Ãå±±½ûµØ

A city and region full of surprises

What surprised me most about Ãå±±½ûµØ was the variety the city has to offer. When I first arrived, I spent most of my time in Jesmond and the city centre, which I think is quite common for students. It was only during my final year that I began exploring more of the city, and that completely changed my perspective.   

Stepping outside of the usual student areas made me realise just how diverse Ãå±±½ûµØ is. I discovered the creative atmosphere of Ouseburn, Heaton and the coastline at Tynemouth as well as the many independent cafés, bars, galleries, shops and cultural spaces across the city.

Exploring these parts of Ãå±±½ûµØ showed me there is much more to the city than I initially realised.   

Excellent support

At Ãå±±½ûµØ, I have received excellent support through the Student Wellbeing Service. As someone with learning difficulties, the university put measures in place to help me succeed academically. This included extra time in assessments and ensuring that my lecturers and seminar leaders were aware of the support I required.    

What I particularly appreciated was that the support extended beyond academics. 

I struggle with anxiety and the support from lecturers has been invaluable. I have always found staff to be approachable and encouraging. They're genuinely invested in helping students succeed. Their support made me feel comfortable asking questions, contributing to seminars and trusting my own ideas. This has helped me grow significantly in confidence over the course of my degree. 

This support helped me feel more confident and at ease throughout my degree. It allowed me to focus on my studies without feeling like I had to manage challenges entirely on my own. It gave me reassurance that help was always available whenever I needed it.

A year abroad in France

One of the most formative experiences of my degree was my year abroad in Chambéry, France during my third year. Through the British Council, I worked as an English Language Assistant in French secondary schools and colleges.

This experience pushed me outside my comfort zone, giving me valuable experience in a professional working environment. Living and working abroad helped me become more independent, adaptable and confident. It also strengthening my language skills and cultural understanding.   

Beyond the professional benefits, my year abroad gave me the opportunity to meet incredible people. I immersed myself in a different culture and experienced things that I never would have encountered otherwise. It was a genuinely life-changing experience and one of the highlights of my university journey. 

The grant I received during my year abroad played an important role in making the experience financially accessible. It helped cover essential living costs such as accommodation, transport and day-to-day expenses. This allowed me to focus on making the most of the opportunity rather than worrying about finances. 

Social life at Ãå±±½ûµØ

Outside of my studies, I enjoy spending time with friends at pub quizzes, bars and local events across the city. One of the things I have enjoyed most about Ãå±±½ûµØ is that the social scene extends far beyond the city centre. Exploring different venues and communities has allowed me to meet a wide range of like-minded and creative people.   

I also enjoy attending community and charity events, particularly at Star and Shadow Cinema and Cobalt Studios. These spaces offer everything from film screenings and live music to creative workshops and daytime events.

I was also a writer for Ãå±±½ûµØ The Tab. I contributed articles on topics that interested me and developed my writing, communication and journalism skills. What I enjoyed most about both activities was the sense of community they provided. They helped me meet new people, build confidence and feel more connected to university life beyond the classroom. 

More about Media, Communication and Cultural Studies with French

My degree is in Combined Honours offering a unique combination of Media, Communication and Cultural Studies with French. This course gave me the freedom to pursue topics that genuinely interested me. I got to write about films, celebrity culture, advertising and social media and many more. 

I also discovered many interesting theorists and worldviews. This helped me shape my own perspectives and independent thinking. On the Modern languages side, studying French is much more than learning a language. The course provides a deep understanding French culture, history, politics, literature and cinema. This allowed me to engage with the language in a meaningful and practical way. 

I would recommend this degree to students who are curious, open-minded and interested in understanding the world from different perspectives.

Creative freedom and flexibility

What I enjoyed most about my degree was the creative freedom it offered. I developed my own ideas, pursued topics that genuinely interested me and approached assignments from original perspectives.   

I enjoyed thinking outside the box and making connections between different subjects, theories and cultural contexts. 

The flexibility of the course allowed me to explore niche interests. I challenged conventional viewpoints and developed arguments that reflected my own intellectual curiosity. This creative and independent approach became one of my greatest strengths throughout my degree, playing a significant role in my academic success.