Student review [#57293] for BA Political Science
at University of Liverpool - UOL

In my first year at university, I had the pleasure of transitioning from a small town in Northern Ireland to a vibrant and welcoming student culture. The staff at the university went above and beyond to make me feel at home, always accommodating and eager to assist with any challenges I faced.
One thing that stood out to me was the university’s dedication to helping students navigate the shift from secondary school to higher education. They offered various workshops that covered essential skills like referencing, formatting, and reading academic articles effectively, ensuring we maximised our studies.

The careers service, ran by students, is a great addition. Their support and guidance for CVs, job applications and interviews, are valuable in preparing us for the professional world beyond university. Moreover, the university Guild, which has won awards, placed a strong focus on student welfare and wellbeing. They regularly organise events, such as bands and concerts, to enhance our university experience.

I found the academic advisers to be extremely helpful, as they allowed us to schedule appointments at our convenience and were always ready to assist. The module structure was clear and concise, making it easier to follow the course material.

The lecturers were not only supportive but also experts in their respective fields. They always kept their doors open for discussions and encouraged additional learning. Since my degree was heavily theoretical, the lecturers were mindful of our future career aspirations and highlighted how the skills we learned could be applied in the workplace. For example, in a third-year international intervention module, we engaged in a three-hour debate, discussing the skills we had acquired, such as active listening, clear communication, taking initiative, and thinking on our feet – all of which were incredibly beneficial for future interviews and career prospects.

The university also offered a wide range of clubs and societies, encouraging students to actively participate and become committee members. This not only allowed us to pursue our interests but also developed our leadership and organisational skills.

One of the most exciting opportunities I undertook was my semester abroad program to the University of Amsterdam. I felt truly grateful that Liverpool was able to offer me an array of travelling opportunities, and many degree programs give opportunities to study for a year, semester or summer abroad across the world.

My one negative to Liverpool was their approach to staff striking. Specifically, this was felt during the marking boycott. Although this was a UK-wide strike occurring in every university, I was not impressed with the lack of communication and updates from lectures to students. I have several friends studying in the facility of Humanities who have graduated with no degree classification, due to not receiving any marks from their final year exams. To improve, I would have liked to have been updated when exactly lecturers plan on striking, so that my own time was not wasted preparing for lectures that will not be taking place.

Overall, my university experience has been incredibly enriching, thanks to the supportive staff, fantastic academic environment, and ample opportunities for personal growth and development. My experience has been so positive, I have been accepted to study a MSC in Digital Marketing and Analytics at the University. I am confident that the skills and experiences gained here will set me on a successful path in my future endeavours.