Undergraduate Student Experiences
Bournemouth University students tell us what it is like to study as an Undergraduate student at HSC.
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Wayne Bennett BSc (Hons) Nutrition |
"I wanted to undertake a degree as I was studying an Open University course from home whilst I was working, and I wanted to experience the University life. The main reason for undertaking BSc Nutrition is because I am interested in how food effects people, and am especially interested in how food affects those who have a learning disability. I chose Bournemouth University as my partner had recently studied there, and recommended it, plus it's beside the sea, which is always nice on a sunny day.
So far, the best thing about my course has been the friends I've made and some of the wonderful lecturers. Labs are always good fun-and even though the second year has suddenly became a lot harder, it's still great all the same.
As for the staff on my course, the most wonderful would have to be Debbie Gale. She's helped me out with so very much, and is very approachable. She really is fantastic! That's not to say that the other academic staffs aren't anything but amazing!
I've really enjoyed the beach. It's nice to go there on a sunny afternoon when lectures are finished and kick back on the beach. I'm currently the Secretary of the Nutrition Society and I am also a PAL leader to the first years. It's great to be a PAL leader as I get to help out the first years through my own experiences.
The best thing about studying in Bournemouth is just how wonderful it is! The two campuses of the University are completely different, which makes it a great experience studying at both of them. It's very close to the town centre, which is pretty awesome for shopping and eating! There's many lovely little cafe's and restaurants within a 5-minute walk of the Lansdowne Campus! Add to that one of the loveliest beaches I've ever seen, and it's all pretty fantastic!
So far at Bournemouth University I've had a fantastic time. I've learnt so much, and have found that the staff are easily approachable. I have done much, which I could never have done if I'd stayed studying from home, from being a Student Ambassador and Student Rep to the many friends I've made and the vast wealth of information I've obtained in this short time."
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James Ackroyd DipHE Operating Department Practice |
"I thoroughly enjoy every minute as a student, whether that be in University or on placement. I enjoy the challenge of working alongside experts in their field and learning from them with the hope that I am setting myself up for a long and interesting career!
I had worked as an HCA in the operating theatres at Bournemouth hospital for two years and was fascinated by the world of the ODP (operating department practitioner). Luckily, my employers encourage advancement and when I mentioned that I was hoping to join BU they gave me all the support I needed. Bournemouth itself is an amazing city and the University has a fantastic reputation so choosing to remain here was an easy one.
The ODP course is superb, it's quite a personalised course so the whole group has a great relationship with each other and the staff. It's also mainly placement based so you really can learn your trade on the job, alongside this the staff are always accessible and will do anything in their power to help students.
The staff are all fully trained practitioners and so really know what it is like to work in theatres. They provide varied and dynamic academic sessions and are more then happy to receive student feedback and learn from this themselves. Students have huge input and the ODP course is constantly improving as a result of this. During my time there have only been 3 lecturers and they are all very friendly and approachable which makes the pressure of being a student so much easier to deal with.
Our course is heavily placement based, as students we spend a lot of time working in operating theatres learning the job as we go. In my personal opinion this is not only the most enjoyable, but also the most effective way of learning. It also allows us to socialise with the staff and is enhancing our job prospects when we qualify.
I'm an active person, I play football three times a week, I sail and when I can afford it I go skiing. Socialising is a massive part of the University lifestyle, the life skills learned here go hand in hand with academic skills in setting up the rest of your life and there is no place like Uni to do this!
I'm a student rep, a student ambassador and I'm hoping to be accepted onto the student development programme this year as well. They clubs and societies around BU are numerous and there really is something for everyone spread over both campus'.
There really isn't much not to like about Bournemouth. It's right on the beach, the night life is amazing - people come from all over the country to experience it. My friends certainly visit me a lot more now I'm down here! A lot of the social aspects centre around BU, there are always deals for students so that budget doesn't really need to be stretched to have a good time.
I'm in my final year at BU now, and although I can't wait to qualify and put the skills I've learned to use, I really will miss the student life. BU understands the importance of socialising, clubs and societies and how much they contribute to our experience as students. Academically, I can't fault anything, there is so much support. Even away from the course there is always someone to talk to or go to for advice, from the askBU service, to reps of varying levels and the liaison officers dotted around both Talbot and Lansdowne. I really would recommend BU to anyone that wants not only to achieve a great qualification, but also wants to have a great time doing it."
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Bryony Wenban BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing |
"A degree in anything opens so many doors, but a degree in Nursing really leads me down the road I want to go. There are also numerous courses I can undertake once I have graduated so that my career can grow. Overall, my academic experience has taught me many life skills as well as the specific skills required to become a nurse. University life has eased me into becoming an independent member of society. The staff on my course are all very friendly and approachable and the course is taught on the Lansdowne campus which has an amicable feel. The placements that we go on as nurses really help to put our skills into practise and to continue our personal and professional development.
When not on placement or in lectures, there are many different activities to partake in. Being in Lansdowne means that we are in the centre of town so can go shopping or just for a coffee with friends. Everything is easily accessible, even Talbot campus is only a short bus journey away and has loads of sports and societies to join. The best thing about Bournemouth is that you get all the benefits of the town and the beach at once. The nightlife is brilliant and the atmosphere of the town is buzzing.
I have really enjoyed my time in Bournemouth and would recommend that anyone considering the university looks into it further as there has been a lot of money spent and is continuing to be spent of improving the student experience and quality of teaching and it is easy to see these improvements impacting on our lives."
