310 reviews
3.98 / 5 based on 310 reviews

Useful |
1
Robert D
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Other
Other sources of funding:
Other
Work opportunities:
I worked during my study abroad experience
Personal spending habits
because the UK is very expensive anyway, and additional the pound is strong against the Euro, and the minimum wage for jobs is relatively low
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Travel, Housing, Food, Overall, Telephone, Nightlife:
was more expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
generally the life is two times more expensive than in continental europe, but the quality is lower
is
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Useful |
1
Robert D
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English
How much did you improve your English?
My level before: At ease in most situations
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
the scottish are friendly and pacient with foreigners who have difficulties with the local accent
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Useful |
4
Robert D
Overall
I wish I had known...
In terms of finance, britain is a rib off
do not believe nice web pages, look at the facilities first
do not compare a british b.sc. with a german Dipl.-Phys. or Dipl.-Ing.
please be aware, every administration is a big mess
keep a health insurance at home and take a plane in case you are seriously ill
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In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
this university is not to blame for things which are generally not working in britain, but they might improve in the following:
printer facillities
general computer and experimental facilities for phd students
a flexible approach with the lease contract for the student accomodation, in particular for oversea students
BE MORE DEMANDING IN YOUR COURSES, ASSIGNMENTS AND FINAL YEARS DISSERTATIONS.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
The International Students Office is very helpfull
The careers service in Livingstone tower is very helpfull
the student/staff commitee is allright. I have been the representative for the phd students in the student/staff committee in mechanical engineering for several years.
General advice for students from continental europe:
undergraduates:
have a nice time, finish your course, you will find it easy and you will get a very good mark at home, you have the exchange foreign student bonus.
do not stay here to finish your degree. return and finish your degree at home, even if it takes you long and it is difficult.
postgraduates:
make sure that you get funding to cover the fees.
Masters:
the one/two years master course is not at all equivalent to the studies
after the third year (for Diplom, Matrise, Doctore, Ing.). It can be recommended if you want to change the subject (chemical engineer want to work as bioengineer). it can be recommended if you have in germany 'erstes Staatsexamen', a teacher's degree, and you want a
complete degree without completing the teachers training ('Refrendardienst'). It can be recommended, if you completed in Germany an engineers college degree ('Fachhochschule') and you want to proceed with a doctorate. britain offers here opportunities which do not exist in this form in continental europe.
MPhil
never go for an MPhil. nobody in the whole world knows what an MPhil is. It is a degree for those who could not finish with their PhD. In reality, the MPhil thesis is similar to a german diplom thesis, which takes in Physics for example also one year with the possibility of extension.
PhD's
do not believe the myth of the three years. it will take you four years or longer. make sure that you have the funding.
look at the facilities before you decide to start, but be flexible and make the best out of the circumstances.
PhD fellows are 80% foreigners. There is generally a high level of education and you find many friends.
In contrast to the undergraduate studies, the PhD is on a sound level and well accepted all over the places, additional you will have
experience abroad, and if you can attract a famous scolarship it will be
an advantage later.
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1
Robert D
Academic
Course recommendations
I did not attend classes, I supervised students during my time as PhD student and Marie Curie Research Fellow.Compared with Germany or France, the subjects are easy and the studies are fast.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
in general, the system makes it too easy and too superficial
the british approach of universities as business with the obligation to make a profit causes a general disregard of the academia and the way how the things are handled is determined by the financial issues.
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course

Useful |
1
Robert D
Student life
Describe host city:
Students equally interact with the local and student community
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Activities, Nightlife, Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
join the ramshorn theatre group
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Useful |
1
Robert D
Housing
Type of housing: flat sharing with other postgraduate students
Arranged by: Independently - My choice
If returning, I would choose: On campus
Why?
no council tax war with the sloppy city council tax office
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Personal comments
generally good, but andrew ure hall is too expensive
the family accomodation is too far outside
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