The University of Bradford reviews

The University of Bradford review

The initial first drive into Bradford confirmed some of the things I'd been hearing about the city. It was quite dirty and had a run-down feel to it. The university campus does continue this theme to an extent but I'd have to say that first impressions can in some ways be deceptive. No it wasn't the smartest campus in country, but yes, it certainly had a very friendly and buzzing atmosphere. You can guarantee that once you've settled in, know a few people from your course and have joined some clubs and societies, you can't help but bump into someone you know on campus.

Every first year is guaranteed a place in halls, in fact because of my placement I've stayed in halls twice. In first year I was on campus and could roll out of bed 5 minutes before a lecture. Don't worry though off-campus halls only add 5 minutes to your journey time.
The initial first drive into Bradford confirmed some of the things I'd been hearing about the city. It was quite dirty and had a run-down feel to it. The university campus does continue this theme to an extent but I'd have to say that first impressions can in some ways be deceptive. No it wasn't the smartest campus in country, but yes, it certainly had a very friendly and buzzing atmosphere. You can guarantee that once you've settled in, know a few people from your course and have joined some clubs and societies, you can't help but bump into someone you know on campus.

Every first year is guaranteed a place in halls, in fact because of my placement I've stayed in halls twice. In first year I was on campus and could roll out of bed 5 minutes before a lecture. Don't worry though off-campus halls only add 5 minutes to your journey time.

As for my degree, as a "unique" course (with two six month placements), I'd say that it's one of the best in the country. We are widely regarded as very competent, we do well in the pre-registration exam and are highly employable. Again the department may lack the sheen of some but it more than makes up for this in enthusiasm. In addition the teaching has been rated excellent (23/24). I would say that students are given every opportunity to perform well, it would be through our own excesses that we'd fall down.

On a social note, Bradford can cater for any seasoned drinker. Since I started uni new pubs have been sprouting up everywhere - particularly in the student-popular West End. Here there are at least 10 pubs within a minute of the very fine Alhambra theatre. On a clubbing note music ranges from Jazz nights at The George's, indie/metal at Rio's, cheese at Livingstone's to the infamous FND (Friday Night Disco) that caters for all music distastes! For a fabulously cheap yet brilliant night, nothing can beat drinking in the Student Union bars (less than £1.50/pint) then rolling down to the FND.

With so many establishments near campus few students venture into the city centre (15 min walk from campus) for a night out. To be honest the shopping isn't much cop either (but the usual high street shops are there). Not to worry - Leeds is 20 minutes and £2 by train!

There's plenty else to do in and around Bradford. From the National Museum of Film and Photography, the usual cinemas and bowling, bingo, a visit to The Dales, to the works of David Hackney in The Salts Mill in Saltaire.

For not much money at all the Students Union can also provide all manner of sporting activities and societies. In my time here I've canoe-surfed in Polzeath, played rugby (actually quite a good side), swum and played waterpolo in national uni competition, played squash around the country, snow-boarded in Halifax. The sports centre is drab but the gym hall floor's just been redone and every sport is catered for. As for societies these range from Chess, Cult TV and BUSOMs (operatta's and musicals!) to the Irish, Islamic and Jewish societies. You could broadcast on the student radio station or write for the student magazine. Everything's game, even most courses have their own society. These arrange course social events and ensure that you can never say that you've nothing to do.

All you could want both academically and otherwise is catered for at Bradford Uni; it might not have the sheen, the glitz or the glamour, but student life here is excellent.
As for my degree, as a "unique" course (with two six month placements), I'd say that it's one of the best in the country. We are widely regarded as very competent, we do well in the pre-registration exam and are highly employable. Again the department may lack the sheen of some but it more than makes up for this in enthusiasm. In addition the teaching has been rated excellent (23/24). I would say that students are given every opportunity to perform well, it would be through our own excesses that we'd fall down.
On a social note, Bradford can cater for any seasoned drinker. Since I started uni new pubs have been sprouting up everywhere - particularly in the student-popular West End. Here there are at least 10 pubs within a minute of the very fine Alhambra theatre. On a clubbing note music ranges from Jazz nights at The George's, indie/metal at Rio's, cheese at Livingstone's to the infamous FND (Friday Night Disco) that caters for all music distastes! For a fabulously cheap yet brilliant night, nothing can beat drinking in the Student Union bars (less than £1.50/pint) then rolling down to the FND.
With so many establishments near campus few students venture into the city centre (15 min walk from campus) for a night out. To be honest the shopping isn't much cop either (but the usual high street shops are there). Not to worry - Leeds is 20 minutes and £2 by train!
There's plenty else to do in and around Bradford. From the National Museum of Film and Photography, the usual cinemas and bowling, bingo, a visit to The Dales, to the works of David Hackney in The Salts Mill in Saltaire.
For not much money at all the Students Union can also provide all manner of sporting activities and societies. In my time here I've canoe-surfed in Polzeath, played rugby (actually quite a good side), swum and played waterpolo in national uni competition, played squash around the country, snow-boarded in Halifax. The sports centre is drab but the gym hall floor's just been redone and every sport is catered for. As for societies these range from Chess, Cult TV and BUSOMs (operatta's and musicals!) to the Irish, Islamic and Jewish societies. You could broadcast on the student radio station or write for the student magazine. Everything's game, even most courses have their own society. These arrange course social events and ensure that you can never say that you've nothing to do.
All you could want both academically and otherwise is catered for at Bradford Uni; it might not have the sheen, the glitz or the glamour, but student life here is excellent.

The University of Bradford review

The uni is in a great location, right near the centre of town.

Halls aren't too bad, and are nice and most of them are right on campus. There are even better private halls, but they are expensive.

Bradford night life isn't great, most people are at the FND on a Friday night which plays a mixture of the most awful music you can think of.

Disappointed!

I initially came to Bradford University as a Postgraduate student. Overall, I found the tutors to be arrogant and dismissive, especially if faced with any critical challenges to encourage debate within the lecture setting - poor for post graduate level study! Additionally, the general atmosphere was very much like being back at secondary school - I was 'told off' on several occasions and even ordered out of a classroom once whilst in the process of switching off (silent) my mobile phone (with the lecturer refusing to carry on with the class unless I left). This university does not seem to recognise that postgraduate study is not compulsory study like schooling, but rather a choice where postgraduate should be treated as intelligent adults not naughty choidren! I would not recommend this university to anyone - if you are going to pay thousands of pounds for your course, look at alternative institutions. They can offer so much more and a far more progressive and student-orientated service!