Suvetha Dhanasekar
Reviewed on May 5, 2025(Enrolled 2023)What Students Say
Likes
- Campus life, like its all one campus the buildings aren't spread out in the city like some other universities I know
- Good teaching and admin staff
- Diverse cohort in most programs
Dislikes
- High tuition fee for international students
- No Better guidance on job front
- On campus living is expensive compared to off campus
Course Curriculum
8
- The program wasn't very difficult; it was a mix of examination modules and assignments depending on what module you chose. There was a basic-level exam early on to warm up all the students to the same level on the basics, which was really good. My program started with classes every everyday and then gradually reduced as the dissertation started. My program had about 75 students, of whom 40-50% were Indians.
Admission Experience
- I've applied to a total of 5 Universities. I got selected at Exeter University, the University of Surrey and Lancaster. I got rejected from the University of Liverpool and Queen Mary London University. I think I didn't meet their eligibility criteria on Queen's Mary and I applied early to Liverpool before I got my final semester results so that didn't look good on my application.
- I really liked the curriculum and module option that was available, plus the city as well; it wasn't overwhelming. The admission process was fairly easy. I had already done my IELTS exam, which made the application Process easier as well; I got an overall score of 8, which added weight to my profile. My overall admission experience was really smooth; the university helped with all the queries I had and were great at assisting throughout the process.
- I applied to the September 2023 intake, as it was the main intake. The admission process took about 3-4 weeks from the date I applied and then 3 more weeks for me to receive my CAS and then after one month of waiting, I got my visa. I applied to my programme 3 weeks after it got opened. So it was fairly quicker, as they have multiple stages of admissions usually done.
Faculty
10
- The professors were all kind and patient. If you had any questions, they made sure to clarify them. The teaching methodology differs based on the professor, but for all modules, you’ll get PPT to begin with, and reference materials will be mentioned. They did not assist in any personal references for jobs, which would have been helpful. Some of them had really strong accents, which was a bit difficult at first.
- I liked my faculty for the module of behavioural finance; both of them taught well, and I liked their style of teaching. My program had a lot of students, so the Faculty-to-Student Ratio was lower compared to other programs.
Campus Life
10
- There is only one Campus at Lancaster, which is good as all the buildings are together, which gives you a good campus feel. All major facilities are available on campus, like the library, gym, emergency hospital, labs and playgrounds. The gym is one of the best in the city and has various levels of memberships.
- I recommend taking a full-year membership as soon as your program starts to make the best use of it. Every year, a sporting event called the Roses happens between Yorkshire University and Lancaster University, which is very famous. There are a lot of clubs, so there's something for everyone. I was a part of Lancaster Nightline and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Part Time Jobs
- Usually, PHD students get Teaching / Research / Departmental Assistant positions. There are several other hospitality retail jobs on campus. If you live on campus, there are some part-time jobs based on that as well. There are also opportunities to be student ambassadors. The maximum hours of work allowed per week are 20 hours during term time and 40 hours during term breaks. National minimum wages are usually the wages paid for these kinds of jobs and their hourly pay rate.
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National minimum wages are usually the wages for these kinds of part-time jobs. Right now it is around 12.21 GBP. You can just check it on the official website, as it might change based on your age and is constantly increasing every year. It's advised to apply through LinkedIn, Indeed and total jobs. Having seniors refer you is a good way to land a part-time job as soon as you move. Since Lancaster is a small town, getting a job as soon as you move here is advisable, as it tends to get difficult once the positions are filled.
Placement
6
- The present job market in the UK is not really good right now. So it is hard to find jobs with the current market situation. Average salary starts from approximately 25000 GBP to 30000 GBP and varies based on your experience, the role and the location. Major companies hiring graduates include the Big 4, Amazon and the NHS, to name a few.
- Some sectors are easier to land a job in than the other like medical and social worker jobs, which are in high demand and it is also highly dependent on the calibre of the individual. Here, skills and relevant work experience are valued more than just having the degree.
Accommodation
Off Campus
10
- I used the agency called MSL; they were really good. I had no complaints. There are a lot of other student agencies in Lancaster. If you prefer campus life, student accommodation on campus is decent. But I preferred city accommodation. All bills are usually included in the rent and the deposit is refunded once you move out. Accommodation in the city is 20 minutes away from the University.
Exams
- For my program, only english language requirement was there so I did IELTS and scored 8 overall, which made my profile stronger. The documents necessary for my applications were Statement of Purpose, two Letter Of Recommendations, an updated resume, marksheets, a passport, a visa, identity documents, and a name confirmation affidavit. Interview wasn't a part of my application process.
Fees
- My tuition cost around 26,500 GBP before the scholarship; that said, the costs have now been increased. I was given a 3-term option to pay it. Housing cost (inclusive of all bills) around 500 pounds per month. I used a private agency to secure my place. Other expenses like food travel and miscellaneous costs were about 300-400 per month. I did take a travel pass for buses and trains, which was very helpful.
Scholarship
- I received a scholarship for 5000 GBP called the Lancaster Global Scholarship - Master's. Some of my friends got up to 9000 GBP based on UG results. There are many other scholarships available, like the Management School Master's Scholarship, which are all clearly listed on the university page and program page. Application to it is very straightforward if you meet the eligibility criteria. The actual amount depends on the criteria required.
