alex_coleman (Offline)

hi mate. i've seen your article on the life sciences foundation year at manchester and i am also interested in this course. im wondering pal, are you doing that course now and how is it? how did you write into your personal statement that you want to do something sciency but didn't do science a -levels? what grades did you get if you don't mind me asking because i hear you need bbb? finally, do you know anyone interested in doing optometry after the foundation year and what chance do they have as im interested in optometry?

thanks mate and i look forward to your reply.

I dont think they have a different common room no.. maybe its just hard to tell haha, but you do see a few occasionally.
As for how many, i was in the exam hall at the same time as some of them once (i presume it was the same foundation year), there was probably about.. 30-40? It was back in January though so that might be a little bit of a rusty guess.

Hiya. Normal days are usually 9am till 4 for us so only half an hour difference.
Break is at 10.15 till 10.30.
Then lunch can be either the 11.45 till 12.45 block or 12.45 till 14.00 block
Usually we have a lunch aswell as a free every day, I guess this may be the same for you? I don't really know.
Then on wednesday afternoon, from 1 till 3 there is an enrichment block which everyone gets off, again i'm not sure if its the same for foundation year but thats what its like for us

I don't know anyone studying that I'm afraid. I know a person who's doing the foundation engineering year...

Search on facebook for 2011 freshers groups, or maybe have a look on the UMSU website (http://www.umsu.manchester.ac.uk/societies) to see if you can find anyone to contact in a relevant society. And try YouGo.co.uk as well. University staff will be back around 16th April so you don't have to wait too long!

Thanks for the personal rating If you ever need any more info on accommodation or the university then ask away!

Fallowfield is best for the "student life" and to be honest has the nicest halls. It's not that close to uni though so you need a bus/bike to get there.

City campus (Whitworth, Grosvenor Halls, Weston) aren't great - cheap (bar Weston) but I really struggled to make friends in Grosvenor - they're the international halls and as cliché as it is, they all stick together and don't really talk to you. Courses are better to make friends on.

If you want ensuite Sheavyn House is really nice in Fallowfield, nice gardens too.
Ashburne hall was amazing It reminds me of Oxford, really grand and nice big airy rooms. It's catered though and no ensuite if that bothers you.

Overall Fallowfield is probably the best option Although Whitworth is really handy for lectures.

I'm doing Geography and Geology now. You can switch from it to anything in the SEAS school really in first year.

That was year 1 of 3, no foundation, it was undergraduate.

They give help if you REALLY seek it out, but it's just not there at most times (which is a shame).

It depends on what you want to do with your degree - If you want to go in to research of the space industry then Manchester is probably better just because of the reputation. However, Keele might have better industry specific links, I'm not sure you'd need to check it out.

I love Manchester as a city, just the uni could be a lot better. It's a nice place to live though (depending on where you live obviously, some areas are awful but most are alright).

Hi there!

Well first off I don't actually study anymore, I changed courses because I hated it

Anyway, I'll still try and answer your questions

First year is mainly (basic) maths - AS Level really, quite simple stuff. Some chemistry and physics thrown in too, but mainly maths (and some presentations on current probe missions).

The work wasn't really that hard (although I'm crap at maths to be fair), I just found it really boring. I felt there was very little actual Planetary Science and that I was just doing a maths foundation degree.

As for careers, anything really - just like most degrees. ESA do recruit people from it, a LOT go in to research/PhD studies/teaching. It's a good scientific degree though so most graduate programs also take it.

As for Manchester, it's ok I guess. The uni is huge so results can take ages to get back to you and personalised feedback is lacking/not existent. If you have a problem it's more a case of "tough, sort it out yourself because we don't have time to deal with you - you're just another number".

I firmed here because I live close and knew the city, I didn't want to move too far away.

The lecturers are OK, I had one fantastic guy for maths who had a real passion for it, and my personal tutor does a lot of research on Mars which is pretty interesting, but on the whole the teaching is just OK and no more. Quite rushed and if you fall behind it's a case of tough luck. If you think you can keep up no problem though then it's alright.

The chemistry and physics modules were so, so dull.

I made friends pretty easily, it's a massive uni so as long as you're not a recluse you'll be fine Halls aren't nice really (I moved out after 3 months) but the people are fine and friendly, just don't go to international based halls because they're a bit dead

Hope that helps!