Royal Holloway - RHUL Speciality : Performing Arts
programme: Music

Royal Holloway is a university of dreams. My experience thus far has been amazing and I am incredibly eager to see what comes next in my adventure. If you choose to go here, make sure to clear out your camera roll as I can guarantee you will be blown away by the picturesque founders building, and chapel… taking pictures CONSTANTLY. The people here are lovely and lecturers are always more than happy to assist.

My time at Royal Holloway was amazing! However I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone who is looking for a large, city uni. Holloway is definitely a smaller more intimate campus with only a few spaces to go on a night out. My friends and I definitely made the most out of the two clubs on campus, however I know quite a few people who wanted more places to go out. The surroundings of the uni are absolutely beautiful, Windsor great park and Virginia Waters are just a 15 minute walk away. The library is also absolutely beautiful and something which really drew me to the uni itself!

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Royal Holloway. Despite many people warning me of a small campus university, offering little nightlife and far away from London, I found the opposite. Yes, Holloway is further from the city than a typical ‘University of London’, but it’s green space and beautiful Founders building somewhat makes up for this. If you’re seeking more of a campus feel then this university is definitely for you. I was concerned that the nightlife was not going to be varied enough for me (with only two clubs on campus), however, I quickly found that the variety in themed nights and excitement of first year life was varied enough for me. The Students’ Union is a great support on campus and I have found they have been approachable and productive in dealing with issues both on and off campus. I found the student accommodation I had in my first year (Runnymede 1), was good, however advertised slightly differently on the website when I was initially applying for accommodation. However, I soon loved it and settled in quickly. I would definitely advise anyone looking for accommodation in their first year to properly research it though – this goes for any university you are looking at! Overall I have loved Holloway (as someone who is graduating next week), and would recommend it to anyone 🙂

In many ways, Royal Holloway has provided me with a plethora of opportunities, insights and growing confidence. Taking a music degree at RHUL was initially an exciting prospect, after researching league tables and visiting the department on my gap year. However, the reality became clear quite quickly. My final year at Holloway was filled with departmental financial cuts and therefore my performance contact time was reduced.
On the other hand, the wider university community was excellent. Not only the social aspect but also the general day-to-day running of the campus was organised and efficient. My accommodation halls in my first year were outstanding and I felt at home very quickly. The RHUL student union body definitely set itself apart from other universities, providing well paid student staff jobs and putting significant money back into the union itself.
Overall, I would recommend RHUL to any prospective student looking for a friendly campus and a lot of green space! I would stress the importance, however, of thoroughly researching your course prior to applying as I experienced my own unforeseen circumstances.