. There are direct trains to London, though reaching more northern cities can be tricky; for example, a trip to Manchester usually first requires a train to London.

The local bus service covers the whole city, and student discounts are offered. Norwich City is the main sporting attraction, though they have just been relegated from the Premier League!

Winters get cold, thanks to biting easterly winds blowing in from the North Sea, while the coast is reachable in less than an hour by bus or train. Perfect for those searing summer days when all you want is an ice cream and a sandcastle!

Events, Venues And Points of Interest

Whatever time of year it is, there is always something to do in Norwich, a booming regional capital that is just two hours away from London by train.

The music scene here is thriving, and live music aficionados will feel right at home. There are intimate cafes found down alleyways, as well as huge theatres that play host to open-air events. Live music venues include The Crypt, which stocks quality wines and cocktails, The Blueberry Music House and the Waterfront, which offers drinkers gorgeous waterfront views, while there is also the Platform Theatre for plays and all things creative, as well as the Norwich Theatre Royal.

There are lots of cinemas here, too; for all the latest blockbusters, there is Vue, while Cinema City is actually one of the biggest indie cinemas in the whole country. Here, you will be able to watch the latest and greatest foreign films and art house cinema.

Points of interest are plentiful in this medieval city. The Normans arrived here hundreds of years ago, and their mark is still prevalent. Check out the Castle and Cathedral if you love your history, while the Castle’s museum is also worth a visit. The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, meanwhile, can boast works from art masters such as Degas and Picasso.

If you want to head outdoors, Go Ape is an adventure activity course for anyone who wants to get their hands dirty, while the Bishop’s Gardens is a hit with students who just want to chill out.

But lots of students find themselves exploring the towns that surround Norwich. Great Yarmouth is a gorgeous seaside town that is easy to reach by bus or train, while market towns such as Loddon, Harleston and Diss are must-see spots for anyone who wants to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a while.

Nightlife

You’ll have only been in your halls for a week before your liver is crying out for help. At the same time, your Facebook is absolutely stuffed with invites to Norwich pubs and clubs, so much so that Facebook thinks you’ve been hacked.

This is because the Norwich nightlife is seriously cool for students. Let’s take a look at the best it has to offer.

One of the smallest but more pleasant clubs in the city is Lola Lo. It sells fairly pricey cocktails, but comes with some posh toilets and an ace dance floor. On a Monday night, the entry is free until 1am, while drinks generally don’t cost much more than £3. Thursday’s Let’s Kill Disco is a popular night; it’s free before 11PM and £4 after.

Wonderland is the city’s most popular super club. It’s absolutely massive (well, for Norwich. Londoners would sneer and call it quaint), comes with three rooms – and karaoke. Monday night is your best student night; Revival costs a fiver during freshers and comes with “dancers, inflatables and more.” Guess you’ll have to wait to find out.

The LCR, though, is the Norwich students real home proper. Everyone who has drank in Norwich has embarrassed themselves here at some point down the line, and the best nights for students are Tuesdays and Saturdays. You can get a double vodka for £3.

There are lots of student friendly pubs in and around Norwich too, including the Fat Cat, the Murderers (I know), The Garden House and The Bell Hotel. All are situated in close proximity of one another.

So There It Is…

If you like what you’ve read and think Norwich might be for you but would like a little bit more info, you can shoot a friendly member of our team an email anytime.

And good luck with your application!