University of Birmingham Speciality : Economics
programme: International Economy and Business

I have positively enjoyed my university experience so far. Birmingham has provided my with so many future life skills and I have truly developed into the best version of myself. The university provides a supportive environment and a multitude of facilities and opportunities to help students to grow academically and personally. The campus is certainly one of my favourite aspects. the beautiful red brick buildings and sense of community have provided so much comfort away from home.
Academically, the quality of teaching is high and communication with lecturers is excellent. The library has plenty of resources and study spots, making it a great place during exam season. As an International Business with French student, I have a mixture of lectures and seminars. As part of the business programme, we are required to engage with a lot of group work. I have had mixed experiences with group projects. In general, I have had the opportunity to work with students from across the world, which has been insightful to learn about different cultures and alternative perspectives. However, I have struggled with the lack of effort from some group members in the past and I have often had to carry the weight of the work. Despite this, we have a platform that allows us to rate other group members across various criterion so that the lecturer can alter grades depending on which group members have truly contributed to the project. I can honestly say that the academic support is strong and the resources available to us are plentiful.
Outside of academics the university provides a multitude of opportunities, ranging from societies to sports to events. For the past two years I have played Lacrosse for my university team and even had the opportunity to captain and work alongside other committee members. For me, joining a sports team has been the most important and valuable aspect of my university life. I have made so many friends whilst enjoying playing the sport I love, which has been great for my mental and physical health. I especially enjoy playing competitive matches against other universities. The university also has a well-equipped gym with access to a swimming pool and sauna.
The Student Union is constantly hosting events, ranging from daytime to evening activities. It is a social hub and has recently been transformed into a Wetherspoons. The student community is strong at Birmingham and the opportunities made available to students has really helped me to go out of my comfort zone and try something different.
Go Global are the team in charge of organising a year abroad. Students can travel to countries all around the world for either 1 semester or a whole year. I would recommend considering a year abroad since it is something that is much easier to do as a university student and an experience of a lifetime.
Overall, my time at Birmingham has helped me build valuable skills and become more confident in my abilities. I would highly recommend the university to students looking for a welcoming environment with hundreds of opportunities for personal and professional development.