Sam Biology BSc Honours
Choosing Newcastle
I chose Newcastle University because it's a fantastic university and is specifically good for the sciences.
Aside from the pioneering research work that has and is being done here, there are also a whole range of facilities specifically catering for the scientific community -The Moorbank Botanical Gardens, Dove Marine Laboratory and the Great North Museum are examples of these facilities that will give you an edge over Universities and with your degree!
Another reason is that Newcastle is a brilliant city to live in on so many levels - food and drink is cheap, there are galleries, museums and exhibitions a-plenty, breathtaking architecture and world-renowned nightlife that makes the rest of Britain green with envy!
Studying at Newcastle
The variety in my Biology degree was great, it gave me a taste for a really wide range subjects, some that I was familiar with and them some others that were completely new!
This diversity is fantastic as nearly everyone has an epiphany during the year and finds some aspect of the course that they really enjoy and are passionate about, and know that they want do it in second and third year and sometimes even when they get out of the degree.
The resources available are really helpful too, such as the Robinson Library (which has received the Charter Mark for last 5 years and is one of the best libraries in the North) which is very useful for reading around a subject, the lecturers and tutors themselves who are more than happy to respond to any questions, to Blackboard (an online learning platform) to your fellow scientists.
All the effort and work a degree needs can be a daunting prospect, but all the above have really helped me, and I’m sure they’ll really help you too!
Uni Facilities
Newcastle University has an amazing array of facilities, each and every one of them designed with the student in mind. Firstly, there’s the Students' Union! The Union is one of the hubs of student life, whether it be as a meeting point, rehearsal or performing space, music and comedy venue, student help centre, or just a place to get a bite to eat and drink between lectures.
Nearby is the King’s Gate centre, which is another incredibly useful building, housing all the University’s administration under one modern steel/chrome roof. If you’ve got any kind of issues with finance, careers guidance, or just someone to talk to, there’s always someone on hand there.
Other great facilities include the recently renovated gym (£5.5 million spent on things like a state-of-the-art fitness suite), a number of bistros and cafes that sell great priced and great tasting food, art galleries, a museum, libraries and so much more!
Living in Newcastle
Newcastle is the kind of city that is so good that you very quickly run out of adjectives to describe it!
The city itself is lovely looking, with a great range of buildings and styles - all with northern charm. It has everything you could ever want to do, ranging from galleries, like the Baltic and Laing (showing the work of top artists such as Damien Hirst and others), to a variety of museums that specialise in a myriad of different attractions, from Ancient Egypt (Great North Museum) to Ancient Newcastle (Discovery Museum) and then so much more, the shops, hundreds of cafes, restaurants and eateries, the theatres, stadia, cinemas, hotels, countless pubs, clubs, dives, casinos, music venues... you can never say you’re bored!
Spare time
Newcastle has everything you need to do anything you want over your degree, it’s up to you to make the most of it! For instance, I keep myself busy with triathlon training by swimming in the City Pool and running routes that take me past the best parts of the city, I know for a fact that the Quayside looks beautiful in the early morning winter sun.
I’m also the Treasurer of the Comedy Society, so I help run the society and organise and take part in such activities as stand-up, improv and sketch shows.
Other societies I’m a member of include NUTS (the theatre society) and will be appearing in a play this semester as a result, and the Biology Society for biologically-related fun and nights out.
I’m also learning Japanese and am a huge fan of the Uni’s Language Resource Centre, which holds resources for over 50 different languages and is great for those trying to learn a new language and culture.
Other things that keep me occupied are visiting galleries and museums, such as the Baltic and Life Centre, my Student Ambassador work with the Uni and relaxing with my friends.
Your future
I’m confident that after my degree I’ll be able to find employment despite the current concern over the job market. Newcastle is a leading University and a good degree from such a prestigious establishment really does mean something to employers.
A number of things that I’m doing with and during Uni will help make me more employable, things like being a Student and STEM Ambassador, taking a TEFL course during my second year, learning a second language, helping run a society and being a society representative, all things that I found through the University itself.
Ideally, after my graduation, I’d like to become a Graduate Ambassador and then with the JET scheme, go and teach English in Japan. Fingers crossed!