University of Birmingham
speciality: International Relations

As a B.A. International Relations student at the University of Birmingham (UoB), I can confidently say that choosing to enrol here was a great decision and one I do not regret. UoB does not just concern itself with students’ academic lives, but also places real importance on social life and overall student experience. There are many services available that support future job opportunities; including CV writing support and work experience schemes, which I have personally found very useful.

UoB also has a wide range of societies, and the university strongly encourages students to get involved through society fairs and regular emails, making sure everyone can find a space where they feel welcome. My own experience of joining the Pole Fitness Society at UoB has been incredibly rewarding. Through this society, I have met my closest friends, and it has given me a real sense of belonging at university. We are now one of the best universities in the country for competitive pole dancing, and the society is such a supportive and empowering community. I think it is notable how much UoB pushes students to join societies, because it genuinely makes a difference to the university experience.

However, whilst the university supports students in many ways that feel unique compared to other institutions, at the end of the day we are here to earn a degree. I have found the academic side of UoB to be lacking in comparison to other top universities. Although lecturers and seminar leaders are generous with their office hours and offer personalised academic support multiple times a week, the overall teaching quality can sometimes feel unclear. I often leave lectures feeling confused and seminars feeling as though I have not learned anything new.

More needs to be done in clearly explaining assignment expectations. At times, I have felt that I have not reached my full academic potential due to miscommunication about what was required. I have experienced situations where lecturers and seminar leaders appeared to contradict one another, which created confusion. This suggests a lack of communication between staff, and it can sometimes feel as though teaching is not always the primary priority. At over £9,000 a year, students should feel confident that teaching is cohesive, clear, and worth the investment.

Overall, UoB provides an excellent social environment, strong career support, and an incredible sense of community through its societies. However, improvements in teaching clarity and staff communication would greatly enhance the academic experience.