Student Experience Survey 2018: ‘At over £9K a year, is a degree worth it?’

Tony Allen, BA in literature and history, University of East Anglia

“As a campus university, UEA’s facilities play a part in its strong cohesive feel. The students’ union building provides many services under one roof and seating for students to congregate. There are always students walking or jogging around the campus lake. Events like Derby Day and Pimp My Barrow create a university-wide buzz and fill up The Square – the historic campus centre – a great place to meet and relax in summer.”

More on the 2018 Student Experience Survey

Student Experience Survey 2018: methodology 
Student Experience Survey 2018: Higher education sector still raises the bar in a turbulent year  
Student Experience Survey 2018: Protecting free speech while keeping students safe 
Student Experience Survey 2018: Loughborough says its students’ ‘get-up-and-go’ attitude is the key to its success 
Student Experience Survey 2018: Staffordshire’s 24-hour campus that works for all 
Student Experience Survey 2018: Keeping mental health in mind 
Student Experience Survey 2018: the rising stars of higher education 

Musa Yusuff, BA in politics and economics, Loughborough University

“Loughborough wasn’t my first choice but I’m so glad I came here. There are many opportunities open to you. I’ve been to study abroad in Taiwan for a year and I play at a high level of rugby while having a high level of academics, too. People are helped and developed here – I’ve recently been fortunate to be selected for the provisional England Students Rugby Squad. I’ve also been well supported since discovering I had dyslexia in my second year.”

Janique Zarneh, BSc in forensic psychology, Teesside University

“At Teesside, dedicated lecturers deliver talks and seminars that serve students well in assignments, exams and the world beyond academia. The environment is stimulating, supportive and facilitates learning. The newly refurbished library, complete with Costa Coffee, is equipped with an abundance of resources, and differentiated and creative learning settings cater to individualised learning styles and preferences.”

Ellen Teesdale, BSc in biology, University of St Andrews

“After the initial struggle of settling into university life, about halfway through the first semester I began to really enjoy my time at St Andrews. What I liked most was that I was able to pick modules in topics that did not relate to my major: I’m majoring in biology but did a module on Ancient Greece. It helped me decide that biology was what I wanted to do and gave me the freedom to make sure I had made the right subject choice for my degree.”

Eve Alcock, BSc in psychology, University of Bath

“With fees at £9,250 per year at UK universities and the average student debt reaching £50,000, it’s fair to ask: is it worth it? I graduate this year from the University of Bath, and after four incredible years, I can safely say, yes. During my time at Bath, I’ve been involved in six students’ union societies. I have also written for the union newspaper, helped organise charity events and even hitchhiked to Paris dressed as a 118 runner.”

Georgia Speechley, BSc in forensic psychology, University of Sheffield

“The University of Sheffield has supported me an unexpected amount. I was scared that moving to university would cause me to become just a number with a series of corresponding grades, meaning my disability – an anxiety disorder – would go unnoticed and unsupported. However, the services at the university make me feel I am more than a number and they treat me as an individual rather than a disordered case.”