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University of South Wales

Newport University Applicants 2012

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Reply 100

emchids

Original post by MissBlueskys

Just finished the application for accommodation for standard at Caerleon :smile:

Anyone else chosen there?

I've applied for standard at Caerleon too! :] Mainly because it's cheaper :P

University of South Wales

Reply 101

MissBlueskys

Original post by emchids

I've applied for standard at Caerleon too! :] Mainly because it's cheaper :P

Yay! From the Newport 2012 facebook page I was getting the feeling most Film and Video'ers where going to Opal. I can't wait to go now, only have one more exam to do than summer :smile:

Reply 102

evol7

I'm having a problem right now ... cannot figure for the life of me whether I should choose Caerleon en-suite or Opal. EU Film and Video'er myself.

The first one is the main campus with student union, gym membership, personal mini-fridge ( very useful in halls) --39 weeks, around 93 pounds per week but I would have to commute every morning to and from City Campus (around 20min.) ... it shouldn't be too much of a hassle but still it is quite restrictive (especially since I consider going to Cardiff quite often -- that would mean another 25 min from Newport). From the photos, the rooms here seem quite outdated - of course, I am not ''thinking'' that University should be about fancy rooms, it's just an objective opinion.

Opal has a strange 43 week policy - till 6th of July, and as I gather, the course lasts 39 weeks... so yeah - with 4.130/year and 96/week, the difference in price is mainly due to those added weeks ( that could be used eventually to travel). The conditions are better here, more modern, but it doesn't include the Gas bill ( I do not know what this would entail -- paying the heating during winter or what!?)-- The utilities bills that are included: Water and Electricity. As I have read throughout various threads most, indeed, choose to stay at Opal. I am currently thinking if it is worth it, the extra 500 pounds could be used for those ''course costs'' - but still, Opal would be more convenient with a laundrette on site.

Considering that at most unis the price for the same type/quality accommodation exceeds that of Opal 1 Newport - I am left with a tough decision.
I know it is quite a long text, and that the details/information is already known for those that already applied, I just wanted to summarise the pros and cons.

At this moment I'm changing my mind quite easily, one day I'm thinking that Caerleon would be idyllic, the other I have the feeling that when we have to complete a project as a group in a day or so, the whole Caerleon and back thing would be awful - the editing suites/equipment being at City Campus, most of that group at Opal --- I don't know. It might not be that bad.

Long story short: Caerleon en-suite vs Opal.

Reply 103

keefy

Does anyone know wether or not you can park a motorcycle near the Caerleon Accomodation and also at City Campus?

Reply 104

halagoo

Original post by evol7

I've just finished first year performing arts and lived in opal, I'm not going to say you should stay at one or the other but I'll just clarify some things you've said here.

Firstly you won't be in university every day, unless it gets close to deadlines and you have to go in to meet groups/use the facilities. Opal's 43 week contract is annoying, but living in opal this year has been so good no one really seemed to mind, with many people hanging on until the end of the contract to leave opal. (Although the cost was annoying.) Opal does include all bills. You don't have to worry about paying for anything other than the price of rent per week. Unless of course you break something, in which case they will charge you for it. Internet and all bills are included. You get your own heater in your bedroom but I would advise a fan for the summer months as it got very hot in our flat as the weather got warmer. I'm pretty sure the Caerleon campus has a laundrette on site too?

I met lots of film and video students last year, some were staying at opal, some at Caerleon, and none of them complained about the journey. It is a bit of a trek but Caerleon is also probably more sociable than Opal and often students from Caerleon have someone to get the bus with so all in all it just depends on where you think you would be happiest.

Reply 105

uniluke

In terms of accommodation, the simple way to put it is if you want comfort then pick Opal. But if you want social then pick Caerleon. All of the Freshers events are Caerleon, as well as the gym and SU, it gives a more campus feel than Opal. Opal is more like a hotel. There are different options with campus though, as if you go Standard on Caerleon then there's a choice of four blocks, the two quiet renovated blocks of A and B, and the two loud blocks of C and D. I was in D this year and we had a ton of fun, most of us ended up with final warnings, but we were the only block to have a waterslide.

