The University of Manchester
speciality: Law

An amazingly diverse and lively city with many activities and luxuries available for students at every corner. With the assistance of student societies and clubs, the student led city takes full advantage and makes it feel like home very quickly.

I attended the university of manchester for my undergraduate degree. I found their pastoral care excellent for when I went through difficult periods, whilst their teaching was great both through the level of resources available for us but also the engagement of the lecturers. The library facilities are also very good, both socially and educationally. The student lifestyle is by far the best thing about the university, with all my friends being jealous of the experience!

The school has a very friendly and supportive lecturer team that guide and help out whenever you have a need during the degree years. The staffs are very helpful too. The programs are thoughtfully planned which you can easily learn and master as long as you have put in the effort. Highly recommend joining the school and becoming part of the alumni.

The university is located in a great City. It is outstanding with lots of opportunities that Students can explore. It has great reading areas, actually students can study from many areas/ buildings. The support services are impressive. The staff is amazing. Mental health support is also given priority. I studied law and because of the amazing experience I had here, I had to come back for my masters. The teaching is also good.

The University of Manchester is one of the biggest in the UK, if not the biggest and when you arrive you can tell. The University runs in and around the city centre, you have more than one library and you are close to parks and bars to chill out with your friends. The facilities are numerous, there are plenty of computer rooms to choose from and a 24-hour library for those nights you need to go that extra mile. Alongside this there are a number of societies which you can take part in and a number of rooms in the Student Union which you can use, making use of speakers, projectors microphone if you have booked in advance. The student bar used to be cheaper but the price has shot up in recent years, the student price can only be attained upon showing a recent student card. Also, the toilets in the student union are unisex and sometimes this tends to invite some unpleasant sights and odours. There are toilets on each floor so you can always escape an unsightly one – don’t worry!
There are microwaves to heat up food, 2 water stations which if filled, are handy to use.

It’s a university which mixes the old and new together. Kinda cool

As a “COVID-postgrad” much of my Master’s experience was online. The quality of my course therefore largely revolved around the communication and availability of lecturers and tutors. In the main, this was extremely positive. Many lecturers were available outside of university hours and generally went beyond all expectations to facilitate one-on-one zoom calls and extra tuition/help. The law school is definitely very international and the online nature of the course certainly helped in this regard. That said, it may have been beneficial to have more group discussion in seminars – though admittedly doing this online would be challenging. Overall I really enjoyed the course and found the lecturers extremely supportive.

I was surrounded by a lively and encouraging environment while attending the University of Manchester, and I had access to a multitude of helpful online tools. The lectures and material offered were very beneficial and greatly aided my academic endeavours. That being said, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the strikes affected my educational experience. Notwithstanding these difficulties, I am appreciative of Manchester University’s efforts to provide a supportive learning environment, and grateful for the teachers who went the extra mile to help accommodate us.

The student experience at the University of Manchester provides a wholistic balance of educational and co-curricular activities. The university is home to a number of renowned academics (within the law school, names such as the Braziers might ring a bell) while also providing the opportunity to rub shoulders with equally capable classmates and working professionals who regular visit the university as part of their firm outreach. The number of sports and recreational clubs on offer means that there is something for everyone’s palette. Life beyond the university is equally colourful with cultural events peppering the city’s daytime schedule and equally diverse nightlife dotting the city after hours. Manchester is the place to be for an all-encompassing student life.

The University of Manchester’s law program is a highly prestigious and comprehensive course that offers several advantages to its students:

1. Multicultural Environment: The law course at the University of Manchester benefits from a diverse and multicultural student body, which fosters an enriching exchange of ideas and perspectives.

2. Highly Qualified Academic Staff: The faculty consists of distinguished scholars with extensive expertise, ensuring high-quality teaching and knowledge sharing.

3. Strong Industry Connections: The university maintains robust links with top city and magic circle law firms, providing students with excellent networking and career opportunities.

4. Engaging Practical Experiences: Students have access to various practical experiences, including Pro Bono initiatives, law clinics, commercial awareness workshops, career networking events, and moot competitions, which enhance their skillsets and employability.

Areas for Improvement:

1. Teaching Style: The teaching style employed in some courses can be perceived as rigid and traditional, which may not cater to all learning styles and preferences.

2. Student-Teacher Ratio: A high student-to-teacher ratio in certain courses could limit individualized attention and interaction between professors and students.

3. Inflexibility: The university can be inflexible regarding issues such as fees and other administrative matters, which may negatively impact students’ experiences, especially international ones.

4. Insufficient Mental Health Support: Although some mental health resources are available, the university could benefit from providing more comprehensive emotional wellbeing support to students.

5. Uncertainty in Teaching Schedules: Teaching schedules can be frequently disrupted by instances such as staff strikes, leading to uncertainty and potential gaps in learning.

6. Stressful Exam Schedule: The exam schedule can be highly demanding, placing significant stress on students and potentially affecting their academic performance.

7. Workload and Support Balance: The heavy workload and high expectations in the law course require additional support mechanisms to help students manage their stress and academic demands effectively.

Conclusion:
The University of Manchester’s law course offers several positive aspects, including a multicultural environment, highly qualified academic staff, strong industry connections, and engaging practical experiences. However, there are areas for improvement, such as teaching style, student-teacher ratio, inflexibility, insufficient mental health support, uncertain teaching schedules, stressful exam schedules, and workload support balance. By addressing these concerns, the University of Manchester can enhance the overall experience for its law students and ensure a well-rounded education without neglecting their emotional needs and sense of wellbeing.