What Students Say?
Likes
- The Infrastructure: I liked the infrastructure of the University a lot. For a Harry Potter fan, studying at this University is like a dream come true. Cloisters look heavenly pretty during winter/Christmas. You can outshine on your Instagram with just one picture of a University building, but what will one do with the building when there's no placement, and no job security after graduation?
- Faculty: Most of the faculty members are really nice and have good knowledge of the subject. But you will definitely find some of them just reading the ppts and saying anything and everything to satisfy your questions.
Dislikes
- No placement: You have to pay a hefty amount of fees just like Indian IITs and IIMs in India, but you won't get any placement unlike them. These Universities organize career events and counselling sessions to provide placements, but reality is start-ups come to sessions to promote themselves and bigger firms just come and give you their website address or cards and go off by saying check online. Then it's up to you only to apply, face 100's of rejection and finally make it if you can.
- Lack of funding: After BREXIT, most of the Universities in the UK are facing funding crises, that's why they don't have internships/ research opportunities, especially for science students.
To be honest, I chose this college in a hurry. I also got letters from the University of Edinburgh and UCL, but my financial conditions didn't allow me to join UCL as you've to show a 12.5Lakh London living allowance to join it, whereas 9.5 for the rest of the UK. Fees were bearable for UOG, So I decided to go for it. Also, I wanted a blend of Biotech and management programs, as I didn't want to pursue a PhD or research and wanted to join a biotech firm as a Project manager or in Operations, so I thought this course and this Uni would be perfect. I would rate my overall experience as 2.5/5.
Course Curriculum
Yes, the coursework is updated, but the lack of industrial exposure and time in the laboratory is of no use. I had a course named Omics Technology for Biomedical Sciences, where I felt like I would get exposure to Omics laboratory and do some Metabolomics experiments or see how a transcriptome works, but I had to sit a whole day just listening to lectures and finally do an assignment in which I had to sit at home and read papers to frame an experiment where methodology includes any of the omics technology.
Exams
- IELTS: Anything above 7 is fine. I have seen students coming without IELTS in some courses as well because they did their entire schooling upto 12th in English or they had above 95% in English CORE Subject in 12th. My IELTS score was 7.5 overall. - 10th - 10 CGPA (CBSE); 12th - 95.6% (CBSE) Graduation (UG): Hansraj College, Delhi University, BSc (HONS) Zoology, CGPA: 9.2 - Requirements: I have submitted SOP, LOR and CV as well. Everything was edited and modified by my counsellor. Also, I didn't have to go for an interview. But for good universities like UCL and Oxford: You just have to show your interest in the University and the program and you will get your letter based on (50%) of your SOP and (50%) luck.
Placement
I would rate the Average post-study placement as poor. The job market is too crowded. Research opportunities are limited, especially in the UK (they favour home students more). You have to exceptionally motivated and do your own research to land into a good job. Maybe more chances of getting PhD in Europe or the US.
Fees
£23,000 for 1 year in 2022. It must have increased now.
Faculty
Faculty to student ratio is perfectly OK. Faculty members are nice, very gentle, genuine and approachable. Dr. Sean Colloms of Synthetic Biology is really knowledgeable person in MVLS and Dr. Matt Jones as well. These two people have left an impact on me because of their knowledge. I was stunned by Dr. Matt's knowledge of the Photobiology of LOV proteins and I still remember everything about his subject just because of him. His experience in Photobiology is equal to my age. Some professors were really nice whereas I don't even remember the name of others.
Campus Life
Campus life is amazing, with various events happening every day, lots and lots of extracurricular activities, parties, and cultural dramas, The Gym is nice, and you can take a student membership (with a student discount on everything). The sports room is too big, big court for every other sport, Gigs, events, night clubs, societies, etc. are very active and give good exposure. Research facilities are there, but there is lack of funding. For Indian students, they organize Diwali parties, Holi parties, Garba nights, etc. (all paid with some student discounts, tickets around £5-15 depending upon the event)
Hostel
University provides accommodations which are really nice and have good infrastructures, but they are on a first come first serve basis. If you apply late, you won't get them, they cost around £450-900 per month depending upon how well they are built and their facilities. There were accommodation crises every September because students came every year in bulk, especially from Asian countries, and some students struggled to secure accommodation. If you are not able to secure accommodations then you have to go for a private search on Facebook groups and personal contacts. You will find cheaper options there as well, around £300-500 if you want to share and £350-700 for a separate room.
