I chose the University of Salford for their course provision: Media Psychology. The course was not being offered by other universities.
Course Curriculum :
The curriculum is very hands-on and practical. It was designed in a way that encouraged open class discussions. My course was designed very closely with the BBC R & D team and their on going projects giving us necessary industry inputs and experience. The course offered us various opportunities to interact with and learn from industry experts and academic experts on certain topics. These guest lectures were intertwined with the main course content. The online and offline libraries aided the students to pursue any and all ideas. These were then discussed with related professors. The highlight of the course was the chance we got to pick up theoretical knowledge and also apply it while it was fresh in our minds constantly.
Exams :
My university expected an upper-middle-class result from my graduation and IELTS score. My overall band score for IELTS was 8.0 (9.0 in listening, 8.5 in reading, 6.5 in writing, and 8.5 in speaking).
Events :
The university is spread over multiple campus spaces and my course was mainly held in Media City which shares its quarters with the BBC and other media giants. For this reason, we were always surrounded by an atmosphere which was equal parts academic and industry in nature. thanks to that we got a lot of exposure. About research facilities, the uni had multiple offline libraries and an online library as well. Each student could install the uni library plug in onto their personal computers and gain access to scholarly papers free of cost. Additionally, students with no personal computers could borrow laptops from all campus locations and libraries. The campus had a sports centre, swimming pool, and other recreational centres that were engaged in some activity or the other. Students also had access to an on campus bar which also hosted events occasionally. In the same building was Student Support Centre where students could go to address any queries they had- from visa related queries to which clubs were available to join.
Fees :
I had to pay in USD as an international student and my tuition fee was around INR 15 lac (GBP 14310). In addition to this, I also had to bear my accommodation fee.
Scholarship :
No.
Faculty :
My class batch was no more than 20. This gave us all a good chance to interact not only with the teachers but also with one another. Each student was assigned a mentor who they could discuss issues with that were academic or non-academic nature. Totally, three key professors handled the course. The course co-ordinator, Dr. Adam Galpin was a constant through both semesters. The third semester is one where we write our thesis wherein each student primarily interacts with their mentor and sometimes with their secondary mentor. The professor who made a true, hard mark on me is Dr. Sara Vestergren who continues to be my mentor long after my thesis has been submitted and marked! She continue to be the person I discuss any and all academic and professional ideas with.
Hostel :
University had accommodation available. However, I did not stay in the university accommodation. I stayed nearby in a hostel/dorm facility where I had a room to myself with an attached bathroom but I was sharing the rest of the apartment (kitchen, common area, etc.) with five other students enrolled at the University of Salford.