For the night-life, people generally go to the main 3 or 4 clubs, it's a lot smaller than cardiff but it's also a lot cheaper. You could spend as little as £10 on a night out and still have fun as entry is only £3 and most drinks and shots are £1.

Reply 106

DamoBoyd

Just finished my first year of Film & Video and stayed in opal 1, brilliant accommodation, close to the city centre, minutes walk to the city campus. I suggest staying here if you are the social type and the money you would save on rent if you stayed at the Caerleon campus would be spent on paying for bus journeys to and from lectures. Oh and I will be staying in Opal again in September, so I look forward to seeing all the new first years :smile:

Reply 107

MissBlueskys

Original post by DamoBoyd

How did you find the course? Were there many people? How many films did you get to make? What are you aiming to specialise in next year?

Sorry for the bombardment of questions. I already went for Caerleon, mainly because a great lack of money (lowest student loan and no grant). Do you know if the majority of Film and Video went to Opal or if it was half and half?

Reply 108

DamoBoyd

Generally it was a good mix between opal, campus and other kinds of housing but I noticed more in opal because I live here, but I have no doubt that you'll spend more than your fair share in opal with all the parties happening here.

I am looking to specialise into Directing and Cinematography next year and I found the course great, very informative and the lecturers where very entertaining, if a little bit annoying (Thursday morning lectures and student night is wednesday haha) although we only did get to make 4/5 films actually for the course but you will have the time to do some work on your own or with some of the very talented people you will meet on the course.

Oh and there were around 70-75 people on the course this year, but you spend most of the time working in smaller groups so there is nothing too daunting.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 109

evol7

Thanks for all of the information, it really helped both course and accommodation wise, at the moment i'm still quite undecided but I think that Caerleon in the first year - when there's more free time I guess for gym or other activities at the main campus and Opal in the second (since I want to solely concentrate on the two specialisations) would be a good plan. If there is any other important tip,advice or information regarding the first year on the Film and Video course - in order to take advantage of every experience/posibility --- I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks again for the responses.

Reply 110

DamoBoyd

I look forward to meeting some of you lot next year, maybe hit the pub, I know a decent cheap one about 10 minutes from opal. Remember first year is definitely about making connections and getting a feel for what you want to do later on at uni, don't waste it.

Reply 111

mjcollins4

Hi all..

I'm new to this forum type stuff.

I just had my interview for introduction to secondary teaching today at caerleon campus & I was wondering if anyone else applied for the course & if someone could tell me a rough idea of how long it is before I should know if I have a place on the course or not?

Any help will be great.

Thanks

Reply 112

Loll_bee

I've applied for social studies access course at the caerleon campus, fingers crossed I get in as I really want to study psychology there next year.

Reply 113

Bledri

Got accepted into Advertising Design in the city campus. Just waiting for the welcome booklet now. :smile:

Thankfully I don't need accommodation, since I live close by. I can't imagine having to go through the whole process!

Reply 114

MissBlueskys

Original post by mjcollins4

Yuo have probably heard by now, but I found out about 2/3 weeks after my interview that I had a offer. You should know if you are officially in on results day unless you get an unconditional. Best of luck!

Original post by Lauranbrianna

I've applied for social studies access course at the caerleon campus, fingers crossed I get in as I really want to study psychology there next year.

Good luck! Hope you get in :biggrin:

Original post by Bledri

Got accepted into Advertising Design in the city campus. Just waiting for the welcome booklet now. :smile:

Thankfully I don't need accommodation, since I live close by. I can't imagine having to go through the whole process!

Well done!

I am just waiting for this Thursday to know if I have got the grades to get in. Fingers crossed. Haven't been so worried most of the summer but now it has really hit me and I am kind of desperate to get in. Looking forward to Newport so much.

Reply 115

mjcollins4

missbluesky,

yes i heard about a week ago, but just pending on CRB & Health checks now - They were my only conditions, I have government security clearence so I won't fail the CRB Check anyway.

Thanks for the reply.